Marshell Named Coordinator of the Year
A Crash Course in Communications
Basketball Dynasty in the Making
NLRSD Partners with UA-PTC to Launch
Scholastic Institute
Building-Level Teachers of the Year Revealed
NLRHS Alumna Becomes Dance Mentor, Coach, and Entrepreneur Choose NLRSD! School Choice is in Motion
We have just navigated a winter season that we won’t soon forget. While snow and ice forced us to close our doors for six days, the safety of our students and staff remained our non-negotiable priority. We know that canceling school is never easy for our families, and we sincerely thank our staff, students, and parents for their patience and flexibility as we waited for the thaw.
Now that the ice has cleared, we are moving full speed ahead toward a critical milestone: the spring ATLAS exams. Our teachers and administrators are working diligently to ensure every student in grades 3-10 is prepared. However, we cannot do this alone. We need our parents and caregivers to help our scholars cross the finish line.
•Prioritize Attendance: Success begins with showing up. Students can only master the material if they are in their seats. Because our elementary students begin every morning with literacy, even a few minutes of tardiness can mean missing essential foundational skills.
•Strengthen the Home-School Connection: Education is most effective as a true partnership. We encourage you to maintain regular contact with your child’s teachers to discuss how you can best support their learning at home.
•Fuel Their Confidence: Help your child tackle challenges with a growth mindset. Start the day with positive affirmations or a favorite motivational quote. When they hit a complex problem, remind them of their capability and the hard work they’ve already put in.
Thank you for being our partners in excellence!
Kriss Marshell, the District English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and World Languages Coordinator, has been named Coordinator of the Year by the Arkansas Teachers of ESOL.
The recognition that Marshell received is named after Dr. André Guerrero, who is praised for pushing educational equity and served as state director for Programs for Language Minority Students at the Arkansas Department of Education.
Marshell joined the NLRSD in 2022. Previously, she held multiple roles in the Van Buren School District, where she taught and served as an administrator. She began her career in education as a first and second grade teacher in McKinney, Texas.
“This award belongs to not only myself, but to the extremely dedicated staff that I work with on a daily basis. I am fortunate to have a cohesive team that exhibits collaboration, hard work, and dedication to doing whatever it takes to ensure our English Learners grow, learn, and thrive. Advocating for these students is what drives me every day, and I appreciate having that recognized by my peers on a statewide level,” Marshell said.
The future of North Little Rock basketball isn’t just bright. It can be better summed up as dominant following two undefeated runs and a junior high school championship title.
The 7th Grade Boys Basketball and 8th Grade Boys Basketball teams finished their seasons with unblemished records, with 11 wins and 18 wins, respectively. Marco Cole serves as head coach for both teams and is supported by Anthony Stover as the assistant.
The 9th Grade Basketball Team (21-1) completed a remarkable season by capturing both the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference title and the Tournament Championship. While rosters change, the standard remains the same: North Little Rock claimed the championship from 2013 through 2022, winning it again in 2024.
“I cannot say enough about these student-athletes and coaches,” said Wes Bilon, the Student-Athlete Development and Academic Engagement Director. “These teams wear N-L-R with pride. It will be exciting to watch them grow and develop in the coming years as they compete for championships at the highest level.”
The year was 1979. Jimmy Carter was serving his third year as the 39th President of the United States, and right here in Arkansas, a young Bill Clinton was just beginning his first term as Governor. In the sports world, the Pittsburgh Steelers were cementing their “Steel Curtain” legacy by capturing their third Super Bowl title.
In North Little Rock, the most significant milestone happened at Northeast High School. It was there that Carvin Martin—then only an eleventh grader—took a job with the North Little Rock School District as a custodian. He learned about the opening while in class.
“I was in the class called ICT [Industrial Cooperative Training]. To be in the program, you got out at 12:00, and you had to have a job. Mr. [Alan] Crownover [who was with the Maintenance Department at the time] brought me an application. I filled it out and I’ve been here ever since,” Carvin said.
Carvin worked four hours a day that year, cleaning up after students and staff at Lakewood Junior High School. He continued with the NLRSD during his senior year. Because he finished his classes early in the day, Carvin was able to work eight hours a day, eventually moving over to the cafeteria.
“I worked from three to 11. Then they needed someone to work in the kitchen, so [Mr. Crownover] asked me if I wanted to make some extra money . I said ‘Sure.’ I worked four hours in Northeast’s kitchen and eight hours at night,” he said.
