TEACHERS RECEIVE DEBORAH ROCHELLE GRANTS

Eight Livingston Parish teachers have been awarded the 2025 Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grants to fund instructional, research-based projects that provide direct instruction to local students.

The grant program, which was initiated in 1991, is managed by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation to benefit qualified teachers and professional staff in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and St. Tammany parishes.  The grant program is named for Rochelle, who is responsible for the grant’s origination and organization. The grants are valued at up to $5,000 each, and they are awarded directly to winning recipients.

The eight recipients and their projects include:

• Anthony Elliot, French Settlement Elementary, received $4,824 to fund Next-Level STEM curriculum.
• Crystal Gurley, Denham Springs High, received $4,955 to fund kits for kids.
• Alicia Jackson, Seventh Ward Elementary, received $4,835 to fund computers for intervention.
• Nikki Lavergne, Live Oak Junior High, received $3,204 to fund responsibility and agricultural literacy.
• Laura Litolff, Albany Lower Elementary, received $5,000 to fund “Let’s Play Together.”
• Heather Smith, Walker Elementary, received $4,284 to fund Tables that Teach.
• Carol Tate, Springfield High, received $1,131 to fund Food Science Books.
• Jaime Winter, Seventh Ward Elementary, $4,823 to fund “Let’s Get Techy with Kindergarten.”

“We are most appreciative of the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr., Foundation and those involved with the Deborah Rochelle Grants program for recognizing the outstanding work that is being done by our teachers,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

LIVINGSTON SCHOOL LEADER SELECTED FOR STATE FELLOWSHIP 

LPPS Human Resources Director Bryan Wax

Supervisor of Human Resources Bryan Wax will be recognized at the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting next month for receiving the Louisiana Department of Education’s (LDOE) Recruitment and Retention Fellowship for 2024-2025. He is one of 17 professionals selected statewide for the fellowship.

Louisiana, like other states across the nation, is facing serious challenges in maintaining a highly qualified, certified teaching corps. The LDOE launched the first cohort of recruitment and retention fellows in 2020 to address this issue.

The fellowship will allow the selected human resource professionals to collaborate with peers across the state to identify strategies and best practices to attract, support and retain effective educators in public education. They will also engage with national consultants from the Urban Schools Human Capital Academy to gain insights and strategies from the across the country.

“This is a tremendous honor for our human resources director to be selected for this cohort,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said. “Congratulations to Mr. Wax and our human resources staff for being recognized by the state for their professionalism and dedication to advancing the quality of learning in our classrooms.”

DENHAM VENOM AMONG RED STICK RUMBLE’S WINNING ALLIANCE

Members of the Denham Venom robotics team proudly display their winning banner following an undefeated playoff competition finish at the 12th Annual Dow Red Stick Rumble. Pictured from left to right are Drive Team Members Kerven Lindor, Jacob Duke, Evan Durbin and Adam Goslinga.

The Denham Springs High School robotics team, Denham Venom, recently went 11 and 1, including an undefeated playoff run at the 12th Annual Dow Red Stick Rumble to be among the competition’s 2025 winning alliance.

The 2025 winning alliance also included the SWLA Tech Pirates from Lake Charles and the KNOS Robotics Team from New Orleans.

The student-led robotics teams competed in a field of 21 FIRST® Robotics Competition teams and 29 robots from across Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida at the September 13 event, which is one of the largest offseason robotics competitions in the region.  The competitions represent months of engineering preparation, innovation, and strategy by the student participants.

JUSTIN WAX NAMED LOUISIANA PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

DSJH Principal Justin Wax, center, is pictured with family and district colleagues after being named the Louisiana Principal of the Year during the 19th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala in New Orleans

Denham Springs Junior High Principal Justin Wax has been named the 2026 Louisiana Principal of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE).

He received the award during the 19th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, hosted by LDOE and Dream Teachers in July at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Wax thanked his colleagues for nominating him for the award, which began by being named the Middle School Principal of the Year for Livingston Parish.

“I was very honored to be selected from my peers here in Livingston Parish,” Wax said. “They selected me, probably not because I am the best at everything, but truly because I think there’s an opportunity to represent the collective of what great things are happening here in Livingston Parish.”

Wax is in his fourth year as principal of Denham Springs Junior High. Under his leadership, the school has earned state and national recognition, including designation as a 2024 Top Gains Honoree and inclusion in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Middle Schools lists for both 2024 and 2025.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in leadership development from Louisiana State University. He earned a Master of Education in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University after entering the field through an alternative certification pathway.

SHAIDAEE NAMED A FINALIST FOR 2026 NIET FELLOWSHIP

Candace Shaidaee, finalist for 2026 NIET Fellows cohort

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching recently unveiled the finalists for the 2026 NIET Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district. Among the distinguished fellows is Candace Shaidaee from Southside Elementary of Livingston Parish Public Schools in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

“I’m excited to invite Candace Shaidaee into our second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program,” said NIET CEO Dr. Joshua Barnett. “For 25 years, we have seen the work of effective educators, like those joining us in this fellows program, be the driver of success within schools, districts, and communities. We look forward to learning alongside Candace and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

Shaidaee was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. Over the years, she has taught High School French, speech, and drama, as well as third and fourth grades. She spent six years serving as an instructional coach at Southside Elementary. In 2025, Shaidaee accepted a position as Literacy Mentor and will now be supporting teachers in 12 Livingston Parish Schools with high and growing ELL and special education populations.

