DISTRICT OPENS NEW SOUTH FORK JUNIOR HIGH CAMPUS

Livingston Parish Public School leaders, board members, educators and contractors who were involved in the planning, design and construction of the new South Fork Junior High School in Walker pose for a photo prior to Principal Jeffery Watts cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

School leaders for Livingston Parish Public Schools and South Fork Junior High (SFJH) School held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially celebrate the opening of the district’s newest campus, South Fork Junior High School, located at 23312 Walker South Road.

The new $22 million, 80,000-square-foot campus replaces the old Walker Junior High School campus, which was originally built in 1921 as the first Walker High School. It was later converted into a junior high campus.

“The students are so excited, and our parents are so impressed. They can’t believe how beautiful our campus is,” said SFJH Assistant Principal Brady Hoch added. “Our 7th and 8th graders know how special this is. They know the school we’ve come from, to see what we have now.”

The campus serves grades 6-8 and features a new gymnasium and modern classrooms, modern electrical and lighting services, a library and dedicated room for computer science. The school shares a cafeteria with the neighboring South Fork Elementary campus. The new school’s mascot is the Bronco.

It opened its doors on the first day of school and was welcomed with much media coverage.

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY FOR EXPANSION OF STEM & ROBOTICS CENTER

District leaders held a ground-breaking ceremony on August 24 to kick-off the start of construction of a new classroom and administrative building at the Denham Springs High School STEM & Robotics Center, located at 1129 S. Range Avenue in Denham Springs.

The $2.4 million addition will include three new classrooms, a front administrative office, small-group meeting room, storage and bathroom space.

The new classrooms will house engineering and robotics classes that are currently being taught in the facility’s large gymnasium space, as well as a new process technology (P-Tech) program that will be aligned with the job requirement needs of local chemical plant operators.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2027, allowing the new facility to be in use for the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 3 BALLOT

Two incumbent school board members will face opposition on the Nov. 3 ballot, while Hubert Taylor of Watson was the lone qualifier for the District 2 seat that was previously held by Robert Seals, and two candidates are vying for the District 6 seat that was vacated by long-time board member Jeff Cox because of term limits.

District 3 School Board Member Jeff Frizell, Republican, is being challenged by No-Party Philana Webb, and District 5 School Board Member Cecil Harris, Republican, is being challenged by Chris Taylor, Republican. Trevor Dunlap, Republican, and Nathan Graham, Republican, will compete for the District 6 seat.

Those incumbent board members returning to serve another four years include Brad Sharp, District 1; Brad Harris, District 4; Katelyn Lockhart Cockerham, District 7; Dr. Ron McMorris, District 8; and Stephen Link, District 9.

SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES ROLL OUT FOR MFP STIPENDS

The Livingston Parish School Board recently announced it has approved the district’s plan to distribute in early October those employee stipends that have been mandated to come from the district’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) monies.

The board approved the plan after hearing a recommendation from the Budget and Goals Committee to utilize dollars from district funds and the general fund to cover the one-time payments.

The Louisiana Legislature in July approved Gov. Jeff Landry’s plan to take $168 million from the state’s MFP and use it to fund a $2,000 stipend for public school teachers and $1,000 for support staff across the state. No stipends are being awarded to school administrators.

The state’s deadline to issue the payment is May 1, 2027.

DISTRICT SHOWS SIGNIFICANT GROWTH ON LEAP ASSESSMENTS, MAINTAINS TOP LEVEL PERFORMANCE

Livingston Parish Public Schools continued to demonstrate its standing as one of Louisiana’s highest-performing school systems, with students posting strong growth and achievement across multiple subject areas on the state’s 2026 LEAP assessments.

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) recently released the results showing notable gains in the number of Livingston Parish students scoring Mastery and Advanced in mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

The latest results continue to rank the district among the state’s Top 10 performers. The district improved its overall Mastery and Advanced scores by 2 percentage points, improving to 44 percent, which is a full 8 points higher than the state average of 36 percent.

“We are very proud that our students remain among the highest performing in the state. Much credit goes to our parents, employees and communities for their hard work and support of our students,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

At the subject levels, LPPS students posted their highest gains in ELA, with 52.3 percent of students in Grades 3-8 scoring Mastery and Advanced, and 55.8 percent of high school students scoring at the highest levels in English I and II. In math, 42.8 percent of students in Grade 3-8 scored Mastery and Advanced, and 43.9 percent of high schoolers scored at the top levels in Algebra I and Geometry.

Those percentages of students scoring Mastery and Advanced in other subject areas included 38.2 percent in science and 40.8 percent in Social Studies for students in Grades 3-8; and among high schoolers, 43.4 percent scored Mastery and Advanced in Civics and U.S. History, while 35.3 percent scored the highest levels in Biology.

