LRSD News

Parents, please take a moment to read the important safety message that is attached here — regarding the first day of school. (En Español tambien) Classes start Monday, August 20, 2012. LRSD needs your support and involvement. The administrators and staff look forward to an exciting year.

A reminder - today is the first day of school for Early Start campuses: Cloverdale 6th grade, J.A. Fair 9th grade and Hall 9th grade.   All other students start August 20th. 

Parents, please remember to check with the ParentLink coordinator at your child's school if you did not receive instructions on using ParentLink this year or if you need help signing in.  ParentLink is offering some enhanced features this year that will help the district communicate with you more effectively.  Plus, you'll want to stay tuned for our new and improved website!

Please check back frequently for the latest updates on what you need to know to start the new year. 

It’s time to head back to school for students in the Little Rock School District! Some of our elementary schools are hosting back to school events for their parents and students. Please make plans to attend your school’s Back-to-School Bash and meet your principal, teacher and staff!

Otter Creek:  Friday, August 3, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

McDermott:  Thursday, August 16, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Terry:  Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

Rockefeller Early Childhood:  Friday, August 17, 2012 from Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Bale:  Friday, August 17, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Watson:  Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Western Hills: will have a Meet and Greet on Thursday the 16th from 5:15-6:15. Parents and students can meet their teacher, see friends, and leave school supplies.

Williams: will hold their back to school night on August 16th from 5:30-6:30.

The Roosevelt Street parking lot of Horace Mann Arts and Science Magnet Middle School will be closed during the Little Rock School District Check-in Days, August 1 and 2, 2012, due to the construction of a new Fine Arts building at the school. Parents may park behind the school during the required Check-in from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on both days.

Believe it or not - it’s back to school time. Check-in is this Wednesday and Thursday, August 1-2 from 10 am – 7 pm. All students need to go to their assigned schools to register for the new school year. Parents, if your address has changed, please bring a current utility bill to update your contact information. It is very important that all of your information is up-to-date, should we need to reach you in an emergency. With the exception of early start campuses, the first day of class is August 20th. If you need additional information, please contact your child's school or student registration. The staff at LRSD is looking forward to working with your students this year.

With the triple digit Arkansas has been experiencing, it is important to remember to take extra precautions.  This warning is especially significant this year as forecasters have indicated that the state is seeing  record temperatures.  The national weather service said Little Rock reached 107 degrees Thursday, marking the highest temperature the city has ever seen in June.  With this information in mind, LRSD wanted to share these heat-related safety tips with you.  Click on this link to read the PDF.

Get Ready in time for Back-to-School

Free Immunizations

Please Bring Shots Records

Brookwood Baptist Church 

6811 Brookview Drive

Free Immunizations and Preschool Physicals

Saturday, July 28

9 am – 1 pm

Southeast Pulaski County/First United Methodist Church

Sweet Home

3911 Hampton

Free Immunizations

Tuesday, July 31

4-6 pm

St. John Baptist Church

2501 S. Main Street

Free Immunizations

Wednesday, August 1, 15

3-6:30 pm

Greater Second Baptist Church

5615 Geyer Springs Road

Free Immunizations

Monday, August 6, 20

3-6:30 pm

Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas

6420 Colonel Glenn Rd, Store 1

Free Immunizations

Tuesday, August 7

2-4 pm

Heaven’s Loft

518 W. 26th Street, NLR

Free Immunizations

Wednesday, August 8

10 am – 2 pm

Baptist Health-Southwest

11401 Interstate 30

Free Immunizations

Monday, August 13

3-6:30 pm

Rose City Community Church of Christ

5601 Lynch Drive

Free Immunizations

Saturday, August 18

10 am – 2 pm

Free School Supplies

Priority will be given to children receiving immunizations.

For more information contact Baptist Health at B-A-P-T-I-S-T (227-8478)

After a 4-0 vote with two members abstaining, the Little Rock School District Board approved recommendations by Superintendent Morris Holmes that included the assignment of  John Daniels as the interim principal at Hall High School for the 2012-2013 school year. Daniels recently served as an assistant principal at Central and will replace Ann Blaylock, who retired from Hall.

The vote came in a special board meeting Thursday evening.  During the meeting, it was also announced that Clausey Myton will continue in his role as interim principal at McClellan High.

In describing the decision to fill the positions, Dr. Holmes said, “We have conditions and situations that we have to- based upon the right fit. The interim process allows us to facilitate the right fit.”

Other changes include some reassigned positions at the assistant principal level:

Elementary Assistant Principals

Barbara Griggs from Washington to King
Lisa Lollar from Fulbright to Otter Creek
Eloise Booth from Terry to Booker
Diane Rynders from King to Roberts

Middle School Assistant Principals

Tina House from Forest Heights to Dunbar
Reginald Knighten Forest Heights to Felder
Charles Walker from Felder to Forest Heights
Rickey Woole from Hall to Forest Heights

Interim Assignments

John Daniels from Central to Hall
Clausey Myton remains Interim at McClellan
Monica Norwood from Dunbar to Interim Curriculum
Robyn Baylark remains Interim Assistant Principal at Cloverdale
Frank Williams remains Interim at McCllelan
Darlene Little remains Interim at Hamilton

Little Rock School Superintendent Dr. Morris Holmes announced Tuesday that his original recommendation of June 14, 2012 to transfer 17 principals would remain. Dr. Holmes had indicated to school board members and the public, during Thursday's board meeting, that he would make his decision by the first of this week. In a memo sent to the principals impacted by the move, Dr. Holmes informed the recipients that he had carefully considered the requests and petitions of principals, parent groups, community volunteers and school leaders. Following are exerpts from his memo.

"Again, I want to express my appreciation and sincere concerns for all opinions, thoughts, suggestions, diligence, and no-letting up pursuits," said Dr. Holmes. "I certainly understand the affection that a community has for its school and principal; however, as Superintendent, I have to focus on the entire district."

"After thorough consideration, it is my decision that the recommendations and approvals made related to all Principal transfers and assignments on June 14, 2012 stand," he added. "It is my hope that parents, teachers, administrators and all stakeholders would remain firmly involved in our schools with the same enthusiasm they have recently demonstrated for the sake of all of our children."

In addition to saying the transfers would offer a fresh approach at the campuses, Dr. Holmes said in his recent statement that matching skill sets with the needs of each campus was also an important focus.

According to state law and LRSD policy, staff placement is the responsibility of the superintendent - his or her recommendations are then ratified by the board.

A former LRSD associate superintendent has been named interim athletic director for the district.  Junious Babbs will succeed Johnny Johnson, who resigned to accept a position in Russellville. 

School meal prices will increase by ten-cents for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Earlier last week, parents and community members petitioned Superintendent Morris Holmes and the school board to rescind the transfers of principals Sandra Register and Scott Morgan.  Register is slated to move from Williams Magnet Elementary to Terry Elementary and Morgan is headed to McDermott from Western Hills Elementary.  Dr. Holmes said Thursday that he will provide “a definitive response” regarding principal assignments early this week.