FIVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SET TO BEGIN FIREFIGHTING CAREERS
Five Livingston Parish high school seniors recently completed the state’s first-ever high school firefighting training program. Pictured from left to right are LPFPD4 Training and Safety Officer Frank Dellucky, Springfield High Senior Elijah Johnson, Walker High Senior Adon Kent, Springfield High Senior William Woodson, Walker High Senior Kainnon Champagne, and Springfield High Senior Barrett Drury, and LPFPD4 Chief of Training and Safety Keesler Fly.
Five Livingston Parish high school seniors have completed the state’s first-ever high school firefighting training program, earning certifications in managing hazardous materials and firefighting skills, enabling them to gain employment as professional fire fighters after graduation.
The five students are Springfield High School Seniors Barrett Drury, William Woodson and Elijah Johnson, and Walker High School Seniors Kainnon Champagne and Adon Kent.
The program’s core training was developed by the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy in conjunction with the Louisiana High School Firefighter Training Program Committee
“The program serves as a tool to promote youth participation within the fire and emergency services community,” Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4 (LPFPD4) Chief of Training and Safety Keesler Fly said. “By participating in this program, our state’s youth will have the chance to learn about local fire, rescue and emergency response organizations in a safe, controlled and educational manner.”
Fly said LPFPD4 recently held its inaugural graduation ceremony for the five students at the department’s headquarters in Walker. They received pins and plaques commemorating their accomplishments.
They were recognized for learning about fire and emergency response. Certifications were awarded for Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, Firefighter I, and Firefighter II.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEADERS VISIT FRENCH SETTLEMENT HIGH SCHOOL
Those attending the Teacher Advisory Spotlight Session at French Settlement High School on May 1 included, from left to right, Livingston Schools Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Vicknair, Livingston Schools Assistant Superintendents Jody Purvis and Bruce Chaffin, Livingston Schools Superintendent Joe Murphy, French Settlement High School Math & STEM Teacher and LDOE Teacher Advisory Council Member Erik Willie, French Settlement High School Principal John Chewning, LDOE Math Director Jamie Hebert, LDOE ELA Manager Shantell Lee, and LDOE Education Technology Director Bonnie Chelette, and Joni Landry Executive Assistant to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley.
Leaders from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and Livingston Parish Public Schools visited French Settlement High School (FSHS) on May 1 for a Teacher Advisory Spotlight Session hosted by local Math and STEM Teacher Erik Willie.
The session focused on new math and English Language Arts initiatives taking place at the state level, with updates being made to the LDOE website and resources to better suit the needs of teachers and students across the state.
FSHS Principal Mr. John Chewning and several math and ELA teachers ranging from Grades 5-12 participated in the meeting. Several students helped to facilitate the meeting.
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY TEACHER RECOGNIZED BY NIET DURING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Northside Elementary Teacher Jessica Walker was recently spotlighted by the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Walker teaches 4th & 5th grade special education students.
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) recently recognized Northside Elementary’s Jessica Walker during National Teacher Appreciation Week as part of the organization’s efforts to spotlight the enormous contribution teachers are making to their schools and communities.
Walker teaches 4th and 5th grade special education students at Northside Elementary. She was asked what is something that has made being a teacher worth the many challenges that exist in education.
“The opportunity to make an impact in the life of a child makes being in education worth it. My goal as a teacher is to reach the unreachable child and teach them to believe in themselves,” Walker said.
“At the very beginning of the school year, I start working on building confidence. I want my students to approach every math problem, essay, question set, or reading assignment with a positive attitude. I have watched several of my students go from complete breakdowns while writing to smiling and proudly showing their essay to other teachers on campus,” she said. “To watch a child bloom mentally and develop a love for learning while genuinely being proud of themselves–that is what makes it all worth it as a teacher.”
Walker first started working for Livingston Parish School in 2015 as a tutor. That experience inspired her to go to college to pursue a special education teaching degree. She completed her degree in 2021, while still continuing to work in the district, and for the past two years, has been a full-time classroom teacher.
NIET partners with schools, districts and states to develop sustainable systems for school improvement, teacher and leader development, rubric and observation and comprehensive reform. For the past 20 years, NIET has worked in more than 9,000 schools across the country.
PANELISTS SHARE DANGERS OF FENTANYL
Seven panelists recently participated in the Fentanyl Community Awareness Event that was held at the Denham Springs High School STEM & Robotics Center on May 8. The panelists included, pictured left to right, Dan Schneider, a pharmacist; Steven Hofer, assistant special agent in charge for the Baton Rouge District Office of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration; Rebecca Chiasson, chemistry manager at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab; Dr. Ron Coe, Livingston Parish coroner since 2004; Sgt. Cody Jarreau, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office; Sgt. Keith Scoby, Denham Springs Police Department (standing); and Kristopher Guedry, emergency room nurse at Our Lady of the Lake’s Children’s Hospital. The session was sponsored by the Livingston Parish Students Against Destructive Decisions.