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

March 29-April 5 – Easter Holiday, Offices Closed & No Classes

Leaders Engage in Coaching Support

School leaders from across the district continue to invest in frequent professional development workshops to strengthen classroom practices that result in improved student outcomes.

At the district’s April Principals’ Meeting, instructional coaches with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching led those leaders in a discussion of best practices to strengthen their campus Instructional Leadership Teams (ILT).  The campus teams and continuing development are a key component of the district’s strategic plan for academic improvement across all levels.

“Our principals and school administrators were given an opportunity to observe and self-rate their recorded ILT meetings in order to determine next steps of support that is needed to strengthen the district’s effort,” said Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kathi Aucoin.

Aucoin noted that effective ILTs are powerful levers for making change in schools. Research shows that the most effective ILTs are intentional in many ways, including how and why they are organized, facilitated, and supported.

“ILTs are one the best models for accelerating student learning. ILTs allow us to distribute and diversify leadership,” Aucoin said. “Decision-making processes spread out from the principal to a representative group, including teacher leaders, department heads, social workers, assistant principals. Our ILTs elevate more diverse voices and perspectives that help to build a culture of collaboration and trust on our campuses. And all this positively impacts teacher retention,” she said.

French Immersion Students Participate in Story-Writing Contest

The 5th and 6th grade French Immersion students at Pierre Part Elementary recently participated in a French story-writing contest in honor of the second edition of the Children's Literature Festival "My French Book Fest.”

The French Book Fest is an initiative of the Consulate General of France in Louisiana/Villa Albertine, in partnership with Bayard Publishing USA. It invites student to discover French literature and to meet authors, illustrators, and publishers from France, Quebe and Acadie.

The students collectively wrote a sequel to Florence Dutruc-Rosset's novel "Clacnouille, le chevalier peureux,” in hopes of having their writings published in the French magazine J'aime Lire! All the students received certificates and copies of the magazine for their participation.

Studying the Sun

Students across the district enjoyed a day of “cool science” projects, as they celebrated the solar eclipse on April 8. 

On that day, a total solar eclipse moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible in the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Louisiana was not in the path of the total solar eclipse and cloud cover limited viewing in the area, but local students were given special glasses to look into the sky.  They also watched news reports and videos explaining the phenomenon, listened to stories, and made headbands and other crafts to commemorate the occasion. Some made Oreo treats that represented the sun and moon.

“In many ways, this was a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience,” Pierre Part Principal Nicole Pipsair said. “Our teachers wanted to make this day special and memorable for everyone.”