Dear NLRSD Staff, Students, Parents, and Caregivers,
The 2024-2025 school year is upon us! I am excited to welcome each of you to a brand new academic year. Our building-level and district-level leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure that this upcoming school year is smooth and meaningful. Each day, we strive to be a district that is student-centered and a place where each scholar reaches his or her fullest potential. In our district, we have everything a student needs to be successful.
Once again, we have published a Back-to-School Information Guide. This is a resource for all of our stakeholders to have handy that contains important details to know ahead of the new school year. We take pride in providing accurate and timely information to our staff and families. I encourage each of you to pause and to read through this Guide. In addition, I urge you to make sure your contact information is updated, as we communicate emergency notifications, weekly news, and other important details using the contact information that we have on file.
We know that each of you has a choice in where they want to be employed and in where they want their children to be educated. I want to personally thank you for choosing the North Little Rock School District. This school district resembles a close-knit family, and we are thrilled that you are a part of our community. Know that you are among people who take pride in this city and in this school district.
Have a great school year!
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Pilewski, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
NEW FACES ACROSS THE DISTRICT
PRINCIPALS
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Dannisha Stroud Boone Park Elementary
Dr. Nadia Saint-Louis North Little Rock High School/Center of Excellence
Jayme Steinbeck Crestwood Elementary
Larissa Harrison Seventh Street Elementary
Elizabeth Jackson Amboy Elementary
Jennifer Fletcher Glenview Elementary
Pecolya McFadden Center of Excellence
Tabitha Scroggins North Little Rock Academy
Janetta Castleman NLRHS
Tonya Jackson NLRMS - 6th Grade Campus
Arnold Robertson NLRMS - 7th & 8th Grade Campus
Monica Bones Seventh Street
Steve Orobona NLRHS
Randy Riddle Administrative Director of Information Technology
Shanda Macon Coordinator of School Innovation
Jennifer Estes Coordinator of Federal, State, and Strategic Programs
Caroline Faulkner Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development and Academic Engagement
nd Gr a d n g P e r i o d P C = P a r e n t / T e a c h e r Co n f e r e n c e s ( 1 2 P. M t o 6 P M ) 4 t h g r a d i n g p e r i o d 4 5 B r/ H = B r ea k / H o li d a y P D = P rof e ss i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t ( n o s t ud e n t s ) S t ud e n t I n s t r u c ti o n a l D a y s 17 8 C L = D i s t r i c t c l o s e da ll e m p l o y ee s S B = S p r i n g B r ea k ( n o s t ud e n t s ) H = H o li d a y ( d i s t r i
SCHOOL START AND DISMISSAL TIMES
It is extremely important for our students to be at school and on time. In fact, research shows that students who attend school regularly achieve at higher levels than their peers who regularly miss school. Students who are regularly tardy or absent miss important instruction that they need to develop basic skills. Students in early grades, especially, miss out on fundamental reading skills, which can have a domino effect on their ability to grasp concepts in other subjects. Please be sure our students get to school on time and are ready to learn!
REGULAR SCHOOL DAY
a m -2:55 p m
School 8:15 a m -3:35 p m
School 8:40 a m -4:10 p m
EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY
Early Release Wednesdays allow teachers and administrators additional time for professional development and data analysis to drive student achievement. Students can use the early dismissal to catch up on assignments, complete research, or participate in extracurricular activities.
*7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
School 7:40 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
School 8:15 a.m.-1:55 p.m.
School 8:40 a m -2:30 p m
*Per Arkansas Better Chance, which oversees our Pre-K program, parents who decide to pick up their students at 1:15 p.m will not be penalized.
ONE, TWO, AND THREE HOUR DELAY
On some occasions, particularly in emergencies, the district may elect to call for a delayed start time. There will be communication through various channels to share information on delayed start times. Please adhere to the following times if there is a call for a delayed start time.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority in the North Little Rock School District. It is our mission to protect all of our students and employees from violence, the exposure to weapons and threats, bullying and harassment, the sale or use of illegal substances on campus grounds, and other emergencies. Having safe schools ensures that the learning process is in full force, as students who are in safe schools have exceptional academic, social, and emotional outcomes.
