Friday Highlights 8.12.22

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

National Back to School Month

National Dog Month 

Family Fun Month

August 15-17:    Professional Development

August 18-19:    Record Day/Work Day

August 22:         First Day for Students

August 25:         LRSD Board Meeting @ 5:30

Important Update:

LRSD Convocation 2022 Recap

We think it's safe to say LRSD Convocation 2022 was a hit! The program was the perfect balance of fun and information. Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright took the stage for his Superintendent's Address where he discussed his vision for the upcoming school year and #ReimaginingLRSD. 2022 LRSD ToY, Kara McGee gave a beautiful motivational message to encourage LRSD staff. The audience also thoroughly enjoyed a special presentation by international literacy/curriculum expert, Dr. Donyall Dickey. 

Special thank you to every student and staff member who played a role in making the program a success. The spirit squads and student ambassadors from Central, Hall, LR Southwest, Parkview and West high schools gave an amazing performance. A shout out also to the LR Southwest drumline and band for keeping the energy flowing, as well as soloist and Stephens employee Amanda Hood, Pinnacle View Middle School student Ethan Gong, Wakefield student Willa Breshears, and Forest Heights STEM Academy student Abigail Edwards! Here's to a successful 2022-23 school year! Re-watch LRSD Convocation '22 here.

Also, check out more great photos on this link.

Speaking of Back-to-School - Time for Our Annual 50 Fantastic Fathers Facebook Photo Competition

Calling our LRSD Dads/Father Figures for our annual 50 Fantastic Fathers photo competition! Snap a photo of you taking your child to school on the first day, August 22, and upload it to LRSD's Facebook photo contest page at: http://www.tinyurl.com/LRSD2022Dads. Be sure to invite your Facebook friends and family to vote for your photo between August 29 - September 2. We can't wait to see all your faces on the first day of school. Top 50 dads will enjoy lunch with Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright and be eligible to win great prizes, including a grill!

New Face in our Work Spaces! 

Welcome to the LRSD Family

LRSD proudly welcomed approximately 200 new employees to the family this year.  Above are a few pics from New Employee Orientation.

Don Roberts 4th Grader Making Her Mark

Nine-year-old Siyona Gangidi,  a 4th grader at Don Roberts Elementary, is receiving recognition for developing a music app during the pandemic. Siyona joined two of her hobbies, coding and playing the violin, and created the app Band Fun to allow musicians to connect and chat. She was selected as a finalist in BYJU's "18u18" competition and as a result, her app will be published on Google Play. Congratulations Siyona, way to represent #GirlsinSTEM!

LR Southwest Student to Serve as National CTSO Officer this Upcoming School Year

We are so proud of Lauryn Howard of Little Rock Southwest High for being recognized by the Arkansas State Board of Education. She's a state officer for the National Career Association and a JAG student.

Meeting Families Where They Are

  

LRSD's ESOL and Title III hosted a Back-to-School Bash this past weekend, providing targeted services to members of our Latino community.  By all accounts, it was a successful, well-attended event. 

Wrapping up Meet & Greets with
"wRight in the Rock"

This week concludes our Meet-and-Greet/Community Meeting series with Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright before the start of school. This week we met stakeholders at  Dunbar and Southwest community centers. We would like to thank everyone who came out and encourage you to stay engaged throughout the upcoming school year.  A shout out also, to Longley Baptist Church, Pinnacle View Middle School as well as Southwest and Dunbar community centers for hosting the meetings.  We'll let you know when the next meetings are scheduled.  

Dunbar Middle School Events to
 Put on Your Calendar

2022 School Calendars are Coming to a School/Department Near You!

The 2022 School Calendar is currently being printed and will be delivered to LRSD schools and departments. Meantime, you can access the online version by visiting "Virtual Backpack" on lrsd.org or click here. 

Join Chicot Elementary for Gordon Garden Service Day This Saturday!

Meal Applications Now Available

 

English:

Please complete the online HOUSEHOLD Meal Application at www.myschoolapps.com. Students who apply and are approved for free/reduced meals are entitled to Pandemic EBT benefits, fee waivers for summer school tuition, ACT/SAT testing fee waivers, concurrent credit fee waivers, and external discounted services such as internet services, and more. Please call (501)447-2456 or 447-2458 if you have questions. 

Español:

Complete la solicitud de comidas HOUSEHOLD en línea en www.myschoolapps.com o escanee el código de barras a continuación. Los estudiantes que solicitan y son aprobados para recibir comidas

gratis o a precio reducido tienen derecho a los beneficios de EBT pandémicos, exenciones de tarifas para la matrícula de la escuela de verano, exenciones de tarifas de exámenes ACT/SAT, exenciones de

tarifas de créditos concurrentes, servicios externos con descuento, como servicios de Internet, y más. Por favor llame al (501) 447-2456 o 447-2458 si tiene preguntastas.

