LRSD Spotlight

Deborah Rookey, an 8th grade student at Mann Arts & Science Magnet Middle School, was selected as a Semifinalist in the 2010 Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge. She is the only student from Arkansas to be honored in the competition this year.

The 47 semifinalists were selected based on their science communication skills exhibited in a short video explaining the science behind issues such as preventing the spread of germs, ensuring food safety and sun protection. Videos were evaluated by a panel of judges on creativity, persuasiveness, classroom suitability and overall presentation.

Deborah submitted a 2-minute video on wind-resistant structures. Her video noted how the Central Arkansas area has seen an increasing risk of high-wind events, and she demonstrated how structures that are not well anchored to a foundation are more susceptible to damage. She also highlighted Newton's Laws of Motion and explained how friction and inertia are at work in high-wind events.

Each semifinalist will receive $250 and a prize package including a plaque honoring their science teacher or mentor. Deborah’s science teacher at Mann is Wendy Welch. The top ten finalists, who will be announced in August, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge finals in October. The winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value), the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” and a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN.

“We are extremely pleased with the quality and ingenuity exhibited by the 2010 Young Scientist Challenge entries,” said Bill Goodwyn, President of Global Distribution and CEO of Discovery Education. “These semifinalists have demonstrated their ability to successfully communicate a variety of scientific ideas, and Discovery Education, together with our partner 3M, is pleased to recognize their outstanding efforts.”

Congratulations to the members of the Quiz Bowl team from Pulaski Heights Middle School who were invited to participate in the National Quiz Bowl Tournament in New Orleans on Memorial Day weekend. The team placed 7th in the tournament.

This tournament marked the first time Pulaski Heights has participated at the national level. The students and their coach, Janet Buford, were delighted to have been invited to participate and gained valuable experience. 

Quiz Bowl team members include (from left): Will Nicholson, Peyton Robinson, Nathan Harkey, Scout Snowden, Louis Rockefeller (kneeling), coach Janet Buford, Anna Troll and Taylor Stone.

Governor Mike Beebe recently honored seven LRSD students for their artistic efforts and participation in the 2010 GLO-PAR (Global Peace and Reconciliation) Poster Contest at a ceremony at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The GLO-PAR Project is a collaborative effort between Park Central Little Rock, the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock School District. Students in all grades were encouraged to submit posters reflective of the theme “Ripple One Minute of Silence into One Full Day of Non-Violence” and illustrating peace and reconciliation. The winning posters were displayed in the State Capitol rotunda as part of a traveling exhibit planned for the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County and throughout Arkansas. Student winners included (shown from left to right in photo): Mandi Carreiro, 12th grade, Central; Vicki Wang, 12th grade, Central; Daphne Zhang, 12th grade, Central; Rebecca Berry, 10th grade, Central; Lucy Richardson, 11th grade, Central. Not pictured: Shane Hernandez, 7th grade, Felder Academy; Michelle Lee, 12th grade, Central. Also shown: Grace Blagdon, Executive Director, Park Central Little Rock (far left); and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe.

Governor Beebe and Secretary of State Charlie Daniels signed a Proclamation on November 20 declaring January 1, 2010, to be the first annual Day of Global Peace and Reconciliation throughout the State of Arkansas. Park Central is working in association with the City of Little Rock to provide a forum to develop an effective, powerful, influential and collaborative community GLO-PAR plan for non-violence that will ripple throughout the community.

Meadowcliff Elementary held its 7th annual Authors’ Convention in June. Students were encouraged to write, include hand-drawn illustrations and hand-bind books to submit in the competition, and seventy percent of students in kindergarten through 5th grade at the school submitted a book!

First-, second- and third-place winners were announced at an awards assembly, and they received a certificate, ribbon, medal and an Authors’ Convention t-shirt. More lucky students received the coveted Principal’s Award, selected by Meadowcliff principal Karen Carter because their books were very creative, displayed something unique and were enjoyable to read. Principal’s Award winners received a certificate, ribbon and an Authors’ Convention t-shirt.

Participation in the Authors’ Convention has grown each year. Meadowcliff faculty and staff hopes that activities such as the Authors’ Convention will continue to encourage students to use their imaginations, explore their literary talents and become authors. Perhaps someday everyone will be able to read books written by these talented individuals!

Student winners include:

1st place: Dominique Collier, Joscelyn Tilman, Hannah Whitaker, Brittany Tell, Taihlor Parker and Ahalaya Marshall.

2nd place: D'Anthony Barnett, Kerra Harvey, Jakalyn Allison, Christopher Martin and Trevonte Kelly.

3rd place: Kennedy Walker, Andy Sosa, Karla Rameriz, Jewell Meir and Alejandro Rameriz.

Principal's Award: Jerwine Williams, Rachel Stuckey, Kelton Neyland, Kortevian Hall, Ryan Maxwell, Kevin Hamilton, Victoria Lopez, Sandra Morales, Mary Scott and Antwan Thompson.

Throughout the past school year, all students at Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies participated in Pennies for Peace, the international service learning project that raises money for school supplies for students in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

You may ask, "What can a penny buy in the United States?" Not much anymore, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny can be used to buy a pencil. Each classroom at Gibbs had a collection jar, and students were encouraged to donate pennies throughout the year, beginning with International Day of Peace and Pinwheels for Peace in art classes in September, continuing with the Giving Tree donations in international studies and ornaments of "gift-givers giving pennies" in art classes in December, and concluding with Rocking for Peace in physical education classes during Gibbs Games XXIII (Field Day) in late May.

During the final week of school, all of the collection jars were placed on display on the cafetorium stage. Students were asked to complete an entry form making estimates on how many total pennies were collected, the actual dollar amount, and how much all the pennies weighed. At the Pennies for Peace Finale Assembly on June 3, all K-5th grade students learned how much they had collected over the year. Winners of the estimating contest also were announced. First grader Corey Gaines (right) came the closest to estimating the number of pennies. The closest dollar amount estimate was made by fifth grader Greta Kresse (left). Kwasi Harshaw, a fifth grader, had the closest estimate for the total weight of the pennies. A total of $593.04 or 59,304 pennies were collected (59,304 pencils!), and the pennies weighed 337 pounds. Books, pencils, and pens were awarded to the three winners. Ms. Susan Hestir's second graders collected the most pennies of any classroom and were given special pencils for their contribution.

As part of the peace assembly, a thank-you letter and photos were shared that had just been received from a Haitian Earthquake relief agency. Gibbs students sent drawings for the children of Haiti that were included in the planeload of supplies that the relief agency sent to Port-au-Prince in the earthquake aftermath. Some of the artwork went inside care packages given directly to the children at orphanages. For several hundred children who were given permission to leave Haiti, the rest of the donated artwork was placed on the planes above their seats "in hopes it would ease the Haitian children’s pain knowing there were children in the United States who cared for them." Gibbs students clearly demonstrate through service learning projects their responsibilities as citizens of the world.