Congratulations to the Little Rock School District students who earned top honors in this year’s Ralph D. Vines II Public Speaking Contest, standing out among dozens of participants across the region. A special thanks to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Foundation for donating the top prizes each year - $1,500 for a female/male grand prize winner. Founded by Ralph D. Vines II, who overcame a speech impediment to champion strong communication skills, the contest encourages young people to build confidence through public speaking. Even if they do not place, each contestant takes home a cash prize of at least $50. More about the contest: ralphvinesendowment.com.
🎉 Celebrating Growth Across LRSD! We’re proud to recognize seven LRSD schools that improved their letter grade from the previous year! Congratulations to: Baseline, Chicot Elementary and Early Childhood Center, Fulbright Elementary, McDermott Elementary, Wakefield Elementary, Watson Elementary, and Williams Magnet. Many of these schools serve communities with higher economic needs and English Language Learner students, making their achievements even more inspiring. 💙
AP Exams will take place May 5th - May 16th. This year, 16 of the exams will be digital exams. All students will take their AP Exams on school-issued computers. We ask that students arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the exam's scheduled start time. If you have any questions about AP exams, please reach out to your AP teacher or your building AP Coordinator. FOR AP EXAM PRACTICE, LOG IN TO AP CLASSROOM AND VIEW THE AP DAILY VIDEOS AND TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST AVAILABLE. If you have an extenuating circumstance and you are unable to come to the building on your exam day, you need to contact the AP Coordinator and the front office.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Families and Students:
State ATLAS Testing is underway. Please remember that NO cell phones/electronic devices allowed during testing. Please help us follow State policy, keep tests secure, and ensure valid results. Thanks, and good luck with testing!
****LRSD Special Board Meeting/Public Comment/Work Session, Thurs., April 10, Starting at 5:30 PM; 810 W. Markham, LRSD Boardroom
Agenda: https://lrsd.diligent.community/Portal/
Watch Live: www.lrsdlive.com
🎉 Big congrats to Central High’s very own Ms. Christy Fudge! 🎶 She’s been named Arkansas Distinguished Director of the Year by the Arkansas Choral Directors Association! 🏆 Honored during the All-State Clinic & Concert at Russellville High, this is a HUGE statewide recognition, and so well deserved! 💛🖤
The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is honoring several outstanding LRSD educators and support staff with the 2025 MLK Service in Education Awards! These exceptional individuals have made a lasting impact on students and communities, embodying Dr. King’s legacy of leadership, service, and dedication to education. 🌟 Congratulations to all the honorees for their incredible contributions to education!
Just before spring break, the Little Rock School District had the privilege of hosting distinguished guests from the City of Little Rock Sister Cities Commission. Author Richard O’Neill and Wendy Elliott, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Children’s Books, visited Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, Fulbright Elementary, and Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy. They engaged with students, teachers, and library media specialists to share insights on literacy from the United Kingdom.
Congratulations to Dr. Tianka R. Sheard Mitchell of Pinnacle View Middle School for earning her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Dr. Sheard Mitchell has served LRSD students for more than 25 years and continues to make a lasting impact through her dedication and leadership.
🎉 Big news from Little Rock Central! Please join us in congratulating Sohan Jayappa, Srinitya Bhrugubanda, and Maggie Qin for earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the 2025 Arkansas State Brain Bee! 🏆 A special shoutout to Sohan, who will represent Arkansas at the USA Brain Bee Championship this May!
Update - All LRSD Schools/Offices Open Monday, April 7, except Western Hills. If you live in an area where roads are impassable & buses cannot travel, please make alternate plans if possible to get your student to/from school. Thank you for your patience. See more here: https://5il.co/3crlu
LRSD is assessing impact of weekend's severe weather - power outages, downed trees & blocked roadways. Working with Entergy & City of Little Rock to evaluate conditions and next steps. Please expect update by 7PM tonite. Read full message here: https://5il.co/3crax
Thanks!
LRSD continues to monitor weather conditions and has NO plans to dismiss early at this time. However, all after-school activities are canceled. If adjustments need to be made to our plans, we will contact you immediately.Please monitor your messages from LRSD for updates. Thanks!
📚✨ Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Clinton Foundation & the Central Arkansas Library System! Join them TONIGHT for a special story time and conversation featuring authors Connie Roop and Peter Roop and illustrator Noa Denmon, creators of Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice. This is a free event. A book signing will follow, with copies available for purchase. Help spread the word and celebrate National Poetry Month with an evening of literature and inspiration! 📖💙
🎉 Congratulations to Shaneika Lewis-Williams, a dedicated nurse practitioner who serves as the healthcare provider at LRSD's Chicot Health Clinic and Stephens School-Based Health Clinic. She is the recipient of the 2025 School-Based Health Alliance of Arkansas Mary Miller Spirit of Excellence Award! Her commitment to the well-being of our students makes her truly deserving of this prestigious honor. 🎊💙
We’re excited to share that Tony Hayar, a Little Rock Central High School student and NBA Math Hoops alumnus, was recently featured in the Learn Fresh newsletter for his incredible achievements! 🎉 Tony won first place in Central's Science Fair in Engineering Materials with his project on a compact drip-irrigation system. His success doesn’t stop there—he’s also a two-time Arkansas regional champion and competed at the 2023 Global Championship in NYC! We’re so proud to see Tony’s hard work recognized on a national level.
Congratulations to the Medical Interventions students at Hall-West High School of Innovation for earning their Phlebotomy Certification! 🩸👏 Through hard work and dedication, these students have gained valuable skills that will set them on a path to success in the healthcare field. Join us in celebrating these future healthcare professionals! 🎉
Students from J. A. Fair K-8 Preparatory School had an unforgettable trip to New Orleans during Spring Break! 🎉 From exploring the wildlife at the Audubon Zoo 🦁 to getting a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Mardi Gras floats at Mardi Gras World 🎭, they soaked in all the sights and sounds of this amazing city. The group also had the opportunity to tour colleges and universities, inspiring future aspirations! 📚✨ What a fantastic way to learn, grow, and have fun!
This week, we had the incredible honor of recognizing outstanding students, teachers, and staff at the Superintendent's Citation Program! 🎉✨ A huge congratulations to all the honorees—your achievements make our school community stronger every day! 💙 See more pictures here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC7sJm.
🌟 Congrats to Little Rock Central's Yahya Younus for making the 2025 Arkansas Times Academic All-Star Team! From founding neuroscience & rocketry clubs to securing NASA funding & publishing research, he's set to change global healthcare. Next stop: University of Pennsylvania's Life Sciences & Management Program! 🎓
