Friday, July 12, 2024

Friday Highlights 7.12.24

 

July is:

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Sarcoma Awareness Month
National Parks Month
National Grilling Month
National Picnic Month
National Ice Cream Month

Important Dates: 

July 25: School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.) 
August 2: New Employee Orientation
August 8: School Board Work Session (5:30 p.m.)
August 12: First Day of School
August 22: School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
September 2: Labor Day

LR Southwest Student to Represent Arkansas at Jostens Renaissance Global Conference

Little Rock Southwest High School's Renia Lewis has been selected as a student speaker for the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference. This honor follows the Renny Team winning the highest-level distinction award for its exceptional Jostens Renaissance initiatives. Renia will represent both the state and her school at the event. Congratulations to Renia and the Renny Team for their remarkable achievements!

LRSD Wins in the Arkansas Times 
'Best of Arkansas' Contest

The Little Rock School District is proud to announce that LRSD won the Best Pre-K or Preschool category in the Arkansas Times 'Best of Arkansas' contest. Little Rock Central High School also received top honors as the Best Public School. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our educators, students, and staff. Congratulations to everyone who made this achievement possible!

Little Rock Central High School Artist Honored in National Annual Art Competition Exhibit

Aspen Enkhmandakh, Central High, was recently honored for her artwork in the Congressional Art Competition. Her piece, "Clock of Life," is now on display in the U.S. Capitol, representing Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District. Aspen's dedication to her craft, inspired by her mother, has led to this remarkable achievement. We are incredibly proud of her artistic talent and hard work!

Camp Can Do Uses Summer Fun to Help LRSD Students Improve English Skills

Camp Can Do, a summer program for English Language Learners, held a showcase event at Williams Magnet Elementary this week. Students demonstrated their skills through fun campfire activities, highlighting their progress in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The program, sponsored by LRSD, has been enhancing the education of K-5 students for over a decade.  As an FYI, LRSD serve students from homes that speak many languages.  Among them:  Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Igbo, Portuguese, Telugu, Turkish, Chinese, Tamil, and Hindi.

Thank you to Mrs. Judy Milam for 52 Years of Dedication and Impact at LRSD

Congratulations to Mrs. Judy Milam, retiring from Fair Park Early Childhood Center after 52 years of Little Rock School District service. As the coordinator of the District's first stand-alone Pre-K program, Mrs. Milam blazed a trail in early childhood education, setting countless young students on the path to success. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her!

Collaborative Effort Brings Outdoor Learning to Stephens Elementary

Thank you to Prostell Thomas and the Little Rock Zoo for making Stephens Elementary's Kiyan Bax's outdoor classroom project a reality. Kiyan's thorough research led to a compelling proposal presented to Principal Morgan Ealy, initiating immediate action. This project is part of the Little Rock Green Schoolyard Initiative, a collaboration between the City of Little Rock and LRSD. Way to go, Kiyan!

Speaking of Stephens Elementary... EAST Students Help Lead Training with Facilitators

EAST Students at Stephens Elementary lead the way by actively participating in training sessions for new facilitators. They shared their insights and answered questions from incoming facilitators. This direct involvement not only enriches the training experience but also reinforces the program's commitment to empowering EAST's student-led approach. Great job, students!

Marthelle Hadley Achieves Certification in Arkansas Governmental Manager Program

Congratulations to Marthelle Hadley, Site Coordinator at Stephens Elementary School CS-CIS Hub, who has completed the Arkansas Governmental Manager Program. This achievement highlights her dedication to enhancing public service and her commitment to our students and school community.

Bale Elementary: 
A Place Where Students Thrive

At Bale Elementary, students are encouraged to excel in a safe, creative, and challenging learning environment. With a focus on strong character and preparing students for a bright future, Bale Elementary is dedicated to empowering every learning. Join the Bale community and watch your students thrive!

Parkview Academy to Help Incoming Students

Patriot Academy is a 3-day event that helps incoming and enrolled Parkview students, both new 9th grade and transfer students, acclimate to the culture as well as get to know each other. Students will attend break-out sessions where they learn graduation requirements, how to calculate credits, tips for the transition of high school, the Parkview Alma Mater, details of the Magnet Areas, opportunities offered on our campus, and more! Patriot Academy is designed to address pertinent student information and is the first introduction to "The Patriot Way" as well as the first instillation of Patriot Pride!

LRSD Shares Reading Tips Through 
the Month of July

Reading Tip #2: Take Part in Story Times at your Local Library

Many libraries host story time sessions or reading groups for different ages. It's a great way for kids to read and talk about books with others, and view reading as an enjoyable activity that can be shared!

