LOUISIANA GOVERNOR LIFTS STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on May 25 issued a proclamation to lift the state mask mandate, signaling another step toward normalcy in the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With that proclamation, Livingston Parish Public Schools will not require the use of face masks by employees or students during its summer programs. Livingston Schools does respect the right of any individual who chooses to wear a face covering.
Livingston Schools is encouraging members of the parish community to reach out to their local health care providers to determine if the COVID vaccination is a viable option.
HOLDEN TEACHER NAMED TO NATIONWIDE LIST OF EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATORS
School officials recognize Holden Teacher Tracie Porter for being named a National 2021 Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates. Pictured, from left to right, are Holden Assistant Principal Rusty Hutchinson, Porter, Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Vicknair, Middle School Supervisor of Instruction Dwayne Dykes, Middle School Curriculum Coordinator Scarlet Monteleone, and Holden Principal Kris Roundtree.)
Tracie M. Porter, a sixth-grade math teacher at Holden School, has been chosen among hundreds of K-8 educators nationwide by Curriculum Associates as an Extraordinary Educator for 2021.
Porter is among 44 teachers from 26 states and Washington, D.C., who were selected for the 2021 honor that recognizes educators who exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready and/or Ready educational materials as part of their daily instruction. The annual program recognizes educators who have exhibited student growth and achievement through formal assessments, demonstrated innovative and engaging practices for their students, and are “evangelists” for high standards in their systems.
“I am very honored to be named one of the 2021 Extraordinary Educator recipients by Curriculum Associates,” Porter said. “Being included in a group with such excellent educators is certainly an accomplishment. I believe that collaboration is important in education, and I am blessed to be given this opportunity to collaborate with some of the best.”
The i-Ready program is a comprehensive assessment and instruction program that empowers educators with the resources they need to help all students succeed. By connecting diagnostic data and personalized Instruction, i‑Ready reduces complexity, saves educators time, and makes differentiated instruction achievable in every classroom.
DISTRICT PARTNERS WITH FOCUS FOODS FOR FREE MEAL DELIVERY THIS SUMMER
Livingston Parish Public Schools has partnered with Focus Foods to provide free summer meal home delivery to individuals 18 years or younger beginning the week of May 24, 2021. Children do not have to be a student of Livingston Parish Public Schools to participate.
School officials are encouraging parents to register as soon as possible for the bi-weekly meal delivery service.
“All meals will be delivered to the children’s home at no charge to the family. Each delivery will provide two weeks of meals, including frozen and shelf stable meal varieties,” said Sommer Purvis, director of food services.
Purvis noted that while the service is free, it does require a one-time registration. Families interested in the meal service should go to https://focusfoods.formstack.com/forms/livingston_meal_box.
Focus Foods is a leading provider of nutritious meal solutions. The company’s production facility is located Baton Rouge and is capable of producing more than 50,000 meals per day. A full-time team manages quality control, including USDA and LDH nutrition guidelines.
VOTERS APPROVE $13 MILLION INVESTMENT IN DSHS ATHLETIC FACILITIES
Voters in the Denham Springs School District overwhelmingly approved a proposition to allow the Livingston Parish School Board to invest $13 million into new and improved athletic facilities at Denham Springs High School. The bonds used to pay for the improvements will be funded through the extension of an existing 8.64 mills in the district.
The proposition, which was on the April 24 ballot, passed with 76 percent approval. The
Construction on the softball and baseball fields are scheduled to begin this summer and finish in time for next year’s seasons. Construction of the track, the field house and the reconfiguration of the soccer and football field will begin in October and should finish by fall of 2022.
School board member Cecil Harris said the board also hope to build new tennis courts if funding is available to make that addition.