LRSD News

Waste Management and Pulaski Heights Middle School are teaming up to save the Earth.  This year several LRSD schools are piloting a recycling program that provides schools with a dumpster just for waste that can be recycled.  The program provides schools with the opportunity to recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and all colors of paper and cardboard.

Mrs. Kidd’s planet earth class is delighted to be a part of this program and hopes it is a success.

The other schools participating in this program are: Central High, McClellan High, Parkview High, Forest Heights Middle, Mabelvale Middle, Mann Middle,  Carver Elementary, Forest Park Elementary, Fulbright Elementary, Gibbs Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, King Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Rockefeller Elementary, Washington Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, and Williams Elementary

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.

LRSD Secondary Schools
Summer Programs
2011

Click here for a table of secondary summer school programs (DOC)

Credit Recovery  
The district provides high school students grades 9 -11 the opportunity to recover course credit(s) for failed courses at each high school site; Central, Felder (held at Hamilton), Hall, Hamilton, J.A. Fair, McClellan, and Parkview (June 21 – July 1) (Holiday, July 4) (July 5 – July 20)  (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and grade 12 to recover (1) course credit at Accelerated Learning Center (June 14 – July 8) (Holiday, July 4) ( 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Instruction is delivered through the use of computerized-instruction programs such as NovaNET or PLATO.  Transportation will not be provided.  Tuition is listed on the announcement.

Click here for credit recovery announcement (PDF)

Central
Summer Writing Camp   This program is designed for incoming ninth graders based on data from “The Learning Institute” as needing attention in becoming proficient on the 8th grade Benchmark. The goal of this program is to teach students how to write a generative paragraph based on the Jane Shaffer model. The intent is to prepare and encourage students to enroll in Pre-AP classes. Graduates from this program will be tracked through TLI formative assessment, current teacher's grades, and continued enrollment in Pre-AP classes. (Dates:  June 25 – 29 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon)

Central High School Summer Bridge Program for Math   This program is designed for incoming ninth graders who will be enrolled in Algebra 1 for the first time, and are projected to be borderline “proficient” on the Algebra 1 End-of-course exam (data used: seventh grade benchmark, eighth grade EXPLORE score, eighth grade math grades).  The program is designed to give students “a leg up” on entering high school and entering Algebra via an introduction to the school and the high school climate, combined with engaging learning experiences designed to lay a foundation for the first grading period in Algebra 1.  The goal is to improve students’ success in Algebra 1 specifically, and high school more generally.  August 1 – 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon)

Geometry Summer Session   Dates, times and description TBA.

Hall
ESL Summer Institute    The Hall High ESL Summer Institute provides English Language Learners the opportunity to continue practicing English skills over the summer. The Institute provides daily practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English through whole group, one-on-one, and computer based instruction. The program serves incoming 9th graders through seniors who are assigned to Hall. (June 20 – July 15 from 9:00 AM. – 1:00 PM) Transportation and lunch will be provided.  Students will earn a ½ credit as an English Language Arts elective.

EYS (Extended Year Services) which are services that are provided for students with disabilities during the summer months or for all students during other periods when school is not in session.  ESY means special education and related services that are:

A)    provided to a child with a disability
B)    beyond the normal school year of the public agency
C)    in accordance with child’s IEP and at no cost to the parent of the child

The need for ESY services must be determined through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.  The services are necessary for the provision of FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) to the child.  (June 21 – July 20 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)

Impact   
Dr. Vanessa Cleaver is contact person.  (June 10 – July 8 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  Funding source TBA.

Jump Start    
The Summer Band Program is funded through a grant to the Little Rock School District/Fine Arts from the Pulaski County Youth Services. The program was piloted last summer and was evaluated a success to continue for this school year.  Mr. Jerry Dawson, Hall band director, Mr. Marcus Johnson, Mann band director, and Mr. Michael Williamson, Dunbar band director are the instructors for the program. There will be approximately 30 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in the program this summer.  Program dates June 21 – July 20 (Holiday July 4) from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. 

