Little Rock School District February 22, 1990 TO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: Eugene Reville, Metropolitan Supervisor James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Program Development Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools Community Support Grants Ihe Little Rock School District met with Area Schools Committee on February 12 to discuss deletions and/or additions to the Tri-District Desegregation Plan. Both parties agreed that the community support grants should be deleted from the plan. The community support grants were intended to be used by area schools to support recruitment efforts. However, both parties agreed that the attendance zones will serve as a natural recruitment tool. Please note that this request only applies to the community support grants. The academic progress incentive grants should not be deleted. cc: Chip Jones Estelle Matthis Martha Alman, Committee Chairperson Arma Hart 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)374-3361received mm 27 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM STREET LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS Office of Desegregation Monitoring z TO: Board of Directory May 28, 1992 FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: Estelle MatthH,* Associate Superintendent for Educational Programs Ruth S. Steele, Superintendent of Schools 6^^ Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Grant Proposal The Arkansas Department of Education recently announced the availability of funds to establish and expand developmentally-appropriate early childhood programs which identify and assist educationally-deprived children, ages three (3) to five (5), as specified in the Arkansas Better Chance Program, Act 212 of 1991. The request for proposals was released after April 16, 1992, and the deadline for submission is June 1, 1992. Provided for your review are copies of the Program Abstract for applications for expansion of our center- and home-based early childhood education programs. The goals, objectives, and other components provide the basic information that was provided to you in our Early Childhood Continuance Grant last month. The proposed expansion sites for our center-based program are Bale, Cloverdale, Geyer Springs, Watson, and Wilson Elementary Schools. Southwest Little Rock is the targeted area for expansion of our home-based program. We are also requesting funds to improve playgrounds and expand our staff development activities for our early childhood staff. Attached is the proposed Arkansas Better Chance budget request for funding. We recommend the approval of our submission of this expansion proposal to the Arkansas Department of Education.ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM 1992-93 PROGRAM ABSTRACT A, Statement of Need The Little Rock School District believes that Early Childhood Education is a means of meeting the needs of disadvantaged students and improving the racial balance at schools that are difficult to desegregate. Furthermore, we believe that effective early childhood programs will reduce, if not eliminate, the need for major remediation programs in the upper grades. For these reasons. the enhancement and expansion of the Early Childhood Education program will continue to be a priority for the Little Rock School District. During the 1992 registration period, 671 parents registered their child from within the Little Rock School District, 15 applicants from North Little Rock, and 20 applicants from Pulaski County. Needless to say, the demand is greater than the supply. 706 total applications 378 openings B. Overall Objectives The overall objectives of this program are to address the needs of at-risk students at the earliest possible age in a manner that ensures success in learning and diminishes the current disparity in performance between not only black and white children but economically advantaged and economically disadvantaged children.Arkansas Better Chance Program - Page 2 C. Type of Program The center-based program for four-year-old children is designed to proxdde developmental and educational experiences that hold the potential for greater academic achievement and enhanced educational opportunity for all children. The early childhood educational center-based programs are geared to providing the skills and experiences that have often been lacking in the lower-income youngsters. This is tremendously important, not only to the parent but to the self-image and selfconfidence of the child. The early childhood education programs are a major part of the Little Rock School Districts response to Goal One of America 2000: All children in America will start school ready to learn. D. Number of Students To Be Served The Little Rock School Districts center-based program will serve 378 children. Fifty-four of the students are included in the continuance grant and 324 will be served through the expansion grant (90 students-five new classes - playground/staff development - 234 children). E. Curriculum The Little Rock School Districts curriculum-based four-year-old-program uses a curriculum that was developed by a task force composed of specialists, teachers, instructional aides, and parents. The curriculum is based on young childrens interests and styles of learning which guide daily activities. It allows for children to become active learners and gives them freedom to act on materials, to use them in their own ways, and to move about and interact verbally and physically with other children and their teachers. The curriculum is sensitive to the cultural and ethnic heritage of children and provides for interaction with students from various backgrounds in diverse settings to learn to respectArkansas Better Chance Program - Page 3 and value each other. It also enables children to deal more skillfully with differences they encounter upon entering school. F. Parent Involvement Component Active involvement of the parents is critical to the childs success in school. It reinforces and helps sustain the effects of school programs. Parents will become involved in the implementation of the program through: * Orientation meetings - parents will be acquainted with the initial program at Open House. * Parent participation - parents will be invited to volunteer in the classroom, accompanying the class on field trips, and observing the children in the classroom. Workshops - will be provided on various topics as a means to improve parent effectiveness. * Advisory Council - parents who serve on this council will have direct input into the programs. G. Collaboration With Other Service Agencies The Little Rock School District Early Childhood Education Program works actively with other service agencies such as: human service agencies, health care agencies. Interagency Coordinating Council, and various other agencies to ensure that the needs of our children and their families are met.Arkansas Better Chance Program - Page 4 H. Screening and Evaluation Plan Frequent assessments of the childrens progress through teacher observations, samples of childrens work, and parental input are used to modify experiences to enhance development and to ensure "that all children will start school ready to learn." Also, children who are in the program will be monitored as they progress through the grades. EPSDT screening will be provided for all children in the program. I. Community Involvement The Little Rock School District has a strong tradition of involvement with local community groups. businesses, industries, and institutions of higher education. Community and parental involvement is essential for the programs success. The program grew out of the needs of the community, and it will be responsive to the community. J. Plan for Transition from Early Childhood Programs to Public Schools The center-based programs are located in sixteen (16) individual school sites which allows the programs to be introduced to and receive the services of numerous resources and support staff available within the public schools. The plan allows for visitation of kindergarten classes within the schools along with participation and involvement in school activities. Also, information regarding individual student progress is shared with the upcoming teacher.PROGRAM ABSTRACT HOME INSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL YOUNGSTERS A. Statement of Need The Little Rock School Districts Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) will serve economically and educationally at-risk families during the 1992-93 school year. The southwest Little Rock area has been identified as the targeted population as many children in this area are not being served by pre-school agencies. HIPPY programs operate with two major sets of goals and objectives. The child-focused goals include Ua'O years of programming with 18 story books, 60 activity packets, and a set of 16 colored plastic shapes. These materials concentrate on language development, sensory and perceptual discrimination skills, and problem solving. Specific objectives include: language instruction skills such as listening, asking questions, talking about the text, picture reading, story creation, serialization and vocabulary-building
discrimination skills such as visual, auditory and tactile skills
and problem-solving activities such as listing, sorting, matching. and grouping concrete objects, then representations of objects. Parent-focused objectives include improvement of parental self-esteem, improved parent-as-educator skills, improved parental problem-solving skills, and development of the parents concept as an advocate for their childs educational needs. Operational goals and objectives for HIPPY programs in the 1992-93 school year include recruitment of HIPPY families by mid-September and delivering of the 30- week curriculum with the program concluding by the end of May, 1993. Family group meetings will be scheduled and held on a monthly basis, statewide coordinator meetings and training will occur on a bi-monthly basis, and various paraprofessional training will be held throughout the year. Regional coordinator meetings will be held on a bi-monthly basis alternating with the statewide meeting schedule. B. Type of Program Home-based Program The placement of the HIPPY program in the Little Rock School District has been done with the specific intention of working in a cooperative and collaborative effort to maximize our efforts to effectively intervene in the lives of these children. This program is designed to empower parents. All parents want what is best for their children
HIPPY builds upon this basic fact. The HIPPY model creates opportunitiesArkansas Better Chance Program - HIPPY Page 2 for positive educational interactions between parents and their four- and five-year olds. Parents take active roles as their childrens primary educator. C. Number of Students to Be Served/Service Areas The HIPPY program sponsored by the Little Rock School District is designed to address the educational and developmental needs of four- and five-year-old children in our program service area. We will identify educationally "at risk" families with children in these two age groups through formal screenings, recruitment from targeted neighborhoods, and other informal approaches. The Little Rock School District HIPPY program plans to serve an additional 36 children during the 1992-93 school year. D. Curriculum The HIPPY program is designed for parents with limited formal schooling to provide educational enrichment for their preschool children. Support and training for the parents are given by paraprofessionals, themselves parents of young children from the communities served by the program. International research suggests that HIPPY benefits disadvantaged children by improving academic achievement and adjustment to school
by improving parental self-concepts
and by increasing their interest and involvement in the education of their children, their involvement in community affairs, and their interest in pursuing further education for themselves. The HIPPY curriculum guides parents in creating opportunities for their children to learn the basic skills and knowledge necessary for early school success. E. Training and Professional Development Training and professional development opportunities are provided weekly during inservice training. District supervisors and community leaders provide enrichment for our Home Visitors. They also attend the training provided by the Arkansas HIPPY Technical Resource Center. F. Parent Involvement The program provides parental outreach through the Parent Advisory Council and office staff. Special programs and workshops enhance parents interests and knowledge of child growth and development. The Parent Advisory Council that is in place will sponsor activities for parents and act as a liaison for parents in the community.Arkansas Better Chance Program - HIPPY Page 3 G. H. 1. Transition Activities Transition activities will be available for parents and HIPPY children by providing kindergarten teachers, parents, and social workers the opportunity to speak at group meetings and give information on the requirements of schools. This information will empower the parents and children as to what is needed to successfully make the transition from home-based services to kindergarten, a more structured school envirorunent. Collaborative Agreements We will work to serve HIPPY program children through Watershed, Inc. and the Adult Education Center. Watershed, Inc. will refer potential Home Visitors applicants and the HIPPY program will refer HIPPY parents to Watershed when they need assistance for food, clothing, or utilities. The HIPPY staff will present the HIPPY concept to participants involved in job training at Watershed. The Adult Education Center will allow the HIPPY staff to use their auditorium for special programs. The Little Rock HIPPY staff will refer HIPPY parents to Adult Education in order for them to continue their education. Screening and Evaluation All of the five-year-old participants receive pre and post assessments by the District using the Early Prevention of School Failure assessment instrument. A pre and post assessment will be conducted using the HIPPY curriculum to identify the participants readiness skills. The program will be evaluated in order to determine the overall effectiveness of early childhood services. A survey to kindergarten teachers and a telephone survey to parents will be used to measure the program goals and objectives. The Home Visitors will be evaluated at least twice during the year to assess their knowledge of the program. All HIPPY programs in Arkansas participate in a standardized program evaluation system. This system consists of a set of materials issued from HIPPY USA and submitted by local programs back to HIPPY USA or the Arkansas Regional HIPPY Office. This data will cover recruitment of HIPPY families and initial family assessment (baseline data information). Paraprofessional home visit reports will be completed after each visit with parents. Monthly reports summarizing each family s involvement will be completed by the staff and forwarded to HIPPY USA.ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM - PROPOSED BUDGET BUDGET CATEGORY ABC MATCH TOTAL SALARIES Coordinator/Program Manager Teachers Paraprofessionals Administrative/Support Personnel Other (specify) HIPPY Secretary 17,720.00 154,500.00 61,190.00 69,312.00 401,700.00 130,223.00 87,032.00 556,200.00 191,413.00 FRINGE BENEFITS 33,600.00 15,942.00 82,334.00 15,942.00 115,934.00 MAINTENANCE OF OPERATIONS Advertising Rent/Lease Utilities Phone OfSce Supplies Copier/Duplication/Printing 450.00 101.00 153,600.00 4,560.00 Postage O 1,300.00 500.00 500.00 3,060.00 556.00 153,600.00 4,560.00 1,300.00 3,560.00 500.00 MATERIALS/SUPPLIES Instructional 27,750.00 60,000.00 87,750.00 EQUIPMENT Instructional Classroom/Playground 13,940.00 90,000.00 36,000.00 49,940.00 90,000.00 SUPPORT SERVICES Food/Nutrition Assessment/Screening Transportation for Students Parent Involvement Activities 51,905.00 1,980.00 1,680.00 11,060.00 17,820.00 51,905.00 19,800.00 1,680.00 11,060.00 TRAINING 20,200
