Winter break is finally here! Schools and offices will be closed for the holidays beginning December 23. Offices will reopen, teachers will return on January 6, and students will return to class on January 7. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Santa's Holiday Gift Drive
Santa's Holiday Gift Drive has officially wrapped up, and we couldn't have done it without our incredible staff and community partners! Huge thanks to Kathleen Pate, the Clinton Center, Innovative Realty, JTS Insurance, and Blakeslee Deuschle for their support. Your generosity will bring joy and hope to local families this holiday season. Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for those in need!
The second week of the LRSD Holiday Performances featured incredible talent from schools across the district. From the energetic performances by the Terry Tiger Choir, Mann Magnet Choir, and Pulaski Heights Dance, each day was filled with holiday joy. Thank you to all the students, staff, and families who made this year’s performances unforgettable! To see more great photos, visit the LRSD gallery linked here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/137350739@N06/
Check out on-demand performances on LRSD's Facebook page and YouTube Channel
The Little Rock School District has been awarded a grant as part of the 2025 Community Collaboration Challenge, supported by the Leon Lowenstein Foundation. This grant will foster collaboration between schools, families, local organizations, and other stakeholders to provide holistic student support. Funds will help address critical needs such as tutoring, mentoring, and wrap-around services to reduce chronic absenteeism. LRSD is proud to join 22 other communities nationwide in this impactful initiative.
Twelve LRSD high school students have been accepted into the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program through Metropolitan Career Technical Center and Baptist Health College Little Rock. This opportunity sets them on a path toward rewarding careers in healthcare. Congratulations to these students!
Eighth Grade Career Development students at Pinnacle View Middle School gained hands-on experience in the Health Services Career Cluster. Using vital signs kits, they practiced taking blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels, learning essential healthcare skills. The activity sparked curiosity as students explored various career paths in the field. It was an inspiring glimpse into how they can make a difference in people’s lives through healthcare.
Ryan Ahmed, a student in the EAST Program at Roberts Elementary, has been selected as an ambassador for this year’s EAST Conference Leadership Team. This role highlights Ryan’s dedication, leadership, and hard work. As an ambassador, he will collaborate with peers from across the state to make a meaningful impact during the conference. Congratulations to Ryan on this exciting opportunity!
Entergy Arkansas and IAFF Local 34 continued their partnership with Operation Warm, providing 800 new coats to students at Western Hills Elementary, Carver STEAM Magnet, and Romine Early Childhood Center. For 10 years, this initiative has supported LRSD students, ensuring they stay warm during the winter months. With a $10,000 grant from Entergy and contributions from IAFF members, this program has served nearly 6,000 students since 2015. LRSD is grateful for these community partnerships that make a lasting impact on our students' lives.
Do You Know Where Your Water Comes From
Ask a Fulbright Student - They Know!
At last night's LRSD Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright celebrated staff members who received recognition for exceptional customer service from a secret shopper. Christy Hawthorne from Mabelvale Middle School and Danica Carolina from Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School were specifically acknowledged. Their dedication to providing excellent service contributes greatly to the positive experience for students, families, and staff. Congratulations!
Earlier this month, Hall-West High School 10th graders visited Entergy’s Nuclear One Plant in Russellville. The tour, part of the Academies of Central Arkansas and LRSD CTE Department, gave students a unique look at Arkansas' only nuclear power facility. Students participated in simulations, toured training stations, and gained valuable insights into the role of nuclear energy in the state. This hands-on experience helps prepare students for future careers in the energy industry.
At Rockefeller Early Childhood Center, 2-year-olds in Ms. Shiekenna Facen and Ms. Harriett Redmon’s classroom are discovering the magic of reading. Through selecting books to share with teachers and friends, they’re building vocabulary and sparking their imaginations. This early exposure to reading creates a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Quality early childhood education helps young minds grow, explore, and thrive. Enroll your child in LRSD's Early Childhood program today and watch their imaginations soar!
Service-Learning Partners
The Little Rock School District invites non-profits to join as Community Service-Learning partners. With community service hours now a graduation requirement for Arkansas high school students, LRSD aims to connect students with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Non-profit organizations can apply to become approved partners, allowing students to support their events and initiatives. Apply today at lrsd.org/community-service-learning or contact Stefanie Vestal at Stefanie.Vestal@lrsd.org for more information.
Join ESS to Support Student Achievement!
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/
Get into the holiday spirit with North Pole Nights at War Memorial Stadium on December 20 and 21, 2024! Enjoy magical evenings under the stars with screenings of Elf and The Polar Express, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and participate in festive family activities. Gates open at 6 PM, with movies starting at 7 PM. Admission is free for children 12 and under and just $7 for everyone else. Don’t miss this fun-filled holiday event for the whole family!
The Arkansas Children’s Business Fair will take place on January 4, 2025, at the Glenview Community Center. This exciting event provides kids aged 6-18 the chance to showcase their businesses, sell their products, and earn their own money in a real marketplace setting. It's a unique opportunity to support and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs!
This holiday season, the Little Rock Zoo invites you to experience GloWILD! Explore spectacular light displays and immersive lantern exhibits from November 7, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Discover three new themed sections—Mystical Marvels, Animal Kingdom, and Under the Sea—with breathtaking visuals. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event, which is 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.
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!
Join the Museum of Discovery for a family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy hands-on science activities and multiple countdowns to noon, including a balloon drop for each countdown hour! This event is included in regular admission and free for members, making it the perfect way to ring in 2025 without staying up late.
Get ready, Little Rock! From January 31 to February 2, 2025, the smash-hit Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud will take the stage at the Robinson Center. This electrifying show tells the unforgettable story of The Temptations, featuring their iconic hits like “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” With thrilling choreography and a powerful narrative, Ain't Too Proud is a must-see event for music and theater lovers alike. Don't miss your chance to experience this Tony Award-winning production! Get tickets here.
Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday at noon.
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