LRSD News

Dr. Dexter Booth, principal at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, has been chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Thomas E. Patterson Education Award by the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus. The award is presented to an individual who fights for equality of educational opportunity for students and education employees.

The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus said, “This achievement is a result of the outstanding contribution to our community and our state. Through your hard work, you have strengthened the quality of life for others and expanded opportunities for our children.”

 Dr. Booth will be honored at a reception and dinner at the Metroplex in Little Rock on Feb. 21. The reception for this event will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are available to the public for $75 by calling Kelly Summerville at 1-870-403-6187.

Study hard, pay attention in class, do your homework… Some students actually heed these commands from their parents and teachers, and a select few have been rewarded for their hard work.
Thirteen LRSD students recently have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and four are Semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

About 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

The LRSD's 2012 National Merit Semifinalists include:

Joseph Berleant, Central High

Kathleen Conley, Central

Catie Edwards, Parkview Magnet High

William Finkelstein, Central High

Whitney Gao, Central High

Daniel Imbro, Central High

Jesse Mellor, Central High

Yaroslav Melnyk, Central High

Samia Nawaz, Central High

Christopher Westfall, Central High

Ian Wren, Central High

Aaron Yin, Central High

Colin Zohoori, Central High

In addition, four students were honored as National Merit Commended Students, meaning they are among the top five percent of students who took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT:

Zachary Goldberg, Central High

Daniel Halford, Central High

Rhett Smith, Parkview Magnet High

Ty Spradley, Central High

The four LRSD students who were named Semifinalists in the National Achievement program represent fully one-third of all National Achievement Semifinalists in Arkansas this year.
The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding African-American high school students. More than 160,000 high school juniors from all parts of the United States requested consideration in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT.
Students may enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program. Semifinalists are designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region.

The LRSD's 2012 National Achievement Semifinalists include:

Autumn Brown, Central High

Alexis Fuller, Central High

Felicia Headley, Central High

Jordan Thomas, Central High

 One student was honored as a National Hispanic Scholar, meaning he is among the top five percent of hispanic students who took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT:

George Peters, Central High

One student was honored as an Outstanding Participant, meaning she was referred to colleges and universities for their potential academic success:

Princess Stewart, Central High

For the third year, the AP students at Parkview Magnet High School received $100 cash for each passing score on reading, math or science AP exams they took last spring. Students walked away with as much as $300 in gift cards to spend anywhere they would like. In total, ninety Parkview students walked away with $11,700 in their pockets this year.

Parkview Magnet High School was one of the original schools selected to participate in the statewide AAIMS grant. Today the grant has been expanded to include 31 schools in Arkansas.

Not only do students benefit from the grant, but the grant seeks to support AP teachers through professional development.  

Parkview High School currently is without power due to the storm that passed through the city this morning. Entergy and LRSD Maintenance personnel are on site to remedy this problem.

High school summer school and the SMART Program classes held at Parkview were cancelled for today (Tuesday, June 28).

Power is expected to be restored this afternoon, and classes will resume on Wednesday, June 29. About 250 students attend the SMART and Summer School programs at Parkview.

Little Rock School District and individual schools were named favorites in every category in the June 2011 edition of the LR Family Magazine.

The LR Family Magazine readers voted the Little Rock School District as the overall family favorite public school.  The school district was commended for its opportunities in academic, extracurricular and child nutrition. The magazine also noted the emphasis which the district has placed on child nutrition with its breakfast and lunch programs. 

Both Pulaski Heights Elementary and Middle Schools were voted favorite public elementary and middle schools by readers.  In the public high school category, Central High School placed first with Parkview High School placing second among readers.  The magazine praised these favorites for their school tradition, parent involvement and student success which is seen not only in the mentioned schools but throughout all schools within the district. Congratulations to the schools and the Little Rock School District for continuing to excel in education!

To view all of the 2011 LR Family Favorites, click here.

High school seniors in the Little Rock School District accepted more than $19 million in scholarships this year, according to the district's high school principals and counselors. This figure is for scholarships actually accepted by students, not simply offered to them. The Class of 2011 broke last year's record of $17,338,239 with a grand total of $19,610,527. Little Rock Central High School topped the list with $9,527,131 in scholarship money accepted; Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School followed with $4,614,876; Hall High School students accepted $3,000,467 in scholarships; students at McClellan Magnet High School accepted scholarships worth $1,360,629; and J.A. Fair Magnet High School students earned $1,107,424 in scholarship money.