“I’m thrilled to join the second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program and deepen my learning as an educator,” Shaidaee said.

LIVINGSTON SCHOOL SYSTEM RECEIVES OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS

Parish officials recently awarded the Livingston Parish School Board a $221,174 check as part of the parish’ Opioid Abatement settlement. School Board members Jeff Cox, Jeff Frizell, Cecil Harris, Stephen Link, Brad Harris, Brad Sharp, Katelyn Cockerham and Robert Seals, and Superintendent Jody Purvis are pictured with Parish President Randy Delatte (second from left) and Councilman John Mangus (second from right).

Livingston Parish Schools has received $220,000 in opioid settlement funds from the Livingston Parish Council and Parish President Randy Delatte to expand existing programs across the district.

The funding will be used to extend an agreement with a telehealth provider that offers some counseling services for students, as well as having vape detectors installed at two campuses to complete the district’s goal of having detectors at all middle and high schools. These detectors are placed in the bathrooms, and an alarm goes off when they detect someone vaping.

“Since piloting our telehealth program in 2024, more than 200 students have received therapy with a 94% improved response. These dollars will allow us to extend the service to middle school students,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

“As for vaping, it is not an isolated behavior, but rather strongly tied to other substance use that can harm adolescents,” Purvis said. “Despite ongoing educational efforts, we continue to observe incidents of vaping on school property, particularly in unsupervised areas. If we can detect vape use in our schools, be can better identify those students and support them toward cessation.”

Opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are paying tens of billions of dollars in restitution to settle lawsuits about their role in the overdose epidemic. The funding is going to state and local governments.

DOYLE HIGH BAND MEMBERS PERFORM WITH NORTHLAKE COMMUNITY BAND

Doyle High School Band Director Jon Mannino and some of his top band students performed with the Northlake Community Band during a show at the Columbia Theater in Hammond on August 5.

Those students included Blaine Goff, Bradyn Devall, Madilyn Canales, and Charleigh Ryle.

The band performed some of legendary film composer John Williams’ greatest hits, including memorable scores for Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superman, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List and many more.

ASSESS THE NEED WRAPS UP 25^TH YEAR OF PROVIDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Teachers, principals, staff members and community volunteers from across the parish collected donations and helped organize and pick up school supplies to be given to students needing assistance during the upcoming school year.

Supplies for nearly 3,000 students were purchased by the Assess the Need School Supply Campaign and delivered to every campus in the parish.  Those supplies, in turn, have been distributed by school officials to students on their campuses.

“This is the 25^th year of our program, of having our community come together to give students the tools they need to be successful in the classroom. I want to thank the many people who gave of their resources and their time to make sure our students are equipped to learn,” Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor said.

LIVINGSTON PARISH STUDENTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE MASTERY PERFORMANCE ON STATE LEAP

Livingston Parish Public Schools continues to grow its percentage of students who perform Mastery & Advanced on the state’s LEAP, outpacing the state average and ranking among top-tier districts across Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) recently released the 2024-2025 LEAP scores showing that Livingston Parish Schools improved its percentage of students in Grades 3-8 who receive Mastery & Advanced in all subject areas by 1.1 percent across the district, climbing to 43.5 percent overall, and notably 52 percent overall in English Language Arts (ELA). The district’s Overall Assessment Index for Grades 3-8 also grew by 0.9 points, with the largest gains coming in Math with a 2.8 index improvement.

At the same time, at the high school level, more students scored Mastery & Advanced in several subject areas. Most notably, 54 percent of high schoolers across the parish scored at the top levels in English I, and 55 percent scored at top levels in English II.

“Overall, the 2024-2025 scores reflect the high standards and high performance we expect across all grades levels and all campuses in our district,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENTS BOLSTER DISTRICT’S TOP 10 RANKING

Livingston Parish Schools ranks 10th overall in both Grades 3-8 and at the high school level for students scoring Mastery & Advanced, and the district continues to outpace the state average by nearly 10 percentage points, according to the LEAP 2025 report

Some of the district’s most improved schools in ELA include Springfield Elementary, which grew its Mastery & Advanced results by 9.9 percent, followed by Live Oak Middle, up 8 percent, Maurepas School, up 7.5 percent, and Levi Milton Elementary, up 6.3 percent. In the subject of math, North Live Oak Elementary grew its top scores by 11.8 percent, followed by Live Oak Elementary and Live Oak Junior High at 11.2 and 9 percent, respectively, and Springfield Elementary had an 8.9 percent improvement in Mastery & Advanced scores. Those same top growth schools scored some of the parish’s highest assessment index scores for Grades 3-8, as well.

At the high school level, eight of the district’s nine schools boasted of having more than 50 percent of their students scoring Mastery & Advanced in English I, with Live Oak, Holden and French Settlement reporting more than 60 percent of their students earning the highest scores. Similar results were reported for students taking English II, with students at French Settlement and Maurepas reporting the most improvement in the parish, achieving a 73.6 percent and 78 percent Mastery & Advanced scores, respectively.

Holden led the parish with more than 78 percent of its students scoring Mastery & Advanced in Algebra I. Doyle High closely trailed with more than 75 percent of its students scoring the at the top levels.

