July, 2010 - Maplewood Elementary

Volume 35, Number 4
June/July, 2010
Distinguished Partners in Education
Willie King, Jr. nominated by Ray
D. Molo, JJ Johnson, TH Watkins,
Kennedy Elem
Proud Supporters of
Quality Education
Sasol NA nominated by Westwood
Elementary and Western Heights
Elementary
Westlake Chemical nominated
by Maplewood Middle
Savoy Named Vice-President of LASS
Calcasieu Parish Superintendent of Schools Wayne Savoy has been selected as
Vice President of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. LASS
has 69 members that help build coalitions with policy makers across the state
on educational issues. The organization was born following determinations by
school superintendents that they could best be represented by joining together on
common educational issues and not be dependent upon others being their voice.
By accepting the call, superintendents have placed themselves in unique positions
to shape the educational course for generations to come.
Secretary of State Jay Dardenne
Dolby Elementary and W.W. Lewis Middle schools were treated to a special visit on April 26th
from Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. He spoke to 4-5th graders and 7-8th graders about the
importance of voting and getting your voice heard.
Counselors of the Year
Calcasieu’s Outstanding Counselors of
the Year are Raedonna Person, St. John
Elementary; Lee Richard, W.W. Lewis Middle;
and Cindy Dowers, DeQuincy High. Raedonna
Person also won Calcasieu Parish Counselor of
the Year.
Students of the Year
This year’s Students of the Year are: Tyler Jude
Welch, Prien Lake Elementary; Olivia Anne
Vincent, W.W. Lewis Middle School; Brandon
Paul Guillory, Iowa High School.
All Children are Important to Us.
Produced by the
Office of Public Information
Charlene Chiasson, PIO
Board Spotlight
R.L. Webb
District 1
Fredman Hardy
District 2
Clara F. Duhon
District 3
Annette Ballard
District 4
Dale B. Bernard
District 5
Bill Jongbloed, V. Pres.
District 6
Mack Dellafosse
District 7
James W. Pitre
District 8
Randall Burleigh
District 9
James Karr, Sr.
District 10
Elray Victorian
District 14
Brian LaRocque
District 15
Chad Guidry
District 11
Joe A. Andrepont, Pres.
District 12
Billy Breaux
District 13
DeQuincy Ribbon Cutting
The community of DeQuincy celebrated the opening of the new
DeQuincy Elementary School with a ribbon cutting ceremony and
open house. Pictured, from left, are Senator John Smith; DeQuincy
Primary Principal Claude LeCompte; CPSS Construction Manager
Harold Heath; DeQuincy Mayor Lawrence Henagan; Architect
Ray Fugatt; Superintendent of Schools Wayne Savoy; DeQuincy
Elementary Administrative Intern Bridget Craft; DeQuincy
Elementary Principal Carol Ann Shelton; District 10 Board Member
James W. Karr, Sr.; DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce representative
Grover Smith; Dorothy Smith; CPSS Administrative Director of
Elementary Schools Dolores Hicks; Senator John Smith’s staff
member Nickie Wall; DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce Manager
Lillian Karr and Pat Williams Construction Project Superintendent
Mike Perkins and Contractor Jason Williams.
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Ward 1 Community Park
Ward 1 Community Park groundbreaking
ceremonies were held on May 7th. This is
phase one of the new baseball and softball
complexes which will also have playground
areas, restroom and concession building,
and new parking areas. Pictured left to right
are Wayne Savoy, Superintendent of Schools,
David Moss with Moss Architects, Harold
Heath-Construction Manager CPSS, State
Representative Brett Geymann, Senator Willie
Mount, School Board Members Fred Hardy
and Bryan LaRocque, Mike Sewell with Pat
Williams Construction and Joe Hill with
Congressman Boustany office.
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Literary Extravaganza Art Winners
Among the many students who entered the
Panhellinic Council Literary Extravaganza
Art Competition in Calcasieu Parish, these
students from Reynaud Middle School were
designated winners. Pictured from left to right
are Detarius Stanley, 2nd Place winner,6th
grade; Afonso Ross, 1st place winner, 7th
grade; and Delvecchio Scott, 1st place winner,
6th grade. Their artwork featured AfricanAmerican Military Leaders.
