Friday Highlights 1.19.24

 January is:

School Board Member Appreciation Month
National Mentoring Month
National World Health Esteem Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National Blood Donor Month

Important Dates: 

January 25:    School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
January 29:    Superintendent's Citation Program (5:30 p.m.)
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 5:    Personnel Policy Committee Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
February 8:    School Board Work Session (5:30 p.m.)

You Still Have a Few Hours to Support Little Rock School District Students and Families by Getting a Smoothie!

Check out this fundraiser to help erase school lunch debt! Please see the information in the flyer above. Thanks, Smoothie King, for supporting our students and families.

LRSD Families Brave the Cold Weather to Play in the Snow

After several days of cold weather, Little Rock School District students and families spent time playing in the snow this week. They went sledding, made snow angels, and had snowball fights. Thank you to everyone who sent us pictures of your snow day fun!

Public Speaking Contest Deadline Coming Up Soon! Limited Number of Applicants Accepted

It's that time again. Don't sleep on turning in your application for the annual Ralph Vines Public Speaking Contest - a limited number of contestants accepted due to growing popularity! See info in pic below. Application linked here: https://5il.co/2cwa4

Deadline for submissions: March 15th

Help Us #ReimageLRSD

Your Voice Matters!!!

Share Your Voice During Upcoming Strategic Planning Sessions Click the link to see a close-up of the flyer for community conversations.

23 Little Rock West Students Inducted Into the National Honor Society

Little Rock West students, families, and staff were able to gather for the National Honor Society New Member Induction Ceremony this month. Twenty-three students were inducted. Congratulations on your achievement!

Don't Forget to Check Our New Website!

The Little Rock School District has officially launched our exciting, new, user-friendly Thrillshare website powered by Apptegy. In addition to the sleek, streamlined look and ease of access to information, the site will provide one-stop shopping for news, social media, calendars, and more. As with any transition, there may be a few bugs. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourselves with the platform and provide feedback in the form below. Thank you in advance for your patience and helping us serve you better! https://lrsd.jotform.com/240024220499045

And, While You're At It, Download the New App

Welcome Aboard! 

We Are Traveling Around The District!

We are going around the Little Rock School District in 100 days! It's a new weekly series that showcases the many wonderful programs, departments, students, and staff that are a part of our LRSD family. Our first stop is the Adult Education Center, where they help adults achieve their future goals. Check out the video at this link: https://youtu.be/lG9r3Ibqnfg.

Little Rock Central High School Magazine "Labyrinth" Receives First Class Recognition

Little Rock Central High School's magazine, Labyrinth, was selected to receive the rank of REALM First Class in the 2023 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines. The mission of NCTE's REALM program is to publicly recognize excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. Congratulations to all of the students who helped make this award-winning magazine!

Mark Your Calendars!

Join Us for 2024 Districtwide EAST Night Out

Save the date! Join us at the 2024 District-Wide EAST Night Out. You will be able to see all of the amazing projects that Little Rock School District EAST students have created to make a difference in their schools and in their community. The event will be held on January 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Southwest High School Cafeteria. The students are eager to tell you about their progress!

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.

Panel Discussion Slated -
 "Equity in Education"

Little Rock Central High School NHS and the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College will present a panel discussion on "Equity in Education." The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Panelists include Dr. Terrence Roberts, clinical psychologist and member of the Little Rock Nine; Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, higher education administrator and the first African American three-year graduate at Little Rock Central High School; and Brenda Bradley, UA-PTC Instructor of History. The program will be held in the CHARTS Theater on UAPTC's campus Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public.

Celebrate All Things Outdoors at the
 34th Annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic

Make plans to attend the 34th Annual Big Buck Classic this month! It's a three-day festival dedicated to those who love the outdoors, especially deer hunting. Merchandise vendors will sell outdoor and hunting products, outfitters, boats, tree stands, hunting blinds, ATVs, and more. There will also be attractions, including rattlesnake wranglers, chainsaw carving, knife forgers, and kids activities. But the highlight of the festival will be the exhibition of deer antlers from around Arkansas. You can also enter in for over $100,000 in prizes. The Big Buck Classic will be held at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds from January 26-28. Adult tickets are $15 each, kids aged 5-12 are $5, and kids under 5 are free. Parking is included in your ticket price.