LIVINGSTON PARISH STUDENTS EARN TOP 10 AWARDS AT NATIONAL BETA CONVENTION

Denham Springs High School Student Kate Dentro stands on stage, center, at the 2026 National Beta Convention to be recognized as one of only three students to be named a National Beta Ambassador for the coming year.

Students from Livingston Parish demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, creativity, leadership, and service at the 2026 National Beta Convention, held June 16–20 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, winning top honors in some of the convention’s most competitive academic and leadership events.

The top honors included Denham Springs student Kate Dentro being selected as the 2026-2027 National Beta Ambassador, and French Settlement High School winning National Champion in the Beta Blitz competition, and Denham Springs High School winning National Champion in the Senior Spanish Academic Test.

All totaled, students from Denham Springs High School, Holden High School and French Settlement High School earned seventeen Top 10 national placements in academic and leadership events.

ASSESSOR ANNOUNCES 26TH YEAR FOR PARISH-WIDE SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM

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 26th consecutive year to do so.

ASSESS the NEED is a not-for-profit program that provides supplies for Livingston Parish students in need of assistance. 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.

Volunteers will be at the parish’s local Associated Grocers stores taking donations on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1, and then again on Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8.  Donations can be given directly to volunteers at the stores or through Venmo.

The supplies will be distributed to the school prior to the first day of classes, which begin Aug. 6.

“Each year we are faced with the challenge of providing our children with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom, and each year that challenge is met with resounding support across our parish. We are looking forward to another year of making a positive impact in the lives of our students,” Taylor said.

PURVIS NAMED LOUISIANA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

Superintendent Jody Purvis was recently awarded the 2026 Louisiana Superintendent of the Year award by the Louisiana School Superintendents’ Association (LASSA). LASSA Executive Director David Claxton presented Purvis with the award during the LASSA Annual Conference in Lake Charles.

Livingston Parish Schools Superintendent Jody Purvis has been named the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents (LASSA) Superintendent of the Year for his outstanding leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to public education.

The award was presented during LASSA’s Annual Conference, which was held this month in Lake Charles.

“I am greatly honored to receive this award from my fellow state superintendents,” said Superintendent Jody Purvis.

“I want to thank my central office team, our school leaders and all our teachers and staff, who are the real champions of our school system. Their hard work and commitment to excellence are what make a positive difference for our students every day. I am proud to say I work with such dedicated and caring professionals who support my vision for a better system,” Purvis said.

Purvis is serving in his third year as the district’s top administrator leader. He has worked for the Livingston Parish Public School System since 1998.

WALKER HIGH GRADUATE NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR

Collin Sprouse, National Merit Scholar

Walker High School 2026 Graduate Collin Sprouse has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholar, an elite honor bestowed this year on only 6,700 students across the nation.

Sprouse received word last fall that he had been named one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

“A much-earned congratulations goes out to Collin, his parents and his academic counseling team at Walker High School for staying the course for this award. This is quite an honor to be celebrated,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

Other accolades that Sprouse enjoyed his senior year include being named the Walker High School Student of the Year, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a member of WAFB’s Best of Class, captain of the Walker High Boys Soccer Team and finalist for the Louisiana Soccer Association’s 2026 Young Referee of the Year.

Sprouse said he aspires to study biology and nursing in college to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). He said he gained a passion for working in healthcare after founding KidCreations, a volunteer service organization that assembles and delivers activity bags to pediatric patients.

Sprouse graduated with a 4.2 GPA and a composite score of 35 on the ACT. He accumulated 58 college credit hours through Walker High School’s dual enrolment and AP courses, giving him a significant head start on his college studies.

DENHAM SPRINGS JUNIOR HIGH RECOGNIZED AS 2026 MODEL SCHOOL

DSHS Principal Justin Wax will be a presenter at the 2026 Model School Conference in Orlando, Florida

Denham Springs Junior High School has been named a 2026 Model School at the prestigious 2026 Model School Conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, June 28-July 1 at the Orland World Center.

The Center for Model Schools, which is sponsoring the conference, honors forward-thinking schools that drive transformation, inspire change and implement groundbreaking strategies to improve student outcomes. More than 5,000 nationwide educators are expected to participate in the conference’s presentations and discussions.

DSJH Principal Justin Wax will present “Becoming a Capacity Catalyst” to the large assembly as part of his school’s recognition.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Model School at MSC 2026,” said Wax. “&Our school demonstrates what we call three years of awesome, and that really says it all. We want to do everything with excellence for the sake of our students and community.”

DSJH is being showcased for its unwavering commitment to student success and innovation. The school fosters a culture of collaboration, ambitious instruction, and continuous improvement.

LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES LPPS DISTRICT DOWNLOAD

Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis hosts 2026 High School Student of the Year Rachel Henry, a recent graduate of Live Oak High School, in the first episode of the LPPS District Download.

The district recently rolled out its first episode of LPPS District Download, a podcast hosted by Superintendent Jody Purvis, where he provides updates on district highlights, educational insights, and features special guests who share their stories about what matters in our schools and community.

