APSBulletin - February 2023
Dr. John Barthelemy, Superintendent
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
The Belle Rose Middle School BETA Club presented the school’s BETA Showcase, where members shared information and their personal encounters with volunteering.
Members of the Belle Rose Middle School BETA Club put their motto of “let us lead by serving others” in full action this month at the school’s BETA Showcase.
Students were challenged to participate in local, state or national events that offered occasions to volunteer. Students were required to document a minimum of five hours of volunteerism, and their efforts had to be witnessed by an accompanying adult and documented with photos. Students were then required to prepare written papers on their volunteerism and present them at the showcase.
Some of the students took time to elaborate on how their volunteerism made a positive impact on their lives. One student said, “I didn’t know that it would feel this good;” while another student said, “I am going to do it again seeing the smile on the man's face.”
Shandenasia Cooper is the sponsor for the Belle Rose Middle School. She said the students “opened themselves up to something bigger than themselves.”
After-School Tutoring Available for 3rd & 4th Graders
Students who are needing assistance in reaching their targeted academic growth rate in English/language arts and math can participate in after-school tutoring, beginning now and extending through the month of April, in advance of the 2023 LEAP testing period.
Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy said the tutoring program is being funded through a federal stimulus grant, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, which was enacted in March 2021 to aid public health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. All funds from the federal grant must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
Barthelemy noted that each school is customizing its tutoring program according to its specific resources. Parents of students who are recommended for the program should received information from the school their child attends.
High School Cheerleaders Earn Trip to Nationals
The Assumption High School cheerleaders recently competed in the National High School Cheerleading Championship, where they finished in 8th place in the Game Day Large Varsity D-II non-tumbling category.
The Assumption High School cheerleaders recently competed at the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC), held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The event, which was held Feb. 10-12, hosted 1,125 teams from 33 states.
This was the first time in the AHS cheer team’s history that is competed in the national finals. The AHS cheer team competed in the Game Day Large Varsity D-II non-tumbling category and finished in 8th place. The team qualified for nationals after earning 4th place in the UCA Louisiana Regionals at Southeastern Louisiana University in December.
Registration for Daycare, Head Start and Pre-School Set for March 6-17
Assumption Parish Public Schools will take student registrations for daycare, Head Start, and preschool classes for the 2023-2024 school year from March 6-17. Parents who wish to enroll their children in any of the district’s early education programs must complete an application form and provide the required documents.
Application forms are now available and can be downloaded from the Assumption Parish Schools Early Childhood website, www.assumptionschools.com/earlychildhood, or picked up at any elementary school in the parish. The applications located on the campuses are in the car rider areas.
The required documents include copies of the child’s birth certificate, social security card, and immunization (shot) record, as well as proof of residency (such as a current water or electricity bill) and proof of the parent’s income (such as a 1040 tax statement, last two check stubs or SSI/Disability statement). Legal custody papers are also required, if applicable.
The completed applications and required documents can be dropped off at these scheduled times:
· Monday, March 6 – 9 am to 11 am at Bayou L’Ourse Primary, or noon to 2 p.m. at Labadieville Primary;
· Tuesday, March 7 – 9 am to 11 am at Belle Rose Elementary or noon to 2 p.m. at Pierre Part Elementary;
· Wednesday, March 8 – 9 am to 11 am at Labadieville Primary or noon to 2 p.m. at Bayou L’Ourse Primary;
· Thursday, March 9 – 9 am to 11 am at Napoleonville Primary or noon to 2 p.m. at Belle Rose Elementary;
· Friday, March 10 – 9 am to 11 am at Pierre Part Elementary or noon to 2 p.m. at Napoleonville Primary.
Parents can also drop off completed applications and required documents at the district’s Head Start Office at 4891 Hwy 308, Napoleonville, LA 70390, any weekday from March 6-27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents should call 985-369-9735 to schedule an appointment.
Early Childhood Educators Learn How to Create “Rich Studies” for Young Learners
Patience Travasos, a creative curriculum consultant, (standing) explains the purpose of a learning exercise to Head Start and Early Childhood Learning Coach Cheri Williams, and Labadieville Primary Teachers Miranda Hebert and Sarah Daigle during a professional development workshop for pre-Kindergarten teachers.
Assumption Parish school teachers who work with the parish’s youngest learners became students themselves recently to develop new teaching strategies to make lessons more meaningful to those they are teaching.
“Our focus is to create ‘rich studies,’” said Early Childhood Instruction Coach Summer Knight. “Rich studies enable children to investigate a topic in ways that support their inborn dispositions to be curious, to explore the world, and to make sense of their experiences in a meaningful context. As children are given opportunities to learn in this way, we see a tremendous buy-in and self-empowerment that takes place.”
Curriculum Supervisor Rachel Dugas said the focused workshops are part of the district’s strategic plan to improve academic performance.
Early Childhood Learning Coach Summer Knight, top left, reacts with laughter as she works with Napoleonville Primary Teachers Allie Ordoyne, Aimee Landry, and Katie Pipsair on a professional development exercise to make lessons more interactive for their students.
“We know that the earlier students begin to learn, the more successful they are in later grades, and into adulthood. Improving learning at the earliest levels is very important,” Dugas said. “That’s why much of the early efforts in our strategic plan focuses on some of our youngest grade levels.”