SOUTH LIVE OAK ELEMENTARY NAMED BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

South Live Oak Elementary (SLOE) has been named a Louisiana Blue Ribbon School for its success in student academic performance and growth.

SLOE was nominated for the distinguished 2025 National Blue Ribbon Award for its remarkable progress in closing the achievement gap between its higher and lower performing students.

Louisiana recognized eight schools with the 2025 Blue Ribbon award. They include SLOE in Livingston Parish, Caneview Elementary in Iberia Parish, Cecil Picard Elementary in Vermilion Parish, Early College Academy in Lafayette Parish, Haynes Academy in Jefferson Parish, Mulberry Elementary in Terrebonne Parish, St. Dominic School of the New Orleans Archdiocese, and St. Jude School of the Baton Rouge Diocese.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our school community being named as a Blue Ribbon School. It is one of the highest honors a school can receive, and it is truly a reflection of the high standards our teachers set for themselves and for our students every single day,” SLOE Principal Amy Savage said.

AG’S OFFICE SHARES ANTI-VAPING MESSAGE WITH STUDENTS

Members of the Attorney General’s Outreach Team Courtney Mounce, standing left, and Alli McGuinness, standing right, along with LSU Gymnast Courtney Blacksmith, present information on the dangers and costs of vaping to sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High School.

Sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High recently heard lots of good information on why they should not vape, thanks to a visit to their campus by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Outreach Team and two LSU student-athletes.

The outreach team presented the students with visual displays and take-home handouts that give facts about the dangers and costs of vaping.  They shared research that shows vaping is highly addictive and can damage the lungs and proper brain development of youth.

LSU Baseball Player Eddie Yamin and LSU Gymnast Courtney Blacksmith worked with the presenters to ask the students questions and engage with them in discussions about peer pressure and the need to set healthy priorities.

“Our students were able to take away a lot of good information from the presentations, and it was a message they needed to hear.  We have seen vaping become a growing health concern in our community over the past few years, as many children are now vaping by the time they enter middle school,” DSJH Principal Justin Wax said.

FRENCH SETTLEMENT ELEMENTARY HOSTS ROLL-OUT OF STATE’S MATH FLASH CARDS

Louisiana State School Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley speaks with students at French Settlement Elementary about their experience with the state’s math flash cards that provide reinforcement of basic math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley and state education leaders toured French Settlement Elementary last month to observe how local teachers are using a new math resource to advance learning among their students.

Teachers for students in kindergarten through fifth grade showed their LDOE visitors how they are incorporating the state’s math flashcards into their daily lesson plans. The cards are intended to reinforce math facts through repetition and can be used in interactive learning.

“Our teachers were very excited about having the opportunity to help the state rollout this new resource,” said French Settlement Elementary Principal Josh Martin.

Brumley shared with those in attendance that LDOE is shipping decks of flashcards to every elementary school in the state. The flashcards include facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

“More than just a classroom resource, flashcards represent our focus on building strong foundational math skills for every Louisiana student,” Brumley said.

The state’s math flashcards project is part of its broader Louisiana Math initiative that is focusing on getting back to the basics in math education.

EDUCATORS HOLD A RED-CARPET WELCOME TO SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS VISITING THE LIVINGSTON PARISH FAIR

Educators from across Livingston Parish gathered at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds in October to welcome students with disabilities who visited the annual fair to enjoy its rides, fun activities and overall festive atmosphere.

Supervisor of Special Education Eric Penalber said the school district hosts the special day at the fair each year to give students, their parents and attending educators a break from the everyday challenges of working and going to class, and to provide them access to an event that may be difficult to do without the district’s help.

“The Livingston Parish Fair is a fun tradition for a lot of families, but navigating through the many games, rides and vendor booths can be challenging for families who are attending with a child with disabilities. This special day allows those families some time to enjoy the grounds with their child without having to negotiate the regular crowds,” Penalber said.

Superintendent Jody Purvis said special education teachers, central office staff and other educational leaders gathered outside the entrance of the fairground’s Green Barn with a “red carpet” welcome for the students as they exited their buses.

“This event is always a special occasion to connect with our students and to provide an opportunity of assimilation for them,” Purvis said.