The first episode features an interview with 2026 LPPS High School Student of the Year Rachel Henry, a graduate of Live Oak High School, who discusses how she navigated high school and reflects on those lessons learned about time management, the value of getting involved and the payoff for working hard for goals.

The podcast can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and on Apple Podcasts. The links are below. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Today:

▶️ YouTube
https://youtu.be/tGwm0s2R3I0

🍎 Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lpss-district-download/id1896755629

🟢 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/033iUZiluyNiflAu8TtHRN

🎵 Amazon Music / Audible
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4c06b97a-461e-4574-825a-4f685a78df06

❤️ iHeartRadio
https://iheart.com/podcast/334003649

DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE TOP PRIZE AT SLU FILM FESTIVAL

The DSHS film students presented their teacher and mentor Johnny Lombardi with an autographed print of their “Loyalty and Other Crimes” movie poster. The team recently won the top prize at the 2026 “Take Your Shot” Student Film Festival, hosted by the Southeastern Channel at Southeastern Louisiana University. Pictured, from left to right, are Chase Gordon, Beau David, Austin Reynolds (alumnus), DSHS STEM Instructor Johnny Lombardi, Tyler Beatty and Layden Lewis.

A team of four students and one alumnus from Denham Springs High School (DSHS) won the top prize at the 2026 “Take Your Shot” Student Film Festival, hosted by the Southeastern Channel at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

The team’s short film titled “Loyalty and Other Crimes” is a Tarantino style film about a mob boss and his associates. The scenes were shot in and around Denham Springs. Current SLU Student and DSHS Alumnus Austin Reynolds wrote and directed the film and submitted the film in the contest.

The team includes Reynolds and DSHS students Chase Gordon, Beau David, Tyler Beatty and Layden Lewis. The four high school students worked alongside Reynolds, providing assistance with production, editing and acting.

All members of the team were involved in the project are current and former DSTV students. The school’s student-led video production and creative media program. DSTV has received more than 1.2 million views on the video content over the past two years.

WALKER HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS EARN AWARDS AT UNDERWATER ROBOTICS COMPETITION 

Students with the Walker High School (WHS) Wildcats Robotics program recently earned multiple awards at the 13th Annual Northern Gulf Coast Regional MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV competition hosted in Dauphin Island, Alabama.

The 2026 competition was hosted by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discovery Hall Program and presented competition scenarios where students had to use wind turbines to power offshore oil rigs, map the seabed and document discoveries, deploy instrumentation and monitor the health of cold-water habitats, and operate equipment under the ice.

Eighteen teams from four states competed with custom-built remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The competition challenged students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills to solve real-world problems through mission-based underwater robotics tasks.

The WHS teams recognized at the competition included:

CyDivers team earned the “Tethered Together Award” for exceptional teamwork, with judges noting their positive attitude, camaraderie, and ability to stay motivated under pressure. Team members include Chase Martell, Jayden Paetz, Logan Vulgamore, and Olivia Vulgamore.

Frigid Expeditionaires team received the “Buoyancy Award” for their innovative approach to solving buoyancy challenges during competition. Team members include Ian Bayliss, Kira Germany, Jimmy Knight, Tyler Ordoyne and Carter Adamo.

Scallywags Team was recognized with the “People’s Choice Award” for Best Scout Poster, showcasing excellence in communication and presentation. Team members include Cayden Cain, Reid Almeida, Caden McInnis, Oliver Koelbell, and Lance McDowell.

All the WHS students were recognized by event organizers for their leadership and character. Those remaining WHS students who participated in the competition include Christian Bruce, Shawn O’Neill, TyQuincy Sellers, Braden Slocum, Donald Busby, Trelle Sellers, Eva Bencaz and Kayla Ousley-Kirby.

LPPS EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM RECEIVES DONATION

Megan Roberts, Director of the Foundation, (pictured second from right) presented a check for $218,370 to, pictured left to right, LPPS Superintendent Jody Purvis, Early Childhood Supervisor Stacey Milton and Early Childhood Coordinator Julie Norris.

The H. Allen and Jeannette Guillory Thomason Foundation recently awarded $218,370 to the Livingston Parish Public School Early Childhood program to purchase teacher laptops and iPads for all 600 LA-4 pre-kindergarten students in the parish.

Those children enrolled in the LA-4 pre-kindergarten program qualify based on their low socioeconomic status. These children are considered “at risk” for being prepared to enter kindergarten.

“The generosity of Mrs. Thomason is truly remarkable. For nearly two years, we have been searching for ways to keep our pre-K program equipped with up-to-date technology, and this support will have a lasting impact for years to come,” said LPPS Early Childhood Supervisor Stacey Milton.

The foundation honors the memory of Jeannette Guillory Thomason’s late husband, Herbert “Allen” Thomason, who was a successful entrepreneur in the local community. Together, the Thomasons co-founded and managed multiple businesses, including DSLD Homes, focusing on hard work and community outreach and support.

SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY NAMED A CAPTURING KIDS’ HEARTS NATIONAL SHOWCASE SCHOOL

South Fork Elementary School has been named a 2025–2026 Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase School, in recognition of the school’s commitment to creating a relationship-driven culture where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) is an educational program developed by the Flippen Group that focuses on building strong, positive relationships between teachers and students. The program aims to create a supportive and engaging school culture where students feel connected and valued. It has been implemented in thousands of schools across the United States and internationally, impacting millions of students over the years.

The primary goals of Capturing Kids’ Hearts include enhancing student-teacher relationships, creating a safe learning environment, and implementing the EXCEL model. Educators participating in the CKH program undergo comprehensive training that equips them with the skills necessary to implement the program effectively.

LIVINGSTON PARISH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RECEIVES NATIONAL “YES I CAN” AWARD

Jared Peters, winner of the Council for Exceptional Children’s 2026 National “Yes I Can” Self-Advocacy Award

Jared Peters, a former student at Livingston Virtual Grades 6-12 who is home-based at Live Oak High School, is one of 12 students across the country to receive the 2026 National “Yes I Can” Award for Self-Advocacy from the Council for Exceptional Children.

The award was presented on March 13 at the National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. The CEC paid the travel costs for Peters and his family to visit Salt Lake City to receive the national award.

The “Yes I Can” Awards celebrate and honor the achievements of children and youth with exceptionalities while increasing public awareness of the abilities and aspirations of students with disabilities.

Peters is in 10th grade and is currently attending classes in person at Live Oak High School.

DSHS STUDENTS LAUNCH PROTOTYPE TO PROVIDE REAL-TIME FLOOD MONITORING

Students at Denham Springs High School (DSHS) have developed a flood-monitoring prototype that can help to alert local and state officials to real-time changes in water levels and currents that, without adequate warning, can damage property and threaten lives.

The new project, while still in its prototype phase, could help Livingston Parish officials lower flood insurance rates for homeowners. The parish lacks the equipment and funding to locally monitor water and current levels in the rivers and local tributaries that contribute to flooding.

FloodEyes is the student-engineered flood monitoring system developed by students on the DSHS STEM Sharks Engineering Team.

The prototype integrates two different sensors, makes the data remotely accessible, and then makes it available in a cost-effective way where the locals could have access to it. The DSHS protype costs less than $1,000 in hardware, which is 100 times less expensive to build and deploy than the nearest USGS-equivalent monitoring system.

“I would say that the complexity of this project is not even being attempted at the highest collegiate level, much less at the high school level, and our students are making it happen because of their passion and commitment to finding a solution,” said DSHS STEM Sharks Team Sponsor and Biology Teacher Mark Zweig.

LIVINGSTON PARISH BANDS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

Many of the music ensembles in Livingston Parish Public Schools have been busy this spring competing for excellence awards in their various categories.

In particular, the LPPS bands turned in a great showing at the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) District IV Large Ensemble Assessment, with the following band receiving the Sweepstakes Award for superior performance on stage and for sight reading.

• Walker High School Symphonic Band – Edwin Hirst, director
• Walker High School Wind Symphony – Jeff Seighman, director
• Denham Springs High School Symphonic Band – Antonio Suarez, director
• Denham Springs High School Wind Symphony – Rachel Morgan Pfeiffer, director
• Southside Junior High School Concert Band – Rebecca Gambino, director
• North Corbin Junior High School Symphonic Band – Ryan Benoit, director

At the same time, Westside Junior High School Symphonic Band, directed by Blakelyn Pretelt, received an excellent rating in stage performance and a superior sight reading award.

The Live Oak High School Krewe of Blue Concert Band, which is under the direction of Brian Feagles, recently earned top awards at Festival Disney in Orlando, Florida, where the band earned Superior Concert Band, Best in Class, and the Silver Mickey (2nd place) awards. LOHS Student Cole Reynerson was named the Overall Best Soloist for concert bands.

The Doyle High School Band, under the direction of Jon Mannino, earned a superior rating at the TAME Band Festival.

FONTENOT NAMED HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Lacie Fontenot, 2026 Louisiana Health Service Provider of the Year

The Louisiana Department of Education recently presented Lacie Fontenot, the speech-language pathologist at Live Oak Middle School, with the 2026 Louisiana Health Service Provider of the Year Award.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) presented the award at its April meeting, which was held at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

Fontenot was honored for her outstanding dedication to student wellness and health services. The announcement was part of the state’s initiative to recognize excellence in student support.

DSHS ROBOTICS TEAM EARNS BERTH TO 2026 FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Pictured is the Denham Venom Colorado Travel Team, from bottom left: Dominic Esposito, Evan Durbin, Jacob Duke, Nicholas Carpenter, Nathan Engles, Avery Gann, Gabriel Johnston, Baileigh O’Neal, Adam Goslinga, Nathan Thompson, Juan Rendon, Adrian Robinson, and Sophia Echegoyen. Some team members did not travel for the competition, but they watched the competition live and scouted matches to relay data to the onsite team.

