In April, the North Little Rock School District got a donation from an unlikely source—Barry Manilow! As part of the Manilow Music Project, the singer-songwriter donated a Yamaha piano to the school to help launch a music instrument drive. Locals who donated new or gently-used instruments were given free tickets to Manilow’s Verizon Arena performance on April 1. Through the drive, the NLRSD’s growing music program received a guitar, two flutes, a clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, two trombones, four violins, autoharp and a dulcimer.

Speaking of catchy tunes, the Pulaski Academy Theatre Department recently put on a production of “Seussical the Musical” for their spring show! The musical was written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and features all of the bright, whimsical characters and settings from Dr. Seuss’ books—including the iconic Cat in the Hat.

After receiving a RecycleAdvantage School Grant, Pulaski County Special School District’s Landmark Elementary School quickly got to work creating their new recycling program. To get students excited about the new initiatives, they held a Recycling Kick-Off Pep Rally which taught kids about recycling through a reader’s theater, rap performance, and composing and reading poetry. As part of the new program, classrooms will recycle paper, while metal and plastic will be collected in the cafeteria and teachers’ lounge.

In early April, students at Episcopal Collegiate School turned back time to the ancient Roman Empire; the Latin III students made cardboard armor, and choreographed and performed fight scenes as part of their studies on gladiators.

Exciting news at your school? Send an email to BNeel@abpg.com to be considered for the next School Crossings column.