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.

LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS RECEIVES “A” RATING

Livingston Parish Public Schools received an “A” Rating for student achievement, according to the Louisiana Department of Education’s most recent accountability report.

The report, which was released Nov. 20, shows Livingston Parish Schools improved its overall District Performance Score to 90.9, up 1.4 points from last year’s score of 89.5.

The number of schools in the district receiving “A” Ratings also grew over last year’s report – up from 10 to 13. Those schools include Albany High, Denham Springs High, Doyle High, Eastside Elementary, French Settlement High, Frost Elementary, Holden School, Juban Parc Elementary, Live Oak High, North Live Oak Elementary, South Live Oak Elementary, Springfield High, and Walker High.  Of the remaining schools, 23 received B ratings and 7 were scored with C ratings.

The accountability report shows Livingston Parish Schools earned A ratings in its high school graduation rates and strength of diploma categories.

At the same time, the district demonstrated gains in its early childhood scores and ratings. Nine elementary schools received an Excellent rating this year, up from eight schools last year. Those ratings are based on performance and state observations of classroom activity. Those Excellent-Rated schools include Albany Lower Elementary, Denham Springs Elementary, Doyle Elementary, Eastside Elementary, French Settlement Elementary, Frost, Juban Parc Elementary, North Corbin Elementary, and North Live Oak Elementary.

LIVINGSTON SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES TOP PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR

Livingston Parish Public Schools has announced its Principal of the Year winners for the 2024-2025 school year.

They are French Settlement High School Principal John Chewning, LPPS High School Principal of the Year; Denham Springs Junior High Principal Justin Wax, LPPS Middle School Principal of the Year; and French Settlement Elementary Principal Josh Martin, LPPS Elementary Principal of the Year.

The three Principals of the Year are selected based on their success with students and their work to support teachers. Every year one principal at each level – elementary, middle/junior high, and high school – are selected as district-level winners and they move on to compete in the state competition. The Louisiana Department of Education will select a top principal in each level, and an overall outstanding principal during a special ceremony following this school year.

“We are very proud to present these three principals as this year’s top honorees. They exemplify a commitment to excellence that we expect among our school system leadership,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

CULINARY TEAMS COMPETE IN COOK-OFF

The Live Oak High School culinary team won a $500 gift card and individual prizes for receiving first place in the 2024 LPPS ProStart Culinary Cook-Off for its pork taquitos recipe. Pictured from left to right are Melissa Campbell, Management Analyst for USDA Food & Nutrition Service, Southwest Regional Office; Angell Beswetherick, LOHS culinary instructor; culinary students Andrew Stansbury, Addison Zaunbrecher, Bella Culmone, and Jacob Cowart; Sommer Purvis, LPPS Supervisor of Child Nutrition Programs; Misty Woods, Director of School Food Service, Nutrition Support for the Louisiana Department of Education; and David Ratner, Assistant Administrator of Food Distribution for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Thirty-two culinary students representing five high schools in Livingston Parish squared off in a “best dish” competition for the chance to have their food item selected to be on the district’s Curbside Café menu.

Those schools competing included two teams from Denham Springs High School, French Settlement High School, and Springfield High School, and one team each from Live Oak High School and Walker High School. The competition was held Nov. 13 at the district’s Professional Development Center in Satsuma and was sponsored by the district’s Child Nutrition Department. Each recipe in the competition featured Brookwood Farm’s pork carnitas.

The Live Oak High School culinary team won the competition with its pork taquitos recipe. The school received a $500 Gift Card to Webstaurant to purchase small wares for their school’s ProStart kitchen, and each student on the team received a $25 Amazon gift card.

French Settlement High School earned second place with its carnitas nachos recipe, while Denham Springs High School took third place for its tamale pie recipe. Both schools received kitchen equipment and the students received gift cards.

“These students are gaining valuable career-building skills through our school’s ProStart programs, and through competitions like this one. The Curbside Café gives us an opportunity to showcase their work, and for them to gain practical experience in developing recipes, and managing supplies and timelines,” said Sommer Purvis, Supervisor of Child Nutrition Programs.

LOCAL STUDENTS WIN YES I CAN! AWARDS

Pictured are Livingston Parish Public School’s Yes I Can winners Jacob Draper, front left, and Joseph Brignac, front right, being recognized at a district awards event. They are pictured with LPPS supervisor of special education Eric Penalber, left, and Superintendent Jody Purvis, right.

Two Livingston Parish students have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Yes I Can award.

