APSBulletin - March 2023

SCHOOL BOARD

Honoray Lewis, Ward 1

Lee Meyer Jr, Ward 2

Andrea Barras, Ward 3

Electa Fletcher-Mickens, Ward 4

Joshua Hebert, Ward 5

Daniel Washington, Ward 6

Bambi Hood, Ward 7

Jessica Ourso, Ward 8

Doris Dugas, Ward 9

CALENDAR

Feb. 20-24 – Mardi Gras Holiday – NO CLASSES

An agriscience instructor with Nutrien’s Seed Survivor program instructs the students on the essential needs of plants. The students were instructed on how to plant a sunflower seed and care for its growth.
First and second grade students at Napoleonville Primary recently participated in the Nutrien’s Seed Survivor program, which provides hands-on demonstrations that help elementary students understand what plants need to grow and the importance of agriculture.
The free curriculum-based program also teaches elementary students about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture to their daily lives. All participants were allowed to plant a sunflower seed that they could take home and watch grow.
Multiple displays travel across North America year-round allowing students to explore multi-media and virtual reality games, a sunflower seed planting station, talking walls, and much more. Every year students plant approximately 100,000 sunflower seeds throughout various regions in Canada and the USA.

District Recognizes Student of the Year Winners

Belle Rose Middle School 5th Grader A’Nyri Parker.

Napoleonville Middle School 8th Grader River Sanchez

The Assumption Parish Public School Board recently recognized those students who were selected as the top students at their schools and for the district overall.

The top three winners included Assumption High School Senior Kassidy Besson; Napoleonville Middle School 8th Grader River Sanchez, and Belle Rose Middle School 5th Grader A’Nyri Parker. All three students represented the parish at the Region 2 student competition.

Other students who were name Student of the Year winners at their respective schools included Reese Burnett, a senior at Assumption High School; Sayde Pipsair, an eighth grader at Pierre Part Elementary; Noah Taquino, an eighth grader at Belle Rose Middle School; Dayne Boudreaux, an eighth grader at Labadieville Middle School; Blakely Ewen, a fifth grader at Pierre Part Elementary; Emma Evans, a fifth grader at Napoleonville Middle School, and Le’myiah James, a fifth grader at Labadieville Middle School.

All students were selected based on criteria that measured their academic achievements, leadership skills, character and service to their school and community. Students are selected each year from grades 5, 8 and 12 to compete in the state program.

The students were presented with an award from the Assumption Parish Retired Teachers Association.

More Students at Assumption High School Earning College Credit

Assumption High School students enrolled in a Psychology Dual Enrollment course recently worked together in small groups on a class project. Pictured, from left to right, are Abby Ordoyne, Seirra Polk, Deondre Davis, Samantha Marsh, Noah Deshotel, Maddox Jones and Tyranae Gilton.

More Assumption High School students are now earning college credit while taking high school courses, thanks to the district’s “ramped up” participation in the Louisiana Department of Education’s Fast Forward initiative.

Principal Jessica Thibodeaux noted that students are currently enrolled in 152 dual enrollment (DE) courses on her campus, which is up from 76 DE courses in the fall. This school year’s growth also reflects a huge increase from the prior year, when 48 students enrolled in one of six electives offered in the fall of 2021, and 46 students did so in the spring of 2022.

She said many courses are available online, but some of the more popular courses have been added as face-to-face classes on the campus.

“Over the past two years, we have increased opportunities to take dual enrollment on our campus, and our students are taking advantage of these opportunities,” Thibodeaux said. “For example, our numbers have grown with the state allowing Psychology Dual Enrollment to be a fourth option in the social studies category. “

“We also added introduction to Medical Terminology as a face-to-face class, which has contributed to our increased numbers,” Thibodeaux said. She said her school will add Introduction for Computer Applications (CPTR 1100) as a face-to-face option next year, as well as full sections of online English and math courses.

“Research shows that dual enrollment programs have positive effects on students in that they are more likely to graduate from high school, transition to a four-year college and persist in postsecondary education,” Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy said. “At the same time, postsecondary degree attainment greatly impacts employment rates and improves the ability to earn a livable wage.”

Thibodeaux said her campus is working closely with Fletcher Technical Community College in Houma and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux to add even more opportunities for students.

She also said students can also earn college credit in those courses that offer CLEP tests. Students who pass the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam for qualified courses can earn college credit or be exempt from those classes at the post-secondary level.

Local School Board Members Participate in 2023 LSBA Conference

Attending the 2023 LSBA Conference, from left to right, were Assumption Parish School Board Members Honoray Lewis, Andrea Barras, Jessica Ourso, and Doris Dugas; Assumption Parish Schools Executive Secretary Melissa Gauthreaux; and School Board Members Bambi Hood, Joshua Hebert and Daniel Washington. Not picture are Assumptions Parish School Board President Lee “Ricky” Meyer, Jr., Board Member Electa Fletcher-Mickens and Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy, who also attended.

All nine members of the Assumption Parish Public School Board recently participated in the 85th Annual Louisiana School Board Association (LSBA) Conference, which was held in Lake Charles, March 7-9.

The conference provided its members with a variety of educational breakout sessions, including sessions on safety, emergency preparedness, employee programs and retirement, and long-range planning, to name a few. The conference’s theme was “Keeping the Public in Public Education,” and many sessions included discussions on the importance of community involvement in educational initiatives.

“The 2023 LSBA Conference was very informative of the latest developments in public education. Breakout sessions were particularly insightful on the newest innovations in education,” Assumption Parish School Board President Lee “Ricky” Myer, Jr., said.

Venessa LewisMarch 29, 2023