— Julie Groth
Tech Camp
The Region V LACUE Tech Camp 2010 is
slated for July 12-16 from 8:30 a.m.-3:00
p.m. weekdays at the Calcasieu Parish School
Board’s (CPSB) Technology Training Center
at 1724 Kirkman St. The CPSB and Region
V Technology Staff are gearing up for a
multimedia excursion that is sure to excite and
tantalize all participants at this year’s Tech
Camp, iCamp. Tech Camp is open to students
completing Grades 2nd– 7th in May 2010. This
year offers cutting-edge technologies as camp
participants receive an iPod Nano to utilize
in the camp experience. Students will utilize
technologies as tools in inquiry-based, projectoriented activities that will stretch the mind
and promote collaboration and cooperation,
simulating real-world experiences. During
camp, campers will encounter learning
projects that include video and audio podcasts,
graphics, and video production. These tools
can empower students of almost any age to
produce personal masterpieces—complete with
the look and sound of authentic productions.
It’s also a snap to share the finished product
on DVD, the web, and virtually anywhere
else. Campers will be captivated as they go
on compelling virtual experiences at Tech
Camp 2010! Registration forms can be found
on the web: www.cpsb.org/techcamp. The
deadline to register is Wednesday, May 19;
and, the tuition of $275.00 includes a camp
T-shirt, daily snacks, and an iPod Nano to
keep!!! Applications with a non-refundable
deposit of $100.00 are due Friday, May 19, and
the balance of $175.00 is due by Wednesday,
June 16. Camp enrollment will be filled on a
first-come, first-admitted basis with limited
registration.
Braille Challenge Winner
D.S. Perkins student Donovan Chasson won
first place in the Braille Challenge at the
Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired
on February 24th. Donovan is a first grader.
Everyone at Perkins is very proud of Donovan.
He is an inspiration to all of us.
— C. Grimmett
Green Matters Exhibit
College Oaks Elementary School Art Club
members participating in the “Green Matters”
exhibit at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum
in March and April were Aleya Joseph,
Janna Matthiesen, Tyshane Thomas, Adriel
Vizina, Destiny Bell, and Darian Vizina, and
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Courtney Leblanc. In the “Green Matters”
exhibit students brought multimedia, threedimensional, and kinetic masterpieces
illustrating the importance of conserving our
natural resources and reducing waste around
the globe. In the Museum Annex Gallery,
“Earth Counts” continued the theme, with
works by the Calcasieu Parish Art Educators.
The display included over 40 circular paintings
and sculptures, each with a written artist
statement about the piece. College Oaks
Elementary Art Specialist Pam Templeton
participated in the “Earth Counts” exhibit.
— Jeanette Webre
DARE Students of the Year
D. S. Perkins DARE Students of the Year
Skylar Wheeler from Vincent’s class
Samuel Wills from Stevens’ class
— C. Grimmett
Day Ceremony on May 7th. The Calcasieu
Bar Association presented a booklet aimed at
educating/reminding young men and women
of laws that are important to them as they
approach and enter adulthood. Hunter and
Heather were challenged to show leadership
my making an announcement about the
booklet to their classmates.
— Peggi Flowers
D. S. Perkins 4th Six Weeks Top Dogs
Every teacher at D. S. Perkins selects one
student every six weeks who demonstrates
outstanding character traits. Top Dog students
work hard, help others, and demonstrate good
character. These are the Top Dog students for
the 4th Six Weeks. Students from left to right
are: Tan Constance, Breanna Landry, Danielle
Edigo, Kayla Saucier, Hunter Domingue, Kira
Richard, Jaedlyn Hayes, Krystal Darbonne,
Skylar Wheeler, Aliya Young, McCaelan Arabie,
Gage Taylor, Franklin Bumgarden, Daniel
Kennedy, Lottie Wilks, Maleek Reado, Trent
Cathay.
— C. Grimmett
2009-2010 DARE Essay Winners at Perkins
Elementary
Kenani Guillory from Vincent’s class
Gina Landry from Stevens’ class
— C. Grimmett
Westlake High receives awards at FBLA
District Conference
The Westlake High Future Business Leaders
of America (FBLA) attended the 2010 FBLA
District Conference at McNeese State
University on January 28. The club received
4 First Place and 10 Superior Ratings. Pam
Johnson is the organization’s sponsor.
— Kerry A. Onxley
DARE Graduation at Perkins
Students and officers pause in a moment
of silence after the pledge. D.S. Perkins 5th
graders held their DARE graduation on
February 19th.
— C. Grimmett
Wild Thing
D.S. Perkins first-grader Zachary Gibbons’ art
project, “Wild Thing” was selected by Anne
Shirley, art teacher, to be displayed at the
Imperial Calcasieu Museum Spring Art Show.
— C. Grimmett
Law Day Ceremony
Hunter Prejean and Heather Morrissey
represented Sam Houston High at the Law
Oratorical Contest Winner
Kathyrn Reeser, 10th grader at
Westlake High School, won 2nd
place in the high school division
at the 2010 Oratorical Contest.