Jazz Night with an R&B Flavor to be
Held in Little Rock This Month

Calling All Hoop Lovers! 

The Harlem Globetrotters are Coming to Simmons Bank Arena in February

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters global tour as they take the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation and fun! The basketball stars will be performing at Simmons Bank Arena in February. You'll be amazed by new levels of trick shots, expert ball-handling skills, and big laughs. Buy your tickets here!

City of Little Rock to Hold Unity Service

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., and the city's Board of Directors, along with city and faith leaders, will gather on February 4th at Saint Mark Baptist Church at 5 p.m. for a Unity Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many observances scheduled to honor Dr. King's legacy were canceled or postponed on his designated holiday this past Monday due to inclement weather. Mayor Scott encourages all residents of Little Rock to participate in the upcoming program to promote a unified Little Rock and amplify Dr. King’s values of service, equality, and human rights. The featured speaker for the event is Dr. Gina Stewart, senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis. The event is free and open to the public.

Tina Fey's "Mean Girls" to be Performed
at the Robinson Center

Direct from Broadway, "Mean Girls," the hilarious hit musical, is coming to Little Rock this February. Cady Heron falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina's reign, she learns the hard way that you can't cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Tickets to the show are available through Celebrity Attractions and Ticketmaster. The show runs at the Robinson Center starting February 2 through February 4.

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 at noon.

Friday Highlights 1.12.24

January is:

School Board Member Appreciation Month
National Mentoring Month
National World Health Esteem Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National Blood Donor Month

Important Dates: 

January 15:    Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Schools/Offices Closed)
January 16:    Parent/Community Engagement Session - MLK Leadership/Language Academy (6:00 p.m.)
January 25:    School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
January 29:    Superintendent's Citation Program (5:30 p.m.)

Schools and Offices to Close for
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

The Little Rock School District will observe the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, January 15, 2024. All schools and District offices will be closed.

Help Us #ReimageLRSD Your Voice Matters!!!

Share Your Voice During Upcoming Strategic Planning Sessions Click the link to see a close-up of the flyer for community conversations.

Keathley Patterson Electric and Metropolitan Career-Technical Center Launch Student Career Pathway

The Little Rock School District celebrated the launch of a new manufacturing career pathway for high school students at the Metro Career Tech Center. The partnership with Keathley Patterson Electric will contribute to the success of the program and help spread awareness about the importance of fostering the aspirations of the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Those in attendance were able to preview career pathways, see student demos and the manufacturing lab, and explore ways to support youth.

An Electric Fleet Coming to LRSD

This is exciting news! Check out how much funding LRSD will receive to transition its buses that serve students with special needs to an all-electric fleet - in the news story below!

https://katv.com/.../little-rock-school-district-receives...

Don't Forget to Check Our 
New Website!

The Little Rock School District has officially launched our exciting, new, user-friendly Thrillshare website powered by Apptegy. In addition to the sleek, streamlined look and ease of access to information, the site will provide one-stop shopping for news, social media, calendars, and more. As with any transition, there may be a few bugs. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourselves with the platform and provide feedback in the form below. Thank you in advance for your patience and helping us serve you better! https://lrsd.jotform.com/240024220499045

And, While You're At It, Download the New App

Little Rock Central Tigers Win Big
in Tampa Tournament

Little Rock Central's basketball team traveled to Tampa, Florida, to compete in the SLAM! Tampa Hoopfest this past week. After a hard-fought battle to the finish, the team won the championship with a 66-37 victory over FACS! Caleb Blair and Annor Boateng were the lead scorers in the game. Your LRSD family is proud of you! Congratulations!

