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St. Martin Parish Schools

eNewsletter

Moving Forward with Team;
Enhancing the Vision!

July 2013

Message from the Superintendent

On July 1, I officially assumed the position of Superintendent within the St. Martin Parish School System. While it is exciting to take on this new role, I know firsthand the responsibilities to which I have been charged. I know the depth of the challenges of the education reform initiatives and recognize there has to be a willingness among all education stakeholders to work together as we move forward with school improvement efforts. I also recognize it takes a TEAM to make exciting things happen. We must work as a team to enhance the vision of making the St. Martin Parish School System second to none in the region, state, and nation. My theme as superintendent is as follows: Moving Forward with Team: Enhancing the VISION. Over the last decade, the St. Martin School System has been making steady academic gains. During the last 22 .5 years in the district, I feel I have been a part of the success we have known; therefore, I have no plans to â€œthrow the baby out with the bathwater.â€ However, there will be modifications to those areas that need to be tweaked and major changes where needed. The major focus of my administration will be establishing a school system where there is a culture and climate of high expectations in numerous areasâ€”discipline, academic achievement, attendance, collaboration and professional learning. In closing, while I have enjoyed serving the district as the Director of Human Resources for the last 12 years, I am truly excited to have the opportunity to work in another role with a group of outstanding educators, school employees, and students. Serving as your superintendent, I recognize changes are inevitable. I also know with a shared desire, enthusiasm, and willingness to make wonderful things happen, there should be no challenges too great for our team to embrace. I believe in YOU! Enjoy the remainder of your summer break!

BOARD UPDATE

The St. Martin Parish School Board accepted the Stephensville Elementary administrationâ€™s recommendation to eliminate the physical education position; reduce the food services technician position from full-time to part-time; and eliminate a 10-month custodial position.
The Board rejected the recommendation offered by Dr. Beebe to increase the student/teacher ratio. Dr. Beebe indicated school finance is a moving target with Louisianaâ€™s education reform initiatives (Choice). She asserted we must be conservative moving forward and the personnel budget is the only area at this time from which to make recommended cuts. She pointed out that 85% of the budget is comprised of salaries. Past administration has cut in other areas leaving little elsewhere to cut.
The Board, however, supported Dr. Beebeâ€™s recommendation to delay the purchase of ten buses until the budget is further reviewed to ensure we continue to operate in a sound, fiscal manner.
The Board also accepted the low bid (3.64%) of FTN, a firm from Tennessee, relative to the sale of a $5million dollar bond.

Congratulations to Mrs. Bridget Lovvorn, Special Services Supervisor, who retired effective July 1, 2013. Mrs. Lovvorn retired with 30 plus years and has been a dedicated employee. On behalf of the St. Martin Parish School Board, educators, students, and parents, we wish Ms. Lovvorn much happiness, good health, and prosperity as she begins a new chapter in her life.

Mrs. Bridget Bergeron has been appointed Interim Supervisor. Her areas of responsibility are Response to Intervention (RTI), School Building Level Committee (SBLC), and 504. With Mrs. Bergeronâ€™s interim appointment, she is being replaced by Mrs. Julie Laviolette, Interim Parks Primary Principal. Congratulations to both Mrs. Bergeron and Mrs. Laviolette.

Congratulations are also in order for four new assistant principals who will be joining the ranks of our educational leadership team.

Breaux Bridge High School - Ricky Poulan
Cecilia Primary -Suzanne LeBeouf
Parks Middle - Shirley Thibodeaux
Parks Primary - Tassala Jones
Teche Elementary - Angela Watson
*St. Martinville Primary - Tashona Hypolite; (lateral transfer)

In This Issue

Message from the Superintendent
Board Meeting Update
New Administrators
Education Updates
Calendar of Events
Employee of the Month
St. Martin Parish School News

School Calendar

2013-2014

August 7 & 8 - Professional Development
August 9 - Student's First Day
September 2 - Labor Day
October 18 - Parent/Teacher Conference
October 23 - Professional Development
November 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 23-January 3 - Christmas Break
January 20 - Martin Luther King Day
February 19 - Professional Development
March 3-5 - Mardi Gras Break
March 18 - LEAP/iLEAP (Phase I)
March 21- Parent/Teacher Conference
April 7-10 - LEAP/iLEAP (Phase II)
April 18-25 - Easter Break
May 16 - Graduation
May 21 - Student's Last Day
May 23 - Report Card Day
May 26 - Memorial Day