“I want to thank our teachers, staff, students, and community for their dedication and hard work. Because of your efforts, Livingston Parish continues to rank among the top 10 school systems in LEAP performance in the state,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

SIX EDUCATORS NAMED ASPIRING PRINCIPAL FELLOWS

The Louisiana Department of Education recently announced the 2025-2026 cohort of Aspiring Principal Fellows that includes six Livingston Parish educators.

Those local Aspiring Principal Fellows are:

• Angela Caccamo, EL Coordinator
• Jessica Haynes, Assistant Principal, Live Oak High School
• Dane’ Long, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
• Erik Patterson, Assistant Principal, Livingston Oak High School
• Louis Sansovich, Assistant Principal, Denham Spring High School
• Desaree’ Strikmiller, Assistant Principal, Southside Elementary

“Congratulations to these outstanding educators who have been selected by the state to further develop their skills so as to be prepared to step into leadership roles across our district in the future,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

The fellowship program aims to equip aspiring school leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently step into the principal role and effectively support students and teachers. Fellowship participants will engage in four immersive full-day school visits, where they will collaborate closely with exemplary practicing principals from across the state. In addition, they will attend three full-day professional learning meetings that align with current state initiatives. Each fellowship candidate will receive a $1,000 tuition payment.

PARISH-WIDE SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES 25^TH YEAR OF HELPING FAMILIES

Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor announced that he and local volunteers will once again provide school supplies to needy families in Livingston Parish through the ASSESS THE NEED school supply program, making this the 25th consecutive year to do so.

This year’s campaign anticipates meeting the needs of some 3,200 students in all the district’s 43 public schools, including Pre-K and Head Start programs.

“We are so thankful to our community for the continued support of this program. This year marks the 25th year of our efforts – that’s a significant milestone for this program, and a testament to our community’s love and generosity,” Taylor said.

Volunteers will be at the parish’s local Associated Grocers stores on Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2, and then again on Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, taking donations.  The participating stores include Cain’s Family Markets in Albany, Livingston and Springfield; Carter’s Supermarkets at Hatchell Lane in Denham Springs, Vincent Road in Denham Springs and Walker; Oak Point Fresh Market in Watson; Village Markets in Port Vincent, White Hall and Head of Island.

Volunteers will be at the stores from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the two Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the two Saturdays.

Donations can be given directly to volunteers at the stores or through Venmo. Links to the Assess the Need Venmo account are available in print and web ads in local newspapers, on signs across the parish, and on cards at local businesses. Donations can also be dropped off at the Livingston Parish Assessor’s Office, located on Government Boulevard in Livingston, Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or mailed to Assess the Need, P.O. Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727-1802.

The supplies will be distributed to the school prior to the first day of classes, which begin Aug. 8.

LIVINGSTON PARISH EDUCATOR NAMED A 2025-2026 NIET FELLOW

Southside Elementary Instructional Coach Candace Shaidaee has been named a NIET Fellow for the 2025-2026 school year.

Candace Shaidaee, an instructional coach at Southside Elementary, has been awarded a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Fellowship for the 2025-2026 school year, making her one of only 12 educators in the nation selected for the program.

The NIET Fellows Program is a one-year opportunity for teacher leaders in K-12 school systems. The program is designed to provide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district.

Over the course of the year-long fellowship, July 2025 – June 2026, Shaidaee will take on a variety of responsibilities by engaging in multiple types of professional development. She will maintain her employment as a full-time district employee, while participating in program activities throughout the year. All travel costs associated with the required program travel will be covered by NIET, and she will receive a $7,500 stipend from NIET for her participation.

“I am excited to join the NIET Fellowship Program. I think this opportunity will greatly expand my knowledge while equipping me to elevate the practice of fellow educators and leaders across our district – fostering lasting impact through shared growth and excellence,” Shaidaee said.

Other fellows selected for the program are from Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee. Shaidaee is one of three educators from Louisiana selected for the program.

DOYLE HIGH STUDENT RECEIVES TULANE BOOK AWARD

Doyle High School’s Faith Bridges received the Tulane Book Award.

Faith Bridges, an incoming senior at Doyle High School, was awarded the Tulane Book Award for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Tulane Book Award recognized high school juniors who embody Tulane’s motto of “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own,” and who demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and public service. The award was given to one outstanding student at select high schools across the country.

SOUTH LIVE OAK ELEMENTARY RECEIVES LOUISIANA PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AWARD

Pictured are South Live Oak Elementary Principal Amy Savage, South Live Oak Elementary Teacher Ashley Bond and Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis.

Ashley Bond, a physical education teacher at South Live Oak Elementary, was recently honored by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for leading her school to receive the Louisiana School Physical Activity Award.

Bond developed a physical education program that focuses on physical activity, healthy choices and wellness. The program encourages family engagement through at-home fitness challenges for students and after-school family activities that allow parents to participate in physical activities with their students.

In the state’s presentation, South Live Oak’s program was described as “innovative” in its approach to promoting lifelong fitness, noting that students are introduced to healthy food choices through a Pick A Better Snack Program, while programs like Mileage Mondays, the EZScan running club and Wellness Wednesdays teach healthy habits and track progress with fun incentives.

BESE presented Bond with the award during a special ceremony at the Louisiana Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge in May.

