LIVINGSTON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARN “A” GRADE FROM STATE

The Livingston Parish Public School System received an “A” rating from the Louisiana Department of Education for the 2013-2014 school year after its grading system indicated that the district’s overall score improved nearly 12 points and the number of parish schools with “A” grades almost doubled.

Livingston Parish earned a District Performance Score of 103 points, up from last year’s overall score of 91.1 points, to rank it among the state’s top performing public school districts. At the same time, the number of individual schools receiving an “A” grade grew from 10 to 19, accounting for nearly half of all the district’s elementary, middle and high school campuses.

Superintendent John Watson attributed the growth to a number of factors. “We are very blessed to have quality individuals working with our most precious asset, our students. Our teachers and school administrators, as well as the entire staff at each school site, do an amazing job day in and day out.”

DOYLE SCHOOLS RECEIVE NEEDED EXPANSIONS

Several students at both Doyle High School and Doyle Elementary could come back to new classrooms after the Thanksgiving Holiday break, as both campuses are undergoing expansion projects that are on schedule to be completed next month.

Doyle High School has a new 8,400-square-foot building that includes a new band room, four classrooms, bathrooms and storage areas. The band hall has a large rehearsal room with 20-foot ceilings to help accommodate for the sound; an ensemble practice room, six small practice rooms, a large instrument storage room, a music library, a work room for cleaning instruments, the band director’s office and sound-rated doors and walls.  The adjoining classrooms have adequate space for up to 30 students and a teacher in each room, he said.

Doyle Elementary is receiving four new classrooms, along with extra bathrooms and storage space. The new addition is adjacent to the school’s third hallway, located near the school playground.  The new wing is expected to replace the temporary classrooms that are currently on the campus.

Doyle High School’s new addition includes a large band hall, four classrooms, bathrooms and storage areas. A large section of the building’s ceilings are 20-feet tall to accommodate the sound in the band hall’s large rehearsal area.

DENHAM SPRINGS STUDENT NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR

Morgan Rea

Morgan J. Rea, a senior at Denham Springs High School, has been named a National Merit Scholarship Program semi-finalist.  To qualify for the scholarship program, Rea had to have an outstanding academic record, be recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm her earlier performance on the qualifying test.  The nationwide pool of semi-finalists represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.

LIVE OAK HIGH STUDENTS ACHIEVE TOP AP HONORS

Live Oak High School has been in the state’s Top 10 rankings for the past two years for the percent of students who have scored a 3 or higher on Advanced Placements tests and for the increase in the number of students taking AP courses. During that time, several students have earned individual honors through their achievements in AP coursework.

The following students have been granted AP Scholar status for receiving scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams: Mary Kate Andrepont, Peyton Blackwell, Kelsey Guerin, Jayse Reedy, Daryl Roberts, Victor Rushing and Laura Staub.

Giovanni Mustachia received the title of AP Scholar with Honors for receiving an average of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams.

Three students received the title of AP Scholar with Distinction for receiving an average of 3.5 or better on all AP exams taken and for scoring a 3 or higher on five or more of the exams.  Those students include Kaycie Bennett, Samuel Johnson and Josh Stafford.  Bennett also received a commendation from the National Merit Scholar program.

BESE APPROVES NEW RULES TO ADDRESS EBOLA THREAT

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved precautionary rules that give local school superintendents authority to dismiss schools due to an emergency that now includes “any actual or imminent threat to public health or safety, which may result in loss of life, disease or injury.”

Any student or staff member can be removed if there is reliable evidence or information from a public health officer or physician that he or she has a communicable disease considered a threat to the school population, according to the new policy.

Superintendent John Watson said school officials have been given information on symptoms and other information about communicable diseases from the Centers for Disease Control, and links to that information about Ebola and the Enterovirus D68 are on the school website.

BUSINESS PARTNERS OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED

School officials in the Special Education Department recently honored those local businesses and community organizations that participated this year in the district’s transitional training efforts for students with disabilities.

Those businesses recognized as training sites include: Dollar General Store in French Settlement; Walgreen’s Pharmacy, Carter’s Grocery, LaQuinta, Stine Lumber, Papa John’s and Wholly Ground Coffee House in Walker; Denham Springs High School Cafeteria, Don’s Seafood Hut, First Baptist Church and Walgreen’s Pharmacy in Denham Springs; Oak Point Fresh, Walgreen’s Pharmacy and Live Oak Methodist Church Thrift Store in Watson; Doyle High School Cafeteria, Doyle High Custodians and Livingston Parish School Food Service in Livingston; Anytime Fitness and The Learning Curve Daycare in Albany; and Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin & Strawberry Patch and Carter’s Grocery in Springfield.