00 20,200.00 RENOVATION OF SPACE (Must attached contractors estimate) TRAVEL In-state Out-of-state 1,286.00 9.000.00 5,123.00 6,409.00 9.000.00 TOTAL $498,561.00 $979,775.00 $1,478,336.0011/16/93 18:38 501 324 2032 L R School Dlst ODM @002/002 -i Little Rock School District NEWS RELEASE November 16,1993 For more information: Jeanette Wagner, 324-2020 LRSD TO WRITE GRANT FOR STUDENTS WITH LIMITED ENGUSH LANGUAGE SKTTIS The Little Rock School District is writing a grant proposal in the amount of $175,000 to expand the district's English as a Second Language (ESL/LEP) program. With funding, the district will use the money to create five intake centers for students who are in need of special English language tutoring. The centers will be equipped to provide the services necessary to assess language and academic skills, to provide intensive English language instruction, to provide appropriate grade level placement and educational orientation services to meet the needs of a diverse English limited student population, representing up to 66 language groups. In addition to the intake centers, extensive staff training is also planned for teachers, counselors and tutors. The tutoring staff will be expanded and materials will be purchased, including IBM compatible language learning software. ###FOR SUSPENSION OF THE RULES LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM STREET LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS received September 22, 1994 SEP 2 2 1994 Office of Desegregation Monitoring TO: Board of Directors FROM: Jo Evelyn Elston, Director of Pupil Services Estelle Matthis, Deputy Superintendent THROUGH: e: . WiTli erintendent SUBJECT: School-based Service Learning Grants Program The Arkansas Department of Education has announced the availability of federal grant awards through the Corporation of National and Community Service to enable local school districts to improve the quality of education by integrating service learning into the curriculum. This process will allow students to use information learned to solve problems within the school and community. Planning and operational grant awards of up to $12,000 are available to assist districts with program development and staff training. The deadline for submission is September 26, 1994. The District's proposal will involve developing a model service learning program in an elementary , junior high and a senior high school. Local governmental, civic and business groups will also participate in the program's design and implementation. It is recommended that the Board of Directors authorize the administration to proceed with Department of Education. an application to the State JEE/mab Little Rock School District May 15, 1998 Pat Gee 8409 Dowan Drive Little Rock, AR 72209 Dear Ms. Gee, Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for your kind words about me at the Board meeting this past week. It is always gratifying to learn that ones contribution to a cause is appreciated and has achieved a recognized impact. Your candor at the meeting was particularly touching. In truth, I was not aware of your initial reservations about my role at the District. This is a result, I believe, more from your level of professional decorum than my own lack of attention. Nevertheless, your remarks offered an unexpected personal moment in the formal agenda. Thank you for the statement of support. I have enclosed the summary of grant activity you requested. Please note that I maintain these annual records to match the fiscal calendar. The final tally includes activity through June 30 each year, though decisions concerning grants frequently are not received until the following year. Despite this delayed response, the 1997-98 school year was particularly productive for grants revenue. A greater number of grants have been submitted and approved than ever before, and a larger number of high dollar proposals have been awarded. You will likely receive a second copy of this listing through the Superintendents office, but I wanted to send this copy because of a recent communication I received from Dr. Gamine concerning my contract with the District. As you may be aware, I have been informed that my contract will be renewed only through December 1998. Dr. Gamine plans to eliminate my position and reassign my responsibilities to a committee. I have been encouraged to secure employment outside the District. I received this administrative decision with shock and disappointment. I do not believe the assignment of grants writing responsibilities to a committee is in the best interests of the Little Rock School District. Nor do I believe that my accomplishments in this position and my service to the educational community are fully realized by the administration. 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)324-2000-2- May 15,1998 My primary basis for this assertion is that since joining the District in May 1994 I have never had an annual assessment or review session of any kind with a supervisor. Other than you, no one has ever asked for an accounting of my on-going activity or a year-end summary of my achievements. I can attribute this to some degree to the change in supervision in the Planning, Research and Evaluation Division and the Superintendents Office. Nevertheless, other than the staff I have directly assisted in grants preparation, few people across the district are aware of my achievements. The annual tally of grants activity enclosed in this mailing is a summary of that service. One important conclusion from that summary should be emphasized. The total funds awarded to the District through grants include an indirect or administrative cost that has more than exceeded my annual salary. My service to the District has not only paid for itself, it has created income. Not listed in the annual summary are the support services I have provided to help LRSD educational staff better address the process of resource acquisition. I have conducted numerous grants writing workshops for the Staff Development Division with consistently excellent evaluation reports from teacher attendees. I continue to meet with school and teacher teams as a consultant to building-level planning. In the past few months, I have begun a direct communication to increase awareness of grants opportunities. A monthly flyer titled Grant Opportunities for Teachers and Schools has a wide distribution across the District. The grants listing is also published in the LRSD monthly newsletter. The result of this initiative has been outstanding. More educators are aware of grant resources and a larger number are applying for them. I do not believe the services I provide as a high performance and innovative grants writer can be duplicated by a committee. Project planning certainly requires group effort and inclusion, but the actual writing and packaging of complex proposals with multi-year budgets does not. It is a job best handled by a single person who can work with diverse groups and meet deadlines. In my tenure, the LRSD has never missed a submission deadline. My work in this regard, done largely behind the scenes and very frequently through the early hours of the morning, is known to very few. The proposal recently approved by the National Science Foundation is an example. I do not seek distinct credit for my contribution to the project, but I feel slighted when decisions concerning my service to the District are made without full understanding of my contribution. At this time, I am waiting the arrival of Dr. Bonnie Leslie and a discussion with her continuation with the District. Dr. Gamine told on my me his position is based on her initial assessment of District administrative staff. My immediate concern, then, is to better acquaint her with my job history and gain her approval of my position. If unsuccessful, I may request a hearing before the Board.-3- May 15,1998 I am sharing all this with you at this time because your remarks at Board meetings and to me personally have always shown a high regard for personal commitment to our common task. Hopefully, Dr. Leslie will share that view and these issues will be appropriately addressed. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide or questions I can answer about grant activity in the past year. I will be pleased to do so. Sincerely, Marvin Schwartz Grants Writer Enclosure (1)active.doc C:\winword Grant activity since July 1997 Current as of May 15, 1998 Project Awarded Proposals Amount 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Family preservation - HIPPY Diesel Mechanics - Metro Voc Center Business Education - Central Business Education - Fair Business Education - McClellan Business Education - Forest heights Jr HS Carl Perkins - Voc Ed Art program - Jefferson Ark Better Chance - Early Childhood Prog 10. Family Preservation - human service worker 11. Youth employment - pupil services 12. Goals 2000 - staff development 13. Model schools for kit based science- 14. Learn and Serve -pupil services 15. Technology Literacy Challenge - Lucy Lyon 16. Vital Link - VIPS 17. Vital Link transportation 1. Central High architectural conservation 18. Comprehensive Health program - Washington Magnet 19. HIV education - Franklin 20. School Improvement - Carver 21. Model schools for CMP 22. Safe and Drug Free Schools 23. LRCPMSA 24. Prof dev. - Eisenhower Grant - federal prog. 25. Student travel to DC - Rightsell 26. Arts in education - Forest Park 27. Arts in education - Carver 28. ASSI teacher training - Romine 29. Capitol View summer program - Liz Lucker 30. Total teen Tale troupe - Liz Lucker 31. Youth employment center - Pupil Services 10,000 25,000 21,660 18,043 21,660 45,118 358,239 1,000 233,992 30,500 15,000 120,755 6,000 23,600 100,000 1,000 35,000 25,000 2,000 5,000 9,500 7,182 166,696 3,801,155 141,798 2,500 3,600 5,125 10,000 19,420 11,160 20,000 $5,296,703 Submission Date June 30 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 April 21 April 18 Sept 1 Sept 1 Sept. 12 Sept. 15 Sept 24 July 15 Oct 1 Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct. 15 Nov. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Oct. 3 Octl5 Dec. 1 Dec. 11 Feb 2 Feb 2 Mar. 6 April 14 April 14 April 14 Sponsor/Contact DHS ARDoE ARDoE ARDoE ARDoE ARDoE US DoE Entergy Ark Early Childhood Comm Ark DHS City ofLR ARDoE AD HE Corp National and Comm Serv DoE Entergj' LR Education Comm Getty Grant Program ARDoE Ar DoE WRF AD HE Ar DoE NSF Ar DoE LR Task Force for Youth Ark. Arts Council Ark. Arts Council AD HE City ofLR City ofLR City ofLR1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Denied Applications Career education - Otter Creek Classroom technology - Forest Park Elem Astronomy Club - Washington (Lanette Kemp) Learn and Serve - Linda Young Parental Assistance Program - St HIPPY, CYF Art program - Jefierson Behavior Management Lab - Franklin Technology Iimovation Challenge Teaching Tolerance Carver youth garden After school tutoring - McClellan Comm Ed. Breast cancer awareness - For Hghts & Clov Jr. HS Abstinence Education - Otter Creek McClellan - Marion Baldwin Early Literacy Program - Reading dept Arts in education - Pulaski Heights Elem Total 1,872 20,892 1,000 79,745 180,000 3,500 46,904 1,135,683 2,000 750 9,000 48,637 37,918 10,000 253,000 5,750 $1,836,651 June 27 Dec. 31 Oct. 15 May 5 Feb. 21 Mar 30 Mar. 30 May 30 Oct 15 Nov. 14 Dec. 11 Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Jan. 16 Jan 28 Feb 2 DoE Sturgis Ark Instructional E.xcell Grant Corp for National Service DoE Target Common Ground/ADAP US DoE Southern Poverty Law Center National Gardening Assoc LR Ed Commission Avon Products Ar. Dept. Health Div Children & Families, DHS Corp, for National Service Ark. Arts Council 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Pending Proposals Math/Science Equipment - Washington Family Preservation - Pupil Services, Elston Conflict resolution - Tony Petty/Pupil servies Dropout Prevention - Pupil Services -Valery Hudson Community Learning Centers - Marion Baldwin Ark Better Chance - Early Childhood 2,502 ? 