The contest was sponsored by the
City of Lake Charles on February
27 at Central School of the Arts
and Humanities Center. She was
awarded $250.00 for her speech
on “It takes a Village - Community
Involvement.” Reeser is a theatre student of
Kerry Onxley’s and child of Jason and Jennifer
Reeser.
— Kerry Onxley
Elizabeth Bruns Award Winner
Renee Grantham of Lake
Charles has won the 2010
Elizabeth Bruns Award by
the Louisiana Library
Association. The award is
presented annually to a
school librarian to recognize
a program that demonstrates
exemplary library usage. Grantham, who has
served as a Calcasieu Parish school librarian
for 24 years, has a master’s of education in
instructional technology, a bachelor’s in
business education with school library
certification and an MLIS from LSU. A leader
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within the Louisiana Library Association,
Grantham is also a member of the American
Library Association, the American Association
of School Librarians and the Louisiana
Association of School Librarians. Grantham
received her award in Baton Rouge on March
12 while attending the Louisiana Library
Association’s 84th annual conference.
— Kerry A. Onxley
Westlake High School participates in Read
Across America
Westlake High School
participated in the Read
Across America program
sponsored by the National
Education Association. Over
20 Westlake High students
read to children at Westwood
and Western Heights
Elementary Schools during
the week. Renee Grantham, Westlake High
School Library Media Specialist, sponsored the
local event.
— Kerry A. Onxley
Wonderland of Play Quality Day
Wonderland of Play held their Quality Day on
March 17th. Pictured here is Laura Phenice,
Quality Mentor, with kids showing their
quality binders.
— Schel Ruiz
LSBA Art Competition Winners
Annually, the Louisiana School Board
Association holds an art contest. There are
three categories, K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. This
year we had two honorable mentions and
one first place winner. Pictured with their
certificates are: K-4 Category Honorable
Mention-Hunter Hoosier, Barbe Elementary;
5-8 Category First Place winner Jake Adaway,
Henry Heights Elementary and 9-12 Category
Honorable Mention Shawn Nunez, Sulphur
High School. Art teachers are Mark LeBeauBarbe Elementary, Deborah Fontenot-Henry
Heights Elementary and Mike Danos-Sulphur
High School. Art Supervisor for K-12 is Daniel
Vidrine.
— Schel Ruiz
Academic All-State Students
At the March School Board Meeting many
students were recognized for their achievement
in academics. Following is the list of students
and schools. SULPHUR-2009 LHSAA
Academic All-State Volleyball Composite
Team: 5A-Sulphur:Allison Callahan, Maggie
Cooke, Kelli Mancil; 5A Honorable Mention:
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Mandy Prejean; 2009 LHSAA Academic AllState Football Team Composite Offense:Kai
Ackley – Kicker; 2009 LHSAA Academic AllState Football Team Composite Defense: Blake
Sanner–Defensive End, Kyle Bourgeois–Punter;
Offense Honorable Mention: Ryan Wells–
Offensive Line, Robert Dalton–Offensive Line,
Stephen Pennick–Offensive Line, Alex Onxley–
Offensive Line, William Hassien–Wide Receiver,
Garrett McCain–Quarterback, Calvin Peco–
Running Back; Defense Honorable Mention:
Ryan Perez–Linebacker, Justin Johnson–
Defensive Back, Jared Constance–Defensive
Back; BARBE-2009 LHSAA Academic All-State
Volleyball Honorable Mention: Quiana Griffin;
2009 LHSAA Academic All-State Football
Team Composite Offense: Nicholas George–
Offensive Line; Offense Honorable Mention:
Jared Bellow–Offensive Line, Chance Fayko–
Offensive Line; Defense Honorable Mention:
Dylan Hamolka–Defensive Back, Cobie Davis–
Defensive Back, Jacob Holleman–Defensive
Back, Dedrick Bartie–Defensive Back;
Offense Honorable Mention: Chris Jackson–
LaGrange-Running Back; SAM HOUSTON4A Honorable Mention All-State Volleyball:
Kimberly Kennedy, Pamela Wainwright; 2009
LHSAA Academic All-State Football Team
Composite Offense: Nick Caldarera–Wide
Receiver; 4A Offense: Kavik Bulter–Offensive
Line, Orlan Lockhart–Quarterback; Offense
Honorable Mention: Cristhian Perez–Offensive
Line, Jay Cook–Offensive Line, Caleb Bass–
Offensive Line, Kip Carter–Running Back;
4A Defense: Dylan Dozart–Defensive Back,
Dyllon Johnson–Defensive Back; Defense
Honorable Mention: Kevin O’Neal–Linebacker;
Iowa Volleyball Honorable Mention: Carmen
Ishee and Kortni Bradley; Offense Honorable
Mention: Chance Curlee–Wide Receiver;
Defense: Raymond Laughlin–Defensive Line,
Dylan Armentor–Defensive Line; Defense
Honorable Mention: Anthony LeBlanc–
Linebacker; WESTLAKE-Offense Honorable
Mention: Donavon Borel–Wide Receiver;
Defense: Jesse Bruce–Defensive Line;
Defense Honorable Mention: Grant Nordberg–
Quarterback, Ricky Irvin–Linebacker;
DeQuincy Offense: Michael Suchanek–
Offensive Line.
