Sixty-Seven Years Later, NLR 6 Gets Warm Reception and School Renamed in Their Honor
Teachers of the Year Nominees Are In ACT Prep Tutoring by High-Scoring Students
Millage Makes a Revival
Meet Our New Board Member
North Little Rock Alumni Write Children’s Book
Chief of Staff Joins the Team
Welcome to the first edition of IN FOCUS, which is another channel we will be utilizing to share the great things happening in our schools and across our district. I want to commend the Communications Department for launching this medium to inform and to engage every member of our community – students, employees, families, and residents. The North Little Rock School District is the place to be!
The North Little Rock School District is committed to providing a safe environment that is conducive for teaching and learning. We aim to do this by showcasing the variety of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and career exploration opportunities for our students. We strive to create global leaders, thinkers, and problem solvers for the benefit of our community and our world. Our students have been our motivating force, and they daily remind all of us why we are in the field of education.
I implore you to stay updated with our district through this newsletter, which will be available quarterly. It is my hope this periodical will ignite a desire in you to get involved with our schools. We have several opportunities for you to volunteer or mentor. Being involved in our schools creates a sense of ownership and provides additional support for our students to be successful.
Happy reading!
Henry Taylor, a 1981 graduate of Ole Main High School, has joined the North Little Rock Board of Education. Representing Zone 2, he represents Seventh Street Elementary School, the Center of Excellence, and North Little Rock High School.
“Throughout my educational journey, I developed lasting friendships and was consistently challenged to excel by teachers at all levels. The North Little Rock School District provided the essential foundation for my personal and academic development, meeting me at my point of need and allowing me to flourish,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s academic journey with the NLRSD began well before he became a Wildcat. He was enrolled in the Head Start program at Hemlock Court, then attended McRae Elementary School, Central Junior High School for seventh grade, Popular Street Junior High for eighth and ninth grades, and then finally Ole Main.
Taylor is the Executive Secretary at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. He is a veteran, having served our country during Operation Desert Storm, deploying to Saudi Arabia with the 148th Evacuation Hospital of the Arkansas National Guard. He also served in Germany and Bosnia.
“I hope to play some part in ensuring our staff has the necessary guidance and leadership to allow our students to achieve their goals and realize their full potential,” Taylor said.
Army Colonel (Ret.) Scott Stanger, an experienced military leader who served two tours in Iraq, has joined the North Little Rock School District as the Chief of Staff to the Superintendent. In this role, Col. Stanger is responsible for supporting the Superintendent in executing daily organizational strategies and improving operational efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Col. Stanger oversees the non-academic departments and functions of the school district, which include the following: Child Nutrition, Custodial Services, Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Maintenance, Safety Services, and Transportation.
“I appreciate the confidence that Dr. Pilewski and the Board of Education have in me,” Col. Stanger said. “I look forward to working with the team to move this district forward to even greater heights.”
Prior to joining the NLRSD, Col. Stanger served as Chief of Staff for two military agencies: Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and Arkansas Department of The Military. As Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, Col. Stanger provided comprehensive support and counsel to the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs, and he supervised and evaluated staff to meet departmental and agency goals. As Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Department of The Military, Col. Stanger oversaw multi-million dollar budgets and projects, while ensuring the strategic initiatives of the agency were met.
Col. Stanger retired from the U.S. Army in 2018 after 30 years of distinguished service to the country. As an active member of the armed forces, Col. Stanger served in multiple leadership roles that involved policy and compliance regulation, strategic planning, and training.
On a brisk November morning, the North Little Rock School District welcomed three surviving members of the North Little Rock 6 and their families to celebrate the trailblazing acts taken on September 9, 1957. On that day, Scipio A. Jones High School seniors Eugene Hall, Frank Henderson, William Henderson, Richard Lindsey, Gerald Persons, and Harold Smith made their way to North Little Rock High School. Although armed with the historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling that ended school segregation in the U.S., the teens were turned away and ordered to go back to Jones High, the school from which they graduated the following spring.
“My sister told me that I should go,” said Persons. “We had to pass North Little Rock High School every day to go to [Jones].”