School Safety Personnel
Each of our elementary schools, Pike View Early Childhood Center, and North Little Rock Academy have an armed, commissioned school security officer on campus. Our middle and high school campuses have armed school resource officers (SROs) from the North Little Rock Police Department, in addition to a group of unarmed security officers who provide assistance to the SROs.
The school district also has a security captain, two security sergeants, and three security technicians who provide another layer of security through supervision, training, crisis prevention planning, accountability, and camera surveillance. Schools regularly practice drills so that students and staff know what to do in the moment of a crisis.
School Safety Procedures
We welcome parents and caregivers to our campuses to see their student(s) in their learning environment, attend special events, meet with a teacher or administrator, volunteer, or have lunch with their children. However, in order for these things to happen, everyone must adhere to some safety procedures to ensure the well being of others on campus.
• Guests are required to check in the front office at each school. They will be required to provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, into our visitor management system. Each visitor's information is screened against the sex offender registry and custom databases, including those with custody orders and banned visitor status. The system instantly alerts school officials if a visitor is flagged as a security risk.
• If cleared, a visitor badge is produced that includes a photo, name of the visitor, date, time, and destination on campus. Guests will only be allowed to go where the badge indicates. Badges must be worn the entire time a guest is inside of the building.
• Guests will only be allowed to enter through the front office. Staff members or students will not be able to allow entrance through another point of entry. Again, this is for the safety of everyone on campus.
We thank you for your patience as we implement these procedures for everyone’s safety.
Opengate
Weapons Detection System
Each of our schools has the Opengate Weapons Detection System at entrances. Opengate is a groundbreaking weapons detection system designed for the automatic screening of people in transit, including their backpacks and bags, to locate mass casualty metal threats, such as high-caliber assault weapons and improvised explosive devices. The system is less intrusive than a metal detector, and it allows a large number of students to enter the building in a short amount of time, while ensuring the detection of a weapon.
STOPit
The district will continue the implementation of STOPit, an online reporting tool designed to stop bullying, cyber abuse, and other inappropriate behaviors. This consists of an app and an incident management system for school administrators. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Users can report incidents anonymously. With STOPit, users can submit anonymous reports containing text, photos, or video. Administrators are then able to manage incidents and have the ability to communicate with the reporter, which provides the ability to address issues instantly.
DEPARTMENT TIDBITS
Child Nutrition
The North Little Rock School District will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-2025 school year. This means that all enrolled students in our district are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge to their household. Your student(s) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.
Students and families can view lunch menus by school by visiting the Child Nutrition page on our website, nlrsd.org. There is also an app available to view menus. Please download the LINQ Connect app from the App Store or Google Play.
Communications
The Communications Office is committed to providing effective communications to students, staff, families, and the community. This office takes pride in supporting students and staff by highlighting successes from across the district on the district website – nlrsd.org – and on its social media channels -- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Vimeo. Each school has a Facebook page. Give them a follow as well!
We use Thrillshare, a system through our website provider, Apptegy, to reach families by email, calls, and text. Aside from school announcements, these messages will also include the Superintendent's Weekly Update (“Top 5”), Board Briefs, Superintendent Spotlight interviews, notifications about school closings or delays, or emergency notifications.
In order to receive communication from our schools and the district, all families are encouraged to maintain accurate contact information. Please contact your child's school office to make sure the information is correct. Remember, if your information changes, we will not know unless you make us aware.
Parent & Family Engagement
Parent and family engagement is crucial in our collective effort to ensure that every student has the resources they need to reach their full potential. When parents, families, and schools work together, students thrive. When this happens, our communities benefit.
