S H A R E 2 . 0
t h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e t t e r o f C a l c a s i e u P a r i s h S c h o o l s| F a l l 2 0 1 3
I n s i d e t h i s S H A R E 2 . 0E d i t i o n
D i s t r i c t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s H i g h l i g h t s M e s s a g e
D i s t r i c t &S c h o o l P e r f o r m a n c e S c o r e s
U p c o m i n g B o n d a n d I m p o r t a n t D a t e s P r o p e r t y T a x E l e c t i o n s a n d E v e n t s
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CPSB Board Meetings NOV. 12 | DEC. 10 JAN. 14 Regular meetings are held at 4:45 p.m. at the district’s central office located at 3310 Broad St. Members of the public are always welcome to attend. Meeting agendas are posted online at CPSB.org. Individuals who wish to discuss agenda items must submit a request to do so at the beginning of the meeting.
BOARD MEMBERS R.L. Webb Fredman Hardy Jr. Clara Duhon Annette Ballard
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE At the start of the school year, we launched the redesigned CPSB website, CPSB mobile app and CPSB Facebook page. After a brief hiatus, I am also pleased to announce the publication of SHARE 2.0, the official newsletter for Calcasieu Parish Schools. During this time of ever growi ng connectivity, this newsletter serves as an additional tool in our communication efforts directed toward highlighting the extraordinary things that our students and employees are accomplishing.
Chad Guidry Joe Andrepont Billy Breaux Roman Thompson Bryan LaRocque 1
All children are important to us.
raise pre-k enrollment and better prepare children for future success in school. Superintendent Savoy and CPSB Director of Early Childhood Education Sheryl Piper spoke on the success of the CPSB Universal Pre-K program, which was launched in early August.
Mack Dellafosse
James Karr
Our principals, teachers, administrators, and staff are excited to share the achievements and events that are taking place in our schools with you.
JOHN WHITE VISITS J.D. CLIFTON
Bill Jongbloed
Randall Burleigh
While controversies related to education are continually making headlines, our newsletter will remain a positive source for our stakeholders to turn to for CPSB news.
As this school year moves forward, you will find that the quarterly editions of SHARE 2.0 will keep you informed on our district and school happenings.
Dale Bernard
Jim Schooler
Mr. Savoy greeting J.D. Clifton Students
State Superintendent John White visited J.D. Clifton Elementary School in October to discuss early childhood education in Louisiana and the early childhood network pilot in Calcasieu Parish. The pilot program combines the efforts of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, Head Start centers, and child care providers in the area in order to
White toured Head Start, pre-k, and kindergarten classrooms before holding an open forum with leaders in the education and childcare fields in SWLA. He touted Calcasieu, one of the 15 parishes statewide participating in the pilot program, as a model for the Louisiana Department of Education to work from as they develop upcoming policy changes that would set the certification/ degree requirements for all early childhood educators.
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District Highlights
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J.D. Clifton’s parents and students enjoying a Zumba class during the Get Your Fit On event
Dolby Elementary students planting their new Teaching Garden thanks to CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital
A member of the 2013 MSU Homecoming Court visiting Fairview Elementary as a student mentor
Bell City students and faculty releasing balloons for Taylor P. Folsum, who recently lost her battle with cancer
R.W. Vincent students showing off their smiles and school pride on the first day of school
Students participating in Math Tailgating night at Westwood Elementary
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District Highlights
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Prien Lake Elementary hosted Tennis Play Day as a part of Nickelodeon’s World Wide Day of Play
Pearl Watson Elementary invited parents and students to Math Night to increase Common Core awareness
First Lady Supryia Jindal pictured alongside students and grant winning teachers at St. John Elementary
Nelson students designed ornaments for the National Christmas Tree with Supryia Jindal and Susan Hebert
Moss Bluff Elementary’s book fair totaled more than $20,000 in sales with the Egyptian theme designed by parents
Superintendent Wayne Savoy visited Oak Park Elementary’s OPE Art Class
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District Highlights
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Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach read to students at J.J. Johnson Elementary during Read Across America
KPLC Anchor Britany Glaser also participated in Read Across America with students at J.D. Clifton Elementary
Henry Heights 3rd-grader Karlie Drounetton finished third in the State French Speaking Competition
Sam Houston High School received recognition for recycling more than 27 tons of paper and plastics
Barbe Elementary hosted “Tackling Common Core Through STEM� for parents and students
The LaGrange Gator Band received a Superior Band rating at the 2013 DeRidder Marching Festival
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District Highlights LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TRAINERS VISIT LAGRANGE
SHARE 2.0 J.F.K. ELEMENTARY RECEIVES ACADEMY GRANT John F. Kennedy Elementary School received an “Academy” Grant to reward students for PBIS. During the month of December, 15 boys and 15 girls will receive a bike for Christmas.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO READ Library Services of the Calcasieu Parish School Board presented trainers from the Library of Congress at LaGrange High School in September. Library of Congress’ contract trainers, Mary Ellen and Jeanne Brooks from Southeastern University, taught school librarians about the resources at the Library of Congress; particularly the primary documents that enrich the Common Core standards now utilized in schools.
