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.