Friday Highlights 6.17.22

 

June is National Safety Month

National Pride Month

Men's Health Month

African-American Music Appreciation Month 

National Caribbean American Month

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

June 17 - Registration Deadline for July ACT

June 19 - Juneteenth Observance

              -  Father's Day

June 23 - School Board Meeting 5:30pm 

Mark Your Calendars for a

Special Welcome Reception for New LRSD Supt. Dr. Jermall Wright

Be Sure to Also Save the Date for Convocation

Happy Early Father's Day to
Our Fantastic Fathers

The Little Rock School District would like to wish all fantastic fathers/father figures a happy early Father's Day! Father's Day is holiday created to honor fatherhood and celebrate the contribution of fathers to their families and society at large.

On this day, LRSD also likes to recognize the fathers in our district for the vital role they play in the lives of our students. Involved fathers provide a positive male role model for their children and help to promote better mental, emotional, educational, and social outcomes. 

Juneteenth Weekend is Quickly Approaching

Happy Early Juneteenth! Although Juneteenth became a federal holiday just last year, it has been celebrated annually on June 19th since 1865. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Most also take the opportunity to celebrate African American culture and its contributions to society. 

If you are looking for ways to celebrate, join LRSD at the Juneteenth Arkansas Festival this Saturday. Event organizers are promising a full day of community, fun, and education with food, vendors, a parade and more!

Juneteenth Arkansas Festival

Interstate Park

3900 South Arch Street Little Rock, AR 72206

Students Celebrate Cultural Diversity at Terry Elementary Camp Can Do

This past week at Terry Elementary was spirit week at Camp Can Do and the teachers and students came together to celebrate cultural diversity. LRSD is proud of its cultural diversity and excited to see it on full display. 

Mike Poore Educator Legacy Award Ceremony

Last Friday at the Clinton Center, District stakeholders came together for a roast and toast to celebrate Superintendent Mike Poore's legacy as he prepares for his well-deserved retirement. Guests enjoyed an evening of live music, food, and good old roasting while collectively reminiscing on Mr. Poore's successful career. 

During the ceremony four educators, Toyoshima Gray, LRSD, Sharon Stuthard, PCSSD, Shirley Billings, NLRSD, and Heather Bracesly, JNPSD, from each surrounding district received awards and cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding contributions to career tech education. Two students, Porsha Boston, 2022 Central grad, and Kalynne Browning, 2022 LR Southwest grad, also received scholarships.  

Our host, Craig O'Neil, did an amazing job carrying the ceremony, making it an evening full of laughter and  even a few tears. Thank you to our sponsors and each individual who made the evening possible and to all of our guests for helping us send Mr. Poore on the next leg of journey the LRSD way. 

ALL Arkansas Preps Award Banquet Recap

Last Saturday at the Statehouse convention Center, an impressive number of LRSD student-athletes were recognized at the All Arkansas Preps Award Banquet. All Arkansas Preps celebrates high school athletes from across the entire state and their remarkable accomplishments.  Major League Baseball player and Pine Bluff native Torii Hunter (above right) was the guest speaker at the event. Join us in congratulating the following LRSD athletes and coach:

Little Rock Central High

Jack Henry Forest - Boys Swimmer of the Year

Mary Jo Heye-Townsell - Swim Coach of the Year

Vincent Bryan - Boys Wrestler of the Year

Stefan Tudoreanu - Boys Tennis Team

Alex Wells - Boys Tennis Team

Caroline Lasley - Girls Tennis

Khushi Patil - Girls Tennis

Youssef Bahgat - Boys swim/Dive Team

Ainsley Jenkins - Girls Swim/Dive Team

Annor Boateng - Second TeamBoys Basketball

Jordan Marshall - Underclassmen Girls Basketball Team

CHI St. Vincent Health Award - Abagail Wells

Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High

James Jointer - First Team Offense Football

Kyndall McKenzie - Second Team Offense Football

Tayvion Haney - First Team Defense Football

Alex Martin - Top Underclassmen Defense

Omarion Robinson - Top Underclassmen Defense

Dallas Thomas - Underclassmen Boys Basketball

LRSW Principal Selected as Member of Arkansas School Safety Commission

Governor Asa Hutchison issued an executive order to reinstate the Arkansas School Safety Commission in response to recent events across the country. We are proud to see Little Rock Southwest Principal Marvin Burton on the task force. The commission will also include a representative from the Arkansas Attorney General's office, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, the Arkansas Department of Education, and the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, in addition to a public school teacher, counselor, and superintendent. 

Over 100 Adult Students Earned Their GED Through LRSD's Adult Ed Program

Sending a huge congratulations to the students who earned their GED through Little Rock School District's Adult Education Center. We are so proud of these graduates for their hard work and dedication. 