The Denham Venom Robotics Team recently returned from Colorado Springs, Co., with a victory at the FIRST Robotics Pikes Peak Regional Competition and a secured berth to the 2026 FIRST World Championship to be held later this spring in Houston, Texas.

The Denham Springs High School (DSHS) team defeated a field of 33 teams that included international competitors from Mexico and Taiwan. The victory advances Denham Venom’s rankings to No. 15 in the world, No. 13 in the United States, and No. 1 in Louisiana, according to Statbotics.

The FIRST World Championships will be held in Houston, Texas, April 29-May 2. In the meantime, the team will compete at the Magnolia Regional in Laurel, Mississippi, and the Bayou Regional at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner in hopes of advancing their ranking.

LIVINGSTON PARISH EDUCATORS NAMED STATE SEMI-FINALISTS

Wes Howard

Grace Reynerson

Denham Springs High School Principal Wes Howard and Live Oak High School Teacher Grace Reynerson have been named state semi-finalists for the state’s top awards in their respective categories.

Howard is among the state’s top eight principals, and he is the third Livingston Parish principal in as many years to advance to the state’s top round of competition. Last year, Denham Springs Junior High Principal Justin Wax won the state’s top award for principals, and the year before, former Live Oak High School Principal Beth Jones was a semi-finalist.

Reynerson is among the state’s top competitors for the 2026 High School Teacher of the Year award.

All state winners will be announced in July 2026.

LOHS ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB WINS THIRD PLACE IN STATE COMPETITION

The Live Oak High School Team Gold won third place overall in the 2026 Louisiana Envirothon, which was held March 11 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.)

Live Oak High School’s Team Gold received first place in Current Events category and third place overall in the state’s 2026 Envirothon, an environmental problem-solving competition for students in grades 6-12.

The event was sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and was held at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. Teams from across the state competed in aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues categories. The 2026 topic, “Nonpoint Source Pollution: It Begins at Home,” challenged students to explore how everyday actions affect water quality. Teams delivered oral presentations proposing solutions to environmental problems related to the issue, demonstrating their knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management.

DISTRICT SEEKS JOB APPLICANTS FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Livingston Parish Public Schools recently sponsored a Career Fair for all job classifications across the district, offering applicants an opportunity to meet one-on-one with school principals and district representatives to learn what opportunities are available in the system.

Many positions were filled at that event, but other slots remain available for the 2026-2027 school year.

The district is looking to hire regular and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians, food service technicians, IT technicians, transportation workers and bus drivers, building maintenance workers and custodial staff.

Human Resources Supervisor Bryan Wax said applicants should contact the main administrative office at 225-686-7044 to learn more about the school system and explore hiring options.

Wax noted that educators and staff have salary ranges that can vary based on experience and education levels.  Full-time employees have access to a variety of health insurance options and wellness programs, including the Live Better Louisiana program offered by Ochsner Health. The Employee Benefits Center provides a competitive benefits package that includes both district-paid and voluntary products, helping employees reach their healthcare and retirement needs

LIVINGSTON PARISH CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Livingston Parish Public Schools recently held its Recognition of Excellence Ceremony to celebrate and honor the district’s outstanding students and professionals, as well as those schools that received state recognition for academic growth and performance. Award recipients included school-level winners, as well as overall district winners.

The district’s top winners:

SOUTH LIVE OAK ELEMENTARY RECOGNIZED AS A LOUISIANA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) officials and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Members recognized South Live Oak Elementary as a 2025 Louisiana Blue Ribbon School by presenting a banner to the school. Pictured left to right are LDOE Assistant Superintendent Trey Folse; Livingston Parish School Board Member Bob Seals; LDOE Representative LeeAnn Smith; BESE Member Dr. Judy Armstrong; LDOE Representative Joni Lacy; South Live Oak Elementary Principal Amy Savage, Asst. Principal Marty Henry, Instructional Coach Ashley Patin, and School Counselor Brittany Bigsby; LDOE Representative Dr. Jennifer Tuttleton; BESE Member Simone Champagne; and Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis.

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) officials and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Members formally recognized South Live Oak Elementary (SLOE) this month for being named a Louisiana Blue Ribbon School for its success in student academic performance and growth.

The parish’s elementary school is one of only eight schools across the state to be named a 2025 Louisiana Blue Ribbon School.

SLOE is a standout among its peers for demonstrating remarkable progress in closing the achievement gap between its higher and lower performing students.  The school has been named a Top Gains and Opportunity Honoree by the state and recognized as having the Highest Assessment Index for K-8 (93.2) and Excellence in Attendance.

“This recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance and make significant strides in closing achievement gaps. However, this award is not simply about test scores or ranking; it is about a school’s commitment to excellence, innovation and opportunity,” said Louisiana Assistant Superintendent of Education Trey Folse.