As demonstrated at the recent Academic Signing Day where the district's top academic students "signed" with their chosen college or university in a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion, LRSD graduating seniors will attend some of the most respected colleges and universities in Arkansas and around the country, such as Princeton, University of Arkansas, UALR, Columbia, Hendrix, LSU, University of Georgia, MIT, Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Each of the LRSD's five high schools honored its top two students with the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. If you've ever wondered exactly what a valedictorian is, it is a person -- usually the highest-ranking graduate -- who delivers the valedictory or "farewell" speech at a commencement ceremony. The salutatorian, usually the second-highest student in the class, delivers the welcoming or "salutatory" address at the ceremony.

Recognized as Little Rock Central High School’s valedictorian, David Z. Ye is the son of Wei-Wen and Jian-Hui Ye, and he is planning to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boshan Zhao, Central's salutatorian, is the son of Zhijun Lui and Wei Zhao. Boshan will attend Stanford University in the fall.

J.A. Fair Magnet High School's valedictorian is Austin Klais, son of Christopher and Nancy Klais. Austin has plans to attend Arkansas Tech University. Keny Patel is J.A. Fair's salutatorian. Keny is the son of Pravin and Meena Patel. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jamena Cash was honored to be the valedictorian for Hall High School's Class of 2011. Jamena is the daughter of Katherine Cash-Woods. She will attend Oxford College at Emory University in the fall. Hall's salutatorian is Sheridan McKisick. She is the daughter of Sherrie and Eric McKisick. Sheridan has plans to attend Wellesley College.

Amber Thomas is valedictorian for McClellan Magnet High School's Class of 2011. The daughter of Larry and Beverly Thomas, Amber will attend Southern Arkansas University next year. McClellan's salutatorian is Ebony Shelton. She is the daughter of Tony and Johnetta Shelton, and she is planning to attend UALR in the fall.

Valedictorian honors at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School were awarded to Miriam Pearsall. She is the daughter of Tracy and Glory Pearsall, and she will attend Princeton University in the fall. Joshua Woods is Parkview's salutatorian. He is the son of Michael Woods and Sandra Stoudamire, and he will attend Columbia University.

The Little Rock School District wishes all students in the Class of 2011 best wishes and success in all future endeavors.

The top 2011 high school graduates of the Little Rock School District were honored at the 7th Annual Academic Signing Day.  This annual event was sponsored and hosted by the Public Education of Little Rock, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Create Little Rock at the Governor’s Mansion.  This year, 79 graduates were honored representing all five high schools, J.A Fair Magnet High School, Hall High School, Little Rock Central High School, McClellan High School and Parkview High School.  These top graduates either achieved a cumulative 4.0 grade point average from their freshman through senior years; were valedictorian, salutatorian, or ranked third or fourth in their class; or were named a National Merit Semifinalist, a National Achievement Semifinalist or a National Hispanic Semifinalist.

Thirty-five of these graduates will be attending in-state universities and colleges, while the remaining will be attending out-of-state. Some of the colleges and universities that will be attended by these distinguished graduates include Princeton University, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Columbia University, Hendrix University, Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Governor Mike Beebe was present to address these top graduates.  “You may well do what your heart and mind are set on,” said Governor Beebe, “However, recognize the fact a lot of things could change, and you need to be open-minded enough to embrace new opportunities or new directions in your life as they arise.”

This event also included welcoming greetings from Centennial Bank Board of Directors Member Barbara Graves, as well as remarks from State Senator Joyce Elliot, LRSD Superintendent Dr. Morris Holmes, and President of the Public Education Foundation of Little Rock, Joe Hilliard. 

Congratulations to the 2011 Little Rock School District High School Graduates on your accomplishments and future endeavors!

More photos coming soon!

Tamika N. Gore, a teacher at David O. Dodd Elementary, was honored as the winner of the 2011 Marian G. Lacey Educator of the Year award at the Little Rock School District’s annual Crystal Awards banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel on May 2.

Gore, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Dodd, loves working with these very young students and instilling within them a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives. She says, “I love the conversations children have, the laughter and love they bring to the room, and their eagerness to learn.”

Also honored at the banquet were Shannon L. Smith of Terry Elementary, who was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year; Elizabeth K. McFadden of Pulaski Heights Middle School, who received Middle School Teacher of the Year honors; and Debra Murray of Parkview Magnet High School, who was honored as High School Teacher of the Year.

The Little Rock School District values its teachers, and the Crystal Awards banquet is one way educators are honored and rewarded for their dedication to educating the students of Little Rock. Teachers from every school in the district were recognized during the banquet and received commemorative trophies. The LRSD teachers who were honored at the Crystal Awards banquet are listed below.