— Schel Ruiz
N.J. The Send My Teacher Web site received
an overwhelming response with more than
1,300 teachers applying. The selection panel
based their decision on your qualifications,
dedication to inspiring students at an early age
and your overall commitment to enhancing
the teaching profession. The Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy was launched
in 2005 to provide third-through fifth-grade
teachers tools to enhance curricula, an
opportunity to network with other educators
and discover innovative ways to teach math
and science to students. Since its launch,
more than 2,000 teachers have attended the
Academy and shared their experience with
more than 40,000 students nationwide.
— Charlene Chiasson
Green Matters Student Exhibit
“Green Matters” was an
exhibition of K-12
student work from the
Calcasieu Parish School
System. The greenthemed exhibit was
featured at the Imperial
Calcasieu Museum from
March 19-April 23.
Pictured is Hannah
Herman with her art
work. Hannah’s teacher is Martha Ward,
Westlake High School.
— Daniel Vidrine
Earth Counts Exhibit
Earth Counts was an exhibit at the Imperial
Calcasieu Museum from March 19-April 23
and featured works by CPSB art teachers.
The exhibit was done in conjunction with the
students exhibit, “Green Matters”. Pictured is
Bobbi Yancey’s artwork.
— Daniel Vidrine
Crayola National Art Competition
Jasmine Baker, 4th Grade student at J. D.
Clifton Elementary, is one of 39 winners
of Crayola’s Annual Juried Children’s Art
Exhibit, titled Visual Voices: Speak Up
for Creativity. Her entry was chosen from
thousands of submissions received across the
US and Canada. Jasmine’s winning artwork
will soon be on display at the U.S. Department
of Education in Washington, D.C. and its
offices around the country.
— Schel Ruiz
National Academy Selection
Marla Baldwin Selected
for National Academy
On behalf of the
Mickelson ExxonMobil
Teachers Academy,
I’m pleased to inform
you that you have
been selected to attend the 2010 Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy! This year’s
Academy is scheduled for July 18 - 23 at
the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City,
We Are Counted
Students of Wonderland of Play Head Start
participated in Census activities all week
long to let everyone in the parish know that,
“WE ARE COUNTED”. Head Start parents
were provided with a seminar discussing
employment with the Census Bureau.
Students and parents also worked together on
home learning activities including counting
all of the people in their houses and counting
all of the stores in Lake Charles that sell
toys. It was a great week for us to show that
Wonderland of Play “counts”.
— Ashley Ivey-Atkins
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other students well. The award was presented
by Karen Delpapa of the Kiwanis.
— CGrimmett
Guest Speaker Debbie Silver
The annual Partners in Education luncheon
was held on March 25 at Treasures of
Marilyn’s. There was 250+ attendees which
included school board members, principals,
departmental staff and business liaisons.
Guest speaker was Debbie Silver, a former
Louisiana Teacher of the Year and a recipient
of the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus award
from the College of Eduation at Louisiana Tech
University.
— Schel Ruiz
Boys and Girls State
John David Broussard, Daulton Huber,
Carrie Glynn and Jessica Miglicco will be
representing Sam Houston High at Boys
State and Girls State held June 27-July 3, at
Northwestern State University in Natchitoches,
LA. The objective is to educate our youth
in the duties, rights, and responsibilities of
American Citizenship. Participants learn to
the practical mechanics of government by
actually performing the functions of local
and state government. Applications of the
principles of democratic government are made
in every possible way. The Constitution and
the statutes of the state of Louisiana are the
pattern from which the fundamental low has
been developed. Boys/Girls State should be
regarded as being the fifty-first state with
a constitution, statutes, and ordinances
constructed by its citizens to govern
themselves.
— Peggi Flowers
Adam Bumgarden, PreK student, is a Dr.
Seuss fan!
— CGrimmett
Gumbo Gator Helps Celebrate
Gumbo Gator visited D.S. Perkins Elementary
for the 4th Six Weeks AttenDance. Students
invited to the dance had no unexcused
absences, tardies, or early checkouts.