Those businesses recognized for hiring community-based students after successful completion of the Community Based Program include: Albany High School Cafeteria, Southeastern Louisiana University and OPTIONS in Hammond, Winn Dixie and John’s Grocery in Walker, Sam’s Club, Open Door Baptist Church Daycare, PARDS and Subway Restaurant in Denham Springs; and the Watson Branch Parish Library.

Some of the participants in this year’s Community-Based Program include, pictured left to right: Erica Sharp, Jason Ellis, School Board Member Jeff Cox, Trudy Culler, Superintendent John Watson, (front row) Peggy Langlois, Cindy Brooks, Priscilla Jackson, Doris Collins, Barbara Giovingo, Jessica Baker, April Morgan, Leah Smith and Director of Special Education Jeanne Ebey, Ed.D.

LIVINGSTON PARISH LEADS STATE IN INCREASE OF STUDENTS SCORING 18+ ON ACT

Livingston Parish Schools had the greatest increase in the number of 12^th graders scoring 18 or better on the ACT over the testing period of 2013-2014, according to the Louisiana Department of Education’s latest report. The state reported that 143 more seniors in the parish scored 18 or better on the ACT in the 2013-2014 school year as compared to those testers who were scored in the 2012-2013 school year. That improved statistic is on top of an increase of 137 seniors scoring 18+ in the 2012-2013 school year over the previous school year. The top ACT score received by the students were used in the calculations, regardless of how many times and when the students took the exam. Superintendent John Watson said the district has made a concerted effort in the past two years to grow student ACT scores in the parish. He said all Livingston Parish high schools offer ACT Prep classes and after-school ACT tutoring.  He said the high schools are also utilizing a variety of study materials provided by ACT, including on-line practice exams. Those districts showing the greatest increase of students scoring 18+ on the ACT, from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014 included:  Livingston, 143; Jefferson, 132; Caddo, 108; East Baton Rouge, 105; and Bossier, 101. Louisiana is one of only 11 states in the nation to have 100 percent of its graduating seniors take the ACT in the 2013-2014 school year.

DID YOU KNOW? 

The number of seniors statewide earning a TOPS-qualifying score (based on their best ACT score) of 17 points or higher is up by 6,339 since 2012, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. The state requires the following ACT scores for graduating seniors to be eligible for the TOPS program – 17+ for TOPS Tech, 20+ for TOPS Opportunity & Regional Universities; 23+ for TOPS Performance & Statewide Universities; 25+ for the Flagship University; and 27+ for TOPS Honors. 

ONLY ONE SCHOOL BOARD SEAT TO BE DECIDED IN NOV. 4 ELECTION

All current members of the Livingston Parish School Board who opted to seek re-election for another four-year term have been granted their request by virtue of having no opponent sign up against them during the qualifying period for the Nov. 4 election.  Two incumbents announced they will retire after this year – Dr. Milton D. Hughes of Denham Springs and Keith Martin of Springfield. Hughes, who represents District 3, will be replaced by former school principal and curriculum director Jan Benton of Denham Springs, who was unopposed for the seat.  Only Martin’s District 8 seat will be decided by a vote on Nov. 4.  Two candidates are seeking that office – David Hoover of Maurepas and James “Jim” Richardson of Livingston.  Those incumbents returning to the board include Malcolm Sibley of Livingston, District 1; Kellee Hennessey Dickerson of Watson, District 2; Karen Wax Schmidt of Denham Springs, District 4; Albert “Buddy” Mincey, Jr., of Denham Springs, District 5; Jeffery Cox of Walker, District 6; James “Jimmy” Watson of Walker, District 7; and Sid Kinchen of Albany, District 9.  The new elected term begins in January 2015.

PARISH EDUCATORS CREATE CHILDREN’S BOOK

“Welcome Home Indigeaux,” the children’s book that tells of the adventures of a beloved Australian Shepard, is written and illustrated by two Livingston Parish educators.

French Settlement Assistant Principal Wendy Woods, and her friend and sister-in-law, Sherry Martin, a gifted and talented art teacher in Livingston Parish schools, have pooled their talents to create the children’s book, “Welcome Home Indigeaux.”  The story is based on Woods’ beloved Australian shepherd, whose imaginary adventures take the reader to several Louisiana landmarks, including Oak Alley, the State Capitol, the Mississippi River Bridge and LSU’s Tiger Stadium.  The book was released last year, and in January 2015 the two women will release a second book that continues Indigeaux’s adventures in “Yoheaux Indigeaux.” The second story is set in New Orleans and tells of Indigeaux’s adventures with pirate Jean Lafitte and his attempt to save prized treasure from a band of English Bulldogs. To promote “Welcome Home Indigeaux,” Woods and Martin regularly attend book signings.  They plan to attend the Denham Springs Elementary Fall Fair on Sept. 27, the Creole Festival in French Settlement on Oct. 19, the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge on Nov. 1, and the Livingston Book Festival at the Main Library Branch in Livingston on Nov. 15. They said their books sell at local businesses, and to date, they have sold more than 1,000 copies.