Do you have a burning desire to be a part of our schools? Do you want to work with school and district staff to put on programs for students? Do you want to help with lunch duty? Do you want to mentor some students and encourage them to make the right choices? You're in luck! We have a place for you! For more information, please visit the Office of Parent & Family Engagement on our website, nlrsd.org, or call (501) 771-8013 for more information.
Transportation
Transportation services shall be provided to eligible students to and from their assigned bus stop and school. Bus routes are available on our website, nlrsd.org. Bus routes will be posted in mid-August. Please check the website often for bus schedules as they may change as a result of updates. Bus stops shall be determined by the Transportation Department and assigned based on the proximity from a student’s primary residential address in eSchool. Eligible students include those living within their school’s attendance zone, but outside the two mile walk zone (secondary students) or one mile walk zone (elementary students).
Bus Rider Eligibility
Only those students enrolled in an NLRSD school and living outside the walk zone are eligible to ride a bus. All students must be at least 5 years of age (K-12).
Bus Assignments
Students will only be assigned to a route and allowed to ride the bus to and from the address on file in eSchool. Elementary students must live in their school attendance zone to be eligible for transportation. In the event that there is no availability for an enrolling student at the elementary school within his/her attendance zone, transportation will be provided to a school outside the student’s attendance zone. The school assignment will be made by the Office of Student-Centered Support Services.
All special accommodations requests must be submitted through the Special Services Department.
Please check online bus schedules often as they may change as a result of updates.
Change of Address
If a student moves, the parent or guardian must submit proof of address to the student’s assigned school. Proof of address should include a utility bill in the parent or guardian’s name or lease agreement or mortgage. A light, water, or gas bill is the only acceptable utility bill accepted. Unless a transportation supervisor directs otherwise, all students should ride their assigned bus and get on and off the bus at their stop.
Mental Health
Mental health can affect a student’s energy level, concentration level, and self-esteem. These issues, if not addressed early, can have long-term consequences, including their career potential and overall health.
Our district has partnered with local mental health agencies to provide on-site therapy and intervention at our campuses. Please visit nlrsd.org to see our Approved Mental Health Providers.
The Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 and is for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The number to call is 988.
School Uniforms
There is no school uniform policy in the North Little Rock School District; however, we expect our students’ attire to be appropriate and free of distraction. The dress policy can be found in the NLRSD Parent-Student Handbook. In addition, students may use only clear or mesh book bags to transport books and supplies.
School Supplies
School leaders have compiled a list of supplies that students will need for the year. These supplies are available on our website, nlrsd.org.
Water Bottle Filling Stations
In the essence of health and safety, all water fountains have been turned off. However, all schools have water bottle filling stations. Students and staff are encouraged to bring water bottles, and they can be refilled throughout the day.
Riding Rock Region Metro
The North Little Rock School District is proud of its partnership with Rock Region Metro to offer free bus fares to students in grades nine through twelve. Students will be provided with a security sticker that is placed on their school ID. Students must present their school ID with the appropriate security sticker upon entering a Rock Region Metro bus.
The security sticker changes each semester.
This fare-free agreement is only valid in the Little Rock and North Little Rock service areas.
Athletic
Ticket Price Increase
Are you ready to see Charging Wildcats in action?
Ticket prices to attend athletic events have increased. The change in admission will be consistent with other schools in the conference and will provide additional financial support to the Athletic Department.
Grade
7th-8th Grade Games $5.00
9th-12th Grade Games
District to Go Cashless
The North Little Rock School District will no longer accept cash or checks, except for Child Nutrition fees (i.e. meals) and transactions made through the Business & Finance Office. The district has the ability to accept electronic payments using various online platforms. Going cashless and checkless will eliminate students, teachers, and schools from collecting cash payments, will reduce the opportunities for theft and mishandling, and will end returned checks and debt collection.
Open
Houses Scheduled
Each school will host an Open House. This opportunity allows students and families to see each campus, meet with administrators, teachers, and staff, get schedules, and gain important information about the upcoming school year. Please visit our website, nlrsd.org, to see the dates and times.