Hamilton
Living Hope    Living Hope works with students that need additional support learning to use self-control.  The summer session will allow case workers to spend extended amounts of time working on behavior modification and with cognitive therapy. Focus will be placed on appropriate behavior. Games and activities, individual and group discussion, and daily goals to help students plan and follow through with appropriate decisions are techniques that will be developed and refined. Instruction will occur in small group (1:6 ratios) settings with field trips and special outings planned for students that are able to accomplish daily goals. Living Hope also partners with families to assist with and support student progress. Program dates are June 13 – July 30 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Thursday.  A break will be taken the week of July 6.

J. A. Fair
Credit Recovery    The program is a computerized-instruction program (Nova Net) that provides high school students, grades 9 -11, the opportunity to recover course credit(s) for failed courses.  (June 21 – July 20 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) (Holiday, July 4). Transportation will not be provided.  Tuition is list amount.

McClellan    
Summer Bridge Program - Math   This program is designed for incoming 9th graders for remediation in Algebra I based on their 8th grade ACTAAP scores.   The program will help students obtain success in Algebra I and also introduce them to McClellan’s academic rigor.  The intent of this program is to prepare and encourage students to enroll in Pre-AP classes.  Graduates are tracked by EOC’s, teacher grades and SOAR data.  (June 20 – July 8 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Parkview

(SMART) Summer Mathematics Advanced Readiness Training   SMART is for rising 8th and 9th graders who will be enrolled in Algebra I during the ‘2011-12 school year at a LRSD school. (June 20 – July 30 from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM)

Cloverdale
Summer Space Camp  
This program will serve approximately 125 of next year’s 7th and 8th grade students.   The curriculum will include a thematic approach designed to encourage proficiency and career awareness in fields of mathematics, aerospace science and other sciences. Program dates are June 20 through July 15 with July 4th being a holiday. Program hours are 9:00 – 1:00.  Transportation, breakfast, and lunch will be provided.

Dunbar
Global Village Learning Zone   
Dunbar will offer 60 students a summer program that combines both academic and enrichment activities. Students will participate in literacy and math activities daily.  The enrichment activities will offer an array of program designed around the International Studies theme.  Students will study the cultures and crafts of the world and will develop a greater understanding of their world and the people who occupy it.  Program dates are June 13 – July 8 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided.


Forest Heights
Living Hope   
Living Hope works with students that need additional support learning to use self-control.  The summer session will allow case workers to spend extended amounts of time working on behavior modification and with cognitive therapy. Focus will be placed on appropriate behavior. Games and activities, individual and group discussion, and daily goals to help students plan and follow through with appropriate decisions are techniques that will be developed and refined. Instruction will occur in small group (1:6 ratios) settings with field trips and special outings planned for students that are able to accomplish daily goals. Living Hope also partners with families to assist with and support student progress. Program dates are June 13 – July 29 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Thursday.

New Beginnings   
New Beginnings Behavioral Health Services (NBBHS) offers a comprehensive treatment program that addresses behavioral, emotional, and social skill problems exhibited by children and adolescents.  The summer program will be held June 13th – August 10th from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday – Thursday (8-weeks).  The program will be composed of a set of evidence-based treatments incorporated into a therapeutic day setting.  The students will be instructed by Mental Health Professionals, Mental Health Paraprofessionals and Day Technicians (1:8 ratios).  Group activities will include behavioral modification sessions which focus on treatment of problem behaviors as well as recreationally-based, age appropriate games and group activities.  Individual sessions will focus on problem solving and social skills; improving self-esteem by developing competencies in areas necessary for daily life; and developing the students ability to follow instructions.  Field trips and special outings will also take place for students who achieve their weekly goal expectations.  The overall goal of the summer program is to assist the students and parents with identifying negative behaviors and replace those behaviors with pro-social skills that can be utilized throughout the upcoming school year.  

Henderson
21st CCLC/JABG Summer Program   
Henderson will partner with Let Our Violence End (LOVE) and the Pulaski County Youth Service (JABG) to provide the Summer Enrichment Camp during the weeks of June 20 – July 8 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  The camp will serve incoming 6th graders, 7th and 8th graders.  The camp will offer a brief introduction to the subjects of English, Algebra and Science.  The program also includes an enrichment component which is geared toward character education. Recreational and enrichment activities will be offered. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

College Prep Enrichment Program (CPEP)  
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.  This program is designed primarily for 11th & 12th graders who need to raise ACT scores.  Previous ACT and Plan Test scores are required for comparison at the end of the CPEP Program.  (June 20 – July 15 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 – 9:00 PM)

Literacy Lab  
The Middle School Literacy Lab is a comprehensive professional development site with a twofold mission. The first mission of the program is to provide job-embedded professional development to novice and veteran teachers in the implementation of researched-based instructional strategies.  The focus for instruction is teaching literacy in all content areas as well as providing literacy interventions to students that are not proficient in reading, writing, vocabulary, and/or word attack skills.  The goal of this site is to create confident knowledgeable teachers that will be able to implement the strategies at their assigned school site.  The second mission is to provide students that are not proficient in reading the opportunity to receive targeted reading interventions as well as opportunities to learn strategies to help themselves comprehend text.  Each student is given a diagnostic assessment in reading and word knowledge.  Based on their results, they will be assigned to classes in which they will receive targeted interventions to address their deficit areas.  Teachers are provided with professional development and support in planning the appropriate interventions to meet the need of each individual child.  The literacy lab uses a comprehensive literacy model along with current research to provide learning opportunities for both teachers and students. (June 14 – July 7 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

ESL Summer Institute   
The Institute provides English Language Learners the opportunity to continue practicing English skills over the summer. The Institute provides daily practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English through whole group, one-on-one, and computer based instruction. The session begins June 14 – July 7 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Transportation and lunch will be provided.  .

Mabelvale
Navigator   
The program will provide intensive math and literacy tutoring using the America’s Choice Navigator materials. The program will feature small groups of students taught by a team of two teachers.  Enrichment and physical activities will be included.  Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided. (June 13 – July 1 from 9:00 AM – 1:00PM)

Living Hope   
Living Hope works with students that need additional support learning to use self-control.  The summer session will allow case workers to spend extended amounts of time working on behavior modification and with cognitive therapy. Focus will be placed on appropriate behavior. Games and activities, individual and group discussion, and daily goals to help students plan and follow through with appropriate decisions are techniques that will be developed and refined. Instruction will occur in small group (1:6 ratios) settings with field trips and special outings planned for students that are able to accomplish daily goals. Living Hope also partners with families to assist with and support student progress. Program dates are June 13 – July 29 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Mann
Math Journeys   
Math Journeys is a 17 day professional development lab school for LRSD K-12 math teachers targeting below proficient, rising sixth grade students. Fractions, decimals, percents, and proportional reasoning are the focus content for the school, as these are the gateway concepts students must understand in order to successfully achieve in algebra and other higher level mathematics courses. Content, pedagogy, and assessment will be studied by teachers as they engage in over 60 hours of professional development both before the school starts and through ongoing work with collaborative study teams that meet 2 hours daily. In addition, research lessons will be implemented with students to allow teachers further opportunities to observe and discuss student thinking; specifically students’ misconceptions and strategies for solving problems as well as their developmental level of understanding of rational numbers.  (June 13 – July 1 from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Pulaski Heights
Summer Success Camp  
The Summer Success Camp provides sixty incoming 6th graders, 7th and 8th graders with a summer experience that includes math, literacy and enrichment activities.  The sixth grade experience is designed to ease the transition from elementary to middle school. (June 13 – July 1 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Transportation, breakfast and lunch are provided.

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

EAST students from Pulaski Heights Middle school look on as Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe signs into law SB 214, anti-bullying legislation. Read about the students' anti-bullying program, "B.O.B.", Being Our Best, and their involvement with state legislators to pass SB 214, on their EAST page.