DISTRICT UNVEILS NEW LOOK
The district is now sporting a new look to better convey the message that Livingston Parish Public Schools empowers, challenges and inspires its students, faculty, staff, parents, school leaders and community leaders to learn, achieve and excel. The new design was created by Live Oak High School graphic design students and instructor.
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PLANS TO AIR CONDITION BUSES
The Livingston Parish School Board recently approved a proposal to seek bids on providing air conditioning for the district’s bus fleet, as well as applying for a grant to obtain 20 electric air-conditioned buses.
The approved action includes seeking bids to retrofit 151 buses currently owned and operated by the district, as well as upgrade its agreement with Kent Mitchell to add air conditioning to 34 buses the district leases.
At the same time, the district will look to purchase an additional 63 air-conditioned buses to equip 100% of the fleet with air conditioning.
Superintendent Jody Purvis said the A/C initiative will be a very costly one for the district, especially in its initial phase. He anticipates the cost to be close to $11 million. He noted that air conditioning the fleet will increase bus maintenance and fuel costs, as well as increase servicing needs. The district’s current mechanics will require additional training, and new purchases will require more comprehensive warranties, he said.
ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES RACHAEL RAY GROW GRANT
Pictured are Suzanne Fekete-Stilley, culinary instructor at Albany High School, (second from left) and representatives of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, (from the left) Director Amy Saltzman, Program Coordinator Alex Diachok, and Senior Manager Erica Garner.
Albany High School is one of 40 high schools nationwide selected to receive a $5,000 grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to enhance its ProStart culinary arts and restaurant management program with new equipment, curriculum, and experiential learning opportunities.
The funds will be used to purchase a hydroponics garden system, fund a field trip to the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute, and purchase new chef coats and aprons for the students, as well as knife sets, sous vide cookers, blenders and utensil sets for the school’s culinary classroom.
“Our students will also benefit from this grant by using a portion of it to earn the ServSafe Manager certification,” said Suzanne Fekete-Stilley, the ProStart teacher at Albany High School. “Our kitchen and culinary classroom are currently being renovated from a 1986 home economics kitchen design into a modern restaurant-style, commercial kitchen that will better prepare our students to become leaders in the industry.”
PILOT CLUB PROVIDES GRANT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN HOLDEN
The Pilot Club of Denham Springs is providing the Center for Academic and Behavior Supports in Holden, a program developed by the Livingston Parish School System’s Special Education Department, with a $2,000 grant to purchase sensory equipment for the staff to use with the students.
The club received a $1,000 grant from Pilot International for a project entitled, “Sensory Materials for Students in Need of Behavior Supports,” which the local organization matched and awarded to the program.
The sensory equipment will assist in teaching behaviors to replace aggression, which leads to an increase in self-management, safety for students and teachers, and an increase in instructional time for students with behavior challenges caused by trauma and brain-related disorders. Pilot Club members will also volunteer their time and talents to the center, by preparing academic materials for teachers and reading to the students.
Pilot International’s mission is to influence positive change in communities throughout the world. To do this, volunteers come together in friendship and service to focus on encouraging brain safety and health, and to support those who care for others.
ASSESS THE NEED SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE DATES ANNOUNCED
Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor, business sponsors and volunteers are once again conducting the Assess the Need supply drive to provide classroom supplies for needy students this school year.
Volunteers will be collecting donations at local grocery stores on August 3-4 and August 10-11. Those participating stores include Cain’s Family Supermarket (Albany, Livingston, and Springfield); Carter’s Supermarket (Hatchell Lane in Denham Springs, Vincent Road in Denham Springs, and Walker), Oak Fresh Market in Watson and Village Markets in Head of Island and Maurepas.
All donations are tax deductible and benefit Livingston Parish students. For more information or to make an online donation, visit AssessTheNeed.com.