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EDUCATION UPDATES

At the BESE meeting, one of the most contentious items dealt with the Recovery School District and the unification, or merger, of the O. Perry Walker and Landry High Schools. Approximately 200 community leaders representing Algiers appeared at the BESE meeting held on June 17th and 18th. Many were passionate about keeping the schools on separate campuses. Unfortunately, their pleas fell on deaf ears. Many from the Algiers Community vowed the â€œfightâ€ is not over. Many indicated they would return.
Another item dealt with Teach for America (TFA) contracts. BESE continues to amend contracts and most recently approved an amended TFA contract that resulted in an upgrade to $1.2 million dollars. BESE approved the contract with Teach for America that would grant 25 new teachers during the 2013-14 school year. Lasting 13.5 hours, this meeting was viewed to be a marathon venue. The meeting became quite contentious when supporters of TFA suggested that teachers provided by TFA do a better job than teachers who are prepared in traditional programs provided by our local universities. Superintendent White suggested that TFA teachers are needed because "students continue to attend failing schools and traditional teachers are unwilling to change." At this point, TEMPERS FLARED. Letters to the Editor are ongoing.

Calendar of Events

July 10 - School Board Meeting, Breaux Bridge City Hall, 5:00
July 15 - Common Core Writing Team Meeting, Various Locations
July 16 - Statewide Superintendent Collaborative Meeting, Cajun Dome
July 17 - District Math Common Core Collaborative Meeting, Acadia Parish, 12:00 noon
July 17-18 - New Principal's Boot Camp, Virtual Learning Center, 8:00
July 25 - Administrator's Welcome Back Meeting. Virtual Learning Center, 8:30
July 29 - Gaggle Admin Training, Virtual Learning Center, 9:00
July 29-30, 2013â€”SMPSB New Teacher Induction, Special Services 8:00-3:30
July 31 - READ 180 Training, Special Services, 8:00 - 3:00\
August 7 - Welcome Back to School -- School Employees, various locations

Congratulations to William Greig, our Employee of the Month for June. Mr. Greig is the Secondary Education Supervisor in the Curriculum Department. He was nominated by two of his colleagues, Mr. Al Blanchard and Mrs. Brenda Courville, for "stepping up to the plate" and filling in for his immediate supervisor in her absence. Mr. Greig was acknowledged at the July School Board Meeting. Southern Scripts is the sponsor of the St. Martin Parish Employee of the Month Program.

We are pleased to announce the expansion of The St. Martin Parish Virtual Learning Program to students in grades 1-6. In order to qualify for participation in this ground breaking adventure, students must be enrolled in their zoned public school. Students can conduct all coursework from home with the exception of assessments. If you are interested, please contact the school for more information about the application process.

St. Martin Parish is participating in the District Math Collaboration Meetings. Other parishes participating are: Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette ,Vermillion, and West Feliciana. Each parish participating agreed to write and review comprehensive math pre/post tests for grades 2-11. The supervisors and writing teams are busy this summer also writing the common core curriculum based on the scope and sequence and assessment structure found in the LDOE tool box. The district meetings will be held throughout the upcoming school year to share ideas and collaborate best practices.

Breaux Bridge High School is proud to announce that Sydni Blanchard was selected to compete in the prestigious "2013 Microsoft Office Specialist United States National Competition." Her selection was based on the "exceptionally high score that she received on her Microsoft Specialist Excel Exam (a perfect score of 1000)." Each semester, students enrolled in business courses at BBHS work diligently to pass this industry based certification exam administered by the Certiport and the Microsoft Coporation. BBHS ranks 5th in the state according to percent of students passing. Sydni was awarded an inclusive (airfare, lodging, food, entertainment) expense paid trip to Park City, Utah where she completed on June 12. Sydni placed 2^nd among hundreds of participants from across the United States who competed in Utahâ€™s National Microsoft Excel competition. Mrs. Christine Mills, Breaux Bridge High teacher, is to be congratulated for her role in Sydniâ€™s success. Congratulations to Sydni for attaining this prestigious honor and best wishes for continued success. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments.