LRSD News

The Little Rock School District is pleased to offer rising 6th grade students an opportunity to participate in the 2012 Math Journeys Summer School Program at M.L. King. This exciting 18 day engineering/mathematics summer school enrichment program has been designed to strengthen and enhance the math and science skills of your upcoming middle school student. The program will be held from June 6 through June 29, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.

The mathematical focus will be fractions and measurement as your child engages in a variety of high-interest problem-solving activities and engineering design tasks. Students will work individually and in teams to build their confidence in tackling non-routine, complex tasks that will develop and foster critical and creative thinking skills. Students will work with highly qualified teachers and coaches to build a rigorous, exciting, learning atmosphere that will take into account all learning styles and interests. With just 15 students per classroom, teams of teachers along with a math coach will work collaboratively to offer your child the highest quality learning experience possible.

Click on this link to view the event flier.

Click on this link to download the parent letter and application form.

Parents are invited to the final two of a series of informational meetings introducing the new Common Core State Standards.  District officials will provide an overview of the new standards and answer your questions regarding enhancements to the literacy and math curricula.  Informational meetings will take place, Tuesday, April 10 at Roberts Elementary from 6-7:30 pm and Wednesday, April 18 at Forest Heights Middle School from 6-7:30 pm.  (Please note the date change for the April 17 meeting).  The focus of the initiative, among other goals, is to establish a clear set of universal standards designed by a diverse group and to ensure that each student is prepared for either college or a career.

The district is following  guidelines developed through a national collaboration of educators and governors across the country.  Arkansas is one of 45 states, along with the District of Columbia, that is adopting the new standards voluntarily.  To find out more about this important initiative, please plan to attend one of the final two meetings.  You may also read about the standards by clicking here. 

Arkansas Department of Education Common Core State Standards

Common Core Comes to Secondary Literacy

Common Core Presentation

In an effort to help high school students improve their ACT college entrance exam scores, the Little Rock School District will host the ACT Readiness Program, (formally CPEP) this summer at Parkview Magnet High School, 2501 John Barrow Road, Little Rock, AR. The classes will be held Monday through Friday from June 7 to July 3. The time of the classes will be from 8:30-1:00pm each day.  This program is for rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.  It is open to students from all schools in the central Arkansas area.

CPEP reviews subject areas covered on the ACT and gives students extensive test-taking practice. There is no charge for the course, and students with good attendance who complete the course will be allowed to take an official ACT at no charge in September.  Transportation is not provided.
For more information about CPEP, call Lagail Biggs at 447-2809 or see your child’s school counselor.

Calling all rising 6th graders (current 5th graders), the Middle School Literacy Lab is now accepting applications. The program will be held at Mabelvale Middle School  from June 5 - June 28, 2012,   9 a.m. to 1 p.m daily.

The purpose of the Middle School Literacy Lab is to help your child increase their level of proficiency in reading comprehension. This will be completed through word study, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. There will also be hands-on activities and projects for the students. Master teachers and instructional coaches will be on staff to provide individual, small group, and whole group instruction to ensure the students receive the most effective instruction needed to be successful in middle school.

Click here for the application and return to your child's school by May 11, 2012. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. If you have any questions, please contact Renee Dawson at (501) 447-3334. Completed applications can be emailed to renee.dawson@lrsd.org.

Please view our Literacy Lab Video .

The students at Woodruff participated in a charity fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The students collected pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars for this great cause.

Woodruff students raised $4840.00 in which 20% of the proceeds were set aside for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The top collectors were crowned at our Sweetheart Ball on February 9th.

Two Pre-K 3 year olds were crowned as Prince and Princess. Two Pre-K 4 year olds were crowned as King and Queen. Each student and their family received a horse and carriage ride around the city. On March 2nd, we presented a check for $1000.00 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during a school-wide assembly to Debbie Kersting, The Executive Director from the St. Louis, MO Gateway Chapter.

This was a very special accomplishment for our school and our students. They worked so hard on achieving this outstanding goal. Woodruff students learned all about charity work and helping others at an early age. They also learned the importance of being grateful for what you have and how generosity can be contagious. This experience was extra special to Woodruff because our own school nurse, Tammy Givens, is a leukemia survivor. 

The Common Core State Standards comes from a consortium of states (including Arkansas), and are rigorous common K-12 math and reading standards specifically designed to prepare students for colleges and/or careers. These standards focus on emphasizing cognitive skills so that students can solve problems and apply what they learn to real life like situations. The standards will be implemented in all schools over the next 2-3 years who are a part of the consortium.

The district has planned a series of informational meetings with parents to introduce and overview the new Common Core State Standards. Five meetings at various locations have been scheduled as follows:

Monday, March 12 at Parkview Magnet High School from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 27 at Southwest Little Rock Community Center from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Monday, April 2 at the Clinton Library from noon to 1:30 pm

Tuesday, April 10 at Roberts Elementary from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Wednesday,  April 18 at Forest Heights Middle School from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Please pick the meeting that best matches your schedule and preferred location and plan to attend.

The Little Rock School District Board has approved the new 2012-2013 School Calendar.  Click on this link to view it.

Click on this link to read the attached brochure in Spanish and English.

In this event, participants will be provided important information regarding Common Core Standards; testing dates, tips and strategies; truancy and attendance policies and laws; how instructional technology is used in the classroom; The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly about Texting. Presenters will explore the many ways technology is integrated into today's classrooms. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) i.e. Smartphone, iPad, Notebook, etc.) NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OWN ONE OF THESE DEVICES TO PARTICIPATE. Child care; refreshments; and door prizes will be provided. To register online: http://www.lrsd.org/parentinvolvement/piir.cfm

Guest speakers and/or VIPs in attendance:
Marcelline Carr; Susie Davis; Karen James; Ashleigh Davis; Reggie Merritt; Dr. Danyell Cummings; Beverly Thrasher

A flash drive containing important parent involvement information will be provided for each family at the end of the last session.

A drawing for two computers or laptops will be donated to two LRSD parents who do not have a computer in the home.  Have to be present to win.

Event start time: 8:30 a.m.
Event end time: 12:00 p.m.

Location of Event:
LRSD Technology Center
(Metro campus)
7701 Scott Hamilton Drive
Little Rock, AR  72209

Event contact person: Kaye Rainey
Event contact phone: 501-447-3357

Land Bank Property Program

In an effort to stabilize the city's transitional neighborhoods and promote neighborhood cohesion through home ownership, the City of Little Rock Land Bank, has implemented a program in which the City provides properties held by the Land Bank to income-eligible City of Little Rock Employees and the Little Rock School District Employees at no cost for development of their primary residence.  This program is supported by the Little Rock School Board of Directors and the Little Rock School District.

If you are interested in this program contact the following:

Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs
Little Rock Land Bank
500 West Markham, Room 120W
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone Number (501) 371-6825

www.littlerocklandbank.org