LRSD NOW

Friday, February 2, 2024

Friday Highlights 2.2.24

February is:

Black History Month
National Library Lover's Month
National Heart Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Chinese New Year
National Cancer Prevention Month

Important Dates:

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.)
February 13: LR PTA Council Meeting (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
February 14: Valentine's Day
February 16: Student's Out
February 22: School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)

Commemorating Black History Month!

This year, #LRSD will spotlight prominent African American District graduates. We kick off this year's celebration by recognizing Parkview High School graduate and Green Bay Packer legend Keith Jackson. His journey from #LRSD to the NFL inspires us all!

Community Members, Parents, Students, and Staff Participate in Community

Engagement Sessions

Community members, parents, students, and staff gathered this week to share their voices during Strategic Planning Sessions. During the sessions, stakeholders were able to share input regarding the future of LRSD, focusing on providing equitable and engaging academic experiences for all kids. Thank you to those who attended for your investment in our students' futures!

Help Us #ReimageLRSD by Filling Out this Anonymous Survey

Help #ReimagineLRSD by sharing your input in our anonymous strategic planning survey! Input from our community is essential for an effective strategic plan that improves student success and experiences. The survey will close on February 12th. Thank you for your participation and support!

Link to English Survey: https://www.research.net/r/LRSDStratPlan

Encuesta del Plan Estratégico del Distrito Escolar de Little Rock: https://www.research.net/r/PlanEstrategicoLittleRock

Faith-Based Partners Share Love of Reading with Students Story Time with Pastors

A shout-out to our faith-based community partners for participating in Story Time with Pastors. Thanks to coordination through our ViPS program, they read to students at Watson earlier this week.

PHE Students Get a Special Visit from

Journalist Steve Hartman

It was a big week at Pulaski Heights Elementary when Journalist Steve Hartman, from the "On the Road with Steve Hartman" series, visited Mrs. Barbara Hall's and Mrs. Rebekah Klatt's classes. The students watch his Kindness 101 videos daily and were excited to meet and see Mr. Steve. Check out this story about the special visit that aired on Channel 11!

LR West Student Finishes Among Top 3

in State Competition

Trey Fennessee won 3rd place in the state in a career competition sponsored by Arkansas Rehabilitation! We are proud of his accomplishment! #beyourbestatwest

Terry Takes Care of BETA Business

Terry's Beta Club represented their school well at this week's AR State Beta Convention. They participated in Onsite Art (drawing), Living Literature, Visual Arts (painting), Visual arts (Digital Art), Apparel Design, Speech, Visual Arts (jewelry), Accessory Design, and Performing Arts (Variety Act).

The following students placed in the Top 5 for their competition and are invited to attend the National Convention in Georgia this summer:

Inayah Siddiqui- Performing Arts- 2nd place

Knoel Reynolds- Accessorized Design- 3rd place

Emily Vesecky- Visual Arts- Painting- 5th place

Saeran Eldridge- Speech- 5th place

Kyrie Hubbard- Digital Arts- 4th place

Congratulations to our Beta Club members, and a job well done!

Progressing Nicely at Central High!

We are moving along! Check out the site of LRCH's new multipurpose facility! Can't wait to give you a tour!

Students Honored During First Superintendent's Citation Program of the Year

This week, the Little Rock School District honored several students doing BIG things in their schools during this month’s Superintendent’s Citation Program. Check out more photos from the exciting night here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/137350739@N06/.

LRSD Students Participate in the third VEX Robotics Tournament

The Little Rock School District's Advanced Academics Program hosted its third VEX Robotics Tournament for the school year, attracting nearly 30 teams from across the state. Advance Academics Program Director Romona Cheneval explained that Robotics requires much more than just learning how to put a robot together and program it. "Team skills are vital in troubleshooting, planning, and presenting! Each VEX IQ tournament engages students in individual and team skills, including programming, driving, journaling, and participating in team interviews," she said. Teams had to manage their time efficiently and communicate clearly with each other to compete. The next tournament is just around the corner - Feb. 15th!