30,000 9,750 380,401 233,992 Nov. 14 Jan. 16 Feb. 20 Mar. 6 Mar. 9 Apr. 17 7. 8. Vital Link - VIPS LRSD Community Based Conflict Management Training Initiative 1,000 25,000 April 15 April 20 AR DoE Div Children & Families, DHS ADAP Div Children & Families, DHS US DoE ADHS, Div of Child Care and Early Childhood Ed Entergy Gov. Partnership for Children & Families Total $682,645 2Grant Activity 1997-1998 School Year Current as of: 28-May D12 File name: 97-98grants [Awarded Proposals i Project_________________________________________ 1. Art program - Jefferson 2. Ark Better Chance - Early Childhood Program 3. Family Preservation - HIPPY 4. Technology Literacy Challenge - Instructional Tech. 5. Diesel Mechanics - Metropolitan 6. Business Education - Central 7. Business Education - Fair 8. Business Education - McClellan 9. Business Education - Forest Heights Jr. HS 10. Carl Perkins Vocational Education 11. Family Preservation Program - Pupil Services 12. Youth employment - Pupil Services 13. Goals 2000 - Staff Development 14. Model schools for kit based science - Science Dept. 15. Learn and Serve -Pupil Services 16. Vital Link-VIPS 17. Safe and Drug Free Schools - Pupil Services 18. Vital Link transportation - VIPS 19. Architectural Conservation - Central High 20. Comprehensive Health Program - Washington Magn 21. LRCPMSA - Math/Science Departments 22. HIV education - Franklin 23. Prof. Dev. Eisenhower Grant - Federal Programs. 24. Student travel to DC - Rightsell 25. School Improvement - Carver 26. Model schools for CMP - Math Dept. 27. Arts in Education - Forest Park 28. Arts in Education - Carver 29. Conflict Resolution - Pupil Services 30. ASSI Teacher Training - Romine 31. Capitol View Summer Program - New Futures 32. Total Teen Tale Troupe - New Futures 33. Youth Employment Center - Pupil Services Total Amount 1,000 233,992 10,000 100,000 25,000 21,660 18,043 21,660 45,118 358,239 30,500 15,000 120,755 6,000 23,600 1,000 166,696 35,000 25,000 2,000 3,228,022 5,000 141.798 2,500 9,500 7,182 3,600 5,125 30,000 10.000 19,420 11,160 20,000 $4.753,570 Submission Date 21-Apr 18-Apr 30-Jun 15-Jul 2 O-Aug 20-Aug 20-Auo 20-Aug 20-Aug 20-Aug 1-Sep 1-Sep Sept. 12 Sept. 15 24-Sep 1-Oct Oct. 3 10-Oct 10-Oct Oct. 15 Oct. 15 Nov. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 11 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 2-Feb 2-Feb Feb. 20 Mar. 6 14-Apr 14-Apr 14-Apr Sponsor/Contact Entergy Ark Early Childhood Comm DHS DoE AR DoE AR DoE AR DoE AR DoE AR DoE US DoE Ark DHS City of LR AR DoE ADHE Corp National and Comm Serv Entergy AR DoE LR Education Comm Getty Grant Program AR DoE National Science Foundation AR DoE AR DoE LR Task Force for Youth WRF ADHE Ark. Arts Council Ark. Arts Council ADAP ADHE City of LR City of LR City of LR [penledProposals | Project 1. Career Education - Otter Creek 2. Astronomy Club - Washington 3. Teaching Tolerance - Hall HS 4. Math/Science Equipment - Washington 5. Youth Garden - Carver 6. Breast Cancer Awareness - For Hghts. & Clov. Jr. HS 7. Abstinence Education - Otter Creek 8. After-School Tutoring - McClellan Comm Ed. 9. Classroom Technology - Forest Park Elem. 10. Summer Programs -McClellan Comm. Education 11. Early Literacy Program - Reading Dept 12. Arts in Education - Pulaski Heights Elem. 13. Parental Assistance Program - HIPPY 14. Art program - Jefferson 15. Behavior Management Lab - Franklin 16. Learn and Serve - New Futures 17. Technology Innovation Challenge Total Amount 1.872 1.000 2,000 2,502 750 48,637 37,918 9,000 20,892 10,000 253,000 5,750 180,000 3,500 46,904 79,745 1,135,683 $1.839.153 Submission Date 27Jun Oct. 15 15-Oct Nov. 14 Nov. 14 Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 31 Jan. 16 28-Jan 2-Feb Feb. 21 30-Mar Mar. 30 5-May 30-May Sponsor/Contact DoE AR DoE Southern Poverty Law Center AR DoE National Gardening Assoc. Avon Products AR. Dept. Health LR Ed Commission Sturgis Trust Div Children & Families, DHS Corp, for National Service Ark. Arts Council DoE Target Common Ground/ADAP Corp for National Service USDoE iPending Proposals Project 1. Family Preservation Pupil Services 2. Dropout Prevention - Pupil Services 3. Community Learning Centers - McClellan 4. Ark Better Chance - Early Childhood 5. Vital Link-VIPS 6. Conflict Management Training - Pupil Services 7. Goals 2000 - Staff Development Total Amount 7 9,750 380,401 233,992 1,000 25,000 239,579 $889,722 Submission Date Jan. 16 Mar. 6 Mar. 9 Apr. 17 15-Apr 20-Apr 20-Way Sponsor/Contact Div Children & Families, DHS Div Chikdren & Families, DHS USDoE Ark Early Childhood Comm Entergy Gov. F^rtnership for Children & Families AR DoELITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 Division of Schooi Services Sadie Mitcheil, Associate Superintendent received SEP 1 3 2000 TO: ice of Desegregation Monitoring QFFiCEOf FROM: 'Carnine, Superintendent of Schools DESEGRESATtOH WCMnORlMG DATE: September 7, 2000 SUBJECT: Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant The Little Rock School District is in the process of developing a plan that will improve the educational offerings of four schools in Southwest Little Rock: Fair High School, McClellan High School, Mabelvale Middle School and Cloverdale Middle School. The schools have decided to adopt magnet-like school themes to focus on academic content and to increase student engagement in learning. The schools, along with the District's Director of Planning and Development, will aggressively seek resources to support the themes. The Magnet Schools Assistance Program provides grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Each eligible LEA that desires to receive assistance shall submit an application before December 22, 2000. The Little Rock School District is preparing to submit an application which will include the schools listed above. If you have questions, please call Sadie Mitchell at 501/324-2007. c: Junious Babbs, Associate Superintendent - Student Registration Dr. Terrence Roberts, Desegregation Consultant Dr. Stephen Ross, Desegregation Consultant LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS RECEIVED SEP 1 4 2003 SPECIAL MEETING September 14, 2000 OFICEOF OESEGRSGATfOMMOailTOfUSa Budget Work Session II. III. IV. AGENDA Approval of 2000-01 Budget A+ Charter Maumelle (Linda Watson) Don Stewart Mark Milhollen Contract for Magnet School Proposals (Sadie Mitchell) Technology Consultant Contracts (Lucy Neal) / /w LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 TO: Board of Directors FROM: THROUGH: Sadie Mitchell, Associate Superintendent - School Services Les Gamine, Superintendent of Schools DATE: September 14, 2000 SUBJECT: MSAP (Magnet Schools Assistance Plan) Grant The Little Rock School District has been in the process of developing a plan that will improve the educational offerings of four schools in Southwest Little Rock: Fair High School, McClellan High School, Mabelvale Middle School and Cloverdale Middle School. The schools have decided to adopt magnet-like school themes to focus on academic content and to increase student engagement in learning. The staff feels that it is important to aggressively seek resources to support this effort. The Magnet Schools Assistance Program provides grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Each eligible LEA that desires to receive assistance shall submit an application before December 22, 2000. This memorandum serves as a request to approve the submission of an application for the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant. Approval is also requested to secure support and consulting services from Phale D. Hale. Mr. Hale's services will include advice on program design, reviewing drafts of the application, workshops to facilitate the development of the application, and assistance with the proposed budget. You will find attached a copy of the agreement. Thank you. s, z 4' : i'. \ t 2300 M Street, NW Suite 750 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 296-3500 (202) 296-5910 FAX Web
www.phalehale.com July 12. 2000 Linda Young Austin, Director Planning and Development Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 i >
Dear Linda, I am very pleased that I will be working with the Little Rock Public Schools for the . upcoming grant cycle. I look forward to developing a successful MSAP grant application. Enclosed is a contract for my services. Please review it and have it executed by the appropriate person in the district. I look forward to seeing you in August. Yours Tn Phale D. Hale enc.
1 Washington, DC / PHALE D. HALE EDUCATION CONSULTING, INC. Los Angeles, CA >* 5S F 1 >iT 1 i ft V \ ri? ' -J T.h" 2300 M Street, NW Suite 750 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 296-3500 (202) 296-5910 FAX Web: www.phalehale.com MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT X! 'a* This memorandum documents the agreements under which the Little Rock School District (Arkansas) (hereinafter called District) will support and Phale D. Hale Education Consulting. Inc. (hereinafter called Contractor) will provide consulting services to develof^'- an application for the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP). / V CONTENTS This Memorandum of Agreement consists of two pages with the endorsements on the' second page. 1. EFFORT TO BE PERFORMED A The Contractor shall provide consulting services to assist the District in preparing an application for the MSAP. These services will include advice on program design, reviewing drafts of the application, workshops to facilitate the development of the application, and assistance with the proposed project budget. .t*- 2. CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT A. During the course of the development of the grant applications, the Contractor will be paid $1.200 a day plus expenses. Expenses shall include air fare, ground transportation, meals, and hotel. B. For grant applications that are funded, the Contractor will receive an additional payment equal to 2% of the amount of the grant award. This sum will be paid for each year of the grant (three years for MSAP). and billed by the Contractor in July of the year. O'. 'The'C'offtrWtor will invoice payments as the work is done. All payments will be made to the address indicated on the invoice. Payments are due and payable upon District's receipt of the invoice. Finance charges of 2% a month may be added at Contractor's option to invoices not paid within sixty (60) days of the invoice date. jtj Rock MSAP Contract 1 of 2 Washington, DC PHALE D. HALE EDUCATION CONSULTING, INC. Los Angeles, CA3. CHANGES No changes in the amount or terms of this agreement shall become effective until such change is reduced to writing and signed by the duly authorized representatives of both parties to this agreement. 4. EXECUTION In witness of their acceptance of the terms of this agreement, the parties have caused this Memorandum to be executed by their duly authorized representatives. Little Rock School District Signature Date Title Phale D. Ie Education Consulting, Inc. Phale D. Hale President July 12, 2000 Date Little Rock MSAP Contract 2 of 2Magnet Schools Assistance Program Courses for 2002-2003 (M 0^ '< Cloverdale Magnet Middle School Economics, Engineering, and Multi-Media Grade Six Students explore the strands with an introductory, 9-weeks course in each area. This will enable them to select a strand of concentration for the 7* and 8* grade years. Strand Course Grade Level Multimedia Multimedia Multimedia and Graphic Design Engineering Gateway to Technology I Gateway to Technology II Economics Economics II International Economics and the World of Business McClellan Magnet High School Engineering, Multimedia, Business Finance Cloverdale is the primary feeder school to McClellan. If a child wishes to continue in a strand selected at Cloverdale, the student can skip the introductory courses offered at the ninth grade level. They may select a new strand if they so desire. Strand Course Grade Level Engineering Engineering Design Digital Electronics 9 10 Multimedia Introduction to Art (Multimedia) Visual Design Intro Multimedia Production Introduction Digital Imaging & Graphics Introduction 9 9 10 10 Business Finance Strategies for Success Introduction to Financial Services I & II Economics and the World of Finance Securities and Insurance Financial Planning International Finance 9/10 9/10 10 11 12 12 7 8 7 8 7 8Mabelvale Magnet Middle School Environmental Science, Medical Studies, and Information Communications Technology Grade Six Students explore the strands with an introductory, 9-weeks course in each area. This will enable them to select a strand of concentration for the 7* and 8* grade years. Strand Course Grade Level Environmental Science EARTHQUEST ECO-JOURNEYS Adventure Arkansas Medical Studies MEDICS M.A.S.H. Information Communications Technology BYTES PRISM J. A. Fair Magnet High School Environmental Science, Medical Sciences, Information Science and Systems Engineering Mabelvale is the primary feeder school to J. A. Fair. If a child wishes to continue in a strand selected at Mablevale, the student can skip the introductory courses offered at the ninth grade level. They may select a new strand if they so desire. Strand Course Grade Level Environmental Science Investigations of Environmental Sciences Environmental Science I 9 10 Medical Science Investigations of Medical Sciences Medical Sciences 9 10 Information Science Investigative Information Science and Systems Engineering 7 8 7 7 8 7 8 9LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 WEST MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 DATE: April 25, 2002 TO: Board of Education FROM: PREPARED BY: RE: Dr. T. Kenneth James, Superintendent Dr. Bonnie Lesley, Associate Superintendent for Instruction Linda Austin, Director of Planning and Development Pat Price, Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Literacy Grant Proposal - Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Grant Program I Backqround The U.S. Department of Education released a request for proposals for the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Grant program. The purpose of the program