Here's the latest on local elementary, middle and high schools’ projects and awards.

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A special balloon release and ceremony was held at Sherwood Elementary School in honor of Cameron and Tyler Smith, whose lives were lost in the tornado that devastated Vilonia this spring.

A special balloon release and ceremony was held at Sherwood Elementary School in honor of Cameron and Tyler Smith, whose lives were lost in the tornado that devastated Vilonia this spring. The boys were students at the Sherwood school until they moved to Vilonia in November. At the memorial, teachers shared memories of the boys, former classmates read poems, and the audience released blue and green balloons in memory of Cameron and Tyler. The school also held a toy drive and all toys were donated to Vilonia families who lost their belongings in the storm.

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This April, students at Forest Park Elementary School went green to celebrate Earth Day and helped the community in the process.

This April, students at Forest Park Elementary School went green to celebrate Earth Day and helped the community in the process. Students and staff donated:

  • 2,700 pounds of clothing, house wares and electronics to Goodwill
  • 340 pounds of aluminum cans to Metro Scrap Recycling
  • 200 pairs of shoes to Go! Running to benefit the homeless
  • 64 small ink printer cartridges and 16 large laser toner cartridges to Staples
  • 28 adult and children’s bicycles to Recycle Bikes for Kids
  • 18 eyeglasses to Lions Club

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Fulbright Elementary School transformed into an “Amazement Park” in January. Gifted and Talented students in grades 3-5 used their imaginations and crafted arcade games from cardboard boxes.

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A brand-new school is on the scene in downtown Little Rock—Urban Garden Montessori will open its doors this month at its temporary location on Main St. For 2014-2015, the school will accept applications for one primary classroom (ages 3-6) and one elementary class (grades 1-4). Plans are underway to renovate a historic downtown warehouse to house the school in the future and the larger space will serve students all the way through high school. At the permanent location, students will learn to cook in a commercial kitchen, grow produce in a rooftop garden, put on plays in a theater and more.

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Families in southwest Little Rock are also welcoming new educational opportunity—a tuition-free, public charter school that opens this fall. Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock plans to serve 180 students in grades K-2 during its first year, and will expand one grade level each year. Longer school days, a longer school year, individualized instruction, technologically-advanced learning, leadership development and more will help prepare students for college and careers.

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The end of the school year ended with a splashy surprise for students at Dupree Elementary School.

The end of the school year ended with a splashy surprise for students at Dupree Elementary School. Students who met their Fourth-Nine Weeks Accelerated Reading Goal celebrated by speeding down a gigantic slip-n-slide!

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Congrats to LISA Academy—the public charter school celebrated its 10 year anniversary in May. LISA, or Little Scholars of Arkansas, first opened in Little Rock in 2004 and a location in North Little Rock debuted in 2008.

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Two stellar school productions shone in the spotlight this year. Over 200 students from the North Little Rock High School Speech, Drama and Dance Department presented “Shrek the Musical” in March. Across town at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, students put on a different fantastical tale—L. Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz.”

Two stellar school productions shone in the spotlight this year. At Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, students put on the L. Frank Baum classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Across the river, over 200 students from the North Little Rock High School Speech, Drama and Dance Department presented “Shrek the Musical” in March.

Also in the North Little Rock School District, Kathi Kate of the North Little Rock High School Freshman Campus was named Teacher of the Year. Kate is a facilitator in the EAST Initiative program and has taught in North Little Rock for 22 years.

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In February, Joe T. Robinson High School welcomed more than 530 competitors to the Arkansas National Archery in Schools Region Six Archery Tournament. Archers ranged from fourth grade students to high school seniors.

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Steven Helmick, a teacher at Don Roberts Elementary School, was named the Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year for 2014. He earned the Marian G. Lacey Educator Award, the district’s highest recognition, named for a retired LRSD educator.

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Speaking of outstanding teachers, nominations are now open for Little Rock Family’s Amazing Educators program! Four teachers will be recognized in our January 2015 issue, and will be awarded a prize package that includes a $1,500 check from Windstream Communications. Nominate an incredible teacher by clicking here.