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! You can find more information in the picture above. The application can also be found at this link:: https://5il.co/2cwa4. Deadline for submissions: March 15th.

Welcome Aboard!

We Are Traveling Around The District!

We are going around the Little Rock School District in 100 days! This weekly series showcases the many wonderful programs, departments, students, and staff that are part of our LRSD family. Our third stop is the Athletics program, where they help students on and off the court/field.

Check out the video below!

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

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

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

Celebrating a LRSD/LR Legend

4th Annual BrickUniverse and Lego Fan Expo to be Held at Statehouse Convention

Center this Weekend

Join thousands of fellow LEGO fans for the 4th Annual BrickUniverse and LEGO Fan Expo this weekend at the Statehouse Convention Center. You will be able to immerse yourself in the endless possibilities of LEGO bricks during the BrickUniverse Build it! Tour. You will also be able to meet multiple professional artists from around the country, explore incredible LEGO exhibits and works of art, and unleash your creativity in unique Building Zones. Buy tickets for the event here.

Anime Festival Returns to

Little Rock this Weekend

Back for 2024, the Little Rock Anime Festival is returning to the Statehouse Convention Center this weekend. The two-day event will bring together a diverse list of guests, vendors, artists, and fan groups. Some of the celebrity guests this year include Ben Diskin, Robbie Daymond, and Ray Chase. To get tickets for this event, visit their website at littlerockanimefest.com!

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.

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 6 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.

Central Arkansas Library System to Hold Main Library "Wall Breaking" Ceremony

Join the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) for an exciting "Wall Breaking" Ceremony at the Main Library. Witness the unveiling of the final renderings, and hear announcements from CALS leadership and project leads from Polk Stanley Wilcox, architects, and contractors. You will also be able to hear details about the library café and experience a final viewing of the vacant structure before demolition. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. You must RSVP at this link if you would like to attend.

Beloved Tradition SoMardi Gras

Returns to Little Rock

Get ready to dive into the watery wonders of "SoMa Under the Sea" as SoMardi Gras returns to Little Rock's South Main District. The 14th annual celebration is scheduled for February 10, 2024. It will include music, family-friendly fun, and, of course, the parade! The parade will kick off at the corner of South Main and 24th Streets at noon. The fun will transition from there into a SoMa block party to keep the good times rolling. There will also be the Annual Little Rock Beard and Mustache Contest.

Ballet Arkansas Presents Swan Lake

Join Ballet Arkansas for an unforgettable evening of ballet that promises to leave you spellbound and inspired. Indulge in an enchanting journey into the world of timeless romance and breathtaking artistry with Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky's score sets the stage for a ballet experience like no other. The ballet features an ensemble of nearly 100 community cast performers alongside the professional Company Artists of Ballet Arkansas. The shows will be performed at the Robinson Center from February 16-18.

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts to Host

Family Art Festival

Immerse yourself in a free day of art and fun for guests of all ages inspired by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art's newest exhibition Action/Abstraction Redefined: Modern Native Art, 1940s to 1970s. Free studio activities, storytelling sessions, live music, and more bring the Museum to life with a celebration of Indigenous artists and performers. The Bizhiki Culture and Dance Company kicks off the experience with energy-packed, interactive dance performances. The dancers will then lead audiences into the Glass Box for a special storytelling performance illustrating the resilience of Indigenous cultures. The free family day is going to be held on February 17th.

Save the Date!

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, January 26, 2024

Friday Highlights 1.26.24

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 29: Superintendent's Citation Program (5:30 p.m.)
February 1: First Day of Black History Month
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.)
February 13: LR PTA Council Meeting (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

Thank You For All You Do!

Little Rock School Board Recognized 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!

Check out this awesome student tribute to Board members:

Introducing the 2024 LRSD Campus Level Teachers of the Year

Congrats to LRSD Teachers of the Year from every campus! Elementary and non-traditional schools have one representative, middle schools have two, and high schools have three representatives. All will have the opportunity to vie for LRSD Teacher of the Year! Best wishes on this continued journey!