Central High School: Chris Dorer, Susan Garner, George West
J.A. Fair High School: Christina Cereghini, Brenda Hullum, Sue Nelson
Hall High School: Jennifer Diggs, Aminah Eddings, Jessi Sharp
McClellan High School: Anita Henson, Lanniece Lewis, Maragret Reed
Parkview High School: Carla Jurgensmeyer, Debra Murray, Ryan Parson
Accelerated Learning Center: David J. Ahne               
Felder Alternative Learning Center: Patrick Donovan
Hamilton Alternative Learning Center: Brenda Anderson-Smith, Richard Reynolds
Metropolitan Career-Technical Center: Carla L. Wilkins 
Cloverdale Middle School: Chris Ishmon, Shirley Walker
Dunbar Middle School: Melony M. Phillips, Alicia Sexton
Forest Heights Middle School: Audrey Kirby, Shalon R. Nichols         
Henderson Middle School: Christine A. Cannon, Tawanna R. Pinkard
Mabelvale Middle School: Cristen Wynne Barnett: Pamela G. Wallace
Mann Middle School: Deborah C. Desjardin, Daryl Newcomb
Pulaski Heights Middle School: Elizabeth K. McFadden, Ardell Thomsen        
Bale Elementary: Leigh Moravec
Baseline Elementary: Diane Marie Jordan                    
Booker Elementary: Patricia Jackson               
Brady Elementary: Shelly R. Oliver                  
Carver Elementary: Linda K. Corrigan            
Chicot Primary: Esther Yvonne Jones              
Dodd Elementary: Tamika N. Gore                 
Fair Park ECC: Kathleen Runder                    
Forest Park Elementary: Miranda McDiarmid              
Franklin Elementary: Richard Horton               
Fulbright Elementary: Laura Ross                    
Geyer Springs Elementary: Amy Hunter           
Gibbs Elementary: Katrina Long                      
Jefferson Elementary: Karyn Wortsmith           
M.L. King Elementary: Richelle L. Thomas                  
Mabelvale Elementary: Sheryl B. Jackson                    
McDermott Elementary: Felicia R. Hayes                    
Meadowcliff Elementary: Becky Epperson                  
Otter Creek Elementary: Caroline Mason Bryant
Pulaski Heights Elementary: Mary Lou Chilcote           
Roberts Elementary: Carman McBride            
Rockefeller Elementary: Debbie Gross            
Romine Elementary: Ryan Westin                    
Stephens Elementary: Pamela K. Jones           
Terry Elementary: Shannon LaShel Smith                    
Wakefield Elementary: Keli Collins
Washington Elementary: LaDonna Joy Oates               
Watson Intermediate: Scott Bassham              
Western Hills Elementary: Stacey Cox             
Williams Elementary: Lori Benson                   
Wilson Elementary: Kristy S. Mosby               
Woodruff ECC: Shanon L. Wallace

Two teachers and four high school seniors have been named recipients of the 2011 Stephens Award by the City Education Trust. The Stephens Award, which was established in 1985 to recognize outstanding educators and students in Little Rock, awards $5,000 cash awards to teachers and $5,000 scholarships to students with proven records of excellence.

Four teachers in all were honored this year. The LRSD's winning teachers include:

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Maris, a chemistry teacher at Central High School; and

Debra L. Rogers, a chemistry teacher at Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School.

The City Trust honored eight students in all this year. The four LRSD students that were selected to be honored include:

Miriam Pearsall, daughter of Tracy and Glory Pearsall, a student at Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School;

Lucy Richardson, daughter of Allison and Ben Richardson, a student at Central High School;

David Ye, son of Vivian Ye, a student at Central High School; and

Boshan (Bob) Zhao, son of Wei Zhao and Zhijun Liu, a student at Central High School.

The Clinton Foundation and the students and staff at Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School who are involved with the upcoming spring musical Seussical shared a terrific partnership in exploring the art of the amazing Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss). Members of the cast presented a preview of the show for elementary students at the Clinton Library as part of a week-long birthday celebration for the beloved children's author.

The Stage Management and Design students, who are responsible for the set design of this show, were invited back to the library for an inspirational private tour of “The Art of Dr. Seuss” exhibit with the curator, Mr. Bill Dryer.

Mrs. Joyce Wills of the Clinton Foundation was especially helpful for for creating this wonderful enrichment experience.

Don't miss Seussical when it comes to the Parkview stage!

Public Shows:
April 8, 7:30 p.m.
April 9, 7:30 p.m.
April 10, 3 p.m.
Special school shows: April 11, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Contact: Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School
501-447-2362
fred.boosey@lrsd.org or roxie.browning@lrsd.org

Seussical is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International