New Name, New Logo - Same Mission
Promote Reading at LRSD
The annual Little Rock School District reading initiative, formerly known as One District One Book, has undergone a name change - now One Rock One Book - but the mission remains the same, getting students excited about reading. A committee comprised of multiple LRSD stakeholders voted on the new name and logo and planned a virtual districtwide kickoff event for 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 28th.
Over twelve-thousand elementary school students will begin simultaneously reading "Billy Sure Kid Entrepreneur" for the next three weeks. This is the eighth such effort in a targeted literacy/reading focus by the Little Rock School District as part of its annual reading campaign. All elementary campuses will host a virtual launch on Thursday, which features an introductory video by Superintendent Mike Poore and TikTok style promotions by LRSD students and sponsors. In addition to encouraging family reading, the campaign also teaches financial literacy.
New this year, as students read Billy Sure Kid Entrepreneur, they will participate in virtual challenges that include "Shark Tank" style competitions designed to spark their creativity, critical thinking, and marketing abilities to design a product, which they hope to market, as well as pitch to win prizes.
Since beginning the reading effort in 2017 in conjunction with the national organization, Read to Them, LRSD students have read the Lemonade War, The World According to Humphrey, Cleo Edison Oliver - Playground Millionaire, Frank Einstein and the Electro Fingers, Zoey and Sassafras - Marshmallows and Dragons, and The One and Only Ivan. Students are provided books and materials free of charge thanks to generous community partners. Sponsors for the 2021 campaign include Rotary Club 99, Arvest Bank, Southwest Power Pool, Economics Arkansas, the Museum of Discovery, the Innovation Hub,
the Clinton Center, and the Venture Center.
Guest readers were enlisted to introduce each chapter of the book with pre recorded videos that will be posted to LRSD's website. The videos will be uploaded as students began new chapters.
Family guides were created to support the campaign and will be posted to the District's website, along with Spanish audio versions of the book. Families are also invited to share videos/photos of their time reading together on social media using the hashtag #LRSD1Rock1Book. Students created skits and musical performances tied to the book that will also be shared on social media. Requested hashtags are #LRSD1Rock1Book, #BSure2Read and #LRSDPowerofUS.
LRSD's efforts are also being used as a model across the country, including districts here in Arkansas.
For more information, contact Pamela Smith, 447-1030.