This distinguished award is presented by the National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which honors children and youth with disabilities who have excelled. The program recognizes 12 outstanding students across the nation with exceptionalities in the six categories of Academics, Arts, School & Community Activities, Self-Advocacy, Technology, and Transition.

This year’s local winners are Joseph Brignac, a student at Freshwater Elementary, who was nominated by his teacher, Emily Adams, in academics; and Jacob Draper, a student at French Settlement High, who was nominated by his teacher, Angela Leader, in arts.

As program winners, the students and their families will receive travel expenses to attend the National CEC convention award ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland in March 2025.

SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARTNER ON SAFETY MESSAGE

Livingston Parish Public Schools and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office have partnered together to address an important issue that has surfaced in recent weeks involving social media threats targeting schools. These threats, while often non-credible, can create significant disruptions to learning and impact the well-being of students and staff. These threats also obligate law enforcement to detract from other concerns across the parish.

Superintendent Jody Purvis and Sheriff Jason Ard have created a video that will be posted across various social media platforms informing the community of how to appropriately deal with threatening materials.

At the same time, the school system has mandated all middle school and high school campuses to teach a lesson on the severe consequences of making threats, as well as the appropriate way to handle and report threatening material to authorities.

“It is crucial for both students and parents to understand the vital role they play in maintaining a safe school environment. This is a very serious issue, but by working together and responding to these situations with care and caution, we can prevent unnecessary disruptions and keep our schools safe,” Purvis said.

The following safety tips are stressed:

1. Do Not Share or Repost Threats

Sharing or reposting threats, even if done out of concern, can cause unnecessary alarm and interfere with investigations. The goal of those making these threats is often to create fear and chaos, and the continued circulation of such posts amplifies that impact.

2. Report to Authorities or a Trusted Adult

If your child encounters a threatening post, the best course of action is to immediately report it to a trusted adult, such as a teacher or administrator, and to law enforcement. This ensures the appropriate authorities can quickly and effectively investigate the situation. Reports can also be made directly to district administrators through its Safe Schools platform at www.safeschoolsla.com.

3. Stay Informed and Cautious

We encourage families to have open conversations with their children about the responsible use of social media and the consequences of sharing harmful content. Those found to be inappropriately sharing or posting threatening content will be subject to disciplinary action per the district’s Student/Parent Handbook.

ROBOTS CONVERGE ON DENHAM SPRINGS FOR HIGH-TECH COMPETITION

Pictured are robots that were built for competition in the annual Dow Red Stick Rumble Robotic Competition.  The robots are remotely controlled by students who maneuver the equipment to perform required tasks indicated by the competition.

The 11th Annual Dow Red Stick Rumble Robotics Competition recently took place at Denham Springs High School, bringing high-tech competition among high schoolers to the area for a game called “Crescendo.”

The Dow Red Stick Rumble brings together 20 FIRST® Robotics Competition teams from Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, where students showcase their 120-pound robots in a thrilling bid for the coveted Red Stick Rumble Trophy.

“When you come to competitions like this, you aren’t watching amazing robots built by professionals but by high school students—many who have spent hundreds of hours learning skills that many won’t encounter until they graduate college and enter the workforce,” said Daniel Eiland, Dow Red Stick Rumble Coordinator. “We’re training the next engineer, machinist, programmer, CEO. The sky is the limit for these amazing students.”

VOTERS TO SELECT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 2 SEAT

Voters in the Live Oak School District will vote on Nov. 5 to fill the Livingston Parish School Board Seat for District 2.

That seat became vacated late last year 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.

Two Republican candidates are seeking the position:

• Taylor Hubert is a graduate of Live Oak High School. His wife is a teacher. He works in management at Satsuma Valve and Controls, a valve repair and manufacturing company.
• Robert Seals is a retired banker who children and grandchildren graduated from Live Oak High School. His wife formerly taught at the high school and his daughter teaches at South Live Oak Elementary.

Taylor Hubert

Robert Seals

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES STIPENDS FOR EMPLOYEES

The Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday (Sept. 19) approved a slate of three stipends to give to employees, with one-time allocations coming from local, state and federal funds.

“These stipends are the result of our Board’s efforts to identify all available funding for our teachers and staff,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.  “While we recognize that these increases are not recurring pay raises, as we would like them to be; they are solid investments in our people and reflect our appreciation for jobs well done.”

Purvis noted that the first payment will be issued on Oct. 10, 2024, including the state’s Certificated and Support Staff Stipend, as approved during the 2024 General Legislative Session, and the ESSER Recruitment and Retention Stipend being funded by the district’s remaining federal ESSER funds.