DENHAM SPRINGS FRESHMAN HIGH RECEIVES UPGRADES TO FACILITIES

The improved and expanded Denham Springs Freshman High School gymnasium will seat more than 1,000 students in a temperature-controlled environment upon its completion at the beginning of November.

Students at Denham Springs Freshman High have shared their campus with construction workers and contractors over the past month in anticipation of them completing a $1.825 million upgrade to the gymnasium by the first of November. The gymnasium will be completely renovated, including expanded restrooms and locker rooms, new air conditioning and heating units, and an increase in seating capacity.  The gym previously seated 460 students; but with the expansion, more than 1,000 students will comfortably sit inside the gym.  School Board Member Buddy Mincey, Jr., said workers have also replaced exterior windows and HVAC units in classrooms at both the Denham Springs Freshman and High schools at a cost of $250,000, making them more energy efficient and comfortable for learning.  At the same time, additional improvements have been made to the Denham Springs High School Jacket Gym.  The Jacket Gym was completely renovated for a total cost of around $200,000.  These improvements follow a recent $230,000 renovation to the Denham Springs High School old science building, where classrooms were refurbished, two computer labs were added, and the special education area was enhanced.  Mincey said the improvements are a continuation of efforts to improve the infrastructure of the Denham Springs Freshman and High School to support existing classroom space.  All improvements are the results of two educational committee recommendations and the support of local board members to improve the Denham Springs area facilities.  Improvements are being paid for with existing funding.

DISTRICT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE PERMANENT SALARY INCREASE

The Livingston Parish School Board voted in July to implement a permanent district-wide employee salary increase, starting with the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

The amount of the scheduled increase will mirror the same amount employees received in a stipend – or “13th check” – back in May, 2014.

The vote stipulated that the raise will be annualized and pro-rated depending on the number of days worked, as determined by the job descriptions of each employee.  The increases will begin with the August 2014 pay checks.

In particular, certified employees are now on schedule to receive an additional $677 over the course of the 12-month pay period for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.  Classified employees will receive an additional $500 over that same period.

14TH ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE HELPS 2,500 CHILDREN

The Assess the Need School Supply Drive sponsored by Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor anticipates collecting nearly $50,000 in donations this year for school supplies for needy children in Livingston Parish.  The donations are helping to provide more than 2,500 children with basic supplies for the 2014-2015 school year.

Taylor said a special “Chef’s Showcase” will be held on Sept. 18 at the Suma Hill Conference Center in Satsuma to benefit the program.  The 6 p.m. event will feature top dishes from local restaurants, live entertainment and a live auction.

PARISH SCHOOLS AMONG STATE’S TOP 10 IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCORES

The Louisiana Department of Education reported that the number of college credits earned in 2014 by Louisiana students on Advanced Placement (AP) exams increased significantly over results in 2013. Louisiana high school students scored high enough to earn college credit on 6,410 AP exams in 2014, compared to 5,144 in 2013 and 4,112 in 2012. Credits earned by students who score a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exams are transferable to nearly any college in the nation and all colleges in Louisiana. Studies show that students who complete AP coursework, even if they do not score 3 or higher on the exams, are better prepared for college-level work and are more likely to graduate college. Three Livingston Parish high schools are among the state’s Top 10 schools for the number of students taking AP courses in 2014 and scoring a 3 or higher on the exams. TOP 10 SCHOOLS IN AP EXAM PERFORMANCE GROWTH BY NUMBER OF TESTS SCORING 3+ FROM 2013 TO 2014, ACCORDING TO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SIX CLASSROOMS ADDED TO SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY CAMPUS

A new six-classroom wing at South Fork Elementary School was constructed over the summer.

The district completed construction on a new classroom wing at South Fork Elementary this summer to help accommodate the school’s growing enrollment, which has now increased to approximately 460 students in grades Pre-K to 5.  The new wing includes six classrooms that are equipped to add technology features to enhance student  learning.  School Board Member Jimmy Watson said the addition was constructed at a cost of approximately $700,000 with existing monies in the Walker School District account that were derived from a parish-wide 1.5-cent sales tax dedicated to school maintenance.  Watson noted that South Fork Elementary will receive another four-classroom wing, new multi-purpose building that includes three classrooms and new restrooms, and additional parking in the coming year as part of the $25 million bond issue that was approved by voters in May.