LRSD Student Lands Amazing Job Opportunity With Nabholz Construction Corporation

Thanks to a great partnership between our Metro Career Tech campus and Nabholz Construction Corporation, LRSD's Leonardo Lopez, junior, already has an apprenticeship and future job lined up. This is what real-world learning experiences in the classroom can do. 

Important Reminder

Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?  

Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday, noon.

Mosaic Templars' Juneteenth In Da Rock

Painting With a Twist Hosts Pick Your Favorite Puppy - Kids' Camp

400 N. Bowman Rd. Ste 32 Little Rock, AR 72211

Thursday, Jun. 23

2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

$29-$37 per person

Click here for more info.

The Shape of Home: Multimedia Works of Diane Harper

June 17 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

CALS Roberts Library

401 President Clinton, Little Rock, AR, 72201

Pricing: free

Phone: 501-320-5790

Diane Harper is a mixed-media expressive artist whose work is heavily influenced by her own, personal history. Her exhibition, The Shape of Home, explores the idea of weighted memories and the emotional imprint of cultural and personal history. Make sure you stop by Roberts Library to check it out! 

CALS Summer Reading Club Presents Stephin Booth - Drumming Workshop

June 17 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Children’s Library

4800 W 10th St Little Rock, AR. 72204

Phone: 501-978-3870

Join instructor Stephin Booth as he provides a hands-on musical experience with Afro Caribbean Drumming. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about traditional instruments and rhythms and will also be able to practice what they learn. 

Friday Highlights 6.10.22

June is National Safety Month
National Pride Month
Men's Health Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month
National Caribbean American Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month 
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

June 11 - ACT Test

June 14 - Flag Day

June 17 - Registration Deadline for July ACT

June 19 - Juneteenth Observance

Unveiling of New LR West High School Sign

The unveiling of a sign signals that the new 1,200 high school in west Little Rock is steps closer to reality.  The new and expanded LR West High School of Innovation will become LRSD's third new campus in recent years.  

Little Rock School District Students
Take on Boys State

Join us in congratulating the following students on being elected as officials at boys state: 

Neil Dogra

Little Rock Central High School

Lieutenant Governor 

N'Nandmi Islam 

Little Rock Southwest High

Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court

Henry Chilcoat

Little Rock Central High School

Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court

We are so proud of our students and we know you will do well!

LRCH Student Named
Chi St. Vince Health Award Recipient

Sending a huge congratulation to now LRSD alum, Abigail Wells on her latest achievement! Abigail is a phenomenal student with an inspiring story and we could not be more proud of her. Good luck on your next chapter Abigail, your LRSD family is always rooting for you.

LRSD Athletes Recognized at All Arkansas Preps Award Banquet

Congratulations to the following LRSD athletes and coach:

Inaugural Tendaji Celebration Honors

Dr. Frederick Fields & Supt. Mike Poore

Tendaji works in partnership with LRSD to support students and provides the 

Reclaiming Scholars program -  an alternative to out-of-school suspension program, providing students with educational instruction, counseling and mentorship to students in 6th through 12th grades.

Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?  

Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday, noon.

Celebrate Juneteenth This Year
With These Local Events 

MOSAIC TEMPLARS' JUNETEENTH IN DA ROCK

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center has hosted Juneteenth for more than a decade and is excited about the 2021 designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. After the two years of virtual Juneteenth, MTCC is back on historic W. 9th Street, bigger and better with a new look, more space, more events, and more Black excellence! 

On June 18, 2022, they will host a day-long event featuring activities, vendors, virtual programs, food and entertainment for all ages. Our annual Juneteenth event boasts over 5000 attendees from across the state, with hundreds of participating vendors, performers, and sponsors. Click here for more info.

JUNETEENTH ARKANSAS FESTIVAL 

Come out and enjoy a carnival presented by Hamilton Farms, free food, free drinks, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, plus, you'll meet the first black Rodeo Queen and the upcoming racer, Jadayia Kursch and Paris Wilburd, respectively. Click here for more info. 

48th Annual Farmers Market Offers Tasty Locally Grown Options

Don't forget you can pick up some delicious local favorites from the downtown Farmers Market at the River Market

Friday Highlights 6.03.22

June is National Safety Month
National Pride Month
Men's Health Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month
National Caribbean American Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month 
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

June 4 - SAT Test

June 5 - World Environment Day

June 6 - Personnel Policy Committee Meeting @ 5:00 PM

June 8 - LRSD Board Agenda Meeting @ 5:30 PM

June 11 - ACT Test
June 19 - Juneteenth Observance

Western Hills Students Join Forces
 for a Great Cause!

Western Hills students participated in the KTHV Summer Cereal Drive during the months of April & May. The Leadership Club set a goal to collect and donate 500 boxes of cereal with the understanding that $1 = 1 box. #ThePowerOfUS collected 119 boxes and $393 for a total of 512 credits to donate. They exceeded their goal of 500!  Way to go, Western Hills!