The state’s stipend includes $2,000 for eligible full-time, active certificated employees, and $1,000 for full-time, active support staff.  To be eligible for this stipend, employees must be full-time as of Sept. 30, 2024. Employees who are categorized as full-time, but work less than 40 hours per week, will receive payments that are proportionate to their work schedules.

The ESSER Recruitment and Retention stipend includes $500 for all eligible full-time, active employees. Those monies have been made available by the district’s remaining ESSER funds that were awarded by the federal government as part of Congress’ economic stimulus action.  Employees must be actively working as of Sept. 30, 2024, to be eligible for the stipend. Contract employees, substitutes or those on workman’s compensation do not qualify.  Employees who have used any leave without pay days are not eligible.

The third stipend, an Attendance / Retention payment being funded by the district’s general fund, provides $1,500 to all eligible full-time, active employees.  The funds will be issued May 30, 2025, requiring that eligible employees do not resign, retire or have their position terminated prior to May 16, 2025.

Employees hired prior to January 21, 2025, and who work the full duration of the second semester will be eligible to receive the full stipend. Employees hired after January 21, 2025, and before March 1, 2025, will be eligible to receive half the stipend, or $750. Employees hired March 1, 2024 or later are not eligible to receive the stipend.  Contract employees, substitutes or those on workman’s compensation do not qualify.  Employees who have used more than two days leave without pay days after January 1, 2025, are not eligible.

“This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to recognizing your hard work and dedication to our school community. We appreciate your continued efforts to provide the best education and support for our students. This stipend is a small token of our gratitude for your professionalism and dedication,” Purvis said.

WESTSIDE JUNIOR HIGH RECEIVES GRANT FOR AQUAPONICS PROGRAM

Sixth graders in Westside Junior High’s aquaponics class take turns scooping Blue Gill fingerlings with a fish net and putting them into the lab’s lage water tank.

Westside Junior High School has been awarded a $405,000 grant from the Louisiana Department of Education to establish the state’s first Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) learning environment.

A CEA is an agricultural system grown within a controlled environment, allowing for technology-based farming interventions. This project will enable students to explore environmental issues impacting their local Gulf Coast communities while learning about aquaculture and conservation.

The aquaponics curriculum will utilize a catfish and lettuce grow system to offer a hands-on experience that highlights sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.

BESE President Ronnie Morris announced the grant during a special presentation at the school on Sept. 18.  The grant is funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Gulf Research Program (GRP) to support an initiative called Greauxing STEM-Stewards.

Westside Junior High will serve as the model school where the curriculum, learning lessons and virtual community of practice will be established before expanding the Greauxing STEM-Stewards program statewide.

LIVINGSTON PARISH STUDENTS TRAINING TO BE FIREFIGHTERS

Pictured are those Livingston Parish students enrolled in the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy sponsored by Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4. They are, from left to right: Tamara Fonseca from Walker High School, Kloie Wheat from Doyle High School, and Robby Vavasseur and Brayden Duncan from Denham Springs High School.

Four Livingston Parish students are participating in a unique firefighter training program this school year that will allow them to earn class credit and fire training certification that can help them pursue professional firefighting careers.

The local Louisiana High School Firefighter Training Program is sponsored by Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4 (LPFPD4), the parish’s largest fire protection district, serving more than 70,000 residents across more than 225 square miles.

“This program gives our youth the chance to learn about local fire, rescue and emergency response organizations in a safe, controlled and educational manner,” said LPFPD4 Chief of Training/Safety Keesler Fly, who leads the program with Chief Frank Dellucky.

Fly said successful completion of the course provides students with training in Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 instruction.

SEVENTH WARD ELEMENTARY RECEIVES NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Seventh Ward Elementary students play on new equipment, valued at $50,000, that was donated to the school by the Denham Springs Pilot Club.

Students at Seventh Ward Elementary in Denham Springs can now enjoy new playground equipment on their campus, thanks to a generous donation by the Pilot Club of Denham Springs.

The local charitable organization raised $50,000 to purchase and install the new equipment on the campus.  This is the second playground donated by the club, its members donated similar equipment, also costing $50,000, to Holden School earlier this year.

“We know that children develop a host of skills through play, but many of our students in Livingston Parish may have limited access to safe play equipment on the campuses,” said Terri Borde, a Pilot Club representative.

Borde said the Pilot Club has adopted a 5- to 10-year plan to provide playground equipment to elementary campuses across the parish that is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.  She said the club hopes to target two elementary schools each year.