Mark Your Calendars!
Join Us for 2024 Districtwide EAST Night Out

Save the date! Join us at the 2024 District-Wide EAST Night Out. You will be able to see all of the amazing projects that Little Rock School District EAST students have created to make a difference in their schools and in their community. The event will be held on January 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Southwest High School Cafeteria. The students are eager to tell you about their progress!

LRSD's Youngest Students Learn about Agriculture from the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Students at Chicot Elementary and Early Childhood Center were able to learn about hydroponics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture during garden class. Thank you for investing in our students!

Support Little Rock School District Students and Families by Getting a Smoothie!

Check out this fundraiser to help erase school lunch debt! Please see the information in the flyer above. Thanks, Smoothie King, for supporting our students and families.

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.

Serving the Community! The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Hosts the 2024 MLK Challenge

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is inviting the community for a day of service that is designed to engage students ages 12 to 18. The challenge consists of a full day of service projects that will challenge them mentally and socially. Something to note is that some service sites may require physical or outdoor labor, and participants will likely get dirty. Participants are advised to wear casual and comfortable clothes. To register your student, click here!

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Invites You to the 2024 MLK Birthday Bash and Fireworks Extravaganza

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is inviting the community to attend a fireworks show in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will feature an opportunity for the community to reflect and come together to celebrate Dr. King's legacy. 

The event starts at 6 p.m. at North Shore Riverwalk Park. 

Celebrate All Things Outdoors at the 34th Annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic

Make plans to attend the 34th Annual Big Buck Classic this month! It's a three-day festival dedicated to those who love the outdoors, especially deer hunting. Merchandise vendors will sell outdoor and hunting products, outfitters, boats, tree stands, hunting blinds, ATVs, and more. There will also be attractions, including rattlesnake wranglers, chainsaw carving, knife forgers, and kids activities. But the highlight of the festival will be the exhibition of deer antlers from around Arkansas. You can also enter in for over $100,000 in prizes. The Big Buck Classic will be held at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds from January 26-28. Adult tickets are $15 each, kids aged 5-12 are $5, and kids under 5 are free. Parking is included in your ticket price.

Jazz Night with an R&B Flavor to be Held in Little Rock This Month

Calling All Hoop Lovers! 
The Harlem Globetrotters are Coming to Simmons Bank Arena in February

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters global tour as they take the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation and fun! The basketball stars will be performing at Simmons Bank Arena in February. You'll be amazed by new levels of trick shots, expert ball-handling skills, and big laughs. Buy your tickets here!

Tina Fey's "Mean Girls" to be Performed
at the Robinson Center

Direct from Broadway, "Mean Girls," the hilarious hit musical, is coming to Little Rock this February. Cady Heron falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina's reign, she learns the hard way that you can't cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Tickets to the show are available through Celebrity Attractions and Ticketmaster. The show runs at the Robinson Center starting February 2 through February 4.

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 at noon.

Friday Highlights 1.5.24

 

January is:

National School Board Member Appreciation Month
National World Health Esteem Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National Blood Donor Month

Important Dates: 

January 8:      Personnel Policy Committee Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
January 9:      LR PTA Council Meeting (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
January 10:    Parent/Community Engagement Session - MLK Leadership/Language Academy (6:00 p.m.)
January 11:    School Board Work Session (5:30 p.m.)
January 15:    Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Schools/Offices Closed)
January 16:    Parent/Community Engagement Session - MLK Leadership/Language Academy (6:00 p.m.)
January 25:    School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
January 29:    Superintendent's Citation Program (5:30 p.m.)

Happy New Year to Our LRSD Family!

Apply Now to Participate on an #OptimizingLRSD Task Force

On December 15, 2023, the LRSD Board of Education approved the creation of three task forces, which were among several #OptimizingLRSD Phase 1 Recommendations. We are looking for employees, parents, and members of the LRSD community interested in serving on any of the three task forces. Each task force will meet at least once per month (virtually and/or in-person) and will work to present final recommendations to the LRSD administration by May 1, 2024. To learn about the three task forces or if you are interested in joining, click here. The deadline for submitting your form is January 9, 2024.