LIVINGSTON PARISH STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN NORTH OAKS HEALTH SYSTEM’S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

North Oaks’ junior volunteers for summer 2025 are pictured, from left: (first row) Nollie George, Mandeville High School; Nevaeh Pierre, Hammond High Magnet School; Emma Huddleston, Mandeville High School; Ivy Roberts, Jewel Sumner High School; Taylor Boyd, Ponchatoula High School; Chloe Winn, Springfield High School; Hallie Hendry, Oak Forest Academy; Nora Faulk, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School; and Tianna Miller, Ponchatoula High School; (second row) Kate Dentro, Denham Springs High School; Kaylee McCain, Jewel Sumner High School; Lexi Childress and Riley Falcon, Ponchatoula High School; Ma’Kyra Dykes, Dulles High School; Lily Morse, Ponchatoula High School; Emma Denneau, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School; Rylie Jarreau, Ponchatoula High School; (third row) Autumn Lloyd, Denham Springs High School; Regina Adu, Hammond High Magnet School; Dillon Gosserand, Catholic High School; Shyanne Broxton, Ponchatoula High School; Payton Brown, University View; Haley Caballero, Ponchatoula High School; Alyssa Bonaventure (homeschooled); (fourth row) Giada Gaudet, Hammond High Magnet School; Emma Thornton, Springfield High School; Isabella Spitale, Oak Forest Academy; Kaitlyn Baham, Doyle High School; Celia Michel, Ponchatoula High School; (fifth row) Noah Morgan, St. Thomas More High School; Patrick Winn, Springfield High School; Noah Spitale, Oak Forest Academy; Elijah Williamson, Archbishop Hannan High School; Paul Kreamer, University View; Cade Vampran, Live Oak High School; and Nick Stan, Fontainbleau High School. Not pictured are Levi Johnson, Hammond High Magnet School; Peyton Lashua, Walker High School; Amelia McKinney, Hammond High Magnet School; Hailey Williams, Ponchatoula High School; Maxx Klein, Albany High School; Gresly Flores, Ponchatoula High School; Madison Capadona, Loranger High School; Jeanne LaCour and Macie Mott, St. Scholastica Academy; and Kate Fournier, Denham Springs High School.

Nine Livingston Parish high schoolers are gaining teamwork experience, learning new skills and getting ideas for future career paths this summer by participating in a seven-week volunteer program with North Oaks Health System,

North Oaks Volunteer Services Manager Malissa Gonzalez said the summer program is open to teens ages 14 to 17, and it runs from June 9 to July 25.  Forty-six youth are participating this year, representing 19 Louisiana high schools across five parishes, one Texas high school and two homeschool programs.

Those Livingston Parish students participating include Maxx Klein, Albany High School; Kate Dentro, Kate Fournier and Autumn Lloyd, Denham Springs High School; Kaitlyn Baham, Doyle High School; Emma Thornton, Chloe Winn and Patrick Winn, Springfield High School; and Peyton Lashua, Walker High School.

North Oaks Health System is an independent community hospital organization with facilities in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.

THANK YOU!

Livingston Parish voters on May 3 voted to renew a 10-year, 7.0 millage to continue funding day-to-day maintenance repairs and small projects for the district.

The renewal won passage with 62-percent approval.

The renewal was not a new property assessment, and its passage does not increase the mills currently paid by taxpayers. The 7.0 mills are expected to generate approximately $6 million annually. Voters originally created this dedicated funding source in the 1950s and have supported its continued renewal ever since.

Livingston Parish Public Schools is the state’s eighth largest school district with nearly 27,000 students. The district manages more than 50 sites with more than 560 buildings that encompass a total of 4.3 million square feet.

DENHAM SPRINGS ELEMENTARY LIBRARY WINS GRANT

Pictured from left to right are Denham Springs Elementary’s Assistant Principal Alysha Leonard, Librarian Alisha Gaboury, Principal Bridget Castille, and Instructional Coach Kayla Jarrell.

The Denham Springs Elementary Library has been named a recipient of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries grant.

The school will receive a $5,000 grant to update and diversify its library collection. It was one of 220 schools from 38 states to receive the grant.

“Books have the power to spark curiosity and inspire lifelong learning. We are thrilled to provide these grants so that librarians can refresh their shelves-opening the door for students to discover new interests and endless adventures,” Former First Lady Laura Bush said.

JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER RECOGNIZED AS AN ASPIRING PRINCIPAL

Pictured from left to right are Denham Springs Junior High Principal Justin Wax, Award Recipient Lauren Gourney, and Louisiana Association of Principals Executive Director Karen Triche.

Denham Springs Junior High Teacher Lauren Gourney has been selected by the Louisiana Association of Principals as the Aspiring Principal of the Year for the State of Louisiana.

Gourney was selected from hundreds of nominations based on distinguished contributions to education and demonstration of leadership skills.

2025-2026 CALENDAR SET

Employees will return to their respective campuses August 5-7 for planning and preparation for the students returning on Friday, Aug. 8.

Professional development dates planned for the school year include Sept. 17, Oct. 22, Jan. 5-6, Feb. 3-5, and March 1. On these days students will be dismissed from classes for either a full or partial day, depending on the schedule.

