CECIL HARRIS APPOINTED TO SCHOOL BOARD
Cecil Harris, District 5 School Board Member
The Livingston Parish School Board recently appointed Denham Springs resident Cecil Harris to serve as the District 5 member, filling the vacancy left by former member Buddy Mincey, Jr., who resigned earlier this year to take on his newly elected position of State Representative.
Harris, who is a graduate and Athletic Hall of Fame member of Denham Springs High School, holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University. He also has a minor in special education. Harris taught and coached for three years in Livingston Parish before taking a supervisor position with the Louisiana Department of Education in the Health and Physical Education division. He later moved to the private sector, working as regional vice president for an educational publishing company for several years before opening his own company, Pinnacle Education.
Harris will hold the appointed seat until voters can elect a new board member this fall. Harris said he plans to run for the elected position at that time.
DISTRICT TO HOST 2020 STEAM EXPO
Livingston Parish Public Schools will host a free 2020 STEAM Expo on Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Denham Springs High School STEM and Robotics Center at 1129 South Range Avenue to give students of all ages, parents and community leaders on opportunity to experience and access educational programs in science, technology engineering, art and math.
The expo will provide engaging displays and activities aimed at increasing awareness and interest in STEAM education and career opportunities, such as robotics, 3D printing, photography and video, and performing arts. The STEAM Express will be on site, as well as an ambulance simulator, which is used in instruction at the Literacy and Technology Center to prepare students pursuing certification as a first responder.
Demonstrations will rotate on a 30-minute cycle and tours of the center will be provided throughout the day. For more information, send an email to the STEAM Expo coordinator.
TALENTED ARTS STUDENTS PRESENT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS
Students from across the parish who are enrolled in the Livingston Parish Talented Arts Program will present two Disney productions at the Suma Hall Conference Center, located at the Satsuma Exit (Exit 19) of Interstate 12, over the next three weeks.
They will perform Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” on two nights — Feb. 20-21, with the performances beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and adults, and they can be purchased at the door.
Students will also present three performances of Disney’s “Frozen, Jr.” March 5-7. Evening performances will be held March 5 and 6, beginning at 7 p.m. each night, and a special 11 a.m. brunch performance will be held March 7. The cost of general admission for the evening performances is $10, while the cost of admission to the March 7 brunch performance is $15. Click here to purchase tickets.
CAR SHOW COMING TO THE LITERACY & TECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Livingston Parish Literacy & Technology Center will host its 6th Annual Car Show Fundraiser on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, which will be held at 9261 Florida Boulevard in Walker, will include a bounce house, green screen photobooth, 50/50 raffle, music, door prizes, and jambalaya lunch plates. Registration for car entries is $20 and will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS SCHEDULE DAY TO RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM
Superintendent Joe Murphy presents district administrators with his vision for school leaders to return to teaching for one hour in March as a “hands-on” way to be more engaged in the day-to-day activities across the district.
Ask any educator why they do their job, and they will tell you it’s for the thrill of helping children learn. District administrators will have an opportunity to “return to their first love,” by going back into the classroom for a day, thanks to a special effort implemented by Superintendent Joe Murphy.
Murphy recently asked all district administrative personnel who hold teaching certificates to sign up to teach a class next month, either on March 6 or March 13.
“It’s always good to remind ourselves why we do what we do; and stepping back in the classroom is one powerful way to do that,” Murphy said. “It’s a chance to return to our first love, reacquaint ourselves with our students, and see first-hand what our teachers are facing each day. It’s my hope this exercise will create greater engagement for our leadership and stir excitement on our campuses.”