District Insider Newsletter
May 2024 Edition
A Note from the Superintendent's Desk
Dear LISA Family,
This year, our students have accomplished wonderful things! I would especially like to recognize the hard work of all of our students who graduated or were promoted. Each of our schools hosted promotion ceremonies for families to celebrate Kindergarten, 5th, and 8th grade promotions, as well as our graduating seniors.
What a spectacular class of 2024 we have! This class contained a National Merit Scholar, 4 Governor's Distinguished Scholars, an Arkansas Times Academic All-Star Finalist, 3 All-State Coders, and much more.
The LISA Academy class of 2024 received over $6.5 million in scholarships. This is an incredible feat which deserves an applause. These students also volunteered thousands of combined hours to better our community, and this service is much appreciated.
Thank you to our parents for being their child's biggest supporter, and thank you to all our LISA educators who helped these students along their academic journeys so they may be prepared for the 21st century and to enter college or a career.
With this school year coming to a close, know how appreciative I am to each member of our LISA family. This is the 20th anniversary of LISA Academy, and the future years will see even more growth and success, thanks to each of you.
My heart especially goes out to our families and affected community in Rogers following the devastating tornado. We are keeping you in our thoughts. Please submit this survey if you were affected so our campus counselors may reach out with resources and support you during this time.
Best Regards,
Dr. Fatih Bogrek
Thank you, special speakers!
Thanks to the various speakers who were able to make the promotion and graduation ceremonies extra special! Your presence was greatly appreciated and is something our students will carry with them.
The Honorable Judge Mark Leverett, West High graduation speaker
Senator Kim Hammer, Hybrid graduation speaker
Senator Frederick Love, North Middle 8th grade promotion speaker
The Honorable Jamie Scott, North High graduation speaker
Representative Keith Brooks, West Middle 8th grade promotion speaker
Sherwood Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell, North Elementary 5th grade promotion speaker
Governor's Scholastic Awards 🌟
Seniors Vaidehi D. and Marco M. from North High and Ayushi P. and Mohammed N. were awarded Governor's Scholastic Awards by Gov. Sarah Sanders. The students were able to visit the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock and meet Gov. Sanders to receive their awards. This award is given to the top scholars in the state based on academic achievement. These students were also selected as Valedictorian and Salutatorian at their high schools, respectively.
West High student, Ayushi P. was also selected as an Arkansas Times Academic All-Star finalist.
From North High
From West High
13th Annual Language and Culture Festival
Thank you to all who attended the 13th Annual Language and Culture Festival at West High! This was a wonderful event where we were able to showcase our talented students and celebrate their diversity. The event was emceed by THV-11's Jurnee Taylor and Representative Ashley Hudson, Secretary Wes Ward, and Director of Arkansas Public Safety Mike Hagar were also in attendance.
Students supplied cultural foods, art projects, dancing, singing, and incredible cultural dress.
Arkansas Charter Conference Awards 🌟
Director of Special Education, Ms. Paula Webber, received the 2024 Changemaker Award. This honor is bestowed upon individuals who make positive change at their campus, and this is clear in Ms. Webber's dedication to improving our Special Education department and its offerings.
The Rogers-Bentonville Middle school campus was also awarded for Top Growth! Congratulations to the students, teachers, and administrators whose dedication to learning and growing together made this award possible.
Junior Division Soybean Science Challenge Award Winner
West Middle 8th grader, Sulyman A., was recognized for his project at the Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair titled "What is the effect of magnetic fields on germination and water absorption of soybeans?"
Nationwide Travels 🌎
📍Chicago, IL
Several students from North Middle & High were able to take an Engineering fieldtrip to Chicago! The trip was filled with inspiring experiences, educational visits, and a lot of fun.
📍East Lansing, MI
Students from West Middle were able to compete at the Science Olympiad National Tournament hosted by Michigan State University.
Sherwood Rotary Club Ethics Awards
Leader In Me
LISA Academy is proud to be a Leader in Me School. Leader in Me is an evidence-based PK-12 model, developed in partnership with educators and designed to designed to build leadership in students, create a high-trust culture, and improve academic achievement
We focus on developing the whole child by:
- Teaching leadership to every student.
- Creating a culture of student empowerment.
- Aligning systems to drive results in academics.
We use two frameworks in our work as a leadership school:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People helps us learn and apply leadership skills and gives us a common language for building a supportive school environment.
- The 4 Disciplines of Execution helps us to identify, track, and achieve academic and personal Wildly Important Goals (WIGs).
We invite families and community partners to join us by:
- Attending an upcoming leadership event.
- Joining our Parent and Community Lighthouse Team.
- Sponsoring or supporting a schoolwide leadership role, club, or service-learning project.
Please reach out to your campus counselor or visit the Leader in Me Family Development page to learn more.
Rogers-Bentonville Campus in the News 📰
📆 Save the Date: Club Signups
North Little Rock Youth Leadership Program
Five students from North High took part in the program, which helps channel youth energy into positive activities, boosting self efficacy and honing vital skills for adulthood in the workplace.
Publishing Party 📖
First grade students at the Rogers-Bentonville campus are published authors! Ms. Hubbard's class wrote about their futures 20 years from now, Ms. McCraw's class wrote about rainforest animals, and Ms. Martin's class shared their expertise on various topics.
Sherwood Academic Signing Day
Seniors from North High were able to participate in the Sherwood Academic Signing Day to celebrate their academic achievements and future plans!
Did you know that free healthy meals are available to children during the summer?
Children 18 years of age or younger can receive free summer meals. You do not have to complete a Free and Reduced meal application, live in a certain area, or have a certain income to participate in the Free summer meals program.
Where can Children find free nutritious summer meals?
As of May 10, 2024, the site finder at https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
has data for 15 states, and includes: AK, AR, CA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MN, MO, NC, ND, PA, SC, TX, and WV. Enter your zip code or address to find a location nearest you.
You may also find meal sites anywhere in the US by calling toll free 1-888-4KI-D4AR ext. 4AR (1-888-454-3427 ext. 427) or 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish speakers) for summer meal locations.
Top of the state in Esports 🎮
West High students Nidiana, Landon, Alan, and Roger placed 8th out of 100 teams in the state Esports competition. They made it to playoffs up to the quarterfinals. Congratulations!
Arkansas PBS Donations
Thanks to Arkansas PBS and the Arkansas Department of Education, every elementary school in our district received a treasure trove of books for students from Kindergarten to 2nd grade.