FHSA is a Project Lead the Way Distinguished School Once Again!

Congrats again, Forest Heights Stem Academy!  The school team is proud to be recognized as a 2021-22 Project Lead the Way Distinguished Launch and Gateway School. FHSA is committed to helping students own their education by increasing student access, engagement, and achievement through its PLTW programs and STEM programming.

Congratulations ViPS Sweepstakes Winners/
Arkansas Scholars Participants!

 

Arkansas Scholars™ is a program that gives students good reasons to do well in high school. Students are asked to meet a set of criteria that will prepare them for both the workplace and additional education after high school. The program is centered on maintaining academic and attendance benchmarks for a broad range of students.  Arkansas Scholars is a program that offers EVERY student the opportunity to succeed! 

Each year, Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS), recruits career-minded individuals to help present this program in individual classrooms to ensure all LRSD 8th grade students have the opportunity to review the Arkansas Scholars criteria and incentives. To encourage participation, the ViPS team hid a QR Code within the Arkansas Scholars brochure that the students could scan to enter a sweepstakes. Congratulations to the 4 students listed above who each received a pair of earpods. Also a huge thank you to the 29 presenters who visited over 80 eighth grade LRSD classrooms to explain the Arkansas Scholars program.

Little Rock School District Graduation Recap

Last Thursday, May 26, at War Memorial stadium, LRSD seniors district-wide underwent one of the most momentous occasions of every teenager's life: graduation. With robes zipped, graduation caps on, and smiles on their faces, they lined up one by one to receive their diplomas. Families, friends, teachers and administrators came together to celebrate their hard work and cheer them on as they walk into this new phase of their lives. While each of their paths will be different, they are rooted in the shared experience of being graduates of the Little Rock School District - an experience that will stay with them as they embark on their respective journeys. Congrats, Class of 2022 - recipients of approximately $20M in scholarships.  

Little Rock Central High

Hall Steam Magnet High

 

Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High 

 

 

Little Rock Southwest High

 

Check Out Our Student of the Month
 Book Recommendation 

We continue our student reading initiative where we send a student book recommendation to every elementary school media center each month. Students are encouraged to email Superintendent Mike Poore and pitch him their book suggestion. A photo like the one above will be displayed in a visible area in the media center to help our students develop a love for reading. 

This month's book recommendation, "The Mysterious Benedict Society", is by rising Forest Park 5th grader  Ava Horton. During her interview, Ava explains in her own words why this is a good read: 

Teachers and parents, help get your students excited about the possibility of having their picture and book recommendation featured in their schools' media center for an entire month!  Additionally, the selected student's recommendation will also be prominently featured at the Hillary Clinton Children's Library.

Speaking of Reading, LRSD Partner - CALS Will be Hosting Its Summer Reading Club Kick-off Tomorrow

June 4 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

4800 W 10th St. 

Little Rock, AR. 72204

501-978-3870

Dive in and help the Children’s Library Team kickoff Summer Reading Club! Come taste different veggies/fruits with Baptist Nutrition, witness a honey extraction and tasting in the Teaching Kitchen, join CALS for lunch, games, prizes, Beanstack registration, and more! This event will also serve as the ribbon cutting for Little Free Pantry! Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Little Free Pantry for a chance to win a Swag Bag that includes a $25 gift card.

Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?  

Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday, noon.

Celebrate Juneteenth This Year
With These Local Events 

Mosaic Templars' Juneteenth In Da Rock

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center has hosted Juneteenth for more than a decade and is excited about the 2021 designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. After the two years of virtual Juneteenth, MTCC is back on historic W. 9th Street, bigger and better with a new look, more space, more events, and more Black excellence! 

On June 18, 2022, they will host a day-long event featuring activities, vendors, virtual programs, food and entertainment for all ages. Our annual Juneteenth event boasts over 5000 attendees from across the state, with hundreds of participating vendors, performers, and sponsors. Click here for more info.

Juneteenth Arkansas Festival 

Come out and enjoy a carnival presented by Hamilton Farms, free food, free drinks, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, plus, you'll meet the first black Rodeo Queen and the upcoming racer, Jadayia Kursch and Paris Wilburd, respectively. Click here for more info. 

Make Sure You Catch the
Little Rock Night Market - Tomorrow

Library Square - Downtown Little Rock

June 4, 2022 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

100 S Rock St. Little Rock, AR 72201

The Little Rock Night Market is the sort of local event that has something to offer everyone. You can expect a night filled with food trucks, music, local makers and artisan vendors. The event is described as more than just a market, but a nightlife experience. What's even better, admission is FREE. Come out for a night of food, music, and shopping!

48th Annual Farmers Market Offers Tasty Locally Grown Options

Don't forget you can pick up some delicious local favorites from the downtown Farmers Market at the River Market each Saturday from 7 a.m. 3 p.m.