is to implement rigorous evaluations of preschool curricula that will provide information to support informed choices of classroom curricula for early childhood programs. This competition focuses support on a new program of research that will determine, through randomized clinical trials, whether one or more curricula produce educationally meaningful effects on children. I The District has partnered with the Waterford Early Reading Program and the Dialogic Reading Preschool Program. Ten elementary schools will participate: Cloverdale, Rightsell, Franklin, Mitchell, Geyer Springs, King, Chicot, Jefferson, Forest Park, and Baseline. I i Dr. Bob Bradley, UALR, will serve as the principal investigator for this project. There are four research goals: 1) 2) 3) 4) to provide technically sound information regarding the impact of the treatment programs on childrens early reading competence, to provide useful information regarding the implementation of the program, to coordinate with the national evaluation contractor on matters pertaining to the sampling design and the core assessment strategy, and to provide scientifically sound data regarding the complementary research question specified in the application. The grant was submitted on February 18, 2002 in order to meet the February 19, 2002 submission deadline. Fiscal Impact The total four-year award request was $1,132,053. The request covers the cost of learning materials for each classroom as well as the related research costs. Local match is not required. Recommendation The staff requests approval for the submission of this grant. iGRAhfr AGREEMENT WITH THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATIONThe purpose of this PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT GRANT #88-131 agreement between the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, grantor, and Kiwanis Activities of Little Rock, Inc., grantee, is to establish the grantee's intentions and the grantors expectations of work to be^ccomplished under this grant. The purpose of the grant is to establish an alternative to out-of school suspension for the at-risk student who would benefit from intense academic remediation and counseling program. an SCOPE OF WORK Description of Program Design: Twenty-four students would be involved in the eight week residential program. During the first four weeks students would attend the alternative classroom at the camp and live with seven other students and During the second four a counselor. weeks, those same twenty-four students would remain ---------------------------------- a A nvuiU lUIUOill in residence at the. camp but would attend their individual schools, returning to the camp in the afternoon. As the second phase begins for the first students, another twenty-four students would begin Phase I, making mflvimifn _1_ i _4'_i_______.j? . > . ... maximum of forty-eight students residing in the camp, cycle a total of 216 students would be served for Using this rotation one year. a I I I I Counselors will emphasize principles of outdoor education by programming in the out-of-doors. Also, the counselor will act os mediator between teacher, student, and parent. ( Parenting Component: Twice monthly p.arents will attend workshops to include discussion of childs progression in the program, parenting skills, coping skills, and stress I management. environments. Each v/eekend the youth must return to their home This aspect of the program insures that the youth and parents v/i 1 have the opportunity to test the skills learned through the program in developing parent/child relationship in their home community. In this way, problems arising at home will be addressed upon the students return to camp a parent/child relationship in their home community. and a treatment plan will be devised to deal with those problems effectively. Also, the youth and parent are not immersed in a situation without a chance to develop the relationship with staff assistance. I I I EduentionaU Component: The principle of gradual mainstreaming to insure successful transference that was suggested above applies to the school situation as well. Classroom would be under the umbrella of the public school Students will be included in daily attendance records. The Alternative system, and the works as an alternative to out-of-school suspension In this way, the ACE ) ---------......... .... ..... .J. ov.opcii3,(jii. In addition, counselors will assist students in a daily program of organized study periods to reinforce I classroom requirements.1 r- Incentive Program: Students demonstrating , , , , - success in the program will toward a scholarship to attend r involves more indepth wilderness environment. receive points which go summer camp free, me summer camp program -J experiences in a less structured The Teacher Workshop: exoer-^ teachers will have the opportunity to learn experiential teaching techniques and how regular classroom. to utilize them successfully in the Evaluation and Follow Evaluation of student up: Siegel and Dr. Jim Sanders. progress will be conducted in cooperation with Dr. Bill . ------------- Followup will cover a period of three student completion of the program. Program Goals and Objectives: 1. years after ceotT such ^havior in institutional classroom setting uol.. BiolX? 1 T EP''*e"'-ial Learning Techniques, Reality Therapy Biological Instructional Strategies (OBIS). * ' zmerapy, (ASE). concepts such using Outdoor and Action Socialization Experiences 2. Reciprocal Teaching Approaches, clasdPo ,etlig using three mein Concept Programs that emphasize D.__ . --- -------e uabiica, voncepi 1 rocess vs. Task, and Devslopine Thought Processes. ' and Peer Group Control. I .1 I TERMS AND CONDITIONS agreement Exnenlf accordance with the budget attached exceed Hoa purposes not itemized in the budget or which ?ran, f . amounts require prior written approval by the grantor Grant funds not spent by the grantee will be returned to the gJXr to this I, I, I i This performance grantor and granted*"'"*' ^"ended by mutual written consent of the The grantor or provided may terminate this performance agreement at any time, in advance of ^e' eff termination be submitted at least 30 day 8 I All equipment and furniture ] to the foundation upon termination of the grant, or if- th^'Droffram*!., unless otht" frXTmmts are purchased with foundation funds will revert back mutually agreed upon. The foundation programs goals secured. requires an amended budget that will demonstrate how will not be compromised if other foundation the funds are notkbpoi?tjng schedule Grantee will written outlined submit to reports of grantor, on progress toward the in the Scope of Work, organization, report due date, status of the on the or^before the following dates, detailed _ -- accomplishment of goals and objectives These reports should include the detailed I the report. report due dates grant number, contact name of the project. Any organizaUonal7han7e7"' "''ative should be noted in December 1 iqft . , o (u quarterly February 1, 1939 _ June 1, 1989 - quarterly October 30, 1989 quarterly- i final and evaluation form The first three reports shall be Une item, showing with prior expenditures to date, written approval of the accompanied by current budget Changes in program officer statements, by the budget may be made The final narrative report shall include the representing the grantor. include enclosed evaluation form, accomplished under this grant, accounting of funds received under this : signed by the summary of all work a complete accounting shall be chairman of the governing board. payment schedule The total amount to be paid to the exceed $30,000. Payments shall be made to grantee as well as a It shall also , . . ----- agreement. This grantee s chief executive officer grantee under this and the i I J agreement shall not I i submission of a letteT^In voice ""to following schedule, invoice must include the - ^.?*:-^ntor each f due date, and name amount due. -----. upon of payment is due. rganization, the grant number, payment The I October 1, 1988 - $10,000 February 1, 1999 _ lune 1, 1989 _ $9,000 October 30, 1989 $10,000 - $1,000 S." time as all due progress reports are receive payment of invoices The are received by the grantor. grantor acknowledges that year project. 1989 - $30,000 1990 - $30,000 D . grant applies to the first posed total budgets for additional years are as follows: additional year of a three- I Providing that the the grantor proposals for the -g Under thia 3 Doard of directors, " amounts shown above. the board will grant is satisfactory to consider subsequent grant I iEFFECTIVE DATE The effective date of this performance agreement shall be September 20, 1988. Money due and owed under this agreement must be transferred no later than December 15, 1989. to the grantee I \ Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Kiwanis Activities of Little Rock, Inc. f I I I i I I 1 I i i Carnegie Corporation Schools for a New Society Grant The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded the Little Rock School District and New Futures for Youth a $250,000 urban high school reform-planning grant. All high schools within the district have begun activities that will help guide reform planning. The goal of the Carnegie initiative. Schools for a New Society, is to improve all high schools in the district through: 1. 2. 3. Identifying, analyzing and eliminating barriers to success for all students
Learning and implementing strategies that create high performing students in high performing schools
and Developing specific plans to create high schools that ensure success for all students. Little Rock is one of 10 sites in the country to receive the planning grant. It will give principals, teachers, parents, students and the community an opportunity to continue to create quality high school programs that will benefit large numbers of students and raise achievement within the district. Michele Cahill, senior program officer at Carnegie and creator of Schools for a New Society said, ... this initiative will encourage and support the development of high schools for all students where there is effective teaching and learning and where there are clear pathways to higher education, careers and community participation. Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation said, Every student in America is St entitled to attend a good high school in order to be prepared for the world of the 21 century. They are owed a high performance education where much is offered and much is expected. The planning grant provides a dynamic opportunity for the District high schools and community to commit time to focus on questions and issues that will shape a school culture of high achievement for all students. The project coordinator, Paulette Mabry, will coordinate community forums, community small group discussions, and support to the high school planning teams. Forums and small groups will focus on engaging the community around high school reform issues. A listing of dates and sites of all public forums and school planning meetings will be placed on the LRSD web site www.lrsd.org as they are scheduled. The community is encouraged to attend forums, participate in small group discussions, and be an active participant in the process. All planning efforts will culminate in the development of a strategic plan for high school reform. After completing comprehensive planning, all ten grant sites will submit strategic reform plans to Carnegie and five of the ten will be invited into the second phase of the initiative. The Carnegie Corporation anticipates committing $40 million over five years in direct grants, which will require a one-to-one match from public or private funds. Additional information about Schools for a New Society may be obtained by calling Paulette Mabry in the New Futures for Youth office at 374-1011.Catch the Spirit! AfiMMI CIrdo rrict - What can we do to make our high schools better? Explore this question and many more when they are discussed throughout the Little Rock community in January and February of 2001 in small group discussions called Study Circles. The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded the Little Rock School District and New Futures for Youth a grant to plan reforms for urban high schools. The goal is to improve all high schools for all students. ...................... What are Study Circles? ....................... Study Circles are small, democratic, discussion groups of 10-12 people who come together to discuss an issue of common concern. Study Circles encourage people to respectfully consider issues from different viewpoints. Coming together in this way enables people to thoroughly examine the issues, develop new ideas, and find common ground for constructive action. ............................ Who Should participate in Study Circles? ................. EVERYONE: teachers, students, parents, grandparents, administrators, and community members. The more varied the points of view, the more productive and interesting the discussions will be. .............. What will Study Circle participants talk about? -.............. A trained facilitator will help each study circle talk about the critical issues, strengths, weaknesses and barriers our high schools face. Participants will share concerns, ideas, and recommendations about how to strengthen our high schools. Study Circles will identify what is expected of our high schools, how the community can get involved, and how schools can be responsive to the needs of the community. ................................ Why should I participate? ................................ Too often people feel that their opinions dont really matter or that there isnt an easy way to be heard by the people who make the decisions about our schools. When students, teachers, administrators, parents and other community members talk and listen to each other, everyone will gain a better understanding of what we all want from our schools. This shared understanding will help us focus and work together for better schools. Study Circles will give you an opportunity to be involved and to meet and make friends with other concerned people in your community. Because schools are at the very heart of economic prosperity and quality of life, it is important that the citizens of Little Rock work together to advance excellence in education. We need you! ............ How do I get involved or request more information? ............ The most important thing you can do is sign up to participate in a Study Circle. A Study Circle of 10-12 people will meet for two hours once a week for four weeks beginning in mid-January. There will be discussion groups located in different areas of Little Rock. Decide when and where you can attend these discussions and be willing to share with others your thoughts, concerns, and desires for Creating excellence in Little Rock high schools. Study Circles are open to the entire community. Check the schedule and locations for study circles to see which time/ location is best for you. Fill out the form on the opposite side, or you may contact Katherine Priest, New Futures, 374-1011, or email <kpriest@newfuturesforyouth.org>, or visit the LRSD website at www.lrsd.org.Registration Form Fraiact Individual Study Circle groups of 10-12 people will meet for two hours once a week for four weeks in January and February, 2001. Study Circles are open to the entire community and we encourage you to urge others to sign up. Return this form to: New Futures for Youth, 400 W. Markham, Suite 702, Little Rock, AR 72201 or through school mail to the ViPS office. Mr. or Ms. Name _ Address Phone Age: 14-18 19-30 e-mail address. 31-50 51 & above Please fill in the following information to help us plan for diversity within each of the study circle. (Optional) Ethnic origin: African American Latino/Hispanic American Native American/American Indian Asian American Mixed Race/Multiracial White/Caucasian Other Please check all that apply: Teacher Parent Employer Student Grandparent Concerned citizen Other_____________ Community locations: (Please indicate first (1) and second (2) choice.) ____Mondays, 6:30-8:30, Jan. 22, 29