Mark Your Calendars! 
School Starts in One Month

Mark you calendars! The first day of school is Monday, August 12th! Ensure your contact info is up-to-date with Student Registration to help us prepare and so you can stay informed. We also invite any LRSD parent or patron with a school-age student who has not registered to do so immediately. For more info and links to the necessary forms, visit this link. Thank you for being a valued member of the LRSD family! We can't wait to welcome you back! 

Kickstart Your Teaching Journey: Novice Teacher Curriculum Onboarding at LRSD

The school year is almost here and LRSD is getting ready for this year's Novice Teacher Academy. Designed for first-year teachers, newcomers to LRSD, and those needing curriculum support, this focused session will help you get ahead and feel prepared for the upcoming school year. Sessions cover Elementary K-2, Elementary 3-5, Secondary Math, Science, social Studies, and ELA (offered virtually). Don't miss this chance to understand your curriculum and start the year strong!

2024 Summer Meal Program Locations and Times Announced

The Little Rock School District has released the 2024 Summer (SSO) Feeding Programs times and locations! We're dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals during the summer break. Check out the website on when and where these vital programs will be available in our community.

First Feed USA Shares Schedule for 
Summer Lunch Program

LRSD Partners with UA Little Rock to 
Simplify College Admissions

The Little Rock School District is excited to announce a new partnership with UA Little Rock to streamline the college admissions process for our students. This collaboration offers waived application fees, direct transcript submissions, and automatic financial aid consideration, making it easier than ever for LRSD seniors to pursue higher education and achieve their academic goals. Learn more about this fantastic opportunity here: https://ualr.edu/admissions.

In Other Partnership News:
LRSD/UA-Little Rock Connection Also Means Continuing Ed Opportunities for Employees

LRSD is excited to partner with UA-Little Rock to provide opportunities for our employees to start or finish an undergraduate degree while continuing their careers.  Click on the link below to learn more.

https://ualr.edu/admissions/little-rock-school-district/


Unlocking Potential: Little Rock School District Offers More Opportunities for Kids

LRSD and Caissa Continue Second Phase L.R.S.D Recruitment/Retention Partnership

The Little Rock School District continues 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, which 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 communications from LRSD.

Community Invited to Mabelvale Elementary for a Back to School Bash

Get ready for the new school year at our Back to School Community Bash on August 3, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mabelvale Elementary. All LRSD students in attendance will receive school supplies. Don't miss this exciting event to kick off the school year!

Otter Creek Community Church Hosting a Back to School Bash and a Food Pantry Event

On July 27th, head over to Otter Creek Community Church at 10 a.m., for a fun-filled Back 2 School Bash! Enjoy music, entertainment, and free food while students receive free backpacks and school supplies. Don't miss the food pantry giveaway event as well!

Celebrate Hiland Dairy Dollar Day at the
Little Rock Zoo

Join the Little Rock Zoo this Saturday for Hiland Dairy Dollar Day! From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last admission at 3:30 PM), enjoy $1 admission and free parking for a fun-filled day with family and friends. Sip on refreshing Hiland Dairy beverages for just $1 each, explore the must-see Dragon Kingdom, and delight in treats from food trucks like Whitworth's, Breezy Scoop, Kona Ice, and W&M Concessions. Stay hydrated with extra water stations, and remember to bring your refillable water bottles. Get ready for a day of excitement and adventure!

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre 
Presents Footloose

Experience the electrifying energy of "Footloose" as it lights up the stage from July 9 to 28! Adapted from the beloved film, this thrilling musical features new songs alongside Oscar-nominated classics, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance and the importance of understanding and forgiveness. Prepare for a captivating journey through themes of empowerment and community, in a production that promises to resonate with audiences of all ages. Get tickets here.

Explore Civil Rights History at Junior Ranger Days at Little Rock Central High School

Junior Ranger Days at Little Rock Central High School will commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act on July 13th. This free event invites Junior Rangers and their families to delve into the historical significance of the Civil Rights Act through engaging activities and lessons. Starting at 11 a.m., Park Rangers will lead a special session exploring the Act's impact, followed by free crafts and activities. A repeat of the morning lesson will be available at 1 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, participate, and earn your Junior Ranger Badge! Please remember that the event will proceed rain or shine, and parents are required to accompany their children throughout the day.

Drum Corps International Brings Summer
Tour to Little Rock

Drum Corps International is bringing its Summer Tour to Little Rock on July 13th. As a nonprofit organization, DCI has profoundly impacted the realms of arts, education, and organization through its annual DCI Tour and prestigious World Championships held in 17 cities across North America. With millions of enthusiasts attending live performances and watching televised events, DCI continues to be a beacon of excellence in the world of marching music, earning its rightful title as "Marching Music's Major League." Get tickets here.

Have a Student Who is Passionate About Music?
Check Out This Amazing Camp

Annual Music Festival 
Benefits Scholarship Efforts 


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