— CGrimmett
Cat in the Hat visits D. S. Perkins
D.S. Perkins Elementary students were visited
by the Cat in the Hat during Family Night.
Students received Cat in the Hat treats.
— CGrimmett
Spring Fundraiser
D.S. Perkins students that sold three or more
boxes of chocolate bars in the Spring Candy
Fundraiser enjoyed an all-you-can-eat ice
cream pig out party as part of their rewards.
— CGrimmett
Golden Rule Award
D.S. Perkins first grader Kylee Nassar won the
Calcasieu parish Golden Rule Award given by
the Kiwanis of Southwest Contraband. She
was nominated by her teacher, Denton, for
showing kindness toward others and treating
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D. S. Perkins Honors Party
D.S. Perkins students that had Honor Roll/
Banner Roll for the 4th Six Weeks participated
in an Honors party. Pictured here first grader
Danielle Edigo receives cookies from Charlotte
Flores.
— CGrimmett
Family Night
D.S. Perkins students and their parents were
invited to attend Family Night. The theme of
the night was Dr. Seuss. Parents and students
learned reading strategies and learned new
ways to read together as a family. 2nd grader
Patience Tauzin uses a Promethean board
during Family Night
— CGrimmett
Parents and children read together in Menou’s
3rd grade class.
— CGrimmett
SWLA Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Shoebox Float Contest Winners
Sisters Breanna Landry, Grade 4, and
Elizabeth Landry, Grade 1, participated in
the SWLA Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Shoebox Float Contest. They won Second
Place.
— CGrimmett
Westlake High Students attend Library
Seminar
“Making a successful transition from high
school to university library” was presented
to Westlake High School seniors by Jessica
Hutchings and Tracy Hall, McNeese Reference
and Instruction Librarians on April 15 and 16.
Renee Grantham is the Westlake High
Librarian at Westlake High School.
— Kerry A. Onxley
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festive atmosphere. Each student, who met
his/her six weeks goal received a special “Cat
in the Hat” AR button as well as a cookie and
lemonade provided by McAlisters, one of our
Partners-in-Ed. There were 130 students who
attended the celebration.
— Jeanette Webre
We Will We Will Rock You
Students at D.S. Perkins had their very own
cheering section when LeBlanc cheerleaders
led them in a pep rally to inspire them to do
their best during testing week.
— CGrimmett
Special Guest at D. S. Perkins
Guest Jennifer Watts from Neighborhood
Mini Storage presented trophies, certificates,
and t-shirts to students during the Top
Dog Breakfast for the 5th Six Weeks.
Neighborhood Mini Storage is one of Perkins’
Partners in Education and makes the Top
Dog program possible by providing shirts and
awards for the students. We thank them for
their support and participation.
— CGrimmett
Rock the Test
D. S. Perkins Students Will Rock the Test
Stine’s purchased light up Rock the Test dog
tags for students to wear during testing week.
We thank them for their donation and their
support of the D.S. Perkins’ students and staff.
— CGrimmett
5th Grade Top Dogs
D. S. Perkins Top Dogs for the Fifth Six Weeks
The fifth six weeks Top Dog Students enjoyed
breakfast with their parents. These students
were chosen by their teacher for having good
character traits such as honest, hard work,
and kindness to others. The students listed
from left to right are: Lyndie Alegre, Payton
Doucet, Lupita Lopez, Elizabeth Clyde, Dillon
Smith, Morgan Brooks, Brianna Harrison,
Nathaniel Mouton, Angela Collins, Nicholus
East, Christopher Davis, Kylie Myers, Zachary
Gibbons, Anthony Randle, and Gabriel Ford.
— CGrimmett
A total of $734.55 was raised among grade
levels to collect change for Autism. Fifth grade
students came in first place and fourth grade
second for raising the most money. Autism
para-professionals Monica Benoit and Susan
Landry organized the event for the Autism
Society.
— Tanya Eubanks
Tiffany Guidry’s Class planted a garden at
Gillis Elementary
Calcasieu Parish Schools are celebrating
literacy and numeracy through a digital
presentation that will be made available on
Blackboard for all staff and students to view.
Three special education teachers were selected
to demonstrate with their class how they are
engaging in literacy and numeracy activities.
Christe Pettis, a speech therapist at LaGrange
High, presented a lesson from the Unique
Learning Series. Some of her students were
able to actively participate in the lessons by
using alternative methods of communication.
