Summer is here!

We are excited to have sent home books with all of our PreK-5th grade students this summer. We hope our students and families will accept the challenge to try and read 20 minutes a day this summer.

Many of our community partners have opportunities to continue literacy growth during the summer.

• Check out what our Library system has to offer with Summer at CALS

• There are Little Free Libraries throughout the city and county

• AR Kids Read at the Library Free Summer Tutoring

• Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Family Literacy Fun

The Little Rock School District and the City of Little Rock are partnering to ignite a culture of reading among our young people through the citywide initiative,  Reading in the Rock.  We want every child to have the support, resources, and encouragement needed to become a lifelong reader. Early reading skills lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, confidence, and opportunity. When children become proficient readers, they unlock doors to future success in school, careers, and beyond. However, they can’t do it alone—they need YOU!

In collaboration with Scholastic Education, this initiative is designed to bring together schools, families, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that every child in Little Rock has access to books, engaging literacy experiences, and the encouragement to build strong reading habits that last a lifetime.

Reading in the Rock officially kicked off Wednesday, March 19, 2025, following an initial introduction by Dr. Jermall Wright during the State of the District Address on Tuesday, March 18.

Through the partnership with Scholastic, students will receive:

• Academic Break Reading Take-Home Pack with books and activities to begin building their library. Each pack includes engaging books, reading and writing activities, and tips to maximize your child’s reading opportunities. 

• A Reading Tip Guide for parents and families to read to their children and encourage them to read.

• A Reading Log for your child to complete over break to celebrate the joy of reading and earn a chance to win prizes.

Our vision is to develop a culture of reading by focusing on three key goals: helping students develop lifelong reading habits, increasing access to books, and engaging families and the community in literacy efforts. By achieving these goals, we will see two transformative outcomes: promoting the joy of reading in children and ensuring that 3rd graders meet grade-level reading proficiency. Reading in the Rock will empower the entire community to play a role in improving literacy through book drives, reading challenges, mentorship programs, and citywide events. Whether you are a parent, educator, volunteer, or business leader, you can make a difference—because when we invest in reading, we invest in the future of Little Rock’s children.  Click here to Take the Pledge and join Reading in the Rock!

*Get Involved Today!

We're working to send student-selected books home with every elementary student for each academic break in the 2025-2026 school year—ensuring they have access to books that inspire a lifelong love of reading! No donation is too big or too small—every bit helps!

💙 Donate today: www.arcf.org/lrsdpromise

✉️ Mail a check to:
The Arkansas Community Foundation
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Building 5, 11th Floor
Little Rock, AR 72202
(Memo: "LRSD Promise for the Future Fund")

📖 Together, we can make a difference—one book at a time!