School holidays include Sept. 1 (Labor Day), Oct. 9-10 (Fall Break), Thanksgiving (Nov. 24-28), Dec. 22-Jan. 6 (Christmas and New Year’s), Jan. 19, (MLK Day), Feb. 16-18 (Mardi Gras), and March 30-April 3 (Easter/Spring Break). On these days, employees and students will be dismissed for the full day.

See the full district calendar at lpsb.org.

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION UNDERWAY

New student registration opened May 26 and is available through the summer.  This process is required of any student who is new to the district, who ended the 2024-2025 school year at a school district other than Livingston Parish, and any pre-K students who have completed the application process and received verification of acceptance for the 2025-2026 school year.

The registration process will require the evidence of documents that must be uploaded to the registration portal. Parents of new registrants are asked to visit lpsb.org for a list of those documents, and to contact the school after the documents are uploaded to complete the process.

Returning students are not required to register. They will receive information in the mail July 8.

RENEWAL OF MAINTENANCE FUNDING ON MAY 3 BALLOT

The Livingston Parish School Board is asking voters to renew a 7.0 millage property assessment dedicated to funding day-to-day maintenance repairs and small projects for every building in the school district. Election Day is May 3.

The 10-year renewal is NOT a new property assessment. It will NOT increase the mills currently paid by taxpayers.

The 7.0 millage generates approximately $6 million per year, which pays for half of all maintenance repairs across the district. Voters in Livingston Parish created this dedicated funding source in the 1950s and have supported its continued renewal for nearly 70 years.

Livingston Parish Public Schools is the state’s eighth largest school district with nearly 27,000 students. The district manages more than 50 sites with more than 560 buildings that encompass a total of 4.3 million square feet.

DENHAM VENOM MAKES LOUISIANA ROBOTICS HISTORY

The Denham Venom students stand alongside other global division winners on the Einstein Fields in Houston, Texas, at the 2025 FIRST Robotic World Championships. The Denham Venom Drive Team included Jacob Duke, Evan Durbin, Nicholas Carpenter, and Sebastian Cupit, led by Drive Coach Rohit Gondi. Their efforts reflected the work of 45 team members.

The Denham Springs High School robotics team recently made history, becoming the first Louisiana team to win a Division Title at the FIRST Robotics World Championships that were held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, April 16-19.

FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – is the world’s largest robotics competition. High school teams from around the world are given six to eight weeks to design, build and program a fully functional 140-pound robot.  This year, 600 of 3,700 teams were selected for the Championship competition.

At the 2025 World Championships, the team was the No. 1 team overall in the Archimedes Division, winning 9 of its 10 qualifying matches, to compete in the finals with teams from countries like Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, China, Israel and others.

The Denham Venom team earned its place on the world stage by competing in three different regional competitions in three different states. The team was a finalist in two of the competitions and earned first place in the Bayou Regional, which was held in Louisiana.

STEM SHARKS TEAM ADVANCES TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Livingston Parish Council recently honored the DSHS Shark Team at one of their board meetings. Council Chairman Billy Taylor presented the Shark Team with a resolution of commendation. Pictured from left to right are: (front center) Taylor; (front row) Alexa Rodriguez, Juan Rendon-Garces, Madison Sanders, Adalyn Farrell, Shark Team Sponsor Mark Zweig, Parish President Randy Delatte, Councilman Ricky Goff; (back row) Council members Erin Sandefur, John Mangus, John Wascom, Ryan Chavers, Dean Coats, Joe Erdey and Lonny Watts. Shark Team members not pictured are Khadija Henni and Mohamed Henni.

The Denham Springs High School STEM Sharks Enterprise Design Engineering Team has been named a national finalist for the 15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, which recognizes high school initiatives that propose innovative solutions to critical issues in communities.

The Sharks Team was selected for designing a software application and device to educate and bring understanding to residents who have questions and concerns about the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project proposed for the Lake Maurepas area.

Students created an app that will allow residents to get information about CCS, current (simplified) conditions on the lake, conditions at a site of their choice, and information on how to contact authorities if a leak is suspected. The app is available for any device.

The Sharks Team will travel to Washington, D.C., April 27-29 as one of only 10 national finalists selected from the 50 state winners in the competition involving thousands of high schools and middle schools across the country. The team is guaranteed a $50,000 award in Samsung technology and classroom supplies, along with paid travel for team members.

ALBANY & SPRINGFIELD JUNIORS RECOGNIZED FOR INTEGRITY

Members of the Albany Masonic Lodge recently presented the 2025 Honesty and Integrity Awards to four high school students. Pictured from left to right are Lodge leaders Byron Wild and Jeremy Dickerson; Iris Stilley, who accepted the award for her grandson, Albany High School Junior Jonah Grob; Award Winner Albany High School Junior Abigail McAlister; Award Winners Springfield High School Juniors Logan Milton and Olivia Arne; and Lodge leaders Coty Harty and Ronald Stilley,

Four Livingston Parish high school students have been recognized for their good character and for being role models in their schools.

The Albany Masonic Lodge #466 presented its Honesty and Integrity Award on Thursday, April 17, to Jonah Grob and Abigail McAlister from Albany High School, and Logan Milton and Oliva Arnie from Springfield High School. All four students are juniors at their schools.