Sherri May, a special education teacher at
Moss Bluff Middle, also uses the Unique
Learning Series and a Promethean ActivBoard
to keep her students engaged in the learning
process. Tiffany Guidry, a special education
teacher at Gillis Elementary created a cross
curricular lesson, incorporating science
knowledge, organizational skills, and writing
activities. The video will be submitted to the
State Literacy and Numeracy Celebration on
May 11 to represent Calcasieu Parish.
— Anita Murphy
School Recieves Grant
Vinton Middle School is the recipient of a
$750 grant from Exxon Mobil. The grant will
help Vinton Middle to purchase a new copy
machine.
— Peggy Paige
“Reading is Wonderful Stuff!”
At College Oaks, for the fourth six weeks,
the theme for the AR event was a Dr. Seuss
celebration entitled “Reading is Wonderful
Stuff!” The celebration’s decorations featured
bright primary colored table runners accented
with red and white Seuss hats. Colorful Dr.
Seuss characters and books added to the
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Mighty Mu Math
Selected students from grades 3-5 at Westwood
Elementary attended the Mighty Mu Math
Tournament at Barbe High School on March
6th. 3rd grader Josh Guidry took home an
honorable mention, and 5th grader Breanna
Benoit took home 7th place in the individual
category.
— Karen Ashworth
Westwood students and teachers working
overtime!
School was in session Saturday for Westwood
4th graders! Many of them turned out for
the first of two LEAP Super Saturdays. The
sessions are designed to provide small group
assistance to prepare the students for the
spring LEAP test. Phyllis Hess, Westwood
principal, would like to commend the students
who gave up their Saturday to improve their
skills, as well as dedicated teachers Frances
Burgin, Kara Clour, Angelle Larson and Susan
Prejean.
— Karen Ashworth
Congratulations
Westwood 4th grader Cole Conrad was recently
named “Best Boy Junior Deputy” during the
Junior Deputy graduation. He was selected
from all participants from the Westlake and
Sulphur areas.
— Karen Ashworth
AR Celebration
College Oaks had 146 students, including 14
Kindergarteners, who attended the fifth six
weeks AR celebration. Sparkling stars adorned
the tables and stage. Each student, who met
his/her goal for the fifth six weeks received an
“AR Super Star” button and enjoyed cookies
and lemonade provided by McAlisters, the
Accelerated Reader sponsor for College Oaks.
— Jeanette Webre
Congratulations
Westwood 2nd grader Allie Turner recently
competed in the State Braille Challenge
competition in Baton Rouge. She and her
family traveled to Baton Rouge where she met
lots of new friends from around the state who
had gathered at the Louisiana School for the
Visually Impaired. The Braille Challenge is a
national reading and writing competition in
Braille. Students test their skills in reading
comprehension, Braille speed and accuracy,
proofreading, spelling and reading tactile
charts and graphs. Hundreds of students
from first through twelfth grades participated
in the Preliminary Round across the United
States. The top-scoring twelve students in
each age group are given a free trip to Los
Angeles in June for the Final Round—two
days of competition and fun. Everyone at
the state competition was impressed with
Allie’s intelligence, great personality, and
her amazing performance in Braille. Even
though it was Allie’s first time to enter this
competition, she did extremely well and placed
second in her age group. We are all very
proud of Allie for this very prestigious honor
and accomplishment. The preliminary results
will be released in May, and we will keep our
fingers crossed that maybe she will earn a free
trip to Los Angeles.
— Karen Ashworth
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Kiwanis Golden Rule Award
Westwood fifth grader
Reagan Richard was
awarded the Kiwanis
Golden Rule Award.
She was recognized for
following the Golden
Rule and always
treating others as she
would like to be
treated. Reagan was
nominated by her
teacher, Jenifer Fontenot who wrote the
following about Reagan: Reagan is one of the
sweetest and funniest girls I have ever taught.
I look forward to her smile every day. She
brightens up everyone’s morning. She is never
negative and is a very hard worker. One of the
things I am most impressed with is how she
treats her peers. She truly cares about them.
She volunteered to show a new student around
our school. She wanted to sit with her during
lunch to make her feel welcome. Another time
she got a group of students to make welcome
cards for a new student. Reagan is always the
first to volunteer to help someone when they
need it and she does it with a smile on her
face. She enjoys making others feel welcome
and accepted. Reagan received a certificate
and a bag of treats and prizes. Westwood staff
and students are proud of Reagan for this
great accomplishment. Pictured is Kiwanis
Golden Rule winner Reagan Richard and
Angela Pierson from the Kiwanis organization.
— Karen Ashworth
Read Across America
Read across America was celebrated
during the week of March 1-5. Book trivia
questions were read each morning during
announcements. Classes submitted correct
answers to the library to receive a bookmark.
