LIVINGSTON PARISH INCREASES NUMBER OF “A” SCHOOLS TO 28,
IMPROVES TO NO. 3 IN THE STATE

The number of “A” schools in Livingston Parish increased to 28 in 2016 – up from 16 the year before – and the district improved its ranking to No. 3 in the state; a direct reflection of the district’s overall academic excellence and growth in every measurable category that is tracked by the Louisiana Department of Education.

The state department’s latest report shows Livingston Parish Schools received a 2016 District Performance Score of 109.5 to once again earn an overall “A” rating and earn the No. 3 ranking in the state.  Livingston Parish is the largest district in the state’s top-performing districts with an enrollment of nearly 26,000. Overall, the state report showed the district improved 7 points from 102.5 points to 109.5 points to maintain and strengthen its “A” rating.  Sixteen districts in the state earned “A” ratings for receiving District Performance Scores above 100 points.

At the same time, the report showed that 28 parish schools in Livingston Parish received an “A” – more than two-thirds of the schools in the district – while 13 earned a “B”.  The average growth for all schools in Livingston Parish is 5.9 points, or as much as 6.32 points if progress points are factored in the equation. Visit louisianabelieves.com  to see the complete ranking of school districts across the state and the school performance scores for all Livingston Parish schools.

GROWTH INDICATORS SHOW LIVINGSTON PARISH GAINED IN EVERY AREA OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

The state department’s latest report shows Livingston Parish Schools received a 2016 District Performance Score of 109.5 to once again earn an overall “A” rating and be counted among the state’s top performing public school districts. The report also showed that Livingston Parish Schools showed significant growth in K-8 assessments, as well as End of Course exams, ACT scores, and graduation rates for high schoolers.

The district’s highest gains in a performance indicator came in ACT scores – a 21 percent improvement in 2016 scores as compared to 2015. The district’s score for success on the ACT, a college preparatory exam, and the ACT Workkeys, a job skills assessment, jumped from 83.5 point to 101.3 points, for a 21 percent gain.

At the same time, the district grew its graduation rate from 79.6 percent to 84 percent, and improved it access to college and career performance indicator by 7 percent. The district also showed an overall 6 percent increase in both its K-8 Assessment index and End of Course exams.

“We are excited about these scores because they show our students improving in every category and at every level, from K to 12. Some of our schools showed double-digit gains,” Supervisor of Instruction Tracy McRae said.  Those schools that grew by double digits include Albany High School, up 14.9 points; Frost School, up 14.1 points; Springfield High School, up 13.2 points; Springfield Elementary School, up 10.8 points; Juban Parc Elementary, up 10.7 points; Denham Springs High School, up 10.4 points; and Denham Springs Junior High, up 10 points.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES CHANGES TO SPRING 2017 ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

The Livingston Parish School Board approved recommended changes to the Spring 2017 school calendar that include replacement time for the district’s academic schedule. The new calendar now requires students to attend a full day of class instruction on the following days that were previously scheduled as half-days for students or as planning/work days for only teachers and principals:

• Jan. 5 (previously a work day for only teachers and principals)
• Feb. 16 (previously a half day for students)
• March 16 (previously a half day for students)
• May 24 (previously a work day for only teachers and principals)

This new schedule results in students returning to class in the New Year one day early and extending class by one day at the end of the school year.

At the same time, the school system will add 21 minutes of instructional time to its master schedules. This time will be added 10 minutes in the morning and 11 minutes in the afternoon and will begin on Jan. 5 and continue through May 24.

WALKER HIGH SCHOOL CADETS VOLUNTEER TO CLEAN FIGHTER JET AT I-12 SATSUMA EXIT

Some of the Walker High School JROTC cadets and instructors who are volunteering to clean the F-4 Phantom fight jet on display at the I-12 Satsuma exit, pictured left to right, include: Gunnery Sgt. Andre Silvester, Raymond Dozier, Gage Tullier, Chase Langlois, Nathaniel King, Angel Catalanatto, Jonathan King, Via Wilson, James Catalanatto, Brandon Ashton, Caitlin Crowell, Dylan Darnielle, and Major Alan LeCompte.

Walker High School’s Marine Corps JROTC cadets have volunteered to clean and maintain the appearance of the F-4 Phantom fighter jet that is on display at the I-12 Satsuma exit. The large McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is on loan from the U.S. Department of Defense to the Town of Livingston for public display on property donated by local developer, businessman and retired Naval Captain Garry Lewis.  Lewis flew the Phantom jet during his 26 years in the military.

Walker High’s Senior Marine Instructor Maj. Alan LeCompte said the cadets will clean the jet approximately once a month during after-school hours.

LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FLOOD-RELIEF DONATIONS

Various charitable organizations, businesses and individuals continue to respond the parish’s need in the aftermath of the devastating floods that damaged thousands of homes, businesses and lives in August. The school system suffered millions of dollars in damage, as well, and several schools are still closed and under repair.  Anyone wishing to make a donation to Livingston Parish Schools can contact Mr. John Foster at 225-400-7566 or donate online at friends@lpsb.org. Numerous donations have been received, and not all can be publicly acknowledged; however, the following is a list of organizations and people whose generosity is greatly appreciated and deserves our humble thanks and gratitude:

• $80,000 from St. Tammany Parish Schools, including $30,000 in supplies, $42,000 in cash donations and $8,500 in gift cards
• $65,000 worth of sportswear and jackets from Trinity Promotions
• $50,000 cash donation from Taylor Swift Foundation
• $35,000 in athletic gear from Schutt Sports
• $25,000 from Rotary International
• $25,000 worth of mattresses from Baton Rouge Mattress
• $15,000 cash donation from Assess the Need, plus thousands of dollars in supplies
• $15,000 cash donation from Tito Vodka
• $10,000 supply credit from School Specialty,with special thanks to Account Manager Gina Guarino
• $10,000 worth of supplies from the community of St. Louis, Mo., and the cast and crew of “Thread Up” for publicizing our local need
• $10,000 worth of uniforms from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation
• $10,000 worth or art supplies from Baton Rouge resident and professional art director Cullen Boudreaux
• $3,000 supply of shoes from Heart and Soul

TWO FLOODED SCHOOLS TO REOPEN JAN. 6, THREE TO RELOCATE

Graphic provided by The Advocate Newspaper, published Oct. 21, 2016.

Students from Denham Springs High School and Denham Springs Freshman High will return to their home campuses for the start of the second semester, on Jan. 6, 2017, while students from three other schools will relocate to temporary campuses at that time.

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will make available nearly four acres of its property on Hatchell Lane to house the temporary campus for Denham Springs Elementary. The church has agreed to enter into a zero-dollar lease with the school system for use of the land.

At the same time, a temporary campus for Southside Elementary will be constructed on school property next to Juban Parc Elementary, and a temporary campus for Southside Junior High will be located on school property next to Juban Parc Junior High.

School officials continue to work with FEMA to determine what action can be taken with the three campuses that remain damaged; however, that determination may not be made for another six to nine months, according to Assistant Superintendent Joe Murphy.

HOLDEN GYM NAMED IN HONOR OF ALTON LEGGETTE

Holden High School’s 1963 boys state championship basketball team, from left to right: (front row) Wayne Stewart, Nelson Hinson, Sherman Mack, Van Osborne, (middle row) Clinton Mitchell, Thomas “T.L.” Hodges, Coach Alton Leggette, Mike Higginbotham, Ronald Sykes, (back row) Corley Trawick, Charles Allen, Edward “Ed” Green, Richard Harrison and Emerson Causey.

The Livingston Parish School Board unanimously voted to name the old Holden school gym the Alton Leggette Memorial Junior High Gym.

Leggette was a former school board member and hall of fame boys’ basketball coach, best known for coaching the 1963 Holden team that won the Class C state title. He started his career as the girls’ coach at Maurepas, but went on to become the boys’ coach in Holden and finished his career as head coach at Denham Springs in the mid-1970s with a career record of 498-155. In 1990, he was selected as Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches.

WALKER PARTNERS WITH NORTH OAKS FOR SPORTS MEDICINE FACILITY

Livingston Parish School officials and members of the North Oaks Health System recently participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Walker High School’s new sports medicine facility. Pictured from left to right are: (front row) Alexis Amato, North Oaks’ Athletic Trainer for Walker High School; Nathan Borget, North Oak’s Head Athletic Trainer; Mac Barrient, North Oaks Rehab Services Director; Staci Polozola, Livingston Parish’s Career & Technical Education Supervisor; Jason St. Pierre, Walker High School Principal; Rick Wentzel, Livingston Parish School Superintendent; and (back row) Stephen Parrill, Livingston Parish School Assistant Superintendent.

Walker High School recently opened a new sports medicine facility in partnership with North Oaks Sports Medicine.  The new facility is located in Walker High School’s newly constructed athletic field house and weight room facility, and it serves as a classroom laboratory and treatment center for the school’s athletic programs.

“We are proud to partner with North Oaks to keep our student-athletes healthy and to train our students in the exciting and growing field of sports medicine,” Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre said. He noted that the partnership gives students hands-on training opportunities, including access to visit and conduct clinical training at the North Oaks facilities in Satsuma and Hammond.  He also said the program will benefit the school’s Certified Nursing Assistant curriculum.

EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION DONATES NEW UNIFORMS TO STUDENTS

Brian Kish, president of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, prepares to toss a bag of new uniforms to Southside Elementary student Karoline Norris, after giving uniforms to classmate Gavin Davis. Looking on, from left to right, are Mandeville students Chase Erickson and Catherine Treuting, and KINDD Founder Karen Treuting.

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation recently donated new school uniforms to nearly 350 students at Southside Elementary and Southside Junior High in Denham Springs who were severely impacted by the flooding.

Brian Kish, president of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation said his organization donated $10,000 to Kids in Need During Disasters (KINDD), a fund that supports children affected by natural, manmade and environmental disasters, in order to purchase two uniforms for each of the 350 students identified as affected by the flood.  Each student received two pairs of short, two shirts and a sweatshirt in his or her correct size.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HONORED FOR ROLE IN SUCCESSFUL DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM

Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance Edward Foster and Principal of Pine Ridge Alternative School Tony Terry were recently honored at the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP) Conference for their participation in a cooperative dropout prevention program that has significantly increased the graduation rate in Livingston Parish.

The 21^st Judicial District Court’s Juvenile Drug Court and Dropout Prevention Program received the IATDP’s “Program of the Year” award.  The program operates under the judicial supervision of Judge Blair Edwards of the 21^st JDC and includes members of  Livingston Parish Public Schools, the District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, TASC/FINS and Juvenile Drug Court, the Office of Juvenile Justice and the local office of the Department of Children and Family Services.