After high school graduation, Carvin stayed on with the district, serving as a custodian at Rose City Junior High, Northeast High, and then Ole Main High. His leadership and dedication led him to become the district’s night custodian supervisor in 1994.
In January 2026, Carvin officially retired, marking an extraordinary 47.5 years of service. The NLRSD Communications Department caught up with Carvin days before he turned in his keys.
“I take my cell phone home and never turn it off. I do alarm calls. I sleep with it under my pillow. I’m loyal to this district. I give it all I got,” Martin said.
The 1980 Northeast alumnus truly is the definition of loyalty. He recalls one Christmas Day when the roof at Pike View caved in. While the rest of the world was home with their families, Martin left his own holiday celebration to assess the damage and begin patching the school back together.
“Dr. P[ilewski] can call me. Any superintendent in the past can call me on a Saturday or Sunday, and I’ll be there in a few minutes. I don’t care if I’m at a family dinner,” he said.
When Martin reflects on his career, he credits his work ethic and loyalty to the district to Crownover, his former supervisor, who presented him with the job in the district more than four decades ago.
“He taught me a lot. We had our ups and downs but he never did stop working with me,” Martin said. “I was a young man and hard headed. He would talk to me about retirement and said you’ll always have something.
Carvin Martin is not the only one taking a lifetime of memories into retirement. His wife, Kim—the district’s daytime custodial supervisor—is also retiring after an incredible 41-year career of her own.
Their retirement, much like their work, is a coordinated effort.
“I knew I couldn’t do without him at night, and he figured he couldn’t do without me in the daytime, so we tag-teamed it,” Kim said. “Even if we weren’t married, we wouldn’t be doing this separately.”
A 1983 alumna of Ole Main, Kim’s tenure in the district is just as storied as Carvin’s. She began her journey as a paraprofessional before transitioning to the Maintenance Department as a secretary. By the early 1990s, she had moved into the critical role of safety coordinator, tasked with the meticulous work of collecting air samples for asbestos. In 2001, she stepped into her current role as custodial supervisor.
The couple is now in their seventh year of marriage.
The New Chapter
Carvin admits the decades passed in a blur. He never imagined his tenure would stretch quite this long. He plans to keep his disciplined rhythm—waking well before sunrise—and by 7:00 a.m., he’ll be at his side hustle, cleaning at the Boys & Girls Club. He also looks forward to dedicating more time to his church, where he wants to serve as a valet.
What he treasures most, however, is the gift of time with his grandchildren. His decades on the night shift often meant missing the moments that matter most.
“I haven’t been able to make it to a baseball or basketball game,” he said.
While he will finally stop sleeping with his district-issued phone under his pillow to catch emergency calls, Carvin isn’t walking away completely. He has made sure the custodians staying behind have his number— whether they need technical advice, a problem-solver, or just a listening ear.
“I will miss the custodians. I want them to be able to retire from this district. I want them to get that 28 years. My prayer is that the last custodian hired be able to get 28 years. It’s worth it in the long run,” Carvin said.
To support positive student behavior and school culture, the Mu Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., presented a donation to Amboy for their PBIS initiatives.
Some lucky third grade students won prizes for being on time for school and doing their best on ATLAS interim testing.
In honor of the 100th day of school, Crestwood leadership issued a “100item challenge” to each grade level to benefit the NLRSD Food Pantry. Students and staff surpassed their goal, demonstrating an inspiring commitment to community service and school spirit.
The Winter Fine Arts Night served as a wonderful showcase of student creativity. From stunning masterpieces to soul-stirring musical performances, students truly shined. Kudos to the community for supporting the young musicians and artists!
Indian Hills hosted Fifth Grade Recognition Night to commend students on their significant academic and social milestones. The event served a dual purpose: celebrating current achievements and preparing for the future, as Sixth Grade Campus representatives were on hand to discuss the upcoming transition to middle school.
Lakewood’s fifth graders had a fun evening presenting their projects to judges and families at the science fair. Congratulations to the winners!
Student artists honored Black History Month through quilt-making. Inspired by the vivid, life-size portraits of fiber artist Bisa Butler, students explored their own creative voices through bold color and pattern.
Some first graders are getting mail after participating in the Postcard Exchange Program. Their faces light up when they realize someone in another place wrote them back! This enriching experience allows the students to practice their writing skills and to learn about different communities.
During a school board presentation, North Little Rock Academy students and staff showcased the campus’s commitment to holistic student success. Students provided firsthand accounts of the life-changing academic and emotional growth they’ve experienced, while leadership presented a roadmap of the strategic initiatives driving these results.