The Honesty and Integrity award program was instituted in 1977 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana to recognize the deserving youth of today who possess the qualities to become leaders of tomorrow. Annually, lodges select deserving juniors from each high school in their region.

DENHAM SPRINGS JUNIOR HIGH PRINCIPAL AMONG STATE SEMIFINALISTS

Justin Wax, Semifinalist for State Principal of the Year

Justin Wax, principal of Denham Springs Junior High, has been named a semifinalist for the Louisiana Principal of the Year.

Wax is among the state’s top 24 honorees – eight principals each from elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.  A winner will be selected at each level, as well as an overall winner. A winner will be selected at each level, as well as overall.

Wax is in his fourth year as principal of Denham Springs Junior High.  Under his leadership, the campus has expanded its high-school level STEM classes and created an Aquaponics Lab. The campus has also become a 1-to-1 technology school, where every student is provided with a laptop. He has overseen several safety initiatives for the campus, including the installation of an app-controlled access system, and air quality monitors/vape detectors on campus.

LIVINGSTON PARISH ANNOUNCES TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Pictured, left to right, are New Teacher of the Year Noelle Robinson, Live Oak High School; Elementary Teacher of the Year William Hubbard, South Walker Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year Leslie Patin, Doyle Junior High; High School Teacher of the Year Daniel Eiland, Denham Springs High School.

Those teachers earning the district’s top recognition for the year are Elementary Teacher of the Year William Hubbard, South Walker Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year Leslie Patin, Doyle School; and High School Teacher of the Year Daniel Eiland, Denham Springs High School STEM & Robotics Center. Live Oak High School Teacher Noelle Robinson won the district’s New Teacher of the Year Award.

The top winners were selected from fellow nominees from schools throughout the district.  The entire list of nominees for the 2024-2025 school year included:

Elementary School Teacher of the Year Nominees – Kirsten Bourgeois, Doyle Elementary; Paullena McMorris, Frost; Kindra Williamson, Live Oak Elementary; Danielle Fennell, North Live Oak Elementary; Brittany Kelley, South Live Oak Elementary; Shyla Cohran, Denham Springs Elementary; Britney Romito, Eastside Elementary; Beryl Britt, Freshwater Elementary; Nicole Osborne, Gray’s Creek Elementary; Alycia Parker, Juban Parc Elementary; Lindsay Anderson, Lewis Vincent Elementary; Hillary Berthelot, Northside Elementary; Callegan Landry, Seventh Ward Elementary; Leah Davis, Southside Elementary; Melinda Sanchez, Levi Milton Elementary; Jennifer Rogers, North Corbin Elementary; Shannon Hamilton, South Fork Elementary; William Hibbard, South Walker Elementary; Kalyn Starns, Walker Elementary; Kristy Poche, French Settlement Elementary; Jessica Janis, Maurepas School; Laura Penalber, Albany Lower Elementary; Elizabeth Byrd Gautreaux, Albany Upper Elementary; and Karen Caves, Springfield Elementary.

Middle School Teacher of the Year Nominees – Leslie Patin, Doyle High; Casey Goodson, Live Oak Junior High; Maria Olivier, Live Oak Middle; Shelby Berry, Denham Springs Junior High; Erika Romero, Juban Parc Junior High; Heather Williamson, Southside Junior High; Robert Perez, Walker Junior High; Mariela Reyes, Westside Junior High; Haley Thonn, Albany Middle School; and Dana Fontenot, Springfield Middle School.

High School Teacher of the Year Nominees – Shannon Gautreau, Doyle High; Paige Hymel, Holden; Angell Beswetherick, Live Oak High; Daniel Eiland, Denham Springs High; Madelyne Tate, Walker High School; Colton Vickers, French Settlement High; Jeanne Mayers, Maurepas High; Sarah Smith, Albany High; and Wendi LeBlanc, Springfield High School.

New Teacher of the Year Nominees – Lauren Canady, Doyle Elementary; Ashlie Byrnes, Doyle High; Noelle Robinson, Live Oak High; Maegan Spence, Denham Springs Elementary; Madison Bowman Leger, Denham Springs High; Summer Rogers, Eastside Elementary; Meghan Fuchs, Freshwater Elementary; Macie Talbert, Juban Parc Junior High; Emily Snider, Lewis Vincent Elementary; Debra Branton, Northside Elementary; Kate Simmons, Southside Elementary; Taylar Sanders, North Corbin Elementary; Hannah Swetledge, North Corbin Junior High; Amber Pomares, South Fork Elementary; Sara Myrick, South Walker Elementary; Megan Hall, Walker Elementary; Connor Locke, Walker High; Victoria McKee, Walker Junior High; Charlee Davis, Westside Junior High; and Kevin Walden, Albany Upper Elementary.

SCHOOL BOARD REQUESTING RENEWAL OF MAINTENANCE FUNDING

The Livingston Parish School Board is asking voters to renew a 7.0 millage property assessment dedicated to funding day-to-day maintenance repairs and small projects for every school building in the school district. Early voting is April 19-27. Election Day is May 3.

The 10-year renewal is NOT a new property assessment. It will NOT increase the mills currently paid by taxpayers.

The 7.0 millage generates approximately $6 million annually, which pays for half of all maintenance repairs across the district each year. Voters in Livingston Parish created this dedicated funding source in the 1950s and have supported its continued renewal for nearly 70 years!