Lindsey, Persons, and Smith are the three survivors from among the trailblazers. They joined the Hall and Henderson families in a short ride from the North Little Rock School District Administration Building to Seventh Street Elementary School for a ceremony planned to rename that school North Little Rock 6 Academy of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences.
This is a first-of-its-kind school in the North Little Rock School District. The North Little Rock Board of Education approved this transformation model in March 2023. The school, which currently houses Pre-K through fifth grade students, will be reconfigured into a Pre-K through eighth grade campus over the next several years.
The story of the North Little Rock 6 is largely unheard of as it sits in the shadow of the highly-publicized Little Rock Nine, who famously entered Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. But just across the Arkansas River, within the same month, Jones High School seniors Eugene Hall, Frank Henderson, William Henderson, Richard Lindsey, Gerald Persons, and Harold Smith tried to enter North Little Rock High School.
At the renaming ceremony, Lindsey recounted the night before the historic day. He recalled watching television as his aunt chatted on the phone with someone telling her what would be happening. All of a sudden, his aunt had a response.
“I heard my aunt say, ‘Richard will do it.’”
The next day, on the first day of the 1957-58 school year, the six teens, along with local ministers, made the trek to North Little Rock High School.
“We walked down that sidewalk going to the school. The walk was all right and then people surrounded us. They came from everywhere. [The ministers] told us ‘Don’t look down and don’t trip,’” Lindsey said.
Lindsey recalled being touched by a student, who said they wanted to know what a black person felt like.
In the end, the six black teens did not enroll at North Little Rock High School, and they went back to Jones High School and finished the year. Integration did not occur in the North Little Rock School District until the 1964-1965 school year, beginning with first and second grade students. Finally, twenty black students entered North Little Rock High School in the fall of 1966, in which five black students graduated from the school in the following spring.
The three surviving members of the North Little Rock 6, their families, and family representatives of the deceased members of the group began the day of the ceremony at the North Little Rock School District Administration Building and a limousine ride to Seventh Street Elementary School.
“I want to commend the Board of Education, the Community Advisory Board, the administration, and the community for being the driving force for change to not only give the North Little Rock 6 justice, but also honor today and forever,” said Dr. Gregory J. Pilewski, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District.
Current Seventh Street Elementary School students gave heartfelt tributes, sang a rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up,” and then, with the NLR 6 and members of the Board of Education and the Community Advisory Board, was the unveiling of the cornerstone that will be prominently displayed at the school.
Keisha Ri’chard Patterson, the niece of William Mack Henderson, represented her uncle’s family with remarks. She was the first of her family to graduate from the former Ole Main High School. She did not really understand the significance of her uncle’s heroic acts until she received a letter from him.
“In that letter, my uncle explained what he and his friends tried to do on that day, and he thanked me for doing what he was unable to do. Today, I thank him for being a trailblazer and not only allowing members of our family but other students to come through North Little Rock High School,” Patterson said.
Fourth and fifth grade Quest scholars took a field trip to The Old State House, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the State Capitol.
Pre-K students had a chance to learn about emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and their role in ensuring safety in the community. The learners had great questions.
Fourth graders in Mrs. White’s class participated in National Novel Writing Month. These students wrote novels consisting of over 4,000 words! They were recognized by walking the red carpet and smiling for the paparazzi!
At the Winter Fine Arts Night, students sang and performed, and their artwork was on display for peers and families to see.
Second grade scholars had a great time with Home Depot employees! They all had an opportunity to participate in a Kids’ Workshop to create a snow globe Christmas ornament.
Special thanks to the North Little Rock Public Education Foundation for awarding Lakewood the Innovative Teaching Grant to organize a science fair. All fifth graders got the chance to participate and to show off their science skills. Congratulations to the winners!
At the November Regular Board Meeting, Mr. Gerald Baker and Ms. Hanna Grace Hornbeck co-taught a math lesson with their students. The focus of the lesson not only showed how fractions are taught but also emphasized inclusion. In an inclusive classroom, general education teachers and special education teachers work together to meet the needs of students.
North Little Rock Academy
Officer Kawhun Tims, who attended North Little Rock Academy, spoke with students to share his powerful journey of resilience, hard work, and transformation. He reminded students that challenges can be overcome and their potential is limitless. Tims graduated in 2014.