LRSD Recognizes School Board Members for School Board Appreciation Month

January is School Board Appreciation Month. We want to give a special shout-out to our Little Rock School District Board Members who serve our district faithfully. Thank you for all you do for our students, parents, and staff!

 New and Exciting LRSD Website
Launched This Week

The Little Rock School District has officially launched our exciting, new, user-friendly Thrillshare website powered by Apptegy. In addition to the sleek, streamlined look and ease of access to information, the site will provide one-stop shopping for news, social media, calendars, and more. As with any transition, there may be a few bugs. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourselves with the platform and provide feedback in the form below. Thank you in advance for your patience and helping us serve you better! https://lrsd.jotform.com/240024220499045

Don't Forget to Download the New App

 Little Rock Central SECME Engineering Team Places First in Dallas Competition

Please join us in congratulating the Little Rock Central High School SECME Engineering team for winning first place in the Dallas Regional - Prusa BEST Robotics Challenge! They designed, printed, and tested a 3-D artificial heart during the competitions.

Mark Your Calendars!
Join Us for 2024 District Wide EAST Night Out

Save the date! Join us at the 2024 District-Wide EAST Night Out. You will be able to see all of the amazing projects that Little Rock School District EAST students have created to make a difference in their schools and in their community. The event will be held on January 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Southwest High School Cafeteria. The students are eager to tell you about their progress!

We Know the Holidays Are Over... Sharing This Just Because it's Cute!

Featuring Mr. Ronald Chargois as the "Grinch"

Who wore it better? 

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.

 Last Weekend to GloWild at the 
Little Rock Zoo!

It's the last weekend to attend the GloWild Lantern Festival at the Little Rock Zoo. There, you can walk through three different spaces that will showcase animals in a new light. The first section will be filled with mystical creatures. The second will feature insects, and the third will include jungle animals that can be found across the globe. The event will run from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. through January 7th. Tickets for the general public are $20 and can be purchased at the gate. Parking is free!

Made in Arkansas Film Festival Presents "Reel Reality: A Night of Documentary Shorts"

Join the Made in Arkansas Film Festival for an evening of documentary shorts! The monthly night of screenings will be held in the CALS Ron Robinson Theater on January 11th. Some of the films that will be included in the screenings are "To The Bone," "I Remember," and "Arkansas High Country." Doors open at 6 p.m., and films will start promptly at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available. 

For tickets, click here.

Serving the Community! The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Hosts the 2024 MLK Challenge

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is inviting the community for a day of service that is designed to engage students ages 12 to 18. The challenge consists of a full day of service projects that will challenge them mentally and socially. Something to note is that some service sites may require physical or outdoor labor, and participants will likely get dirty. Participants are advised to wear casual and comfortable clothes. To register your student, click here!

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Invites You to the 2024 MLK Birthday Bash and Fireworks Extravaganza

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is inviting the community to attend a fireworks show in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will feature an opportunity for the community to reflect and come together to celebrate Dr. King's legacy. 

The event starts at 6 p.m. at North Shore Riverwalk Park. 

Celebrate All Things Outdoors at the 34th Annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic

Make plans to attend the 34th Annual Big Buck Classic this month! It's a three-day festival dedicated to those who love the outdoors, especially deer hunting. There will be merchandise vendors selling outdoor and hunting products, outfitters, boats, tree stands, hunting blinds, ATVs and more. There will also be attractions, including rattlesnake wranglers, chainsaw carving, knife forgers, and kids activities. However, the highlight of the festival will be the exhibition of deer antlers from around Arkansas. You can also enter in for over $100,000 in prizes. The Big Buck Classic will be held at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds from January 26-28. Adult tickets are $15 a piece, kids aged 5-12 are $5, and kids under 5 are free. Parking is included in your ticket price.

Jazz Night with an R&B Flavor to be Held in Little Rock This Month

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 at noon.