LRSD NOW: Friday Highlights 2.23.24

February is:

Black History Month
Career Technical Education Month
National Library Lover's Month
National Heart Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Chinese New Year
National Cancer Prevention Month

Important Dates:

February 26: Superintendent's Citation Program
March 2: Little Rockers Kids Marathon
March 4-8: National School Breakfast Week
March 4: Personnel Policy Committee Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
March 7: School Board Work Session (5:30 p.m.)
March 8: International Women's Day
March 28: New Date for March School Board Meeting (Changed from March 14th)
Save-the-Date: April 8 (Schools/Offices Closed for Eclipse)

Commemorating Black History Month!

Happy Black History Month! This year, LRSD will spotlight prominent African American District graduates. Today, we are recognizing Hall High School alum Celia Anderson. She's a former Razorback basketball player, author, and Ted Talk presenter. Anderson also delivers presentations to students across the country, sharing how the benefits of education have persevered after her athletic career.

Math is Fun! LRSD's 19th Annual Mathletes Challenge Ends with a Three-Peat Winner!

LRSD's 19th Annual Mathletes Challenge is in the history books with a three-peat winner! Competition was intense. After a couple of sudden death rounds, Don Roberts Team 1 captured the title. So the traveling trophy went home with Roberts again, but all the students received awards. Congrats to all the participating teams! As an FYI, the competition was held in rounds and began with 36 teams from schools across the District. Shoutout to Jason Crader for organizing this amazing event and for the math department's support! Click here to read more

Central Tigers Continue Their Winning Ways

Little Rock Central Debate traveled to the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this past week and claimed multiple top awards at the difficult and prestigious event. Seniors Jack Baker and Jackson Mills are the champions of the 2024 Harvard Round Robin. This is the first time LRCH has been invited to the Harvard Round Robin. Way to go, Top Tiger Debaters! There are several noteworthy accomplishments by this team. Click here to read more

Parkview Senior Wins First Place at
Indoor State Championship

Big shoutout to James Hunter Jr., a Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School Senior, for an outstanding victory at the 5A Indoor State Championship! He won first place in the 400m race. Congratulations on your accomplishment, James!

Carver Steam Magnet GT Specialist Honored with AGATE Educator Award

Congratulations to Ms. Melanie Maupin, Carver Steam Magnet GT Specialist. She was honored with the 2024 AGATE Educator Award for her work! This award recognizes educators who have made significant contributions to the education of gifted and talented students. Way to go, Ms. Maupin!

LRSD and Caissa Begin the Second Phase of Recruitment/Retention Partnership

The Little Rock School District is excited to begin phase two of its strategic partnership with Caissa, a leading educational organization focused on student recruitment and retention. Community members may recall LRSD’s pilot project with Caissa last summer that included phone calls, texts, and surveys, seeking feedback to better meet the needs of families. Caissa implements a diverse range of tools to showcase the assets of the districts with which they work to get students back in classrooms and to keep them there. If you get emails or calls/texts from 501-503-3168, 501-512-1656, or 501-260-7244 -they are legitimate communication from LRSD.

Rising Choreographer for the Stars Visits His Alma Mater - Parkview

Current Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School dance students were surprised when 2003 alum Sean-Christopher Freeman dropped by. A rising choreographer to the stars, Freeman just wrapped up his role as the dance/skate choreographer for Usher's Superbowl halftime performance as well as the R&B singer's Vegas residency. Thanks for visiting with our students! BTW, Freeman is an educator in Atlanta (for his "day job").

LRCH Students Honor Black History With American Cities Tribute

Yesterday, talented LRCH students showcased their brilliance and creativity in a powerful program. From captivating performances to enlightening presentations, they paid homage to the rich history and contributions of the Black community in cities across the country.

Central High School Students
Win Arkansas Science Bowl

Congratulations to these students from Little Rock Central High School for winning the Arkansas Science Bowl! Their hard work has earned them a spot to compete at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., this April!

The Deadline is Next Week!

Help Us #ReimageLRSD by Filling Out this Anonymous Survey

Help #ReimagineLRSD by sharing your input in our anonymous strategic planning survey! Input from our community is essential for an effective strategic plan that improves student success and experiences. The survey will close on February 26th. Thank you for your participation and support!

Link to English Survey: https://www.research.net/r/LRSDStratPlan
Encuesta del Plan Estratégico del Distrito Escolar de Little Rock: https://www.research.net/r/PlanEstrategicoLittleRock

Check Out This Month's Edition of the HR Newsletter

Check out this month's edition of the "Your LRSD HR Connection!"

You can find the full link here: https://5il.co/2fbp0

Public Speaking Contest Deadline Coming Up Soon! Limited Number of Applicants Accepted

It's that time again. Don't sleep on turning in your application for the annual Ralph Vines Public Speaking Contest - a limited number of contestants accepted due to growing popularity! You can find more information in the picture above. The application can also be found at this link:: https://5il.co/2cwa4. Deadline for submissions: March 15th.

Time to Honor Moms and Mother Figures

Calling all Moms and Mother-figures! It's time for LRSD's 2024 Moms Matter Sweepstakes. Snap a photo of you with your current LRSD student(s) and upload the photo to the website, www.LRSD.org/2024MomsMatter until February 29th. The Mom or Mother-figure should be in the photo with the child. Winners will be randomly selected.

Download the New App

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.

Parkview Students to Perform at the Clinton Presidential Center for Black History Month

On Sunday, February 25, the Clinton Presidential Center will host a special Black History Month performance about the life story of former South African President Nelson Mandela, featuring choral and theatre students from Little Rock's Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School. The performance will feature a selection of songs and scenes depicting President Mandela's beginning as the son of a chief in a small village, his role as a leader in the fight for racial equality in South Africa, and his election as the first Black president of South Africa. To register for the event, click here.

Runners From Across the Country Expected for 2024 Little Rock Marathon

Named as one of Runner's World "Bucket List: 10 Great Marathons for First-Timers" in 2017, the 22nd Annual Little Rock Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Little Rockers Kids Marathon events will soon fill the streets of the Capital City. It's a race with personality, loads of southern hospitality, tons of caring volunteers, a running or walking tour through the scenic streets of Little Rock, and an impressive finisher's medal. The race starts on March 2, and there is still time to register!
Click here to register

Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Partners with LRSD for Black History Month