WHS PRINCIPAL AND NEW TEACHERS COMPETING FOR STATE’S TOP AWARDS
Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre, right, has been named a semifinalist for the Louisiana Principal of the Year Award. He is pictured with Livingston Parish School Superintendent Joe Murphy, left, receiving the Livingston Parish High School Principal of the Year award.
Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre, Albany Lower Elementary Teacher Payton O’Nellion and Albany Middle School Teacher Phoenix LeBlanc have been named a semifinalist and finalists, respectively, for the Louisiana Department of Education’s Principal of the Year and New Teacher of the Year awards.
Twenty-four teachers and 24 principals have been named Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists. Nine teachers have been named New Teacher of the Year finalists.
All Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and the New Teacher of the Year finalists will be honored at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held July 22 at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The event is co-sponsored by Dream Teachers.
Albany Middle School Teacher Phoenix LeBlanc, left, and Albany Lower Elementary Teacher Payton O’Nellion, right, have been named finalists for the Louisiana New Teacher of the Year Award. They are pictured with Livingston Parish School Superintendent Joe Murphy, receiving their district awards.
CAMPERS ENJOY HANDS-ON LEARNING WITH STEAM EXPRESS
STEAM Express volunteer Mya Gregoire, left, and PARDS Camp Counselor Destiny Davis, second to right, assist summer camp participants Noah Champagne and Gavin LaGrone, left to right respectively, make the correct patterns with colored triangles as indicated by an electronic software program.
PARDS Summer Campers Dawson Rene and Abram Young, pictured left to right, work with battery operated circuit boards to create assorted sounds and lighting patterns. The fun science station was made available to them on the STEAM Express, a mobile learning lab that is operated by Livingston Parish Public Schools.
Campers at the Parks & Recreation District of Denham Springs (PARDS) enjoyed a variety of hands-on science activities this month, as the STEAM Express made a special visit to some of its day sessions.
STEAM Express Director Jolie Gregoire said the mobile learning lab has booked several “field visits” for this summer to help expose more children to fun learning activities.
“When children can engage in scientific and engineering-based activities in the context of a fun activity, like summer camp, then it’s a great way to make learning fun and interesting,” Gregoire said. “Our hope is that the more our students can engage in these types of activities, then the more inclined they may become to pursue more learning in these areas, and eventually pursue a career in that path.”
Gregoire said community organizations interested in having the STEAM Express participate in their activities can contact her at 225-686-4233 or at jolie.gregoire@lpsb.org to determine availability and to schedule an appearance.
LIVINGSTON PARISH STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL ART CONTEST
Two Livingston Parish Public School students are winners in this year’s 2023 National ESS Art Contest.
Jacob Li, a student at Live Oak Elementary School, won the 3-5 Grade competition, while Sherry Yang, a student at Live Oak High School, won the 9-12 Grade competition. Both students earned a $500 check for themselves and their schools.
ESS is a national education management and staffing solution corporation that seeks to provide qualified substitute and permanent employees for school districts across the nation. ESS also provides training for applicants.
This year’s nationwide competition fielded 1,600 entries from students in grades K-12 who created original artwork representing the theme “If you could take a school field trip anywhere, where would you go?”
Live Oak Middle School Student Jacob Li was presented with a $500 cash award for being named the Grade 3-5 winner of the ESS Art Contest. His school also received a $500 award. Pictured, from left to right, are ESS Tangipahoa Substitute Program Manager Clarissa Quinn, Assistant Principal of Live Oak Middle School Rhonda Blount, Hui Li (Jacob’s father), Jacob Li, Yan Li (Jacob’s mother), and local art teacher Vivienne Wu.
Winner of the 3-5 Grade Level ESS Art Contest – Entry by Jacob Li
Live Oak High School Student Sherry Yang, pictured second from left, is presented with a $500 cash award for herself and another $500 check for her school for being named the Grade 9-12 ESS Art Contest winner. Pictured, from left to right, are local art teacher Vivienne Wu, Yang, Live Oak High School Principal Beth Jones, and ESS Tangipahoa Substitute Program Manager Clarissa Quinn.
Winner of the 9-12 Grade Level ESS Art Contest – Entry by Sherry Yang