PRE-K APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN, K REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 2

Livingston Parish Public Schools has begun taking applications for pre-kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year, while online registration for incoming kindergarten students begins March 2.

To qualify for a Pre-K application, a child must be 4 years old on or before September 30, 2026. Round 1 of the online Pre-K application period opened Feb. 1, 2026, and runs through May 1, 2026. The online application can be accessed at http://applytolppsearlychild.schoolmint.com.

To register for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2026. Online kindergarten registration is available at https://www.lpsb.org/parent_resources/registration_info/register_for_kindergarten_2026-2027. Currently enrolled Pre-K students are automatically rolled over and do not need to register.

Parents will be asked to provide the following documents: the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card (if applicable), and immunization records; and the parent or guardian’s ID and proof of residency. Pre-K applications also require proof of income.

PURVIS NAMED TOP SUPERINTENDENT IN REGION 2

Jody Purvis

Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis has been named the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents & Administrators (LASSA) Region 2 Superintendent of the Year. He was selected for the honor by his fellow superintendents in Region 2.

Purvis will advance in the LASSA competition to vie for the state’s top Superintendent of the Year honor later this spring.

NEW ALBANY ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA AND CLASSROOM BUILDING OPENS

Livingston Parish School Board President Steve Link cut the ceremonial ribbon for the new cafeteria and classroom building at the Albany Elementary campus. The news facility accommodates the Upper Elementary and Lower Elementary sections of the campus. Pictured from left to right, are: (back row) Chris Bankston, architect, GGB Architects; Michelle Wilson Juneau, interior designer, GGB Architects; Patricia Mayeux, assistant principal, Albany Upper Elementary; Monica Perez, director of architectural production, GGB Architects; Devin Gregoire, Ph.D., former school board member; Bruce Chaffin, assistant superintendent; Melyssa DePaula, principal, Albany Upper Elementary; Jerry Glascock, maintenance supervisor; Jodie Wilson, maintenance supervisor; (front row) Lynsey Frechette, cafeteria technician; Fay Anthony, cafeteria technician; Rachell Moriarity, cafeteria technician; Tandra Arbour, cafeteria technician; Robin Stewart, principal, Albany Lower Elementary; Cam Mikel, student, Albany Lower Elementary; Chief Mikel, student, Albany Lower Elementary; Jody Purvis, superintendent; Sommer Purvis, supervisor of Child Nutrition Programs; Sandra Caldwel, cafeteria technician; Steve Link, school board member; Crystal Stewart, cafeteria manager; Jodie Clark, cafeteria technician; and Laura Litolff, assistant principal, Albany Lower Elementary.)

Livingston Parish school leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony this month to commemorate the opening of the new Albany Elementary cafeteria and classroom building.

The new cafeteria is designed to independently accommodate the Albany Upper Elementary and Albany Lower Elementary campuses while offering an operable partition that can enlarge the space for large events, seating as many as 625 people.  The new facility also includes four classrooms and dedicated restrooms for each school.

The new facility offers an increased seating capacity of 160 seats, more than 7,600 extra square footage of space, and four daily serving lines, which is up from two in the old facility. The kitchen is equipped with four combi ovens, a double stacked convection oven and two 40-gallon tilt skillets. The combined amenities will reduce serving time by more than an hour each day.

“We want to thank the Albany community for supporting the funding associated with this expansion,” said Superintendent Jody Purvis, noting that local voters in 2022 dedicated a half-cent sales tax on purchases made in the Albany School Tax District to pay for the construction costs of the new facility.

TALENTED THEATRE AND MUSIC STUDENTS ANNOUNCE PERFORMANCES

The Livingston Parish Gifted and Talented Theatre and Music students will perform their renditions of Disney’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “The Little Mermaid” in multiple shows in March.

Students will perform “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church at 25890 La. Highway 442 in Albany, March 12-13. The performances will be at 10 a.m. both days. For ticket information contact Melani Glascock via email at melani.glascock@lpsb.org. School Field Trip reservation form can be found here. Tickets are $15 and purchase includes lunch and snack packs.

The performance of “The Little Mermaid” will be held at First Baptist Church of Denham Springs, located 27735 La. Highway 16 in Denham Springs, March 19-21.

Performances of “The Little Mermaid” are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19; 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20; and 10 a.m. only on Saturday, March 21. Tickets for the evening performances and Saturday matinee can be purchased by visiting https://linktr.ee/Corey_Salt_TAP_Theatre?utm_source=qr_code. Tickets are required for all guests and are nonrefundable.

There will be an “Under The Sea” Breakfast at 9 a.m. March 21 at First Baptist Church of Denham Springs, followed by a meet-and-greet with the “The Little Mermaid” cast members.

