November 11: Veterans Day
November 12: LR PTA Council Meeting (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Congratulations to Little Rock Central High School for earning a Silver distinction and Hall-West High School of Innovation for receiving a Bronze distinction on the AP® School Honor Roll! This recognition highlights each school’s dedication to expanding access to advanced coursework and fostering a college-going culture. The AP Honor Roll acknowledges schools that successfully support students in taking AP courses, scoring high on exams, and preparing for college success.
Election Day wasn’t just for adults this year—LRSD students took part in mock elections and voting activities across several campuses! From choosing student government representatives to casting votes in creative mock elections, our students had hands-on experiences that brought civic engagement to life.
Hall-West High School of Innovation seniors Ian Ratcliff and Joshua Morehart earned top speaker awards at the recent debate tournament hosted by LR Central. Their standout performance at this first competition of the season secured them a bid to the Arkansas State Championship. This achievement motivates them and prepares them for even more success in upcoming tournaments.
Don Roberts Elementary students Kyndal Brasfield and Kayson Jefferson were recently crowned Little Miss and Little Mister UAPB at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Coronation Ball. They will represent UAPB at sports events, parades, and other appearances throughout the year. Congratulations to these young leaders!
The 3rd Annual KranksGiving Battle of the Bands was an unforgettable event, packed with talent, teamwork, and resilience! Despite unexpected weather challenges, the bands, dancers, and volunteers at Little Rock Southwest High School came together to make the night a success. Special thanks go to the band boosters, administration, community, and guest performers who ensured the event ran smoothly indoors. Congratulations to all participants and winners, especially those who took home top trophies in their categories. This year’s battle was an incredible display of dedication and talent!
Nine talented students from Otter Creek Elementary recently performed in a 120-piece choir at the Arkansas Music Educators Association convention in Conway. Their dedication and hard work made for an impressive performance, and we’re proud of their achievement!
Carver STEAM Magnet Elementary third-grade students had an exciting adventure at the UCA Planetarium in Conway. They explored constellations, learned about the mysteries of space, and gained a deeper appreciation for the universe around them.
Join the fun at the 37th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza on Dec. 8 at the Arkansas State Capitol! Students in Pre-K–5th grade can enter the Holiday Coloring Contest by Dec. 1, and grades K–12 can join the Gingerbread House Decorating Competition by Dec. 5. More info: www.treatmenthomes.org.
The Little Rock School District, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health, is hosting its annual flu clinics at all LRSD schools. Students can receive the flu vaccine free of charge, but only with completed paperwork, including signed ADH and FERPA consent forms. These clinics provide a convenient way to help keep students healthy throughout flu season. To view the full schedule of clinic dates, click here.
ESS is now hiring substitute teachers to help support student success in the Little Rock School District. With flexible schedules, no nights or weekends, and ongoing training, ESS offers great opportunities for those looking to make a difference. Apply now at ESS.com!
If you are a family in transition, whether staying with friends, in a shelter, motel, or other temporary locations, your child may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. LRSD provides resources like immediate school enrollment, transportation, and educational support to help ensure your child’s uninterrupted learning. For assistance, contact one of our liaisons or complete the Residency Form.
We're taking our ticket game to the next level! LRSD is teaming up with GoFan to provide a seamless, paperless experience at all athletic events. Fans can now purchase tickets online or on their phone by visiting GoFan.co, searching for their school, and selecting the event. Paper tickets will no longer be available for purchase at the events. See you at the games! Read more in this article.
The Little Rock School District offers a robust Advanced Placement (AP) program, allowing students to take college-level courses in high school. With 38 courses across 20 subjects, students can earn college credit by scoring 3 or higher on the national AP exams. AP classes not only provide academic challenges but also enhance college applications.
LRSD supports gifted and talented students beyond elementary school through advanced class offerings, monthly affective needs meetings, and competitions. For more information, contact your school's Gifted Facilitator or visit the LRSD Advanced Academics webpage.
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.
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/
This holiday season, the Little Rock Zoo invites you to experience GloWILD! From November 7, 2024, to January 5, 2025, explore spectacular light displays and immersive lantern exhibits. Discover three new themed sections—Mystical Marvels, Animal Kingdom, and Under the Sea—each filled with breathtaking visuals. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event, perfect for creating new family traditions. Tickets are available now, with special pricing and events, including a Sensory Night and New Year’s Eve celebration.
For info and tickets, click here.
More News from the Zoo....
The Little Rock Zoo’s "Zoo for All" program offers reduced admission of just $2 per person for SNAP/EBT cardholders. This initiative helps make the zoo accessible to more families. For more details, visit the Little Rock Zoo's website here.
The Little Rock Zoo is collecting old holiday lights starting November 1, 2024, as part of a recycling program that helps keep copper wire out of landfills. Donated lights and extension cords will also support African lion conservation. Donations will be accepted through January 31, 2025, so gather your old lights and give back this holiday season!
The rainbow in Baker’s Alley, located behind the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, is in need of a refresh, and you can help! A community paint party will take place on Saturday, November 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with music, refreshments, and paint rolling. Sign up for a shift and join in to help revitalize this colorful space! Sign up here!
Get ready to shop for a cause at the Holiday House, held November 7-9, 2024, at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock! Hosted by the Junior League of Little Rock, this event will feature over 75 merchants nationwide. With over 6,000 shoppers each year, Holiday House raises crucial funds for community initiatives like Stuff the Bus and Little Readers Rock.
For ticket info, click here.
Get ready to experience a holiday classic live! Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical will bring the story of the Grinch, Max the Dog, and the Whos of Whoville to life at the Robinson Center on November 9-10, 2024. Featuring beloved songs and whimsical sets, this family-friendly show is part of the 2024-2025 Broadway Season and promises to delight audiences of all ages. Tickets are now available, with special presale options for email subscribers.
Get ready for the Arkansas Cornbread Festival on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Little Rock's vibrant SoMa neighborhood! Since 2011, this award-winning festival has delighted visitors with a delightful mix of food, music, and art. Enjoy the cornbread competition featuring talented home cooks, chefs, and live performances from incredible local artists. A variety of tasty offerings are included in your $20 admission. It's a perfect day of fun for everyone, including the little ones in the Cosmo Kids Zone!
Recycles Day on November 16
Join the Sustainability Office, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, and the Little Rock Zoo on November 16 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a community recycling event! Drop off clean items for recycling, including documents for shredding, glass, e-waste, plastic bags, and even bicycles or household items. The event is free and open to the public, taking place at the East Parking Lot on Zoo Drive. For more details, visit lrecycles.com.
Join the holiday fun at Capitol Plaza for the Bright the Night festival! Starting at 5:30 p.m., the family-friendly event features carols, snow, a kids zone, and visits with Santa and Christmas characters. Enjoy free hot chocolate from Big Bad Breakfast and Hiland Dairy, along with cookies from Community Bakery. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will provide festive tunes as we light up downtown. This free event is open to the public, and the holiday lights will shine through the New Year. A big thank you to our sponsors for making this magical event possible!
Join the community on Saturday, December 7, 2024, for a festive celebration of the holiday season! The BIG Little Rock Holiday Parade will start at 4 p.m. and wind through downtown, leading up to the 86th annual Christmas tree lighting at the Arkansas State Capitol at 6:15 p.m. After the parade, bring the family to meet Santa Claus at the Statehouse Convention Center for a magical experience.
Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday at noon.