ROWDY’S READERS VISIT NELSON On Friday, September 20, McNeese State University football and softball players visited A.A. Nelson Elementary. The players were promoting the Rowdy’s Readers program. This is a program that provides incentives for elementary students to encourage a love of reading.
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T.H. WATKINS SAYS THANK YOU T.H. Watkins Principal Kay Victorian would like to say thank you to Phillips 66, Resource Management, and Paul Pettefer for donating to “The Leader in Me” program. Each of those listed above donated $500 toward the cost of the school’s program.
PEARL WATSON WELCOMES NEW PARTNER IN EDUCATION
LeBlanc Middle School celebrated Banned Books Week with “Exercise Your Right to Read.” Students enjoyed an individual reading session before incorporating the exercise aspect of the celebration with a one-mile walk.
R.W. VINCENT OPEN HOUSE Students at R.W. Vincent led conferences with parents
Pearl Watson Elementary would like to welcome their newest Partner in Education for the 2013 – 2014 school year, Nissan of Lake Charles. John Stelly graciously donated $18,000 to the school for the purchase of iPads for the classrooms. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Stelly for his donation.
LAKE CITY TRUCKING TREATS MOLO STUDENTS TO SURPRISE
reviewing grades, attendance and behavior records, and goals. Students said they enjoyed showing their parents their work and teachers commented that they were impressed with the students’ pride and knowledge of the information.
Lake City Trucking donated more than 100 student and adult tickets to the Chennault Airshow so students from Molo Middle could experience the event. Students and staff say thank you.
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District Highlights
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CPSB COMMUNICATES
Ms. Mouton and Ms. Winfrey
Calcasieu Parish took top honors at the 2013 Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Louisiana Schools (SPALS) Conference held in Lafayette on October 4. Speech pathologist, Katie Winfrey, was awarded a $1,000 grant entitled: Kindling Education with Literacy: Using Alternative Instructional Methods with a Kindle Fire for All Students. Each year, grants are presented for innovative ideas with the use of technology for students with communicative disorders. Annie L. Mouton, supervisor of speech and hearing, was awarded the Elizabeth Stokes Borel Award. This award is given to professionals making outstanding contributions in the field of speech/language pathology. She participated as a member of the task force, which was instrumental in the establishment of SPALS. Speech pathologist, Altha M. Jordan Green, serves on the executive board for SPALS as the region 5 co-representative.
NATIONAL ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN VISITS OAK PARK By Lance Traweek | Special to SHARE 2.0 RaShad Bristo, who was born without an arm, talked to students at Oak Park Elementary about how bullying affected his childhood and about the power of choice. The students took part in a national campaign against bullying. Bristo said he started being bullied as early as kindergarten, but he said his grandfather told him one day that his disability doesn’t define him but his determination does. He said all bullies will try to tap into a students’ insecurities. “You can focus on your future or your feelings,” he told the students. “People will label you just to limit you.” At the program, Michelle Bain, a children’s book author, read her book “Splotch the Madpole,” which delved into the topic of bullying through a bullying tadpole. The children signed their name on a board, pledging they would not be a bully. The board titled “No Bullying Zone” will be on display in Washington, D.C., and Oak Park Elementary students will be the only children in Louisiana to sign the board.
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Imari Colston, who is in the fifth grade, said it’s important that her and her classmates learn “that it’s not safe to be a bully.” “I learned that it’s mean to be a bully,” Colston said after the assembly. “You should be a leader instead of a follower.” Fifth-grader Kemal Robertson agreed. “If you’re a bully, you’re never going to have friends,” Robertson said.