BOARD MEMBERS EARN LSBA CERTIFICATION

Pictured with their LSBA certification, from left to right, are Dr. Ron McMorris, Steve Link and Brad Sharp. Not pictured is Bob Seals.

Livingston Parish School Board Members Dr. Ron McMorris, Steve Link, Brad Sharp and

Bob Seals earned certification in 2025 with the Louisiana School Board Association.

The Louisiana School Board Association has in place a voluntary program whereby a member is recognized for attaining a certain number of continuing learning units during a calendar year.

This Program is strictly voluntary and not part of the law regarding school board member training. Any school board member that voluntarily earns twenty (20) or more LSBA approved training hours during a calendar year is recognized for their efforts as a certified board member at the LSBA Annual State Convention

DISTRICT RECOGNIZES 2025-2026 PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR

Superintendent Jody Purvis recognized the 2025-2026 Livingston Parish Principal of the Year winners at the district’s December Principals’ Meeting. Pictured from left to right are Purvis, LPPS High School Principal of the Year Wes Howard, LPPS Middle School Principal of the Year Brian Gunter, and LPPS Elementary Principal of the Year Lauren Kennedy.

Livingston Parish Public Schools recently recognized this year’s Principals of the Year at the December Principals’ Meeting, which was held at the central office.

The top three winners were recognized for their outstanding leadership and dedication to students and their campus communities. The three winners are Denham Springs High School Principal Wes Howard, Westside Junior High School Principal Brian Gunter, and Juban Parc Elementary Principal Lauren Kennedy.

“These exceptional leaders set the standard for excellence in education through their commitment, passion and service to our students, teachers and families. I am grateful for the incredible work they do every day to shape the future of Livingston Parish,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

The three parish winners will compete in the state’s Principal of the Year competition, first competing at the regional level and then, if selected, advancing to the state level to compete against other principals in their respective grade levels, and overall, as the top principal of the year for 2026.  Livingston Parish’s Justin Wax, principal of Denham Springs Junior High School, was recently selected as the 2025 Louisiana Principal of the Year.

All 2025-2026 district winners for outstanding leadership and performance, including principals, teachers, staff workers and students, will be recognized at a special ceremony in the spring semester.

LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS RECEIVE “BEST SCHOOL” RANKINGS FROM U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Thirty-eight Livingston Parish schools, including all nine high schools, have been awarded “Best School” rankings by U.S. New & World Report, placing them among the state’s top 40%, according to report.

The rankings include about 70,000 public schools across the country. Schools are ranked at the state and district level, with Best Charter Schools ranked as a stand-alone category.

Among the parish’s high schools, Live Oak High ranked at the top in the parish, followed by Springfield High, Holden, Albany High, French Settlement High, Walker High, Denham Springs High, Maurepas and Doyle High.

The 14 middle schools that received a “Best Middle School” ranking, beginning with the highest ranking, include Albany Middle, Holden, Maurepas, Frost, North Corbin Junior High, Denham Springs Junior High, Live Oak Junior High, Juban Parc Junior High, French Settlement, Southside Junior High, Doyle, Walker Junior High, Westside Junior High, and Live Oak Middle.

The 15 elementary schools that received the “Best Elementary School” ranking, beginning with the highest ranking, include Juban Parc Elementary, Freshwater Elementary, Denham Springs Elementary, North Live Oak Elementary, Holden, Eastside Elementary, South Live Oak Elementary, Albany Upper Elementary, South Walker Elementary, Live Oak Elementary, Lewis Vincent Elementary, Levi Milton Elementary, Gray’s Creek Elementary, Seventh Ward Elementary, and North Corbin Elementary.

WELDING STUDENTS EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

High school students from Albany, Doyle, Holden, Live Oak and the parish-wide Pathways program recently toured Southland Steel’s fabrication facility and galvanizing plant in Amite to learn about an apprenticeship program available to students.

Students were given a tour through the facility, and they received a briefing on the TACK Apprenticeship program and how it can lead to a career at Southland Steel. The visit showed the complexity and precision required in the welding industry, including hands-on demonstrations in advanced welding techniques, pre-heating, arc gouging and ultrasonic testing for quality assurance.

The tour and demonstration was led by Southland Plant Manager Zach Kent and Director of Workforce Chance Plaisance.

YOUTUBE CHEF AND CAJUN NAVY GIVE GIFTS TO WALKER ELEMENTARY

Walker Elementary teachers and staff welcome several pallets of gifts given to them by two YouTube chefs and the United Cajun Navy to be opened, organized and distributed to their students. Pictured from left to right are Rachael Bridges, Evelyn Wheat, Aimee Spearman, Ashley Cook, Kevia Green, YouTube Chef Ralph Williams and his son and co-host Ralph Williams Jr., Hope Clements, and Eliana Barras.

Students at Walker Elementary School received a wave of holiday cheer and generosity before the holiday break thanks to the United Cajun Navy, along with Ralph Williams, better known as Ralph the Baker, and his son Ralph Williams, Jr., aka RJ-Drip Cooking.

