August is:
Three talented LRSD students have been recognized for their innovative projects in the 2025 Soybean Science Challenge at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair. Vishak Meenachi and Bennet Chen of Little Rock Central High School placed first and second in the high school division, while Richard Hu of Pinnacle View Middle School earned the Junior Division Award. Their research projects focused on sustainable agriculture and real-world challenges in soybean production, showcasing the creativity and excellence of LRSD students.
Last weekend, LRSD students, staff, and fans celebrated the Little Rock Nine with the Arkansas Travelers with a special tribute featuring members of the Little Rock Nine members. Highlights included performances by the Madrigal Singers, concessions run by LR Central students, exclusive merchandise, and recognition of the Tiger baseball team, a powerful celebration of history, community, and school pride. Today, Little Rock Central High School students continued the tribute by attending a special ceremony at the Arkansas State Capitol, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine Monument. The ceremony honored the courage, resilience, and lasting impact of the Nine who integrated Central High School and forever shaped history.
Surprise Celebrity Visit at Forest Heights STEM Academy!
Students and staff at Forest Heights STEM Academy were thrilled by a special visit from Romeo Miller, brought to campus by Mr. DuShun Scarborough, executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. His visit was part of the Arkansas MLK Commission’s 62nd Anniversary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Romeo toured classrooms, posed for photos, and even recorded a heartfelt video for one student’s mom, his biggest fan! This marks Romeo’s second visit to FHSA, and the LRSD family is grateful to the MLK Commission for bringing such memorable experiences to our school.
Bookshelves for Reading in the Rock
Students at Metropolitan Career-Tech Center are putting their creativity to work by transforming gently used bookshelves into smaller shelves that will be placed throughout the community later this year. This project supports Reading in the Rock by increasing access to books for Little Rock students and families.
Congratulations to Ms. Kathryn Slay (Chicot Early Childhood) and Ms. Sarah Raley (Romine Early Childhood) for their outstanding participation in Reading in the Rock this summer! Their dedication to fostering a love of reading earned them and their students special prizes, thanks to support from Scholastic, the City of Little Rock, Starbucks, and Taco Bell.
Every child deserves access to books that spark imagination and inspire a lifelong love of reading. That’s the focus of the Reading in the Rock initiative, combined with improving literacy rates - in partnership with the City of Little Rock. The goal is to provide elementary students with books over spring break and into the summer, helping to build home libraries and prevent the summer slide. The community is encouraged to help us provide more books by making a financial donation. No amount is too small—every contribution helps put books in the hands of our students. Thank you in advance for your support!
Here is the kickoff news conference:
The Arkansas Community Foundation
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Building 5, 11th Floor
Little Rock, AR 72202
(Memo: "LRSD Promise for the Future Fund")
Dozens of Little Free Library sites across Little Rock are ready for summer readers! Thanks to City Year Little Rock, many libraries have been freshly stocked with new books. Visit the Little Free Library website to find a location near you, pick up a great book, and feel free to leave one for others to enjoy. It’s a simple way to keep reading fun all year long!
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The next episode of the Wright On Education podcast will focus on how students experience school life - what excites them, what challenges them, and how LRSD can continue to build a supportive environment that encourages school spirit and well-being. The District is asking the community to share their thoughts on this week’s question: “What do you think makes students want to come/enjoy school?” Responses may be featured online and in the upcoming podcast episode. If you have any questions you want answered on this topic, send them to WrightOn@LRSD.org
Spotlighting Key Issues and Voices Across the District
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The Little Rock School District has introduced its official podcast, Wright On Education, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright. This monthly series aims to connect students, families, staff, and the community through real, timely conversations about the policies, people, and progress shaping LRSD. The podcast is available on the LRSD YouTube channel and additional streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Community members are invited to submit questions for future episodes by emailing WrightOn@lrsd.org.
Little Rock Southwest art teacher Loni Harshaw is sharing her creativity beyond the classroom! Her artwork is on display now through September 6th at Hearne Fine Arts on Wright Avenue. Don’t miss the chance to hear her insights, along with School Board Member Osyrus Bolly, during a panel discussion tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the gallery.
High school football is back under the Friday night lights! This week, Hall takes on Dardanelle, while Central faces Springdale. LRSD is proud of our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication on and off the field. Let’s cheer them on as they represent our schools and community.
The Little Rock School District has announced updated athletic season ticket pricing along with a brand-new Student Season Pass to make game attendance more affordable and accessible. For just $20 (middle school) or $25 (high school), students can attend all home games at their school throughout the year, excluding tournaments and playoff events. Additional season pass options for families and fans are also available, with tickets and passes now sold exclusively online through GoFan.
We’re excited to share the August 2025 issue of HR Connection, your quarterly Human Resources newsletter! Inside this edition, you’ll find important updates, helpful reminders, and highlights celebrating the great work happening across LRSD. From key dates and policy updates to stories of transformation, this issue has something for everyone. Click this link to explore the full newsletter, and don’t forget to share your feedback!
Sealed for Success -
How You Can Help Our Students
Adjust to the New Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Act
Special thanks to our Department of Wellness for sharing these important tips!
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The Little Rock School District is now hiring bilingual teachers and staff, registered nurses, and special education teachers and staff. These full-time positions offer competitive salaries, health and retirement benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students. Whether you’re passionate about education or healthcare, LRSD offers a supportive environment with great work hours and a dedicated team. Learn more and apply today at lrsd.schoolspring.com.