$60,000 AWARDED TO THREE LOCAL SCHOOLS

Three Livingston Parish schools will benefit from a shared $60,000 donation from the Air Products Foundation, to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum and to make improvements to their campuses through beautification and maintenance efforts.

French Settlement High School, Springfield Elementary and Doyle High School will each receive $20,000 for STEAM curriculum and facility improvements.

Commercial Executive Director of Air Products’ Louisiana Clean Energy Complex Danna LeBlanc said the donation aligns with the company’s mission to promote careers in industry, while also improving the communities where its employees live and work.

“The earlier students have access to education about science and technology, the more likely they are to show interest in these fields as careers,” LeBlanc said. “We are proud to be a part of making Livingston Parish schools better for the communities they serve.”

Air Products recently presented a $60,000 donation to Livingston Parish Public Schools to fund beautification improvements and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum opportunities at Doyle High School, French Settlement High School and Springfield Elementary School. Pictured, from left to right, are Doyle High School Principal Ashley Sharp, Air Products Senior Communications Specialist Christina Stephens, Commercial Executive Director of Air Products’ Louisiana Clean Energy Complex Danna LeBlanc, French Settlement High School Principal John Chewning, Springfield Elementary Principal Michelle Brown, and Livingston Parish Schools Superintendent Jody Purvis.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PROM ACTIVITIES

Walker High School’s Carah Ellis claimed her prom dress at the Unique Boutique and Clothier shopping event that was put on by the district’s Special Education Department. (Photo provided by The Advocate)

Students with significant disabilities and autism recently participated in their own prom event, “A Night to Remember,” which was preceded by a two-day secondhand clothing shopping opportunity that offered an array of formal wear and accessories donated for the cause.

The free personal shopping event was billed as the Unique Boutique and Clothier and was held at the LPPS Suma Center. Students were able to ride a school bus to the event or visit with their families. School leaders were on hand to assist with the selections.

Walker High School Teacher Angel Roberts spearheaded much of the activities.

“Going to traditional prom with the entire student body can sometimes be too difficult for some of our students. So, we decided to create an evening just for them, and to help make the occasion even more special, we collected racks of formal dresses, suits and fun attire that they could try on and select for the evening,” Roberts said. She noted that the district had held the special education prom event in the past, but it had not resumed after the COVID pandemic.

NORTH CORBIN JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT NAMED STATE FINALIST

Christopher James Godso, III

North Corbin Junior High School’s Christopher James Godso, III, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Louisiana Student of the Year award by advancing as the Region 6 Middle School Student of the Year winner.

Godso is among 24 students from across the state who were selected as finalists.

Student winners from all eight regions advanced in the categories of Elementary Student of the Year, Middle School Student of the Year, and High School Student of the Year.

The finalists will convene May 16 at the Cook Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge for the awards ceremony and announcement of the Louisiana Students of the Year winners from each grade, as well as an overall winner.

DISTRICT RECOGNIZES YES I CAN! WINNERS

Pictured are Livingston Parish Public Schools’ winners of the “Yes I Can!” Award. The award is sponsored by the National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which honors children and youth with disabilities who have excelled in their selected category. Pictured, left to right, with Superintendent Jody Purvis (left) and Director of Special Education Eric Penalber (right) are Roman Diaz (Academics), Carson Aucoin (Art), Blayson Miller (School/Community), Jared Peters (Self Advocacy), Alex Parrish (Technology), and Brent Gardiner (Transition).

Thirty-four Livingston Parish students were recently honored by Livingston Parish School leaders at a Special Education “Yes I Can!” Awards ceremony at the First Pentecostal Church in Denham Springs, with six winners selected from the group.

The nominees were selected by their SPED teachers in the categories of academics, art, school/community, self-advocacy, technology, and transition.  A winner was selected from each category to advance to the national level competition.

The district’s six “Yes I Can!” Award winners include Roman Diaz of North Live Oak Elementary in the Academics category; Carson Aucoin of Walker Junior High in the Art category; Blayson Miller of Northside Elementary in the School/Community category; Jared Peters of the Livingston Parish Virtual School in the Self-Advocacy category; Alex Parrish of Seventh Ward Elementary School in the Technology category; and Brent Gardiner of Albany High School in the Transition category.

The awards program is sponsored by the National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which honors children and youth with disabilities who have excelled in their selected category.

SCHOOLS CELEBRATE NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK

Livingston Parish’s schools celebrated the 2025 National School Breakfast Week during the last week of February to celebrate and create greater awareness of the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success.

Research shows that students who participate in school breakfast tend to have better attendance rates and fewer behavioral problems.  Livingston Parish Schools offer students traditional breakfast service in their cafeterias and bagged “grab-n-go” breakfast meals that can be enjoyed in their classrooms or in the common areas prior to the start of class.

Students and faculty at Springfield Elementary celebrate National School Breakfast week.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION AND PRE-K APPLICATION ASSISTANCE DAYS SET FOR MARCH 28 and APRIL 4

Livingston Parish Public Schools will hold district-wide Kindergarten Registration and Pre-K Application Assistance Days on March 28 and April 4 for parents wishing to enroll their children in kindergarten or apply for pre-kindergarten classes for the 2025-2026 school year.