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2012– 2013 DISTRICT, SCHOOL REPORT CARDS The Calcasieu Parish School Board ranks as a top “B” school district according to the latest school performance scores released on Oct. 24 by the Louisiana Department of Education. Overall, letter grades improved in the district with 5 A, 25 B, 13 C, and 13 D rated schools with only one school receiving the “F” rating. From 2011-2012 school year, the district nearly doubled the number of schools with a “B” rating, which shows a trend toward higher achievement across the district. This is the first year under a new system of scoring meant to simplify the scoring formula while raising standards for student achievement. With the new formula, letter grades are assigned on a scale similar to a classroom grading scale: scores 100 and above earn an “A” while scores below 50 earn an “F.” Statewide, several trends in student achievement connect directly to the new formula: fewer students are
attending failing schools, more students than ever are achieving gains on state assessments, and high school students are demonstrating greater levels of college and career readiness. As a district, CPSB will continue to work toward improving student achievement by providing students, teachers, and parents with the necessary tools to make that possible. View the district and school performance scores by clicking on the links below: 2013 Calcasieu School Performance Scores/Letter Grades 2013 District Performance Summary Please use the link below to look up individual school report cards and to learn more about how the scores are calculated. http://www.louisianabelieves.com/data/ reportcards/2013/
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STATEWIDE RANKING
B - 25 C - 13 D - 13 F-1
MUFFINS FOR MOMS AT T.H. WATKINS ELEMENTARY
"The overall goal is to have parental involvement. When parents are involved, children do better in school. Children tend to just shine and they love to have their parents here. They love knowing that their mom, dad, grandparents are involved," Kay Victorian, principal, T.H. Watkins Elementary School.
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CPSB LAUNCHES UNIVERSAL PRE-K PROGRAM In a move to provide more children in the parish with a quality education, the Calcasieu Parish School Board began offering a universal pre-k program on Aug. 20. The program is now tuition free to all enrolled participants, and immediately placed the more than 500 children on the pre-k waiting list into classrooms at no cost. The new program employs a district-wide curriculum in all pre-k classrooms. Creative Curriculum, which is already in use in the CPSB’s Head Start programs, is aligned to the new Louisiana Birth-5 Standards. State Superintendent John White has praised CPSB as a leader in early childhood education in the state. The school board, Head Start programs, and childcare providers in Calcasieu parish, one of the 15 parishes chosen to participate in the early childhood education network pilot program, are working together to move toward placing all four year olds in Calcasieu in a pre-k program in order to boost preparedness. CPSB’s universal pre-k now has 2,500 students enrolled in schools across the parish. “When Mr. Savoy informed me that the new program would be adopted by our schools this year, I was overcome with emotion; as were many of my colleagues,” said Sheryl Piper,
CPSB director of early childhood education. “Since I was assigned to the job as district coordinator of pre-schools in 1998, I have always been very passionate about my vision to see all children, regardless of income status, receive a quality education that will prepare them for kindergarten. That vision has become a reality.” For more information, please contact Mrs. Piper at Sheryl.Piper@cpsb.org.
CPSB WELLNESS PROGRAM BEGINS WITH SUCCESS In an effort to encourage healthier employees, the Calcasieu Parish School Board established an employee wellness program; led by Skylar Giardina, risk manager for the school board and fitness enthusiast. “Making a commitment in your
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life to better living not only improves your health, but also changes your attitude in the classroom or office and boosts camaraderie among fellow teachers and staff,” Giardina said. In partnership with CHRISTUS St. Patrick, CPSB held their first Health and Wellness Fair, offered introductory fitness classes, and rolled out the new fitness incentive program, which rewards participants for regularly attending a fitness center. Additionally, Wellness Warriors have volunteered to be responsible for encouraging healthier living and distributing wellness information to employees at each school and office location. On November 2, the school district will hold the “From the Classroom to a 5K” race at the Lake Charles Civic Center for all CPSB employees and their immediate family. The event is free for all runners and walkers. After the conclusion of the 5K, a 1-mile fun run will take place for children and adults. Race-day registration will be from 6:307:20 a.m.
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CPSB in the News
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NEW FACILITY PUTS STUDENTS ON CAREER FAST TRACK By Lance Traweek | Special to SHARE 2.0 Area elected officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the College Street Vocational Center — part of a strategy of the Calcasieu Parish School Board to expand its career and technical programs. Students on the path for a career diploma will be able to learn culinary arts, construction skills, carpentry, air-conditioning maintenance, and electrical and automotive repair. The courses are open to all high school students. Instead of vocational courses simply serving as an elective, there will be more of an emphasis of a career track. The students will be able to enter Sowela at a
higher level and enter the workforce faster. George Swift, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said that expandi ng vocational services for high school students is one way the region will find the workers for upcoming industry expansions. “We’re going to have more opportunity in Southwest Louisiana over the next several years than anywhere else in the nation,” Swift said. Funding came from the city of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and grant money with the latest building opening in 2015 and another area set aside for future expansion.