Way to Go, LRCH Presidential
Scholars Candidates

Great news! LRSD just received notice of the announcement naming candidates for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, and Central had 16 students listed! The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are ultimately named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. Congratulations to these amazing students for their tremendous accomplishments!

Cloverdale Middle School Students Make a Difference with Impactful Projects

Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students at Cloverdale Middle School have been on a mission to positively impact their community. In October, they joined over 36,000 students nationwide to provide one million books to underserved youth. They donated and read books to students at Baseline Elementary. However, their commitment to community service didn't stop there. Recognizing the urgent issues of child poverty and maternal and mental health challenges, Cloverdale students embarked on their second impactful project, aptly named "Do Good December." This project focused on supporting middle and high school children at the Florence Crittenton Home (FCH) in Little Rock. During a field trip to the home, they delivered collected items and gifts to the residents. They gathered an impressive 682 personal care items, $150, and gift cards for donation. Thank you to Cloverdale Chick-fil-A Leader students and sponsors for impacting our community positively!

Happy Retirement!

LRSD Thanks Craig O'Neill for his Dedication to our Students' Futures

We want to wish Craig O'Neill a very happy retirement! His passion for making students excited about reading is unmatched. Thank you for your service to students across the state and around the Little Rock School District.

Public Speaking Contest

Deadline Coming Up Soon!

Limited Number of Applicants Accepted

Parkview Patriots Honored at Little Rock City Council Meeting for State Championship Wins

The Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School Patriots were recognized by the City of Little Rock and Parkview alum Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. for their back-to-back 5A Football State Championship victories. Not only are they gifted athletically, but they're serious about the books! Congratulations to the team, Coach Brad Bolding, Principal Eric Henderson, and the school!

Help Us #ReimageLRSD During Upcoming

Strategic Planning Sessions

The Little Rock School District is calling all visionary parents and guardians to share their voices during upcoming strategic planning sessions to help chart the future of LRSD and help provide equitable and engaging academic experiences for all kids. The sessions are open to all district parents, students, staff, and community members and will feature free food, interactive engagement, childcare, and a chance to win prizes. The first session will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stephens Elementary. Thank you for your support and investment in our students' futures!

https://5il.co/2dhcr

Little Rock Southwest Students Host Community Forum

Students at Little Rock Southwest organized and hosted a community forum this week involving Little Rock School District Board Members and leadership about the school. Some of the questions asked by students were about discipline, the stability of the school, and athletics. We appreciate the dedication of those students to create a well-organized event to have a very productive and positive conversation.

Welcome Aboard!

We Are Traveling Around The District!

We are going around the Little Rock School District in 100 days! This weekly series showcases the many wonderful programs, departments, students, and staff that are part of our LRSD family. Our second stop is the Advanced Academics Program, where they help showcase student learning and creativity. Check out the video below!

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 Students Participate in

District Spelling Bee

First/Second Place Respectively, Sara Chen-Roberts and Lexi Boyd - Jefferson

Third Place Winner Not Pictured, David Gregorian - Forest Park

LRSD elementary students showed off their great spelling skills today during the District's annual spelling bee. It took an impressive 20 rounds to get to a winner. Congrats to Sara Chen, 1st Place - Roberts, Lexi Boyd, 2nd Place - Jefferson, and David Gregorian - Forest Park, 3rd Place. A shout-out to all the students who worked so hard to make this a great event and to the parents and teachers who helped them prepare!

Don't Forget to Check Our New Website!

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

Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

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

The Rep's Student Auditions for the Upcoming Summer Stage Production Now Open

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is excited to announce that youth auditions for its Summer Stage production of Footloose! Any students who will be 16-18 years old as of June 1, 2024, and have a love for theatre can sign up. The theatre is looking for a diverse demographic of youth with any level of experience to audition. There is an audition walk-through website to help with preparation. Auditions will be held
February 16-17, 2024 by appointment only!

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 This Month

This Saturday, Next Generation is hosting a benefit to raise money for their annual out-of-state trip. Next Generation is a mentoring group of 50 young ladies from J.A. Fair K-8 Prep School. The trip provides students with a great opportunity to experience and see real-life historical sites and features that they usually only see in a book.

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!