Parents are encouraged to go online to lpsb.org beginning March 14 to complete the kindergarten registration form prior to their assigned home-based school visit. Parents who are interested in applying for pre-kindergarten should complete the online application by visiting applytolppsearlychildhood.schoolmint.com. This application portal for Round 1 opened Feb. 1 and will close May 1.

On either March 28 or April 4, depending on their home-based school, parents of upcoming kindergarten students are encouraged to visit the school from 9 a.m. to noon, while parents seeking assistance with pre-kindergarten applications will attend from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Parents needing assistance in determining their child’s home-based school can contact the school board office at 225-686-7044 or visit lpsb.org and click the “Bus Schedules” link.

Those documents needed to complete the kindergarten registration or pre-kindergarten application include a birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, a parent/guardian ID, and proof of residency (such as a utility bill). Proof of income is also needed for pre-kindergarten applicants.

Those schools providing assistance on March 28 include Albany Lower Elementary, Denham Springs Elementary, French Settlement Elementary, Frost School, Holden School, Live Oak Elementary, North Corbin Elementary, North Live Oak Elementary, Northside Elementary, Seventh Ward Elementary, South Walker Elementary, Southside Elementary, and Springfield Elementary.

Those schools providing assistance on April 4 are Doyle Elementary, Eastside Elementary, Freshwater Elementary, Gray’s Creek Elementary, Juban Parc Elementary, Levi Milton Elementary, Lewis Vincent Elementary, Maurepas School, South Fork Elementary, South Live Oak Elementary, and Walker Elementary.

Currently enrolled kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students will NOT attend school on the day assistance is being provided at their school.

LIVINGSTON SCHOOLS TO HOST JOB FAIR ON APRIL 2

School administrators will be on hand at Southside Junior High on April 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m., to meet with persons interested in working for Livingston Parish Public Schools. The district is hiring employees for all types of jobs.

Job opportunities are available in teaching (all grades and all subject areas), maintenance and custodial services, technology and IT support, transportation (bus drivers and mechanics), school food service and special education support.

For more information on available positions and how to sign up for interviews, visit Livingston Parish Public Schools: LPPS Career Fair 2025.

INSTRUCTIONAL TIME ADDED TO CALENDAR

Livingston Parish Public Schools Superintendent Jody Purvis announced the district is adjusting its school calendar to recover instructional time lost due to the snow and icy conditions experienced this month.

Students will now have a regular class day restored on either February 11, 12 or 13. The district had allocated one professional development day for each campus to be held either February 11, 12 or 13, but now that single professional day will be converted to a full learning day. All students and employees will be expected to attend those days.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we feel it is important that we use this time for instruction with our students,” Purvis said.

EMPLOYEE PAY RAISES DEPENDENT UPON VOTER APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

A statewide Constitutional Amendment on the March 29 ballot is required to pass for K-12 teachers and school support workers to receive a permanent pay raise from the state.

Proposed Amendment No. 2 is the result of two bills approved by state legislators during a special Constitutional Conference that was held last November. One piece of legislation would protect funds to pay down nearly $2 billion dollars in teacher retirement system debt, with the other bill requiring that the money saved go toward pay raises.  Legislators also included language in the amendment to raise the state sales tax to 5%.

If voters approve Proposed Amendment No. 2, certified K-12 teachers will receive a permanent $2,000 raise, while support workers will receive a $1,000 annual increase in pay.

Four proposed Constitutional Amendments are on the March 29 ballot. Early voting is available March 15-22.

NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ELECTED

Robert Seals, District 2 Board member

Robert Seals was sworn in this month as the Livingston Parish School Board member for District 2.

That seat became vacated in late 2023 when board member Kellee Hennessey Dickerson resigned to assume a newly elected position of State Representative.  The board appointed Stacy Robinson to temporarily fill the seat until an election could be held to find a new board member for that district.

Robert Seals is a retired banker. His children and grandchildren graduated from Live Oak High School, where his wife formerly taught. His daughter currently teaches at South Live Oak Elementary.

STUDENTS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

Livingston Parish Public Schools has announced those top student winners for the 2024-2025 school year

The Elementary Student of the Year is Piper Howes, a fifth grader at Holden School; the Middle School Student of the Year is Christopher Godso, III, an eighth grader at North Corbin Junior High; and the High School Student of the Year is Zachary McMenis, a senior at Live Oak High School.

The winners were nominated by their schools, and they competed against other Student of the Year winners from throughout the district.  As representatives for Livingston Parish Public Schools, they will compete at the state’s regional competition for the opportunity to become a finalist for the Louisiana Department of Education’s top award.

The three Livingston Parish Students of the Year will be formally recognized at the district’s celebration of excellence gala in the spring. Those students who were named Students of the Year for their campus will also be recognized.

TWO SENIORS EARN QUESTBRIDGE COLLEGE MATCH SCHOLARSHIPS

Two high-achieving high school seniors in Livingston Parish who come from low-income backgrounds have been awarded full four-year scholarships to two of the nation’s top colleges as part of the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Program.

Asia Cox, a senior at Springfield High School, has been matched with the University of Chicago; while Khadija Henni, a senior at Denham Springs High School, has been matched with Northwestern University in Chicago.

Both students have been admitted early to their matched school. They will receive a generous financial aid package provided by their match college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.  The match scholarship does not include loans or a parental contribution.