CPSB Culinary Arts students serving guests
Automotive classroom workshop
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY FOCUSES ON FITNESS By Haley Rush | Special to SHARE 2.0
Author Michelle Bain with Oak Park students
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Students at Oak Park Elementary were privileged to meet a special guest earlier this year. Author Michelle Bain spoke to students about health with her book, "Adventures Through Fitropolis," which uses different characters to encourage young kids to stay fit. Oak Park Elementary is the only school in the State of Louisiana that Bain visited. Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach even came to give Bain a key to the city and honorary citizenship. Louisiana Health Care Connections teamed up with the author to bring her to Southwest Louisiana.
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CPSB in the News
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CPSB NAMES PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR By Lance Traweek | Special to SHARE 2.0
Dr. Kingham
Ms. Thomas-Clark
Mr. Crick
The Calcasieu Parish School Board recognized the three principals of the year at its October regular meeting. Elementary Principal of the Year was designated to Dr. Sabrah Kingham of St. John Elementary School. She has served as an educator for the past 27 years. She earned her bachelors, masters, and specialist degrees from McNeese State University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans in Educational Leadership. Carolyn Thomas-Clark, of Reynaud Middle School, was named Middle School Principal of the Year. Thomas-Clark came to Calcasieu Parish from St. Charles Parish where she served as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. She has served as principal at Reynaud Middle for five years. Lee Crick, principal of Westlake High School, was named High School Principal of the Year. Crick graduated from Westlake High in 1984, McNeese State University in 1989, and received his masters in 1997 and an Education Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision in 1999. Crick was a teacher at Westlake High from 1989 to 2003 and assistant principal from 2003 to 2007.
LOCAL SCHOOL GAINS NATIONAL ATTENTION U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Pearl Watson Elementary School as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2013. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award recognizes elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements toward those standards. Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and celebrated great American schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in outstanding schools.
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Principal Rodney Geyen and staff from Pearl Watson Elementary
Secretary Duncan has invited two representatives of Pearl Watson Elementary School to Washington, DC for the Nov. 18 and 19 recognition ceremonies, where they will be presented with the National Blue Ribbon Schools plaque and flag as symbols of their recognized status.
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CPSB, DOLBY ELEMENTARY WIN NATIONAL AWARDS Calcasieu Parish School Board and Dolby Elementary won 2013 Partnership District and School Awards, respectively, from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University. Both were honored for making excellent progress in strengthening and sustaining comprehensive programs of school, family, and community partnerships. “The Calcasieu Parish school district and Dolby Elementary are demonstrating that research -based approaches can be used to make every school a welcoming place and to improve student
Representatives from Dolby Elementary and Calcasieu Parish Schools
attendance, behavior, achievement, and high school graduation rates,” said Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, Director of NNPS. This is the second year that Dolby has won the National Network of Partnership Schools Award from Johns Hopkins University. The school submitted two parental involvement activities to compete for the NNPS award this year: Earth Day Hurray! and Dr. Seuss Family Math Night. “Our community and parental support helped to make our school’s activities a success. These projects would not be as successful without the help and support from our parents and community partners,” said Missy Bushnell, principal at Dolby.
2013 CPSB UNITED WAY KICKOFF
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Barbe Show Choir warming up the guests
CPSB and United Way staff
PROGRESS Project’s “I Need a Hero” skit
Lauren Beckham one-upping Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need a Hero”
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PARENTS AS LEARNERS EASES FEARS
Participants at the first PALs event
John F. Kennedy Elementary is offering a new program to help ease the fears of the Common Core Standards. Parents as Learners, or PALs, is the brainchild of Principal Dr. Dinah Robinson, who developed the program to explain to parents the new standards and give them firsthand experience working
problems and exercises their children will see in school. Each session begins with teachers from core subjects presenting new concepts that align to Common Core standards, along with the skills required to master them. Then it is up to the students to assist parents with problems similar, if not identical, to
what the students are completing for homework. Broken into two groups by grade level, each PALs grouping will meet twice a month throughout the school year. Any parent or guardian with children enrolled at J.F.K. Elementary may attend. Please contact the school for information on dates and times.
TEACHERS WIN UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Thanks to the work of teachers at College Oaks Elementary, students now have the tools needed for hands-on science learning.