Feb. 5,12 - P.A.R.K., 6915 Geyer Springs Road ____Mondays, 5:30-7:30, Jan. 22, 29
Feb. 5,12 - Williams Library, 1800 S. Chester Street ____Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30, Jan.l6,23,30
Feb. 6 - Horace Mann Middle School, 1000 E. Roosevelt ____Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00, Jan. 16,23, 30
Feb. 6 - Mablevale Middle School, 10811 Mablevale W. Rd ____Wednesdays, 12:00-2:00, Jan. 17, 24,31
Feb. 7 - Little Rock Athletic Club, 4610 Sam Peck Rd. ____Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30, Jan. 17,24,31
Feb. 7 - Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12* ____Wednesday. Tuesdays. 6:30-8:30, Wsd., Jan. 17, Jan. 23,30
Feb. 6 - Otter Creek Clubhouse, 14000 Otter Creek Pkwy. (First night on Wednesday, remaining 3 nights will be Tuesdays.) ____Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30, Jan. 24,31
Feb. 7,14 - St James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive ____Thursdays, 12:00-2:00, Jan. 18, 25
Feb. 1, 8 - Downtown Library, 100 Rock Street, 3"* floor Board Rm. ____Thursdays, 6:30-8:30, Jan. 18, 25
Feb. 1, 8 - First Baptist Church Highland Park, 3800 W. IS* St. ____Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 Jan. 18,25
Feb. 1,8 - Forest Heights Middle School, 5901 Evergreen Drive ____Thursdays, 6:30-8:30, Jan. 18,25
Feb. 1,8 - Greater Friendship Baptist Church, 4640 Confederate Blvd. ____Thursdays, 6:30-8:80 p.m., Jan. 18,25
Feb. 1,8 - Hoover United Methodist Church, 4000 W. 13* St. ____Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 18,25
Feb. 1,8 - Madison Heights, 1401 Madison Street ____Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 18,25
Feb. 1,8 - Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 906 S. Cross Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 18, 25
Feb. 1,8 - Parkview Magnet School, 2501 John Barrow RoadLittle Rock School District 810 W. Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 *********aIJT0**5-0IGIT 72205 ANDREW BROWN To the Parents of: 707 N SPRUCE ST little rock ar 72205-3751 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1367 Little Rock, AR T8P1 UniliiUiilrlll'" ... YOU ARE INVITED TO A PUBLIC EORUM Improving the Quality of Education: Raising Achievement and^fosing the Achievement Gap ^featuring Kari Haycock Direc|iF of TM^ducation Trust Febtrary 1, 6 p.m. P^j^iew High School Auditorium 2501 Barrow RoadArkansas Democrat ^(i^azctte | THURSDAY, JUNE 18,'1998 -------------- <> . tMt, n-.., ... JX U.S. grant to help LR district expand after-school programs BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DE,MOCRAT-GAZETTE The Little Rock School District is slated to get about $1 million in federal grant money over the next three years for after- the U.S. Department of Educa- school and summer learning pro- tion from nearly 2,000 applica- grams for students and adults. " _ . . - to worry ... or seeing these after Cool 4 School Summer Day Camp school hours as a time to fear, we for children 6 to 12 years old, free should see them instead as a win- clinics for economically disad- dow of opportunity, she said. vantaged students and their fami- Recipients were selected by lies, mental health services for at least 200 children and teen-agers, The money will be used to ex. . .. . conununity service and work tions. Little Rock is the only force readiness projects for 75 pand programs at McClellan grant Community High School and Arkansas district receiving a teen-agers, and training of litera- cy tutors who will work with Lit- The centers will provide tutor- tie Rock students. Cloverdale Jimior High. ing, performing arts programs. At Cloverdale, the grant will In all, 315 inner-city and rural summer camp for elementary provide a 25-station computer schools in 36 states will share $40 pupils, employment preparation laboratory and expansion of the million for after-school programs, training, medical assistance, and after-school program from 55 President Clinton announced parenting skills training. teens to 100 per year. Tutoring the awards Wednesday. The Partners joining with the and training in the nerformins programs, - Partners joining with the and training in the performing grants were made available school district to provide the ser- arts including choir, drama through the federal 21st Century vices include University of dance and gymnastics will be Community Learmng Centers Arkansas at Little Rock, Pulaski offered. Twelve additional teach- Program. The president said he Enterprise Community, Literacy ers will be used for the expanded hoped Congress would expand Action of Central Arkansas, Fam- activities. funding to as much as $200 mil- ily Service Agency, Philander Still other offerings lion in each of the next five years. Smith College, Arkansas Baptist Cloverdale will include These grants will give thou- College, the Martin Luther King evening tutorial program for 75 sands more children a safe place Jr. Commission and the Arkansas children in kindergarten through to go before and after school and Department of Health. sixth grades. College and high good things to do, Clinton said. At McClellan, the grant will al- school students will provide Statistics show that unsuper- low the addition of up to 20 training Additionally, vised children are more likely to teachers to offer courses for stu- ational activities and snacks will commit a crime or become a vic- dents and adults, nine high be provided to elementary stu- tim of a crime during those after- school teachers and six student dents during after-school hours, school hours, first lady Hillary tutors. An adult literacy program will be Rodham Clinton said. Other benefits of the grant will offered, as will mental health ser- Still at an recre- Instead of permitting parents include the expansion of the 2 vices. SUNDAY, APRIL'16, 2W e< LR schools grab shared SchooTs rif <C/I1 w^ilK. rv-M Continued from Paai of $41 million in grants Clinton lauds 23 districts for safety initiatives BY KIMBERLY GILLESPIE during discussions about revising the districts strategic plan Md the districts revised desegrega-, tion and education plan. J, Both of those plans identify priorities and goals of which the I ------------------ district has taken the opportunity t n - v succe^ftil, comprehensive ap- to flilfiU some of the objectUfteJ goals, Supenntendent Les roaches to help, troubled young that weve not been able to'fmfffi I famine said. Were very fortu- '> fl^fore] through this grant oppbr- I grant Clinton announced a total of tunify, Austin said. I 1*^ three-year grant is from 341 million in grants, which vary The district also plans to lurti Department of Justice, :n amount, to school districts ftiU-time licensed clinicians^' l D.S. Department of Health ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE President Clinton announced grants for 23 school districts including Uttle Rock, due to receive S2.2 million each of the next three years that he said have found . Department program that helps pay the costs of placing polite of- r, ficers in schools to help flake -- Continued from Page 1B them safe for students and teach- lice Department, New Futures for ers. The money will be used to Youth and the Centers for Youth provide 452 officers in schools in and Families helped district offi- more than 220 communities, cials put together a proposal for said the U.S. Department of Education has 2S! mental health services in middle million fnr local nmnncaic to cr<u schools. million for local proposals to,create or expand counseling tiro- This IS a very positive thing grams for elementary-agie'^.Sil- happening for us because its go- dren. ing to allow us to move forward in .. a , we nrenam ncvt tn a /oy^Srin?cnTn/it"
"^-year annjversmy of the tragedy at Columbine JJ^igh School, our thoughts turn .to. jhe safety of our communities, schools country through the deal with mental-health issues at J Students each of the eight middle schools native^duri^ his weekly radio next year and to staff short-tenn Tddre^ Saturday. Little Rock is suspension centers to be set up in' he only school district in Arkan- neighborhoods at churches, for ^2? example for students suspend- The initiative supports urban, ed for less than 10 days. t ural and suburban schools that Grant money will allow the dis- ise community-based and public trict to expand a program de- chool services to prevent vio- signed to teach teens parenting ence in schools and provide op- skills and provide them with lortunities for healthy child de- strategies to stay in school. The elopmenL district will also start a program These districts are bringing to help parents communicate bet- chool nurses and counselors to- ter with their teen-agers. .ether to respond to warning signs A lot of times parents dont :ke depression or bullying, Clin- taow how to ask the right ques- n said. "They are improving tions, nor do they know how to ask lassroom security and expanding the right questions if their chil- iter-school and mentoring pro- dren get into trouble, Austin rams. said. This program just helps Linda Young Austin, the Little them figure out what kinds of ock districts director of plan- questions to ask and how to ask
ng and development, said some them and get answers. f the money will be used to fill . The grant will also be used for ew positions for staff members violence-prevention and peer-me- ?sponsible for security on buses diation programs to help students d for substance abuse preven- learn to get aloi^ and communi- ou- ,
.cate positively with one another. Austin said the need for those ositions was 1 '' as to receive one of the grants.
s a Austin said the Little Rock Po- brotght up last year -vr-" ----------- See SCHOOLS,' Page 3B i and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education. Marking the first anniversary of the shooting deaths at Columbine High School, Clinton announced $120 million in federal and children, Clinton said.,^11 of us parents, schools, comjpu- nities and government share responsibility to keep kids safe,' On April 20,1999, two students al Columbine High in Littleton, Colo., fatally shot 12 students pnd a teacher before killing themselves. ,, Clintons proposals drew^in- gTMts Saturday for a variety of things, including placing more po- . . ------ lice officers in schools and help- comment from Republicans, ing even the youngest kids cope Republican critics said theied- with problems. ,... eral government is a clumsy nud- Besides the $41 million grants dleman in trying to cope .wjth for schools, Clinton: problems that should beSid- Announced that he and first Messed locally. They cast .dhubt lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will whether the teen confererice hold a White House Conference accomplish anything, aeon Teen-agers on May 2 to talk Clinton of ignoring .media through the challenges of raising shouifi^p- responsible children. P" sentences for 'ai^e violence and said he shouli port stiff jail sentences fori carrying a firearm in a violei aiMn lle^o Unveiled that school districts violeor across the country will receive tte ^^S'^^^ated crime. ..4 round of funding Information for this article was contribSed for COPS in School/ a Justice by 77je Associated Press .5 drug-related Arkansas Democrat ^(^zizette | THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2000 $250,000 to enable LR schools to plan reform of high schools Carnegie grant includes eligibility for $8 million to implement ideas BY CYNTHI.A HOWELL .ARK.ANS.AS DEMOt R-Xr-GAZETTE The Carnegie Corp, has awarded the Little Rock School District and New Futures for Youth a $250,000 grant to develop a plan on how it would reform the cifys high schools. The planning grant makes the Little Rock district and New Futures eligible for an even larger .award up to $8 million to carryout the plan it would develop. Little Rock is one of 10 sites in the country to get the grant from the Carnegie Corp, of New- York. School districts and communitypartners in Boston, Chattanooga. Tenn.: Houston
Indianapolis: Portland, Ore.
Providence. R.I.