School Board Meetings
The North Little Rock Board of Education meets twice a month. Special Board Meetings/Board Workshops are held on the first Thursday of each month, and Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. and take place at the Administrative Building, located at 2400 Willow Street. Meetings can be viewed live on our YouTube channel NLRSD Board Meetings. Previous Board Meetings can also be seen on that channel.
Following each Board Meeting, highlights from the meeting are recorded in a Board Brief and sent to families, employees, and other stakeholders. Board Briefs can be found on our website on the Board of Education page.
We kindly ask that you follow the district’s Chain of Command procedures when it comes to addressing issues. The procedures can be found on pages 9 and 10. This process allows district staff members to handle an issue before contacting a board member. Since the Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school district, the Board of Education, if contacted by someone, will redirect the issue or concern to the appropriate school/district staff member.
PROPERLY COMMUNICATING CONCERNS & ISSUES
The North Little Rock School District strives to best serve all of its stakeholders with the highest level customer service and hospitality. We know that, at times, concerns may arise and stakeholders will want to bring those concerns to the district’s attention. The North Little Rock School District has developed a Chain of Command system, which serves as an effective tool to guide stakeholders when reporting incidents to school staff.
We ask that all stakeholders first communicate with the staff member that is nearest to the situation. Please see the chart below. The names of the points of contact listed below can be found in the directory listed on our website, nlrsd.org.
Progression for Addressing Concerns and Issues
Academic
(Pre-K through 5th Grade)
Academic (6th through 12th Grade)
Athletic
Child Nutrition
Discipline
(Pre-K through 5th Grade)
Discipline (6th through 12th Grade)
(Principal or Asst Principal)
Teacher Building Administrator
(Principal or Asst Principal)
Coach
Building Administrator
(Principal or Asst. Principal)
Teacher or Building Administrator
(Principal or Asst Principal)
Teacher or Building Administrator (Principal or Asst Principal)
Building Administrator
(Principal or Asst Principal)
Child Nutrition Director
Executive Director of Elementary School Performance
Executive Director of Secondary School Performance
Executive Director of Elementary School Performance
Executive Director of Secondary School Performance
Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academic Engagement
Executive Director of StudentCentered Support Services
Executive Director of StudentCentered Support Services
Executive Director of StudentCentered Support Services
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Dyslexia Services
Teacher or Building Administrator (Principal or Asst Principal)
Mental Health Services Counselor
Special Education (Pre-K through 5th Grade) Teacher
Special Education Teacher
(6th through 12th Grade)
Technology
Transportation
Media Specialist
School-Based Dyslexia Interventionist
District-Level Dyslexia Specialist
Executive Director of Special Services
Building Administrator (Principal or Asst Principal)
Building Administrator (Principal or Asst Principal)
Building Administrator (Principal or Asst. Principal)
Building Administrator (Principal or Asst. Principal)
School-Building Technology Support
Transportation Director
Virtual Academy Teacher Coordinator of Innovative Virtual Learning Programs
Executive Director of StudentCentered Support Services
Deputy Superintendent
Special Services, Elementary Coordinator Executive Director of Special Services
Special Services, Secondary Coordinator Executive Director of Special Services
Administrative Director of Information Technology
Executive Director of StudentCentered Support Services
Executive Director of Curriculum Innovation and Design
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
When a concern or issue cannot be resolved at the first-contact level, then it should be taken to the next level in the Chain of Command. After utilizing the progression for addressing concerns, further questions may be addressed to the Superintendent of Schools.
Please follow the Chain of Command chart that is listed above. Since the Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school district, the Board of Education, if contacted by someone, will redirect the issue or concern to the appropriate school/district staff member. Please give staff members time to address issues and concerns before contacting board members.