The Center of Excellence and North Little Rock High School co-hosted a Showcase Fair, offering current and prospective families a comprehensive look at the schools’ academic and career and technical programs. The event provided a valuable platform for students to explore their future course options and career pathways.
North Little Rock High School earned the Bronze-level recognition on the Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. This honor celebrates the academic ambition of the Class of 2025. Last school year, 53% of all AP test-takers at the school earned college credit, significantly reducing future tuition costs.
Dean of Students Elizabeth Roberts launched “The Dean’s Spotlight,” a new initiative dedicated to celebrating students who lead by example. Teachers from all five teams nominate a student from their classes who exceeds expectations and models positive behavior. Recipients are honored with a certificate, a medal, and a celebratory phone call home. A huge congratulations to Hebert Garcia for being one of the inaugural award winners!
Gifted & Talented Seminar students took a deep dive into their futures, researching potential colleges and career paths before hosting a professional career fair. Students acted as subject-matter experts, presenting their findings, personal interests, and long-term goals to visitors and peers.
Nothing says the holidays like singing! Pike View students took the stage to serenade staff and families with classic holiday carols.
Ridge Road rolled out the red carpet to give veterans the ultimate salute. Students and staff honored the brave men and women who have served our country, expressing a deep gratitude for their sacrifice.
Officials from the North Little Rock School District and the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC) gathered on February 12 at North Little Rock High School to sign a partnership agreement that paves the way for students to earn college degrees before they graduate high school.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by NLRSD Superintendent Gregory Pilewski and UA-PTC Chancellor Summer DeProw, establishes the “Scholastic Institute,” a program that allows eligible students in grades 10 through 12 at North Little Rock High School and the Center of Excellence to enroll in concurrent courses that fulfill general education requirements for an Associate of General Studies degree.
Students will be held to the same academic standards and rigor as traditional UA-PTC students. To qualify, students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA and meet specific ACT or Accuplacer score requirements.
“Our new partnership with UA-PTC is all about opening doors,” said Dr. Gregory J. Pilewski, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District. “We’re empowering our students to dive into college and career coursework early, building the ‘future-ready’ skills they need to succeed. By eliminating obstacles to enrollment, we’re making sure nothing stands between our students and their goals.”
The partnership leverages new state legislation to remove financial barriers for families. As provided by Act 340 of 2025, parents or guardians will not be charged for tuition, fees, or materials. Additionally, many students may qualify for the ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship, a program recently established by Act 341 of 2025. Funded by excess Arkansas Lottery proceeds, the A2A scholarship awards eligible students $65 per credit hour for up to 15 hours per semester, provided they maintain a 2.5 college GPA.
“North Little Rock School District and UA – Pulaski Tech are entering into a true win-win partnership with the Scholastic Institute,” said Chancellor DeProw. “By expanding access to higher education, we will offer high-achieving high school students an attainable pathway to achieve an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. Both the educational value and the cost savings for families are transformative.”
Graduates who earn their associate degree through this program may qualify for the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship. This opportunity allows them to transfer to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and pay the same affordable UA-PTC base tuition rate while earning their bachelor’s degree.
A proud 1997 graduate of North Little Rock High School and former Homecoming Queen, Julie Kay (Pitts) Stallcup has built a distinguished national career as a dance educator, choreographer, and entrepreneur. After performing professionally in Branson and Las Vegas, she spent 15 years in Los Angeles as a studio owner and sought-after celebrity coach for icons like Billie Eilish, Viola Davis, and Billy Ray Cyrus. In 2020, Julie Kay returned to her Central Arkansas roots, where she now operates Julie Kay Mastermind, providing strategic leadership coaching to dance educators, studio owners, and businesses across the country. She resides in Little Rock with her husband, Darrell, and their three children.
1. The dance industry is known to be notoriously fastpaced and competitive. To what do you attribute your ability to pivot from professional performer to dance mentor?
The dance industry is notoriously fast-paced and competitive, and I attribute my ability to pivot from professional performer to dance mentor to a clear mission: I wanted to own a dance studio, build a true community, and use my gift of dance to mentor others while continuing to learn and grow as an educator. During COVID, I made the decision to sell my studio and move back home, and that’s when I built my company, Julie Kay Mastermind. I knew I wanted to take everything I’d experienced both the wins and the hard lessons and pour it into a company designed to support dance teachers and studio owners with real tools, real leadership, and real growth.