All ninth graders in the district participated in the Academies of Central Arkansas Career Expo. At the Expo, NLRSD students had the opportunity to hear from professionals in various fields about their respective careers, the qualifications, and the work that is involved. Our scholars left inspired.
Address these ladies as CHAMPS! The North Little Rock Varsity Cheer Squad won first place at the Class 6A Cheer Competition. They’re back on top after winning it all in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The Annual Spelling Bee created a huge buzz on campus. The winners are as follows: Nykeria Brown, first place; Alaska White, second place; and Guillermo Alvarenga-Elberling, third place. Nykeria will represent the campus at the Pulaski County Spelling Bee in February.
Lowe’s, Oldcastle APG, and NLR Community Garden Program partnered to revitalize the Pike View Community Garden. Through their generosity, the Pike View Community Garden received five new raised beds, the installation of a new irrigation system, and gardening materials.
Ridge Road Elementary School is one of six elementary schools in the district to see the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack grant in place. These students in Mr. Le’s fifth grade class are enjoying orange wedges and blueberries as they work in class.
Students enjoy books while participating in reading at Family Literacy Night. Students and families read around a campfire, made s’mores, and shopped at the book fair.
Congratulations to this year’s Building-Level Teachers of the Year! These individuals were voted by their peers to represent their campus for this prestigious title, based on their model traits and commitment to teaching and learning.
Each of the educators will have the opportunity to vie for District Teacher of the Year with the completion of an application and interviews with a group of panelists. The North Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Night of Honors, which will take place on April 18, 2025. The individual who wins NLRSD Teacher of the Year will represent the district to become Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
School
Amboy
Teacher(s) of the Year
Elena Reyes-Lovins
Boone Park Shanti Baker
Crestwood Katelyn Northington
Glenview
Indian Hills
Lakewood
Meadow Park
North Little Rock Academy
North Little Rock Center of Excellence
NLRHS
NLRMS 7th and 8th Grade
NLRMS 6th Grade
Tammy Reeder
Maisha Jones
Lisa Hoggard
Natalie Fisher
Nina Moffatt
Brandyn Kirkwood
Holly Friedman
Kim Stanley
Tracy Walker
Allison Ashcraft-Padilla Vincent Bryant
Kevin Hoggard
Pike View Kim Pettus
Ridge Road
Seventh Street
Vu Le
Sharon Frazier
How did you two decide to write a book?
Iesha Green (‘10) and Brandon Tyler (‘10) have teamed up to write the book, The Wolfpack. It follows the lives of four inseparable preteen boys growing up in North Little Rock. United by their shared love of football and time together at North Heights Elementary, their bond runs deep despite coming from different backgrounds. As they prepare for their final year of elementary school, their tight-knit community is shaken by a devastating event that forces them to confront the harsh realities of the world around them. With the support of their families and neighbors, the boys must learn not only to stand up for themselves but also to protect each other as they navigate the challenges ahead.
Iesha Green: “As a teacher and an avid reader, I made it a priority to carve out 15 minutes every day for my students and me to read for leisure. But I quickly realized that many of my Black male students were frustrated by the lack of representation in the books we had available.”
What type of impact do you hope it has on readers?
Brandon Tyler: “We hope this book provides young African American boys and girls with colorful and inspiring stories that they can truly see themselves in. Historically, there has been a lack of relatable characters that reflect their skin color, backgrounds, and unique experiences. Our goal is to spotlight African American youth and give them something fun, engaging, and meaningful to read—stories that not only entertain but also encourage them to read more and foster a lifelong love for reading.”
Can we expect more books?
Brandon Tyler: “Yes, we have more in the works! The Wolfpack is a series, and we originally outlined 15-20 ideas. We’re currently working on the second book and are excited to continue expanding the series.”
How did the North Little Rock School District prepare you for this endeavor?
Brandon Tyler: “NLRSD helped build relationships, while also providing a sense of community, and both are impactful qualities that we try to portray throughout the book. The Wolfpack is a reflection of us directly, and without those years in North Little Rock, we don’t get this book, or the books to come.”