Sacramento, Calif
San Diego
and Worcester, Mass., also got planning grants. ' Last February-, the Carnegie Corp, invited 21 school districts and their community- partners to apply for Schools for a New Society planning grants. Only five of the 10 planning grant winners will ultimately be awarded implementation grants in the fall of 2001. The implementation grants are worth up to $8 million each to be paid over five years. We are excited about the op- portunity the Carnegie ^ant provides the community, Little Rock school Superintendent Les Car- nine said Wednesday. "We are particularly pleased because it gives principals, teachers, parents, students and the community an opportunity to create a quality- futuristic high school program. The goal of the Carnegie initiative is to improve all high schools in a district through new ideas for secondary education and on new expectations for teachers, students, parents, administrators and school curricula. , , While most cities have a few- excellent, competitive and magnet
high schools, too many students still attend large, impersonal, poorly performing comprehensive schools, where too little is offered arid too little is expected, said Michele Cahill, the senior program officer for Carnegie and the creator of the Schools for a New Society initiative. Cahill called districtwide re- fomi of urban high schools a daunting and urgent problem of public education. "With this initiative, Carnegie Corp, will encourage and support the development of high schools for all students where there is effective teaching and learning ... and where there are clear pathways to higher education, careers and communitv' participation." she said. School districts and communitj' partnerships were selected for the grants on the basis of their potential to "overcome entrenched barriers to change, ignore outdated assumptions and identify creative solutions to chronic problems. according to a Carnegie news release announcing the grants. Little Rock was noted in particular for a long-standing relationship behveen the school district and New Futures for Youth, a coalition of school district, city, judicial. religious. business. health, public assistance and higher education officials focused on improving the academic success of students, particularly black or impoverished students. New Futures was formed in 1988 as the result of a $7.5 million grant from the national Annie E. Casey Foundation. New Futures and the district have a long experience of workini together, and their work on middle schools offers a promise of success for high schools. Cahill said. One of the first steps in developing plans for each of Little Rocks five high schools will be to hire a project director, Don Crary, executive director of New Futures, said Wednesday. That person, who will be on the New Futures staff, will oversee efforts to go out and bring in whatever national expertise is available on how schools can raise achievement for students. Crary said the Carnegie Corp, has committed to help identify sources of information on successful schools and school districts. The planning grant will be used to send Little Rock people to see successful schools as well as bring experts in. "I think there will be a plan for each school." Crary said. Some schools have already begun doing some things. Well look at what they are doing and help them build on that with the national expertise. Additionally, the coalition will look at how the community can be involved in the planning and otherwise make known what it wants from the citys high schools. "In a lot of places there is a sense that what a community- wants is more options for kids at the high school level. Crary said. "It seems people want a lot more options for students, so they can begin to specialize in areas of interest and even begin making connections with the business community, possibly through internships. Crary said the planning process is likely to look at staff development issues and the size and organization of the high schools. Planners. for example, are likely to ! consider whether alternate sizes ! for high schools might be beneficial. Cahill said the corporation is expecting from the districts a vari- oh nf rloftnitinnc pAr (JaaH hiah ' et\ of definitions for good high schools, programs that will benefit large numbers of students in a school, strong new instructional focuses, bold changes at the ninthgrade levels because of large numbers of students repeating the grade, small learning communities and partnerships with higher education institutions. Districts that do not ultimately get the $8 million implementation grant are still expected to benefit J from the program because they will have developed strate^c plans and strengthened community partnerships, said Neil Grabois, vice president and director of strategic planning for Carnegie. The efforts wont be wasted, he said, adding that funding for implementation of the plans may be available from other sources. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2001 7 school distncts to get learning centers program money THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Seven school districts across Arkansas have been tagged to receive money under the U.S. Education Departments 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The districts are: Little Rock, $640,939
Van Buren, $474,097
Hamburg, $467,305
Marked Tree, $372,053
Conway, $368,243
Watson Chapel, $319,061
Gurdon, $155,920. The new program is designed to provide tutoring and homework help, academic enrichment opportunities, college preparatory assistance and enrichment through arts including chorus, band and drama. Technology education, drug and violence prevention counseling, supervised recreational opportunities and services for youth with disabilities are also provisions of the program. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said grants totaling nearly $213 million will be made to school districts in 46 states.July 2 5. 2 0 0 2 Grant to help schools combat energy costs ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The Energy Unit of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development has been awarded an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue Energy Smart Schools. The project, part of the Rebuild Arkansas program, helps make buildings more energy-eflficient, functional and cost-effective. School districts in the program include Altheimer, Altus-Denning, Caddo Hills, Dumas, Forrest City, Little Rock, Mammoth Spring, Marked Tree, Oark, Poyen, Shirley and Stuttgart. The project, which identifies communities and, school districts that have buildings to construct or buildings that have historic significance, transforms the facilities into Energy Smart Schools. The energy savings will be documented and reported to the community, the school district, the state and the Department of Entergy. Gov. Mike Huckabee has also awarded $25,000 to the Arkansas Department of Economic Development Energy Unit as a match for the federal grant The grant is part of a contract that the Energy Unit has with the Ozark Energy Group, which coordinates the Rebuild Arkansas program. More information is available at (800) 275-2672. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 28. 2002 Teaching of histon focus of U.S. grant | The Little Rock School District learned this week that it sViVff '""I"" three-year. S995.953 Teaching American History Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The money is to be used to provide ongoing professional development on US. history and teachmg practices to 123 American history teachers in grades five, eight and 11. The district will partner with I variety of institutions for the resources for the training, including Colonial WUliamsburg the University of Arkansas at Little Rocks department of history and Central High Historic
National Park Site. a The purpose of the grant is I to develop a cadre of K.CVC1OP a cadre of master teachers in American history and a collection of innovative lesson plans that will include the use of state of the art technol- ogy-o o <N co 6 schools in LR district get a boost from grant Funds to enhance advanced placement programs a. < BY ANDREW DeMILLO ARKANSAS hl'MOCRAT-GAZETIE The Little Rock School District was awarded a $1.3 million grant to increase the number of low- and middle-income students taking advanced placement courses, school and federal officials announced Monday. The two-year grant, distributed through the No Child Left Behind Act, will create the Accelerated Student Achievement Program at six district schools, interim superintendent Morris Holmes said at a news conference at Hall High School. This money is going somewhere. Holmes said. This energy and excitement is going somewhere. The schools participating in tlie program are Hall and Mc- Clellan high schools and Henderson, Cloverdale, Southwest and Mabelvale middle schools. Through the program, which begins May 1, advanced placement teachers will participate in conferences, workshops and other professional development opportunities. The program also includes online resources for high school students, tutoring and a college preparation awareness program for middle school students. Nina Rees, deputy undersecretary for innovation and improvement in the U.S. Department of Education, said the grant is intended to increase student participation in advanced placement. If you offer the coursework, the students will come, she said ,, See GRANT, Page 8B B fc* / 1 I I I pi'!' r ^1- .4' I ! i i // lU /1 I / Arkansas Democral-Gazetle/STEVE KEESEE Nina Rees, a deputy undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Education, presents a check to the Little Rock School District for $1.3 million on Monday. The grant will be used for the districts advanced placement program. Rees made tfie announcement during a ceremony al Hall High School. I Grant Continued from Page 1B at the news conference. We have to make sure the funding comes available. In the 2002-03 school year, enrollment for advanced place- I ment course in the district was 3,287. Students taking more than one course may be counted multiple times in that figure. Preparing students for college is a moral issue, Holmes said. It is wrong for us to continue down this road and not have a significantly larger number of our children excel, he said. The grant is part of the federal advanced-placement incentives program. President Bushs 2005 budget includes a 119 percent increase for the incentives program, from $23.5 million to $51.5 million, Rees said. The goal of the grant is to in-struction, said he also hopes to increase the number of students who take the advanced placement exams. We have very few students proportionately who take the AP exam, Glasgow said. Thats something we need to change. The program also aims to increase awareness among parents of middle and high school students, Cleaver said, including regular parent meetings and district- wide parent conferences. A lot of times, theyre not aware of it, Cleaver said. Weve got to work with the counselors and the families to let them know about these courses and how they can help. April 3, 2 0 0 3 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/BENJAMIN KRAIN Mann Middle School science teacher Jason Finney receives $5,000 from members of the Public Education Foundation of Little Rock who made a surprise visit to his class Wednesday. Finney applied for the grant to start a program allowing students to use computers to analyze the weather. LR foundation awards grants wortii $94,750 to24sdiools BY CHRISTOPHER SPENCER ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Like a sweepstakes prize patrol, members of the Public Education Foundation of Little Rock blitzed through 24 schools Wednesday morning, surprising teachers with money for school programs. This is ... you definitely surprised me, said Mann Middle School band director Lori Muis, who was flabbergasted as she received balloons and a check for $1,000 for a Music to Share program to buy musical instruments. Yeah, she is the best teacher ever, said student Chris Via, 14, who was playing bells in the front of the classroom. See GRANTS, Page 10B Thursday, April 8, 2004 Ajfcmsas Democrat (Gazette Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/BENJAMtN KRAIN Yvette Goldmon, a fifth-grade teacher at David 0. Dodd Elementary School, is awarded $4,919 in grant money Wednesday by the Public Educa-tion Foundation of Uttle Rock. Members of the foundation visited 19 schoois in Little Rock to surprise and recognize outstanding teachers. Foundation enriches LR schooling Grants buy band instruments, pay for field trips, fund student studies BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE At Little Rocks Western Hills Elementary School, the fourth-and fifth-grade bands rendition of the Polly Waddle Doodle nursery rhyme is about to crescendo, thanks to a Public Ed-ucation Foundation of Little Rock grant to music teacher Cynthia Buehling. The $3,605 award will enable Buehling to expand her 35-mem-ber, after-school band to 46 members. Buehlings grant was one of 26 grants totaling about $85,000 distributed to unsuspecting teachers throughout Little Rock on Wednesday. Three separate school-bus loads of balloon-carrying community leaders including Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey, Lt. Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, Interim School District Superintendent Morris Holmes and Education Foundation President John Riggs IV swept into 19 schools and assorted classrooms to present teachers with oversized checks, hugs and handshakes while sometimes puzzled students looked on. Im so excited! Buehling exclaimed repeatedly over the applause of adults and the music of her fourth-graders, who continued to blow into their recorders. We dont have as many band instruments as we have students who really want to participate, Buehling told visitors about the band program that stresses both music and good citizenship. I wrote this grant [request] to get more instruments and more inSee GRANTS, Page 10B 'tM L?.. Arkansas Democral-Gaiene/BENJAMIN KRAIN Cynthia Buehling, a music teacher at Western Hills Elementary School, is awarded $3,605 by Laura Dormus (left) and members of the Public Education Foundation of Little Rock on Wednesday The foundation surprised teachers In their classrooms all over the Little Rock School District with grants for the Innovative Ideas Grant Program. Grants Continued from Page IB strument-repair equipment so more students can participate. Buehling, who volunteers her time after school to teach and conduct the band, said she had convinced herself that she probably wouldn't get a grant this year because she had heard the competition was stiff. I had no clue, no duel she said. At Wilson Elementary, the presentation of $1,956 to teachers Nancy Ivy of Wilson, Carolyn Gray of Franklin Elementary, and Anne Meazle of Rightsell Elementary brought tears to Grays eyes. "This isnt good for an old womanl" said Gray, a 38-year teaching veteran, as she quickly regained her composure. This is fantastic! The teachers, along with Michelle Kavanaugh from Cloverdale Elementary, coordinate gifted- and-talented education programs at their schools. The teachers will use the money to enhance their 3-year-old Landmarks social studies program in which pupils in grades three through five research and sometimes visit city, state and national landmarks lUte the Old State House in Little Rock, the Old Mill in North Little Rock and Hot Springs National Park. We didnt think children knew enough about where they live and they werent exposed to these landmarks, Taylor said about the motivation for the program. This money will allow us to do these field trips. It will allow us, possibly, to go on an out-of- state venture, maybe to St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch. The grants awarded Wednesday ranged in value from $325 for the development of a butterfly garden at Romine Elementary School to as much as Recipients of Public Education Foundation of Little Rock grants prepare pupils for the Arkansas A summer enhancement program to The Public Education Foundation Benchmark Exams. improve math, literacy and high-of Little Rock awarded Utile Rock Carver Elementary, $781, Su- schod survival skills will be offered School District educators more than san J. Daniel. Learning from School to all incoming ninth-graders. $85,000 in grants Wednesday. The to Home."Take-home packs of activ- Hall High, $4,390, Jane Meadgrants are intended to support Hies in math, science, language arts, ows F.O.C.U.S. (Forwarding Other teachers' innovative efforts to raise music and in motor skills are sent Cultures Under-Represented in Sci-student achievement. The recipients home each week with kindergarten ence)." A science fair research lab include