2. Your career has taken you places that many would dream of going. Looking back, is there one particular experience or collaboration that stands out as your most defining moment?
One of my most defining moments was speaking at a dance teacher conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. I walked onto that stage and the crowd was the biggest I had ever seen. When I finished, I started to cry, because I could feel it so clearly: God was moving me into a new level of mentoring. In that moment, I knew my path was shifting from performing and teaching… into leadership. And I knew I had to follow that direction.
3. Are there specific mentors, teachers, or programs within the NLRSD that instilled in you the discipline and confidence required to thrive in a competitive field like professional dance?
Carol Anne McAdams truly changed my life. She was my drama teacher, and she’s the kind of educator everyone should have in their corner at least once. She didn’t just teach me performance; she helped shape my discipline, my confidence, and my belief in what I was capable of. Over the years, she became family to me in the most real way. She’s the godmother to my oldest child, and today, I genuinely consider her part of my family. When you have the right people in your life, people who see you, push you, and love you, your path won’t fail you.
Congratulations to this year’s Building-Level Teachers of the Year! These individuals were voted by their peers to represent their campus for this prestigious title, based on their model traits and commitment to teaching and learning.
Each of the educators will have the opportunity to vie for District Teacher of the Year with the completion of an application and interviews with a diverse group of panelists. The name of the District Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Night of Honors, which will take place on April 17, 2026.
Amboy
Boone Park
Crestwood
Glenview
Indian Hills
Lakewood
Meadow Park
North Little Rock Academy
North Little Rock 6 Academy of Agr. & Veterinary Sciences
North Little Rock Center of Excellence
North Little Rock High School
NLRMS - 6th Grade Campus
NLRMS - 7th & 8th Grade Campus
Pike View
Ridge Road
Meredith Shipman
Dornisha Miller
Amanda Baker
Whitney Addie
Olivia Zimmerman
Alex Upshaw
Shanika Reedy
Tiffani Newborn
Shalanda Howard
Benjamin Williams
Beth Cranor
Emily Taylor
Henry Thomas
Brigetta Starks
Sharon Ricks
Todd Stovall
Brittany Turner
Tracy Trumble
The Communications Department is committed to providing timely, accurate news and important information to students, staff, families, and the community. As the official voice of the North Little Rock School District, the department takes pride in highlighting noteworthy successes, initiatives, and events that make our school system so unique. In times of emergency and crises, the Communications Department serves as the district’s verified source for factual information.
The Communications Department publishes a variety of official information pieces, such as the Top 5 Things You Should Know This Week, Board Brief, Annual Report to the Public, the Back-to-School Information Guide, and this newsletter, In Focus. The department manages the district’s social media platforms and website in an effort to maintain engagement with its stakeholders.
The Communications Department supports each campus and department through strategic communication and marketing efforts. Our goal is to affirm that the North Little Rock School District is an academic destination for all students.
Contact Person:
Dustin Barnes (501) 771-8048 barnesd@nlrsd.org
The School Choice Enrollment Period is here! School Choice is the process of requesting a transfer for your student from the district in which you live to a district in which you do not live. Applications and the necessary documents must be submitted online at nlrsd.org by June 1. Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee acceptance, as district leaders must ensure space is available for those living in the zone of the requested school.
Acceptance will be verified by letter.
Here are some reasons you should join the North Little Rock School District:
•Innovative academic course selections
•Diverse student body
•Stellar fine arts programs
•Competitive athletics program
•Strong community support
•Career exploration opportunities
•Caring teachers and staff
Our Community. Our Schools. Where Your Future Begins.
The North Little Rock School District will prepare all students for their future by offering a well-rounded rigorous, relevant, and innovative education that allows each child to achieve their full potential in a safe, supportive learning environment to be future-ready.
As a community, our moral purpose is that all children will achieve, have a highquality teacher, have a high-quality leader, and a supportive learning environment. We will not allow an achievement gap in the North Little Rock School District.
Colophon IN FOCUS is a triannual newsletter created and published by the Communications Department of the North Little Rock School District. It is designed using Adobe InDesign and set in Franklin Gothic Heavy for headlines and Franklin Gothic Book for body text.
This newsletter is primarily distributed digitally with a limited number of printed copies at key locations to maximize visibility and engagement. The Communications Department oversees all editorial content, layout, and design to ensure an engaging and visually appealing publication.
For inquiries, suggestions, or story ideas, contact the Communications Department at communications@nlrsd.org.
NLRSD Communications Department
Dustin Barnes
Brooke Davis
Hayden Tursky