First grade teachers Tericka Paul and Ashley Picard, pictured center with Principal Willona Jackson and ING Representative Darren Hood, applied for the ING Unsung Heroes grant to purchase more hands-on science labs. In August, the pair was selected to receive
“Teachers are
$2,000 to purchase the supplies they greatly needed. The grant awards 100 educators across the country. "Most teachers are not recognized like they should be and we wanted to give back," said ING Representative Hood.
not recognized like they should be and we wanted to give back”
NEW TEACHER LEADER ADVISOR IN CPSB
Deb Bellinger
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All Louisiana Teacher Leaders were invited to apply to be a part of the new group of teachers who would continue adding resources to the Teacher Toolbox on the state website. After a rigorous application process, about 60 were chosen for this new
position called Teacher Leader Advisor, including CPSB’s own Deb Bellinger. The group of 60 consists of teachers from elementary to high school for both ELA and Math. The responsibilities include designing instructional materials
aligning to Common Core Standards and COMPASS evaluations, sharing student work samples that exemplify the new standards, and hosting webinars and/or leading training at the Teacher Leader Symposium in April.
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Student Standouts
KING OF CHESS REIGNS ON This
summer,
American Press highlighted Jackson Serice, a fourth grader at T.S. Cooley Elementary, with a full-page article titled “King of Chess” in recognition of his chess accomplishments. Jackson has earned the title of Louisiana State Scholastic Champion the
“ These individuals represent less than one percent of all high school seniors.”
last two years, and has competed in open chess tournaments in several states including Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, and Florida. He was undefeated in the Texas Chess Association’s Houston Open and received his first monetary award. This summer, he also won
first place in the Southern Open in Orlando, Florida, in the Under 15 Division with a score of 4.5 out of 5.0. Jackson and his dad, Jay, who assists in coaching the T.S. Cooley Chess Club, practice daily and both enjoy the time spent together learning chess strategy and tactics.
Jackson Serice
CPSB NATIONAL MERIT SEMI-FINALISTS Four Calcasieu Parish School Board students have been named 2014 National Merit Semifinalists. Brittian L. Qualls from Sulphur High School, Alexandra J. DeFelice from Sam Houston High School, Maxwell S. Reeser from Westlake High
School, and Matthew Carroll from Barbe High School. Nationally, these individuals represent less than one percent of all high school seniors and are now included in the 16,000 selected as Semifinalists out of the 1.5 million who took the PSat/NMSQT.
“It’s a real honor for them to be recognized on a national level with the select number of students named Semifinalists,” said Superintendent Savoy. “I know their parents are extremely proud, as am I, along with their schools and classmates.”
BARBE GRADUATE MAKES A DIFFERENCE At the beginning of 2013, Dr. Erin Mathews, a podiatrist at NOLA Podiatry Group, established a goal of gathering and distributing “Socks for the Sockless.” It started out as a small effort among her patients, and it grew rapidly into an overwhelming
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success, thanks much in part to her hometown community and alma mater A.M. Barbe High School. More than 6,000 pairs of socks were donated. Twenty-five hundred pairs of ankle crew socks were sent overseas as part of care packages to our military. The
remaining socks were distributed to individuals at the St. Jude Community Health Fair held at the New Orleans Treme Center. “It is very rewarding to know that such a small inexpensive item can make a real difference,” said Dr. Mathews.
Dr. Erin Mathews
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2013-2014 CPSB DISTRICT CALENDAR
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Calcasieu Parish School Board Administration 337.217.4000 Child Welfare & Attendance 337.217.4230 Early Childhood Education 337.217.4210 Elementary School Dept. 337.217.4140 Federal Programs 337.217.4170 Food Services 337.217.4360 High School Dept. 337.217.4160 Library Services 337.217.4250 Middle School Dept. 337.217.4150 Public Information 337.217.4180 Risk Management 337.217.4240 Special Services 337.217.4300 Transportation 337.217.4330
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DISTRICT REMINDERS
Attendance is important! It is vital to attend class each and every day that school is in session. Please keep student meal fees up to date. Pay online at www.schoolpaymentsolutions.com/ The Student Progress Center is the best resource for viewing student progress reports, behavior records, and testing results. Contact your school for more information. Early voting runs from November 2-9 for the Sulphur High Stadium bond and the South Lake Charles school maintenance tax. Election day for both proposed projects in November 16
DISTRICT BOND & PROPERTY TAX ELECTIONS Sulphur High Stadium Bond
Upgraded seating for 8,300
Improved handicap accessibility
Advanced security systems
Upgraded restrooms, dressing rooms, press box, ticket booth, & sound system
South Lake Charles Maintenance Tax
Technology, security, parking, traffic, facility, and equipment upgrades at the following locations: Barbe High School; S.J. Welsh Middle School; Barbe, College Oaks, Dolby, Nelson, Prien Lake, and St. John Elementary schools.