children to share with their parents, will be established to increase stu- Jefferson Elementary, $4,870, dent opportunities for science reARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Wilson, Franklin, Cloverdale ------------- . . . and Rightsell elementaries, Carmen Walker. Kinder Gardens." search and education. $1,956, Nancy Ivy. Landmarksa Children will learn basic math and Mann Magnet Middle, $5,000, collaborative social studies unit on science skills through agricultural Jamie McKenney. Fourche Creek city, slate and national landmarks for cultivation and production of pump- Service Learning Project." The proj-third-, fourth- and fifth-grade gifted kins, sunflowers and flowers. eel is a community-based study of education students. Volunteers in Public Schools, Ihe ecological, environmental, bio- Booker Elementary, $1,800, $4,000, Debbie Milam, Project Men- logical, geologicat, chemical and Marilyn Burruss, "Malh-terpieces" tor" to expand the existing school- economic issues in the development the study of math, art, technology based mentoring program that of a nature center around Fourche and language arts by fifth grade matches adults with low-achieving Creek. special needs/resource students students in grades 4-7. Forest Heights Middle, $2,500, ............... -------- Romine Elementary, $325, De- Margaret Wang. Integrating Uter-ation of a book. fores Banks. Butterfly Garden." Stu- acy Into Science" This project will inWestern Hills Elementary, dents will research, design and es- tegrate literacy into the science $3,605, Cynthia Buehling, "B.A.N.D." tablish a butterfly garden at Ihe en- classroom. Behavior, Attitude, Notable, Disci- trance of Romine's Magnum Opus Mabefvale Middle, $2,158^Palsy pline provides instrumental music in- Park. Lewis Petals and Feathers." Stu-struction to fourth- and fifth-grade Meadowcliff Elementary, dents with special education needs students. ' " ' ' "* through the use of art and the ere* $4,021, Karen Carter. "Project BAG- will establish and maintain gardens Watson Elementary, $4,500, IT (Books Are Great Inspire To- that will include bird feeding stations, Sandra Hinson. "Reading For Infor- gather)" to provide reading bag Henderson Middle, $1,000, mation." The school will update and for each child in the building to help Marvin Burton. Student Challenge" diversify the science, geography and increase parenVehild interaction in
a three-semester long reward biography book collections and pur- literacy. The students will use the program4.to, .j^allenge students in chase Accelerated Reader Books bags to take home literacy activities, sixth through^ighth grades., to be-and Accelerated Reader Tests to . Hall High/Central High, $3,i75, come high awievers on standard-motivate student readers. Beverly Smiley. "Computer-aided Bi- ized tests. Dodd Elementary, $4,919, ology Labs." The school will buy a Mann Ma.g net Middle,. $1,.000, Martha Lowe, Math At Work." Guest site license to Biology Labs On-Line Rick Washam. "Rowher & Jerome speakers, field Irips and student and the appropriate CD applications Internment Camp Monument & Edu-economic projects will show pupils for dassroom use. cationaJ Garden Project The devel- how math concepts are essential in McClellan High, $1,500, Terrie opment of a visible, lasting tribute to the work world. Evans. G.A.M.E.S. {Growing And the Japanese Internment Camps by Baseline Elementary, $2,982, Maturing Educationally & Socially)." students in the Environmental Spa- Rebekah Martin, Leap Into Learn- Students considering teaching as a tial and Technology program, ing. Eighteen Leap Pad Learning profession will work with students Central, Parkview, Hall, McClel- Systems with interactive activity and with special needs. Ian highs, $18,800, Vanessa game books will be purchas^ for Hall High/Central High, $3,169, Cleaver. "S.M.A.R.T. (Summer Malh-pre- kindergarten pupils. Elizabeth Lucker. "BOOKIN' IT ematics Advanced Readiness Train- Washlngton Elementary, Through My Life." Family and con- ing) a two-week, half-day sum- $3,741, Reva Viswanathan, "Write sumer sciences students will devel- mer program for rising eighth- and Washington With Might." Dictionaries and the- op keepsake scrapbooks. ninth-graders who will be enrolled in sauruses will be purchased f'o r the Parkview High, $5,000, Linda Algebra 1 in the 2004-2005 school school's Writing Guild program to G. Brown. Patriot All-Star Academy. year. student learning and improve includes parents, business and $5,000. The Parkview Magnet tte_a_ch_er qu_a_lit,y .a..n. d b.ring the community leaders, government High netted a top-dollar grant, community into the mix, said leaders, and school board mem-for its year-old All Star Academy, a summer program on high school survival and academics for all ninth-graders. Mann Magnet Middle School also got a $5,000 grant for its Fourche Creek Service Learning project that will enable students to conduct environmental and economic studies during the development of a nature center in the area. Cynthia East, a member of the bers. board of directors for the P~ ub- Financial donors to the'fqun-lie Education Foundation. "These dation make the grants and oth-grants bring all of that togeth- er projects of the foundation poser. Its extremely exciting. sible. Major donors include En- East co-chaired the grant re- tergy Arkansas, Fifty for the Fu-view panel that evaluated more ture, Lt. Gov. and Mrs. Win Rock-than 90 applications for the efeller, Roy and Christine Stur-awards, given for the second con- gis Foundation, Merrill Lynch, secutive year. Regions Bank, GDI Construction, The foundation is a nonprof- Metropolitan National Bank, and it organization operated by a 27- Bird and Bear Medical Inc. Our goals are to improve memb er 'b oard' o'f di rectors th' at Another funding source for the foundation is the Honor A Teacher Program, through wliich parents and other school supporters can donate to the grant program. Riggs, the foundation's president, said the innovative grant program enables the community to recognize and support outstanding teachers and replicate their ideas in other classrooms. Today is a celebration of excellence in the classroom, Riggs said. Its one step in the journey of having the best school district in Arkansas and the best school district in this region. I 2B THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005 .mJ' > Arkansas Democral-Gazelte/STATON BREIDENTHAL Media specialist Donna Clark (center) and counselor Lee Vanenk (right) react after receiving a $2,500 grant from Ginny Kurrus on Wednesday morning at Mabelvale Elementary School. Prize patrol delivers checks to 14 schools Public Education Foundation awards $58,447.98 in grants to educators in LR BY VAN JENSEN ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE lum. Thank you ail so much, Out- Shrieks, yells, laughter and ap- iaw said before leading her class plause could be heard in schools onward. Grants for Little Rock schools across Little Rock on Wednesday, At Chicot Elementary the as balloon-toting visitors burst crew surprised Marsha Hunter into classrooms to hand out over- and her class in a computer lab. sized checks to educators. Hunters $3,420 check will go The Public Education Foundation of about Chinese art, music, science, math LitSe Pock provided grants to pay for 21 and cultural, economic and religious as-educatjon programs Wednesday. peels of the Chinese way of life Here are the schools, program, grant Central High $3,967.41. Summer For the third year, the Public toward computer technology to Education Foundation of Little enrich students vocabulary, cre- Rock gave out Innovative Grants ative writing and technological to teachers and principals at 14 skills. schools in the Little Rock School Oh my gosh, one student District. In all, the foundation yelled. Is that real? contributed $58,447.98 to 21 programs at the schools. Members of the foundation said they hoped the program Its wonderful, said Larry would encourage teachers to Lichty, a foundation board mem- come up with new learning prober. Its just such a great way to grams. recognize teachers. And, they said, some teachers Foundation board members, have received continued funding Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey, through these grants because of Little Rock School District Su- the benefit of their program. perintendent Roy Brooks and Foundation board member others gathered at the founda- Virgil Miller said its exciting to tion office Wednesday morning give out the money. before boarding three y, ellow People get excited when you school buses each taking part give out money, he said. Thats of the Prize Patrol to different my experience. schools. And, he said, the grants go to- A third of the crew went first ward a good cause. to Baseline Elementary, where Youre funding something in-they planned to surprise two novative, trying to improve stu-teachers with grants. Unfortu- dent achievement, Miller said, nately, their arrival was so unex- Everybody benefits. How could pected that the principal and one you not love that? of the teachers werent there. In ail, 31 major individual and But the group did come corporate donors put money into across Ashley Outlaw as she led the grants. In its three years, the her kindergarten class through a program has doled out $243,500. hallway. Brooks said its nice to be able Outlaw gave a startled shout, to help out some deserving edu-eyes wide, and her students be- cators. gan cheering. I cant tell you how excited The group handed over a we are about this day, he said, check for $2,131.39, to be spent We get to do some wonderful on books and educational games things for some wonderful teach-to supplement the basic curricu- ers. amount and desaipbon of the Mathematics Bridge. Incoming ninthgraders work on Pro-Algebra strategies Baseline Elementary $5,000. to help prepare them for Algebra I. Fundamental Fiction. The money will be Central High $4,000. With Liberty used to purchase fiction books. and Justice for All: CMi Rights Memory Baseline Elementary $2,131.39. Project and Virtual Museum. Helps Monday Backpacks, A collection of ninth-graders adjust to high school and books, poems, songs and games used prepares them for critical thinking and to supplement the basic curriculum. writing. Chicot Elementary$3,420. Visual Hail High $3,035.50. Stop, Drop Reality. Uses visual technology to enrich and Read. Provides books and free vocabulary, creative writing arid techno- time for student to read for pleasure in logical skills. several classes. Mabelvale Elementary $2,500. Hall High $2,508.70. A Picture Character is the Key. A program that Paints a Thousand Words. Students in a teaches kindergartners through sec- Spanish for Native Speakers class study ond-graders aixiut honesty, integrity Spanish literature and produce a work and respect. of art to serve as an interpretation of one David 0. Dodd Elementary$3,500. of the pieces of literature read. Just the Facts, Please. A project that IHallHigh$3,142.50. Analyze This teaches nonfiction reading strategies to and Thal Uses software to improve per-third- and fourth-graders. formance in several Advanced Place- J.A. Fair $2,300. C.A.M.R (Chai- merit courses. lenging Adventures Mean Progress), Southwest Middle $670. Mustang Teachers provide experiential education Horticultural Club. Students will learn activities to students in a camp setting, horticultural and marketing skills. Washington Elementary $1,000. Meadowcliff Elementary $2,000. Centers of Achievement. Establishes a Project DREAM. Students take online literacy program for a special education quizzes on books they have read. '^assroom. Geyer Springs Elementary Washington Elementary $550. $4,864.13. Childrens Book Bag Recipes for Success. Cooking projects Challenge. Kindergarten through fifth-for special na^ds students. grade students will receive a bag of Washington Elementary $2,000. non-fiction material. Living and Learning Museum. Shows Parkview High -$5,000. Parkview the relationship between math and his- All-Star Academy, Summer enhance-tory, science and language arts, men! program for all incoming ninth-fl Rightsell Elementary $750. graders. STOMP (Striving Toward Our Musical fl Parkview High$5,000. Smart Mu- Potential) Out Loud. Integrates musical sic: Developing Musicianship through skills and helps reinforce literacy and Technology. A computer-based practice math skills at all grade levels. program used to improve the curricula fl Dunbar Middle $1,100. Bringing for woodwind, brass, string and vocal China to Arkansas. Includes leaminq students. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006 Balloons bear news of 21 LR School District grants dation of Little Rock to finance ports the 26,000-student Little the winning- scHnnls. two education initiatives at the Rock school system, the states This has really made my BY HEATHER WECSLER schools. Winning projects included greenhouse, butterfly garden and ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAzjii"it system Educators across the district a new vocabulary curriculum bird sanrtnary. Lyles, Srogging As soon as she saw the bal- Little Rock campus. largest. had applied for funding for 41 at Carver Magnet Elementary and Tracey Montgomery-Wilson loon-toting visitors waiting for For the fourth year, the foun- projects, said Laurie Baehr, the School and a program at Hail also received a $3,048.90 grant her in the Washington Magnet day, Lyles said after the an- dation delivered the awards foundations grants manager. A High School that uses algebra to for a computerized, interactive Elementary School library, Pau- nouncement. Publishers Clearing House-style, 14-member panel of foundation teach students such real world Smart Board to teach special letta Lyles knew what was com- Similar reactions could be presenting the educators who board members, former teach- skills as managing a budget and education students. ing. She pumped the air with her seen Tuesday at schools across won the grants with balloons ers and foundation volunteers applying to college. We want to do everything fists and ran to hug her fellow the Little Rock School District and oversized checks. Little selected the grant recipients. At Washington Elementary, we can to incorporate different teachers. as the foundation distributed Rocks version of the Prize Pa- The projects have to im- Lyles and her colleagues Phillip learning styles, said Lyles, a Lyles, along with some of her $70,833 in Innovative Idea Grants trol included foimdation board prove student achievement, and HaJlum Lou Ross and Ann Scog- special education teacher. And colleagues, soon learned that to fund 21 education projects, members, city and district offi- we also wanted grants to help gins successfully applied for a these projects will make sure they had received two grants The foundation is an indepen- cials, and community volunteers increase parental involvement, $4,500 grant to let students build our kids are part of the full cur- from the Public Education Foun- dent nonprofit group that sup- who traveled by school bus to Baehr said. an outdoor classroom including a riculum.2006 Innovative Idea Winning Grant recipients ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Forest Park Elementary and Wil- therapists to plan and provide expert- for the grant to their teachers. The Public Education liams Elementary HOPE Helping ential activities that will enhance the - Foundation of Little Rock on gross and fine motor skills, eye and tions' Award: $3,296.70 hand coordination, agility, communi- _______________Laughlin, Teresa cation, and endurance of students ects in the Little Rock School Carpenter District Helping Other People through The 2006 Innovative Idea children about Winning Grants went to the nrepreneurship and philanthropy - by providing them with small loans Tuesday awarded $70,833 in grants to 21 education proj- following schools and teachers: Other People through Enterprise with disabilities. Otter Creek Elementary Expedi- Award: $4,804.06 Staff: Teddi Cole Expeditions is an interactive Jefferson Elementary Reading study of world geography based on to Learn Award: $4,999.28 The Amazing Race television show. Students will integrate technology, to start their own businesses. Profits from the sale of student-created Staff: Beverly Hendrix. Nathalie social studies, language arts and Massanelli, Amber Matthews mathematics as teams compete to Bale Elementary Backpack products will be donated to charity. S^JCidies Fulbright Elementary Text Talk Award: 2,452.50 Reading to Learn will integrate fill their treasure chests with items science books into the current first- from various countries. Award: $3,264.62 Staff: Ramona Geurin, Laura Shiver, Ashley Andrews grade guided-reading curriculum to Parkview Magnet High School enable students to read nonfiction as Parkview All-Star Academy Award: $5,000 Staff: Celestine Piggee, Leigh Staff: Beth Johnson, Gay Wyatt , - Text Talk is a vocabulary instruc- . , , _ . , ,, . Backpack Buddies are back- tion program to develop understand- Mabelvale Middle School Using _ ucii.j ...ix,. ------^. x,------ .. . . - Games to Increase Student Achieve- Cole, Judy Warren, Jeremy Owoh well as fiction books. packs filled with literacy-building ac- ing among kindergarteners through tivities to encourage at-home read- third-graders of word meanings ing between the students and their through oral language activities. buddies." Brady Elementary Reading without Barriers Award: $1,498.85 Staff: Beverty Cook, Melissa Hannah parental involvement and direct instruction. Hall High School The Real World Project Award: $3,176.68 Staff: Coniell Bursae, Yolanda ment Award: $4,154 The Patriot All-Star Academy is a summer enhancement program to Staff: Nancy Harris, Annita Paul, improve the math and literacy skills Paula Smith of all incoming ninth-graders. This project will enable the math Washington Magnet Elementary coach to purchase or make games Living and Learning for use in teaching and reinforcing . _.. sixth-grade math concepts. Award: $4,500 Staff: Phillip Hallum, Lou Ross, Reading without Barriers will use Bush, Tiffany Jackson, Felicia Wil- Mabelyale Middle School Dig- B**!** l-yl' Ann Scoggins technology to scan books onto disks s**, Tonya Johnson, Louisa Rook, 9''*9 Heritage Garden Studerits will build and use an ............................ - - . Award: $3,897.44 outdoor classroom consisting of a so that computers can read to stu- Kimberly Van Meter, Demar Sand__________ ............. Campbell, Kathey greenhouse, butterfly garden, and develop spelling, word recognition Bladmall, Bemestein Rhodes^, Carla . bird sanctuary to explore wildlife pop- | and comprehension skills. Harris .. Digging a Heritage Garden will ulations, habitats, ecosystems and i Carver Magnet Elementary Extending Vocabulary through Read- Alouds Award: $1,230 Staff: Laurie Yarbrough, Kathy Dober All primary-grade teachers at Carver will be trained to use Text Talk, a supplementary vocabulary program. They will then host parent nights to provide Text Talk tools lor use at home. Chicot Elementary TechKnow Award: $3,815 Staff: Leola Reids, Marsha Hunt- dents with disabilities to help them Midiael Clark, Betty Larry, Reva The Real World Project will teach ooh, hands-on learning expert- interactions among living things, ninth-graders the uses for Algebra I, eoces using the JunWr Master Gar- Washington Magnet Elementary as well as how to manage a bud- dener program curriculum to develop Touching the Future get, create a resume and apply to od grow a heritage garden that will college. The project will be capped serve as a scientific learning labora- with visits to central Arkansas col- *'Y- lege campuses. The project goal is Mann Magnet Middle School to bridge the gap between the stu- Outdoor Learning Center dents'idea of success and the reality -------- of achieving it. Award: $5,000 Award: $3,048.90 Staff: Ann Scoggins, Pauletta Lyles, Tracey Montgomery-Wilson This project will use a computerized, interactive white board to integrate functional reading, writing and math skills Staff: Rick Washam, Jamie McK- with computer literacy for the schools Hall High School Graphic Novels enney, Stephanie Jones special education population. for Literacy The Outdoor Learning Center Western Hills Elementary Books Awarded: $3,900 will enable teachers and students far B.A,N.D, Staff: Trina Bright, Jennifer Diggs, to research and explore ecological, Mary Casto environmental, biological, geological. Award: $635.85 Staff: Cynthia Buehling Graphic Novels for Literacy will chemical and economic issues con- Grant money will be used to pur- provide a variety of classroom sets cerning the future development of an chase instruction books and CDs, interactive Smart Boards and of graphic novels to encourage vol- area near the school. along with materials to build a music faUMChfaacomDuteTm?t^aS?dT ac*''' student Mann Magnet Middle School storage cabinet, for the Behavior, At- era^Si ccT'oulum. _ Explore the Worldl The Global rtuP. Notability, Discipline program, _ . ... .. . J-A. Fair High School CAMP Explorers Experience a once-a-week instrumental music ............ Award: $2,675 program far students. er Forest Heights Middle SchooF FUN Challenging Adventures iramily:Night Science Project - - i . - ' Mean-ProgressFfastering Unique Award: $2,483.79 Needs Stafft, Margaret Wang, Wends^' Staff: Jason Rnney. Robin Zim- Wilson Elementary Books for mer, Barbara Gilbert-Wise Foundations of Reading Award: $2,000 Wendyf' Award: $5,000 Twenty-five seventh-grade ge- Staff: Ruth Eyres, Tamara Baker, ography students and three social Five parent/student science. Denise Nesbitt, Jennifer Jimenez Staff
Kelly Calkins r AMD CUM 'll UI r, studios teachets will attend a two- SpanishZ&glish fiction and nonfic- f Il u 'u rUN Will enable Commu- day cultural immersion program at Son books will be added to the schools ?m7 JhLiM nity-Based InstmeSon teachers and Heifer Ranch, a nonprofit facility in permanent library collecSon far Se by the 2006-2007 school year. occupational, physical, and speech Perryville. Students brought the idea students, parents and staff: * nights, featuring inquiry-based sci-Grants Continued from Page IB In all, the foundation gave 32 grants, totaling $94,750. The money will be used to for programs to enrich school curriculums and give teachers a chance to use creative approaches to learning, said foundation executive director Vicki Saviers. "These are innovative ideas and you have to give teachers an opportunity to try new ideas even when sometimes they dont have the money, Saviers said. The projects are diverse. Mann Middle School students will use computers to analyze weather as part of its School Weathernet Program. Washington Elementary will use its grant to diversify and expand its library offerings. And Gibbs Elementary students will design a quilt that illustrates the experience of Japanese children imprisoned in Arkansas two internment camps during World War n. This is just excellent, said Mary Thompson, the presidentelect of Pulaski Heights Middle Schools Parent-Teacher Association and mother of two children in the district. The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving schools in the Little Rock School District. That goal along with the grants is something the community can only benefit from, Thompson said. Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey agreed. Obviously, creating a better school system is something that helps the community, but even more important than that, is the symbolic act of recognizing these teachers ... of going out to the schools and personally say- ing 'thank you and good work, he said. Little Rock schools receiving grants Read to Jfie Public Education Foundation of Little Pock awarded $94,750 to the following Little Rock School District schools Wednesday. The teachers who applied for the grants will use the money to start creative programs. Central High, ^,900, Stage A Carver Elementary, $965, digital imaging program. Washington Elementary, $5,000, Reading On Up. Mann Middle, $1,000, Music To Share. Mann Middle, $5,000, Using computers to analyze weather. Gibbs Elementary: $1,627, Life Interrupted: The Japanese Internment. King Magnet, $4,725, Lion Club Camp. Watson Elementaiy, $4,000, Cultural and Physical Diversity Awareness. Chicot Elementary, $4,700, literacy program with a parenting component. Otter Creek Elementary, $2,300, Otter Pockets reading program. Dodd Elementary, $3,944, Dodd Mini-Mall economics program. J,A. Fair High, $1,000, multidisciplinary study of The Crucible. J.A. Fair High, $5,000, Powerful Presentations by Kids. J.A. Fair High, $2,000, Outdoor Learning Center. Wilson Elementary, $3,994, drama program. Central High, $1,490, Literacy in Physics. Fair Park Elementary, $1,000, Fair Park Band Program. Fair Park Elementary, $724, Fair Park Stock Market Team. Fair Park Elementary, $5,000, Story Characters writing program. Fair Park Elementary, $3,000, Fair Park Family Readers. Forest Heights Middle, $2,000, Multimedia in the Classroom. Forest Heights Middle, $776, Seventh Grade Literacy Fair. Hall High, $4,000, Celebrating Diversity. Southwest Middle, $1,500, Urban 4-H. Southwest Middle, $1,500, Business Theories/Application. Parkview High, $4,850, Parkview All-Star Academy. Brady Elementary, $2,215, Second grade science project. McDermott Elementary, $5,000, Discovery Lab. Fulbright Elementary, $1,770, Special Needs Advancements. Fulbright Elementary, $4,750, Creating the Interactive Classroom. Alternative Learning Center, $1,000, Great Books reading program. Five elementary schools, $5,000, Art Bug project. 1 I ivl dozen educational foundations exist, including ones in Pulaski County Special, Van Buren and El Dorado school districts. Nationwide, an estimated $1.5 billion has been raised by about 4,000 foundations, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Public Education Network, which tracks such organizations. Most of the grants will pay for programs that begin next fall. Once the programs are complete, the fouhdation will evaluate the grant program. We are going to be good stewards to our doriors. That is very iEppdrtarit to us, Saviers said-Thfe
grants all have an elertto bf accounta- have an bility. And some out- standing sufeqeSs iis a program, there is alwA^^e^ oppor- tunity to* trictwide. W'S!" dis- Dailey, who rode along with the prize patrol, introduced the first award to a surprised teacher at Carver Elementary. Patricia Burns, a media specialist, was a bit speechless at first as Dailey announced the $985 grant in front of her class, but she quickly recovered and explained how the Candid Camera Kids program will teach students how to use digital cameras and manipulate digital images. I think it does mean a .lot. to these teachers to receive some validation from other adults who say, You are doing an excellent job. I think that means something, Saviers said. The foundation was formed last year and is administered by a 22-member board comprised of community leaders in business, education and city government. The foundation operates from funds and commit- ' ments of $500,000 raised over the past year. In Arkansas, at least three s:
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.