Iesha Green: “NLRSD laid the foundation for this endeavor by fostering a strong sense of community and surrounding us with teachers who truly cared about our growth. At North Heights Elementary, my principal, Ms. Snowden, created an environment that felt like family, while my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Newton, introduced me to culturally-responsive teaching. Her influence not only inspired my journey as an educator but also sparked my passion for writing.”
On Tuesday, May 13, North Little Rock residents will be asked to vote on a millage increase. The increase is aimed at generating funds to enhance teaching and learning, to restore older facilities, and to make room for additional students and programs.
North Little Rock High School seniors Sawyer Bivens and Jonah Pulliam love math. But they know not everyone shares their enthusiasm for functions, equations, and formulas.
“Math has always been my favorite subject. My older brother, a math teacher, would teach me random concepts, and I’ve always loved how rigid and unchanging math is,” Bivens said.
The two friends, who met at Indian Hills Elementary, have excelled in math, scoring 35 and 36 on the ACT math section, respectively. After recognizing a need to help classmates with standardized tests, they launched PulliamBivens Tutoring.
“After I received top scores on tests like the ACT and P-SAT, I figured I could use my knowledge to help others. Both my parents are teachers, and I had tutored my siblings, so I felt confident I could teach effectively,” Pulliam said.
Their tutoring sessions, held at Laman Library, start with a pre-test to identify students’ weaknesses. They then focus on those areas.
“People tend to get anxious about math because they feel overwhelmed by how much has to be memorized,” Bivens explained.
The service is already yielding results. NLRHS senior Sukhmeet Singh, who struggled to break past a 28 on ACT math, scored a 35 after working with the duo and raised his composite score by seven points.
“It was exciting to see my score improve,” Singh said. “I worked hard to get to the mid-twenties, but I needed the help of people more skilled than me to improve further.”
For Bivens and Pulliam, the biggest reward is seeing their classmates succeed.
“Seeing a student grasp a tough topic is more rewarding than solving a problem yourself because it shows persistence from both the student and me,” Pulliam said.
For individual tutoring or to sign up for the ACT Workshop, visit pbtutoring.com.
The North Little Rock School District offers differentiated educational programs and services to nurture the potential of students with gifts and talents on all grade levels. These students receive extended learning opportunities, collaboration with peers, and specialized instruction based on their strengths and interests. Teachers adapt the curriculum to meet their needs.
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, gifted middle school students can take advanced or accelerated courses, with opportunities to earn high school credit in subjects in math, science, and foreign language. High school students can also enroll in Pre-AP, Advanced Placement, and concurrent credit courses.
To earn a weighted grade in AP courses, high school students must take the AP exam. A score of 3 or higher on the exam typically earns college credit at Arkansas state universities.
Contact Information
Dr. Amber Harbin (501) 771-8054 harbina@nlrsd.org
The School Choice Enrollment Period is upon us!
School Choice is the process of requesting a transfer for your student from the district in which you live to a district in which you do not live. Applications and the necessary documents must be submitted by May 1. Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee acceptance. Acceptance will be verified by a letter.
Here are reasons you should join the North Little Rock School District:
•Innovative academic course selections
•Diverse student body
•Stellar fine arts programs
•Competitive athletics program
•Strong community support
•Career exploration opportunities
•Caring teachers and staff Apply today!
Our Community. Our Schools. Where Your Future Begins.
The North Little Rock School District will prepare all students for their future by offerring a well-rounded rigorous, relevant, and innovative education that allows each child to achieve their full potential in a safe, supportive learning environment to be future-ready.
As a community, our moral purpose is that all children will achieve, have a highquality teacher, have a high-quality leader, and a supportive learning environment. We will not allow an achievement gap in the North Little Rock School District.
The Colophon
IN FOCUS is a quarterly newsletter created and published by the Communications Department of the North Little Rock School District. It is designed using Adobe InDesign and set in Franklin Gothic Heavy for headlines and Franklin Gothic Book for body text.
This newsletter is primarily distributed digitally with a limited number of printed copies at key locations to maximize visibility and engagement. The Communications Department oversees all editorial content, layout, and design to ensure an engaging and visually appealing publication.
For inquiries, suggestions, or story ideas, contact the Communications Department at communications@nlrsd.org.
NLRSD Communications Department
Dustin Barnes
Heather Collins
Brooke Davis