NEW POLICIES IN EFFECT FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Important policy changes have gone into effect this new school year because of new laws passed by the Louisiana State Legislature over the summer.  Some key changes include:

• No student shall possess, use, or operate any electronic telecommunication device during the instructional day or in any school bus. The devices include, but are not limited to cell phones, ear buds or any other accessories that connect to a cell phone. Students in grades 6-12 are not banned from having cell phones, but they must be turned off and stowed away in a backpack or duffle bag. Students will not be allowed to use their cell phones during the school day or on a school bus. Students in pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade are not allowed to have phones with them at their school or on the school bus.
• Students in grades 6 through 12 who are suspended a third time within the same school year for any offense, excluding those related to dress code or tardiness, will face expulsion on the third offense. Previously, the district’s policy called for expulsion on the 4th offense, so the new policy is a stricter guideline.
• Parents will be held responsible for having their truant student make up missed class assignments. Parents will have to attend meetings at the school with their child until the issue is resolved. Parents or guardians who fail to meet the state’s mandatory attendance requirements could face a series of escalating consequences.
• The possession of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or marijuana product in any form is prohibited, including smoking objects or devices, such as e-cigarettes and vapes. These products and objects are not allowed on any campus or school bus, nor are they allowed at any school-sponsored event.

STUDENT SCORES UP IN LIVINGSTON PARISH; 26 SCHOOLS SHOW ASSESSMENT GAINS

Scores for Livingston Parish students in grades 3-8 who took LEAP and high schoolers who sat for End of Course assessments are up overall in Livingston Parish, with 26 of the district’s schools showing assessment gains, according to the 2023-2024 accountability report released by the Louisiana Department of Education.

At the same time, the percentage of students scoring Mastery or above on those tests remains consistent.

Superintendent Jody Purvis said the parish’s assessment index grew by 1.3 points overall, showing more students making academic gains across the full spectrum of the state’s accountability system. That analysis also showed 26 of the district’s schools scored academic gains.

He noted that South Live Oak Elementary was among the state’s very best for growth, ranking No. 4 overall with a 14.3-point increase.  South Live Oak Elementary grew its percentage of Mastery scores in all academic categories, with 66% of its students tested scoring Mastery or above in all subjects combined.

Other Livingston Parish schools that showed high growth in their assessment index in all categories included French Settlement Elementary at 8.6 points, Southside Elementary at 8.5 points, Walker Elementary at 5.4 points, Eastside Elementary at 5.1 points, Seventh Ward Elementary at 4.3 points, North Corbin Elementary at 4.1 points and Live Oak Middle School at 4.0 points.

At the high school level, the district showed high numbers of students scoring Mastery in English/language arts. The district had 53% of its high school students score Mastery or above in English I and 56% scored Mastery or above in English II.  The state average is 41% at Mastery or above for English I and 47% at Mastery or above for English II.

Other district high points included Holden High scoring 61% Mastery or above in English I, 70% Mastery or above in English II, 62% Mastery or above in geometry, and 61% Mastery or above in U.S. History.

DISTRICT RECEIVES GRANT FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING

Livingston Parish Public Schools will invest more than $120,000 into strategic planning for improving the district’s overall outcomes, thanks to funding from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) through its Reimagine School Systems grant program.

The state program is aimed at districts that are interested in bold, systemic change to improve access to high-quality instruction for students and families.

The Reimagine School Systems program works with school leaders to create new high-quality educational opportunities through innovative and sustainable Reimagine School Actions that are aligned to school system strategies and to community needs.

“We are excited about taking advantage of these resources to further examine our system for new and bold ways to improve,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

Purvis said the district’s efforts will be guided by professionals from the School Leadership Center (SLC) of New Orleans who will review district action plans and gather input from all stakeholders – students, parents, teachers, staff, supervisors – to gain perspective on current plans and activities.  From that research, the SLC team and the LPPS Strategic Steering Committee will develop a five-year focus to aid the district in continuous improvements.

Purvis noted that the district will take an intentional approach in identifying improvements that maximize growth, while being efficient.

He said the entire process should take about eight months to complete.

ASSESS THE NEED CAMPAIGN WRAPS UP 24^TH YEAR

Volunteers from across the parish recently completed their tasks of collecting donations and distributing schools supplies to needy students across the parish, as part of this year’s Assess the Need School Supply Campaign.

The not-for-profit program helped meet the needs of nearly 3,500 students in Livingston Parish’s 43 public schools, including Pre-K and Head Start programs. The supplies were distributed to all the schools prior to the first day of classes. Other supplies and school items are provided throughout the year as needs arise.

Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor has sponsored the program each year for the past 24 years.

“We know this program helps so many children, giving them the supplies and support they need to start a new school year.  We want to thank our school leaders who work with us to identify needs in our community and distribute these supplies directly to those families; to our many volunteers who help to collect donations, organize and distribute the supplies; and to our greater communities who generously gives each year to our children – it’s a great team effort,” Taylor said.

Volunteers from Holden High School stood outside the Cain’s Family Supermarket in the Town of Livingston to collect donations for this year’s Assess the Need Campaign.

Assess the Need volunteers Bobbi Jo Guerin and Krysta Watts delivered floor mats to French Settlement Elementary Teacher Myra Smith.  The floor mats will be used by the school’s kindergarten classes and physical education classes for naps and floor exercises.

DISTRICT UNVEILS NEW LOOK

The district is now sporting a new look to better convey the message that Livingston Parish Public Schools empowers, challenges and inspires its students, faculty, staff, parents, school leaders and community leaders to learn, achieve and excel. The new design was created by Live Oak High School graphic design students and instructor.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PLANS TO AIR CONDITION BUSES

The Livingston Parish School Board recently approved a proposal to seek bids on providing air conditioning for the district’s bus fleet, as well as applying for a grant to obtain 20 electric air-conditioned buses.

The approved action includes seeking bids to retrofit 151 buses currently owned and operated by the district, as well as upgrade its agreement with Kent Mitchell to add air conditioning to 34 buses the district leases.

At the same time, the district will look to purchase an additional 63 air-conditioned buses to equip 100% of the fleet with air conditioning.

Superintendent Jody Purvis said the A/C initiative will be a very costly one for the district, especially in its initial phase. He anticipates the cost to be close to $11 million. He noted that air conditioning the fleet will increase bus maintenance and fuel costs, as well as increase servicing needs. The district’s current mechanics will require additional training, and new purchases will require more comprehensive warranties, he said.

ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES RACHAEL RAY GROW GRANT

Pictured are Suzanne Fekete-Stilley, culinary instructor at Albany High School, (second from left) and representatives of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, (from the left) Director Amy Saltzman, Program Coordinator Alex Diachok, and Senior Manager Erica Garner.

Albany High School is one of 40 high schools nationwide selected to receive a $5,000 grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to enhance its ProStart culinary arts and restaurant management program with new equipment, curriculum, and experiential learning opportunities.

The funds will be used to purchase a hydroponics garden system, fund a field trip to the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute, and purchase new chef coats and aprons for the students, as well as knife sets, sous vide cookers, blenders and utensil sets for the school’s culinary classroom.

“Our students will also benefit from this grant by using a portion of it to earn the ServSafe Manager certification,” said Suzanne Fekete-Stilley, the ProStart teacher at Albany High School. “Our kitchen and culinary classroom are currently being renovated from a 1986 home economics kitchen design into a modern restaurant-style, commercial kitchen that will better prepare our students to become leaders in the industry.”

PILOT CLUB PROVIDES GRANT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN HOLDEN

The Pilot Club of Denham Springs is providing the Center for Academic and Behavior Supports in Holden, a program developed by the Livingston Parish School System’s Special Education Department, with a $2,000 grant to purchase sensory equipment for the staff to use with the students.

The club received a $1,000 grant from Pilot International for a project entitled, “Sensory Materials for Students in Need of Behavior Supports,” which the local organization matched and awarded to the program.

The sensory equipment will assist in teaching behaviors to replace aggression, which leads to an increase in self-management, safety for students and teachers, and an increase in instructional time for students with behavior challenges caused by trauma and brain-related disorders. Pilot Club members will also volunteer their time and talents to the center, by preparing academic materials for teachers and reading to the students.

Pilot International’s mission is to influence positive change in communities throughout the world. To do this, volunteers come together in friendship and service to focus on encouraging brain safety and health, and to support those who care for others.

ASSESS THE NEED SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE DATES ANNOUNCED

Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor, business sponsors and volunteers are once again conducting the Assess the Need supply drive to provide classroom supplies for needy students this school year.

Volunteers will be collecting donations at local grocery stores on August 3-4 and August 10-11. Those participating stores include Cain’s Family Supermarket (Albany, Livingston, and Springfield); Carter’s Supermarket (Hatchell Lane in Denham Springs, Vincent Road in Denham Springs, and Walker), Oak Fresh Market in Watson and Village Markets in Head of Island and Maurepas.

All donations are tax deductible and benefit Livingston Parish students. For more information or to make an online donation, visit AssessTheNeed.com.