The North Little Rock Board of Education is responsible for the operation of the North Little Rock School District. Per Board Policy, the administrative functions of the school district are delegated to the Superintendent, who shall be responsible for the effective administrative and supervision of the school district.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
We asked these students to give their peers some advice to ensurea great school year.
Wylder Love
5th Grade, Amboy Elementary School
“Behavior matters!”
Taia Thomas
1st Grade, Boone Park Elementary School
“Listen all the time and follow the directions of the teacher!”
Nathan Lowe
2nd Grade, Crestwood Elementary School
“Make good choices and have fun!”
Marlie Downey
4th Grade, Glenview Elementary School
“Pay attention in class, listen to your teachers, and make learning fun.”
Destin Ervin
4th Grade, Indian Hills Elementary
“Be nice this year.”
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Dallis Jackson
4th Grade, Lakewood Elementary School
“Don’t forget you are awesome.”
Henry Roulette
3rd Grade, Meadow Park Elementary School
“Show up and do your best. Keep trying.”
Caroline Jones
11th Grade, North Little Rock Center of Excellence
“Get work done on time. Don’t let assignments pile up.”
Sukhmeet Singh
12th Grade, North Little Rock High School
“Work hard.”
Ja’Quan Moore
7th Grade, North Little Rock Middle School
“Ask questions if you do not understand. The teachers don’t mind explaining anything if you don’t understand.”
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Sophia Newby
6th Grade, North Little Rock Middle School
“Focus on important things.”
Austin Zaldivar-Valle
Pre-K, Pike View Early Childhood Center
“Be good and be nice to everyone.”
Knox Roby
4th Grade, Ridge Road Elementary School
“Respect your classmates and teachers.”
A’Quentis Daniels
1st Grade, Seventh Street Elementary School
“Respect your teachers and friends.”
CENTRAL OFFICE SITES
Over the summer, some of our departments relocated to other buildings across the city. This process took place in an effort to better serve our students, staff, and families.
Administration Building 2400 Willow Street (501) 771-8000
Administrative Services Support Building 3201 Highway 161 (501) 771-8033
Departments Housed Here:
• Coordinated School Health
• Business & Finance
• Communications
• Deputy Superintendent
• Human Resources
Safety Services Department 2525 Main Street (501) 975-3890
Departments Housed Here:
• Employee Credit Union
• Employee ID Badges and Credentialing
• Safety Services
• School Nursing
• Training Facility
Other Points of Interest
• Curriculum Innovation & Design
• Information Technology
• Parent & Family Engagement
• School Performance
• Special Services
• Student-Centered Support Services
North Little Rock Academy 5500 Lynch Drive (501) 955-3600
• Virtual Academy
• Athletics: 201 W 22nd Street (located inside North Little Rock High School), (501) 771-8154
• Child Nutrition: 2400 N Poplar Street, (501) 771-8061
• Transportation – 1401 E Washington Street, (501) 340-5150
• Maintenance – 2500 N Popular Street, (501) 771-8075
The Administrative Annex Building is now closed.
NLRSD POINTS OF CONTACT
Department/Office
Advanced Programs
Athletics
Business & Finance
Child Nutrition
Communications
Custodial Services
Curriculum Innovation & Design
Deputy Superintendent
Dyslexia Services
Elementary School Performance
English Speakers of Other Languages/ World Languages
Human Resources/Title IX
Maintenance
Nursing Services
Parent & Family Engagement/Mentoring
Safety Services
Dr Amber Harbin (501) 779-6437 harbina@nlrsd org
Wesley Bilon (501) 771-8154 bilonw@nlrsd org
Brian Brown (501) 771-8015 brownb@nlrsd org
Mary Lee Dennis (501) 771-8061 dennism@nlrsd.org
Dustin Barnes (501) 771-8048 barnesd@nlrsd.org
Kim Martin (501) 771-8078 martink@nlrsd.org
Dr. Sharesa White (501) 771-8045 whitesha@nlrsd.org
Dr. Torrye Hooper (501) 771-8017 hoopert@nlrsd.org