On March 2 community readers from Sasol
and the Westlake High School Key Club read
to all classes. Wednesday, March 3 students
participated in Turn off your T.V. and Read
night. On March 5, students and faculty
dressed as a book character of their choice.
— Karen Ashworth
Art Award
Westwood fourth grade student, Lexi Peck and
fifth grade student, Baleigh Derouen recently
had art work accepted into “Louisiana”; A
K-12 juried art exhibit. The Louisiana exhibit
featured works created for the 2010 Louisiana
School Boards Association art competition and
was held at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum
January 29 - February 27. Both Lexi and
Baleigh are students of Melinda Harrell, art
teacher at Westwood Elementary.
— Karen Ashworth
Volume 32, Number 1
HOLLYWOOD sign, stars hanging from the
ceiling, and the walls covered with the teen
stars of Hollywood. The students had a chance
to take photographs in front of the Hollywood
sign, as well as in front of the posters of their
favorite stars. Our outstanding behavior is
shining bright at College Oaks.
— Jeanette Webre
Westwood Parent Receives School Volunteer
Award
Westwood parent Chantal Iles was recently
recognized by the Calcasieu A+PEL
(Association of Professional Educators of
Louisiana) Chapter as the recipient of the
2009-2010 School Volunteer Award. Iles was
surprised with the honor at a special reception
at Pujo Street Café on April 26th. She will be
honored at a Calcasieu Parish Board Meeting
in May and also at a special reception at the
Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge in June.
Iles was nominated by Westwood principal,
Phyllis Hess, who praised her for serving
as a leader among other volunteers in the
school. She has implemented and oversees
a group of workroom volunteers in addition
to volunteering as needed for a wide range
of events throughout the school year. Iles is
married to Wilber Iles, and together they are
the proud parents of Xavier, a 4th grader, and
Alexandra, a 1st grader.
— Karen Ashworth
Rotary Club Awardees
Winners of the Rotary Club of Lake Charles’
Employee Excellence Awards and their
nominators are: Phyllis Marcantel-Bus
Driver-DeQuincy Middle; Dece TrahanFederal Funds Coordinator-Federal Programs;
Nancy Rougeau-Administrative AssistantTechnology; Wilma Jones Terry-Special
Needs Coordinator-Transportation; Brenda
Benoit-Cafeteria Manager-S J Welsh; Sylvia
Guillory-Paraprofessional-Molo Middle; Perry
Miles-Janitor-Molo Middle; Patsy ByrleySecretary-College Oaks; Donald Fontenot-Pupil
Appraisal-St John Elementary; Billy MillerShop Foreman-Transportation; Sandy KramerOffice Manager-Warehouse.
— Schel Ruiz
State Music Festival
The 2010 State Music Festival was held the
week of April 26-30th. Several of our schools
were in attendance from elementary to high
school. Pictured here is LeBlanc Middle School
after their performance.
— Schel Ruiz
Zanner-Bloser Handwriting Winners
There were four state winners this year in the
Zanner-Bloser State Handwriting Contest who
have demonstrated that they have mastered
penmanship in the keys to legibility shape,
slant, spacing and size. They are: Alexis ViziaBrentwood Elementary-Teacher is Theresa
Fondel; Paige Guillory-Nelson ElementaryTeacher is Kim Burchman; Kaiya Clark-TS
Cooley Elementary-Teacher is Margaret
DeClouette; and Katelyn Jackson-Nelson
Elementary-Teacher is DeaAnne Kay.
— Schel Ruiz
Rotary Club Donation
Westlake Rotary Club purchases trike
The Westlake Rotary Club recently purchased
an adaptive trike for Westwood student Tanner
Turner. The school had been searching for
funding for the trike with no success. When
the Rotary Club heard about the need, they
immediately acted upon it and fully funded
the purchase of the trike and all necessary
adaptive components. Pictured with Tanner is
Westlake Rotary members Jared Maricelli, Dr.
Ken Eastman, and Kathleen Leonards.
— Karen Ashworth
PBS
In March, College Oaks Elementary PBS
students walked the red carpet for outstanding
behavior during the 4th six weeks of school.
The students entered the room walking the
red carpet, dressed as their favorite movie
character, posing while they were being
photographed by the paparazzi. The children
then received popcorn and juice while enjoying
a movie. The room was decorated with a
John W. Harris Leadership Award
DeQuincy High School senior Amanda
Rossetter has been selected as the 2009-2010
recipient of the John W. Harris Leadership
Award by the National Beta Club. This award
is one way that the National Beta Club
recognizes outstanding leadership exhibited
by its junior and senior members. Amanda
will receive a leadership award, certificate and
paid tuition to attend a Broyhill Leadership
Conference the following summer.