The two Internet cooking sensations teamed up with the nonprofit United Cajun Navy to deliver more than 1,800 toys, 300 pairs of shoes and 700 plushies to the school, enabling every student on the campus to receive gifts.

They selected Walker Elementary as the recipient of the gifts after one of Williams’ family members, a teacher at the school, shared that many local families needed assistance this season, and that Walker Elementary teachers and staff are committed to maintaining a strong, positive involvement in the local community.

The event was made even more magical with special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, who joined the Williams father and son team to hand out the toys to students. Toys were also sent home with parents during carpool.

Williams is a culinary content creator and influencer who has gained significant popularity for his Cajun and New Orleans-style cooking. His content, which includes videos of his cooking, has garnered him a large following on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where he ranks in the top 1% both nationally and globally.

LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS MAINTAIN “A” RATING

Livingston Parish Public Schools has maintained its “A” Rating for student achievement, according to the Louisiana Department of Education’s latest accountability report released this month.

The District’s Performance Score rose to 92.7, up 1.8 points from last year and 3.2 points overall since 2022-2023. This continuous growth raised the Livingston Parish Public School District Performance Score ranking from 10th to 9th in Louisiana.

“Maintaining an ‘A’ rating reflects more than numbers—it showcases the hard work of our students, the passion of our educators, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we continue to set the standard for excellence,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.

Twelve schools earned an “A” Rating, including Albany High, Denham Springs High, Doyle High, Eastside Elementary, French Settlement High, 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, 27 received “B” ratings and only 3 received “C” ratings, down from 7 last year.

LOCAL STUDENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL MERIT RECOGNITION

Four Livingston Parish high school seniors have received recognition by the National Merit Scholarship program, including one student who has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

Walker High School Senior Collin Sprouse has been named one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. As a semifinalist, Sprouse can continue to compete for one of 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly a total of $26 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title, according to the program’s news release.

Three additional local seniors – Parker Mitchell of Denham Springs High School, and Zach Braud and Elliot Perkins of Live Oak High School — earned National Merit Commended recognition. This distinction highlights their exceptional academic achievements and places them among the nation’s top-performing students, honoring their hard work and dedication throughout the rigorous National Merit Scholarship process.

STUDENTS FOCUS ON SOFT SKILLS IN “AMAZING SHAKE” EXERCISE

Amazing Shake 8th Grade Winner — Jake Sykora, an 8th grader from North Corbin Junior High, was named the winner of the Livingston Parish “Amazing Shake” competition. He is pictured with Livingston Parish SADD Executive Director Dylan Ivy. Sykora will represent the district at the Global Amazing Shake competition in Atlanta, Georgia, in March 2026.

Select Livingston Parish students in 5th and 8th grade recently participated in a dynamic “Amazing Shake” exercise to assess and improve their soft skills. They were subjected to drills that tested their ability to display confidence and poise, to effectively communicate and to maintain a sense of professionalism in challenging or unexpected situations.

All students received scores on their performance, while the top participating 8th grader was selected to represent the district at the Global Amazing Shake competition in Atlanta, Georgia, in March 2026. Jake Sykora from North Corbin Junior High was named the winner with the top score.

The district has teamed up with SADD, the parish’s Students Against Destructive Decisions organization, who hosted the event on a parish-wide scale. SADD Executive Director Dylan Ivy recruited local sponsors and community leaders to participate in the program to provide the students with “real life” scenarios.

Students were presented with job interviews by local business leaders, a mock television appearance and a red-carpet interview. Other scenarios included having to explain a product to a person who did not speak English, interacting with an elected official, and writing a speech or resume in a matter of minutes.

“We make the sessions fun and engaging, but the goal is to prepare students for real-world situations,” Ivy said. “As an organization focused on preventing substance abuse, we know that when students build strong communication skills, they’re less likely to engage in destructive behaviors and more confident when refusing drugs and other substances.”

“Beyond academics, skills like a firm handshake and confident eye contact give students a real advantage in life,” he said.

STATE EDUCATION LEADERS CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF WESTSIDE JUNIOR HIGH GREENHOUSE

Students at Westside Junior High School show educators how they are managing and collecting data on their greenhouse lab projects.

Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) President Dr. Ronnie Morris and other state and local education leaders recently visited the greenhouse lab at Westside Junior High to celebrate its official opening.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) greenhouse is funded through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program, known as the Greauxing STEM Steward (GSS) grant.

The new state-of-the-art facility provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore aquaculture, hydroponics, and sustainable agriculture practices through technology-driven, real-world applications.

The CEA greenhouse serves as a model learning hub that strengthens the GSS mission to support Louisiana educators in developing high-quality, open educational STEM resources. In partnership with Louisiana Sea Grant, the GSS Fellowship continues to engage teachers statewide in creating place-based STEM learning experiences and piloting the teacher-developed aquaculture curriculum for grades 6–8.