LRSD News

Chicot Primary and Early Childhood Center kicked off Red Ribbon Week, with “Heroes against Drugs.”Chicot began its annual Book Character Dress Up Day with a parade of Pre-K through 2^nd grade students dressed up as their favorites heroes from most loved books.  Throughout the day, Chicot Primary and Early Childhood students had an opportunity to learn more about their community heroes, why they are against drugs and how students themselves could also become community heroes.

 This annual event concluded with a visit from Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe, Senator Joyce Elliot and Senator Shane Broadway.  Arkansas First Lady Beebe even brought along a special friend, Flat Stanley.  Senator Elliot visited with students to remind them of the importance of reading. Senator Broadway discussed with Pre-K students the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with their eating habits and to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

Community heroes such as parents, policemen, firemen, authors and various other community heroes came out to celebrate with the students.  Some of these community heroes even brought their equipment to show the students.  The City of Little Rock had a police car, a fire truck, a mail carrier truck, a city bus and a sanitation truck on display for the students.  Little Rock Firemen showed off their life saving uniforms and a bus driver discussed the importance of road safety with the students. What a great way to link education with community service and maintaining a healthy, drug-free life!

“Can we do it? Yes, we can!” was the feeling shared by all in attendance at the closing ceremonies of the 2nd annual Camp Can Do. Run by the LRSD’s English as a Second Language Department and held at Chicot Primary School, Camp Can Do is a four-week English language immersion program that served approximately 170 students in grades K - 5 whose native language is not English. It helped the students focus on language development in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English.

Students participated in the camp’s closing ceremonies on July 9. Each grade level performed a “Camp Can Do” song for the parents and others in attendance. Distinguished speakers included Maria Elena DeAvila from the Governor’s Office on External Affairs; Dr. Karen Broadnax, Coordinator of LRSD's English as a Second Language program; and Hazel Harris, LRSD Instructional Coach.

“The participation of children from a variety of language backgrounds and proficiency levels allows students to blossom, while interacting with peers who are experiencing similar challenges and successes,” said Dr. Broadnax. Camp Can Do truly is an international program – the participating students spoke 11 different languages!