The Little Rock School District is excited to announce the continued partnership with Rock Region Metro, offering free transportation to all LRSD students and staff with a valid ID badge. This service includes access to all Rock Region buses and Metro Connect. Participants simply need to pick up a special sticker from their school office, which must be displayed on their ID badge. Stickers are updated twice a year, making it easier than ever for our LRSD family to get around the city. Learn more about routes and schedules at rrmetro.org.
The Little Rock School District is proud to pursue accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This recognition reflects LRSD’s commitment to high-quality early learning. Research shows that children in NAEYC-accredited programs are nearly twice as likely to be rated “proficient” or “school ready.” To learn more or enroll your child, visit www.LRSD.org/EarlyChildhood.
Great news! LRSD will offer free breakfast to all students and free lunch at nearly every school for the 2025-26 school year through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). No meal application is needed to receive free meals. However, families are encouraged to complete a household meal application at www.myschoolapps.com to qualify for other benefits like ACT/SAT fee waivers, college application discounts, and internet assistance. This important step helps ensure every student has access to nutritious meals and the support they need to succeed.
LRSD is committed to providing students with more choices to help them thrive. From innovative career and technical programs to strong academics and arts, LRSD is opening doors to a brighter future. Watch our new video to see how LRSD is preparing students for success—no matter their path!
Educators have an exciting opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support classroom innovation, equity efforts, and professional development. The NEA Foundation offers Student Success Grants, Envision Equity Grants, and Learning and Leadership Grants. Educators are especially encouraged to apply for the Envision Equity category, which receives fewer applications. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 15, 2025. Visit neafoundation.org to learn more and submit your application.
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.
2025-26 Organizational Chart (Org Chart)
The Little Rock School District’s 2025 organizational chart, posted on the LRSD website, reflects our commitment to streamlined leadership, accountability, and student-focused support. This structure ensures every department works collaboratively to deliver high-quality services to our schools and families. See the full chart by clicking here:https://www.lrsd.org/page/organizational-chart.
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.
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LRSD high school students can earn college credit through concurrent credit courses offered right on their school campus. With classes available in subjects like Science, English, Math, and History, students have a great opportunity to get ahead academically. Families are encouraged to speak with their school counselor or visit the LRSD Advanced Academics page at lrsd.org to learn more.
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/
Step into the world of Tennessee Williams’ classic The Glass Menagerie, playing September 2–14 at The Rep. Follow Amanda Wingfield as she navigates hopes, memories, and her children’s uncertain futures in this poetic masterpiece of American theatre. Performances include previews, evening and matinee shows, a free student matinee on September 11, and an audio-described performance on September 13. Tickets start at $25, with discounts for groups, students, seniors, educators, and military.
Get ready for good vibes in downtown Little Rock! Reggae @ the River Market on September 5 features live performances by Third World, Kumar Fyah, Tru Baloo, and DJ Inversion. The free event is open to everyone and a perfect way to start your game day weekend.
Get ready for game day at the Red in the Rock Tailgate on Thursday, September 4, from 5–7 p.m. at Park Plaza Mall. This indoor pre-game celebration will feature delicious food from local favorites, drinks from top breweries and wineries, live entertainment, giveaways, and plenty of Razorback and Red Wolves pride. Whether you’re calling the Hogs or howling for the Wolves, it’s the perfect way to kick off football season in style!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 6, 2025, as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves at War Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 2:30 p.m., with kickoff at 4 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets starting April 21, 2025, and enjoy all the excitement of this in-state showdown. Get your gear, grab your seatbacks, and be ready to cheer for your team in one of the season’s most anticipated matchups. Purchase tickets here.
Get ready for the ultimate end-of-summer celebration at Rock City Live on September 7 at First Security Amphitheater! Doors open at 3:00 p.m., and the show kicks off at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy performances by Waka Flocka Flame, Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash, DJ Holiday, and more, plus food, and nonstop vibes along the river. With ticket options from lawn access to VIP passes, there’s a way for everyone to join the fun, all while supporting the Stronger Futures Scholarship Fund.
Get ready to explore the flavors of Central Arkansas during Arkansas Foodbank Restaurant Weeks, September 5–12! Local restaurants will serve special menus and signature dishes, with proceeds supporting the Arkansas Foodbank’s fight against hunger. It’s a delicious way to try new spots, revisit favorites, and help your community - one bite at a time.
Get ready for smooth sounds and soulful vibes! Jazz in the Park is back this September! Held every Wednesday evening from 6:00–8:00 PM at the River Market Pavilions, this free, family-friendly concert series celebrates the heart of Little Rock’s local jazz and R&B talent. Bring a picnic, grab a drink to support music education, and enjoy the music under the stars. In case of rain, concerts move indoors to Ottenheimer River Market Hall.
September 2025 Lineup:
🎶 Sept 3 – Genine Latrice Perez & The Dizzy 7 Band
🎶 Sept 10 – Blu Jams and Co.
🎶 Sept 17 – Tonya Leeks
🎶 Sept 24 – Rodney Block Collective
Mark your calendar for Fiesta en SoMa 2025 on Friday, October 3, from 4–9 p.m. in Little Rock’s lively SoMa neighborhood. This family-friendly celebration of Latin American culture will feature live music, cultural dance performances, delicious food from local vendors, and the exciting 2nd Annual Tamale Taste-Off. With activities for all ages—including a kids’ zone—Fiesta en SoMa is the perfect way to enjoy a fall evening of community, culture, and fun.
The Little Rock Farmers Market has opened its doors for another season, welcoming visitors to the River Market with its farm-fresh produce, locally crafted foods, and handmade arts and crafts. As it has since 1996, the market invites SNAP beneficiaries, offering tokens purchasable on-site and participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program. Free parking, including spaces for seniors and handicapped individuals, ensures convenient access for all patrons.
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