Padres, después de seguir el enlace al sitio web de solicitud de comidas, tienen la opción de seleccionar su idioma en la esquina superior derecha y se traducirá toda la página web.

Important Reminder from Student Registration

English:

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS: As the 22-23 school year approaches, to ensure accuracy for placement, it is important that your student's address is current. To update your address:

· Login to www.lrsd.org/forms

· Click on the “change of address form” and follow the prompts

If you live within the boundaries of LRSD, have a school-age child who will be attending an LRSD school and you DO NOT have an assigned school, please contact our Student Registration Office (SRO) NOW to begin the enrollment process.

Contacting them now during the nonpeak period will help avoid long lines as it gets close to the start of the new school year. We want to be proactive and invite you to come now and allow us to provide excellent customer service to meet your needs.

Español: 

RECORDATORIO IMPORTANTE PARA LOS PADRES: A medida que se acerca el año escolar 22-23, para garantizar la precisión de la colocación, es importante que la dirección de su estudiante esté actualizada. Para actualizar su dirección:

· Inicie sesión en www.lrsd.org/forms

· Haga clic en el "formulario de cambio de dirección" y siga las indicaciones

Si vive dentro de los límites de LRSD, tiene un hijo en edad escolar que asistirá a una escuela de LRSD y NO tiene una escuela asignada, comuníquese con nuestra Oficina de registro de estudiantes (SRO) AHORA para comenzar el proceso de inscripción.

Comunicarse con el Registro de estudiantes ahora durante el período no pico ayudará a evitar largas filas a medida que se acerca el comienzo del nuevo año escolar. Queremos ser proactivos y lo invitamos a que venga ahora y nos permita brindar un excelente servicio al cliente para satisfacer sus necesidades.

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.

MLK Commission Back-to-School Bash

Historic Arkansas Museum Back to School

On the third Saturday of every month, enjoy some extra programming with your historic grounds admission. Historic Arkansas Museum is going “Back to School” for this month’s 3rd Saturday, exploring education in 1851 Arkansas. 

Learn your lessons at the schoolhouse, apprentice with a tradesperson to learn a new skill or practice your penmanship as you experience the educational opportunities that were (and for many were not) available in mid-19th century Arkansas. 

Along with a variety of hands-on activities you can also discover the thought and skill that went into having a new outfit to wear—and what you would find in an 1851 school lunch. Click here to learn more.

Teen Back-to-School Get Together

August 25 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Thompson Library

38 Rahling Circle Little Rock, AR. 72223

501-821-3060

CALS is inviting teens out for pizza, hanging out, playing games, or doing some crafts in this chill celebration of a new school year.

Friday Highlights 8.5.22

 

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

National Back to School Month

National Dog Month 

Family Fun Month

August 6-7:      Tax-free Weekend
August 8-9:       LRSD Meet-and-Greet/Community Meetings - 5:30 p.m. All Sites
                                      8/8 Southwest Community Center
                                      8/9 Dunbar Community Center

August 9:           New Employee Orientation

August 10-12:    Professional Development

August 10:         Convocation

August 11:         LRSD Board Agenda Meeting @ 5:30

AR ToY Regional Finalist Kara McGee Celebrated at Governor's Mansion

 

We were excited to celebrate with our ToY Kara McGee for being named a regional finalist for AR ToY. We gathered yesterday at the Governor's Mansion for the special recognition and to learn the names of the final four. While Ms. McGee wasn't named a finalist, getting to the top 13 is pretty special - and she is a shining star in our book. Congratulations again Ms. McGee on this amazing accomplishment!

Coming Soon to a School/Department
Near You... the '22 School Calendar

The 2022 School Calendar is currently being printed and will be delivered to LRSD Schools and Departments.  Meantime, to access the online version, visit "Virtual Backpack" on lrsd.org or click   here.  

First Day of School is August 22!

LRSD Staff Celebrate Start of '22 School Year with Back-to-School Convocation!

wRIGHT in the Rock Community Meetings Continue Next Week

Our Meet-and-Greet/Community Meetings with Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright Officially kicked off this week at Longley Baptist Church and Pinnacle View Middle School. If you couldn’t make this week's meetings don’t worry! Next week we will be at Southwest Community Center - 6401 Baseline Rd. on 8/8 and Dunbar Community Center - 1001 W. 16th St. on 8/9. See you there! 

 

 

Speaking of Meeting Dr. Wright...

  

New LRSD Supt. Dr. Jermall Wright made the media circuit this week, sharing more about his vision for the District  - this includes involvement/support from all stakeholders.  

LRSD Ushers in New Employees
With Special Orientation

 

Four LRSD Students Recognized at Bobby Portis' Celebrity Basketball Game

The Bobby Portis Celebrity Basketball Game was a big hit at the Jack Stephens Center Saturday night!  Awesome that Bobby, a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and Hall alum, came home to celebrate his city and "give back."  

He also recognized four LRSD students as part of his Leadership program: Cornelius Daniel, Masiah Shorter, and Santea Hollis, all from Little Rock Southwest High School, along with Jordan Gilliam from Hall STEAM Magnet High School. Special thanks to Bobby, and congrats to the students!

 

 

LRSD Alum Imani Carpenter Crowned Miss Diamond National Teen

  

Join us in sending a huge congratulations to LRSD alum and LR Central High grad Imani Carpenter on being Crowned Miss Diamond National Teen. She also won in multiple categories including Crowd Favorite!

LRSD Teacher Recognized by the U.S. Department of State and ADOL

The U.S. Department of State and ADOL (Arkansas Declaration of Learning) Program recognized Kelli Kamanga for inspiring civic engagement among students through excellence in historic object-based teaching for her project entitled "Our School Speaks: Preserving History Through Alumni Interviews". Way to go, Ms. Kamanga!

Don't Forget! It's Tax-Free Weekend

Join Chicot Elementary for Gordon Garden Service Day Next Saturday!

Meal Applications Now Available

 

English:

Please complete the online HOUSEHOLD Meal Application at www.myschoolapps.com. Students who apply and are approved for free/reduced meals are entitled to Pandemic EBT benefits, fee waivers for summer school tuition, ACT/SAT testing fee waivers, concurrent credit fee waivers, and external discounted services such as internet services, and more. Please call (501)447-2456 or 447-2458 if you have questions. 

Español:

Complete la solicitud de comidas HOUSEHOLD en línea en www.myschoolapps.com o escanee el código de barras a continuación. Los estudiantes que solicitan y son aprobados para recibir comidas

gratis o a precio reducido tienen derecho a los beneficios de EBT pandémicos, exenciones de tarifas para la matrícula de la escuela de verano, exenciones de tarifas de exámenes ACT/SAT, exenciones de

tarifas de créditos concurrentes, servicios externos con descuento, como servicios de Internet, y más. Por favor llame al (501) 447-2456 o 447-2458 si tiene preguntastas.

Padres, después de seguir el enlace al sitio web de solicitud de comidas, tienen la opción de seleccionar su idioma en la esquina superior derecha y se traducirá toda la página web.

Important Reminder from Student Registration

English:

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS: As the 22-23 school year approaches, to ensure accuracy for placement, it is important that your student's address is current. To update your address:

· Login to www.lrsd.org/forms

· Click on the “change of address form” and follow the prompts

If you live within the boundaries of LRSD, have a school-age child who will be attending an LRSD school and you DO NOT have an assigned school, please contact our Student Registration Office (SRO) NOW to begin the enrollment process.

Contacting them now during the nonpeak period will help avoid long lines as it gets close to the start of the new school year. We want to be proactive and invite you to come now and allow us to provide excellent customer service to meet your needs.

Español: 

RECORDATORIO IMPORTANTE PARA LOS PADRES: A medida que se acerca el año escolar 22-23, para garantizar la precisión de la colocación, es importante que la dirección de su estudiante esté actualizada. Para actualizar su dirección:

· Inicie sesión en www.lrsd.org/forms

· Haga clic en el "formulario de cambio de dirección" y siga las indicaciones

Si vive dentro de los límites de LRSD, tiene un hijo en edad escolar que asistirá a una escuela de LRSD y NO tiene una escuela asignada, comuníquese con nuestra Oficina de registro de estudiantes (SRO) AHORA para comenzar el proceso de inscripción.

Comunicarse con el Registro de estudiantes ahora durante el período no pico ayudará a evitar largas filas a medida que se acerca el comienzo del nuevo año escolar. Queremos ser proactivos y lo invitamos a que venga ahora y nos permita brindar un excelente servicio al cliente para satisfacer sus necesidades.

Important Reminder Regarding Mask Guidance in LRSD Buildings 

The Little Rock School District continues to follow CDC guidelines for all schools regarding COVID status. Per procedures passed by the LRSD Board, masks WILL be required in all LRSD buildings.  Please remember that mask guidance notification is posted at the top of the District’s website each week, should you have questions about the status of masks.  Thank you for your continued support.

Not Vaccinated or Need Booster - Stop By the Southwest Community Center Tomorrow 

 

Vaccine clinic tomorrow, 8/6 at Southwest Community Center from 12pm-4pm! 

¡Clínica de vacunas mañana, 8/6 en Southwest Community Center de 12pm-4pm!

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.

It's Time for Early Voting!

LRSD will have two board openings - Zones 8 and 9.  Head over to the Pulaski County Clerk's website for more info!

Little Rock Photo Expo 2022

Calling all Little Rock photography lovers! The Little Rock Expo is a great experience packed with classes and hands-on demonstrations. Bring your camera and come get inspired! Click here for more info.