— Schel Ruiz
Page 7
Barbe State Champion Boys Bowling
The Barbe State Champion Boys Bowling
team are Christopher Lockette, Mark Minton,
Joseph Borel,Trevor Fontenot,Hoang Nguyen,
Aaron Newman, James Rathke, Paul Beglis,
and James Smithers. Coaches are James E.
Kelly, Jr. and Candie Witherspoon.
— Schel Ruiz
All Parish Quiz Bowl Team
All Parish QuizBowl Team winners are: Daniel
Garner, Sulphur High; Christopher Barclay,
Barbe High; Kaitlyn Gallegos, Sulphur High;
and Chance Tarver, Sulphur High.
— Schel Ruiz
Mighty Mu Math Tournament
A team of College Oaks’ third - fifth grade
students participated in the fourth annual
“Mighty Mu Math Tournament” sponsored
by Barbe High School’s chapter of Mu
Alpha Theta, a national math honor society.
Maddison Shaw placed in the top twenty for
third grade and Joshua Botts placed fifth for
fourth grade in the individual competition.
The fourth grade team placed second in the
team event! The students from third grade
who participated were Maddison Shaw, Jonah
Mulsow, Lila LeGros, Ian James, Ezra Wright,
Emerald Williams, Kealan Conn, Jordan
Marshall, and Alex Brown. The fourth grade
participants were Cerenity Malveaux, Destiny
Bell, Kelsey Glover, Catherine Zwingmann,
and Josh Botts. The fifth grade students who
represented College Oaks were Aleya Joseph,
Jordan Mulsow, De’kari Gray, Tabitha Sonnier,
Angel Stevens, and Janna Matthiesen.
— Jeanette Webre
PBS Store
Westwood Elementary students were treated to
their last school wide visit to the PBS Beehive
Store on May 11 and 12th - where they were
allowed to spend their hard-earned Kid Cash.
The students pictured together purchased
large items and should be commended for
earning and saving their Kid Cash all year:
(bottom row) Tanner Turner – High School
Musical DVD, Katie Duplechin – High School
Musical DVD, Hailey Bankston – Ripstik,
Christian Abraham – CD player, Ernest Dodd
– MP3 player, Andrew Treme – IPod Alarm
Clock. (absent – Brayden Winn who also
purchased an IPod Alarm Clock.) (top row)
Matthew Amos – Ripstik, Jena Johnson – MP3
player, Kenedee Morris – Hannah Montana
MP3 player, Hannah Cates – Nintendo DS,
Abby Brumett – High School Musical wall
Page 8
décor. Congratulations to all of Westwood’s
students who participated and bought items
with their Kid Cash! We are so proud of you
for your good behavior all year! Miss Parker
would like to thank her parent volunteers for
helping out students with their purchases –
Cherie Benoit, Michelle Dronet, Tonya Foy,
and Tina Laughlin. Our school would like
to thank the following persons, businesses,
and/or organizations for their donations:
Sasol – Nintendo DS; Bobby Letard – Ripstik;
Kenny and Dee Cochran/Jesco – High School
Musical DVD; Barry King – Ripstik; F. Miller
Construction – High School Musical DVD;
Cameron State Bank – Nintendo DS; Kiwanis
Club – Hannah Montana MP3 player; and
the Westwood Elementary PTO – CD player, 2
MP3 players, and 2 IPod Alarm clocks. We all
here at Westwood Elementary appreciate your
generosity, especially our students!
— Karen Ashworth
Family Reading Night
College Oaks principal Dr. Cathy Severns
announces the book character costume
winners at Family Reading Night. On April
27, College Oaks sponsored a Book Character
Dress-up Day followed by a Family Reading/
Book Fair Shopping Night. Both students and
faculty participated in book character costume
contests and winners were announced at the
night event. Book characters such as Pippi
Longstocking, Max (from Where the Wild
Things Are), Viola Swamp, Fancy Nancy, Cat in
the Hat, Waldo, Amelia Bedelia, Mrs. Frizzle,
Junie B. Jones, Olivia, and so many more
truly made books come alive! First and second
place student winners as well as honorable
mentions won book fair shopping certificates.
Faculty winners received gift cards to local
restaurants. Special guests for the evening
were Mary LeCompte, a local storyteller who
shared exciting and funny Louisiana stories;
Clifford the Big Red Dog, who visited with all
of the boys and girls; and Ginette Evans, a
librarian from the Calcasieu Parish Public
Library, who encouraged students to sign up
for the reading program they provide in the
summer for children of all ages.
— Jeanette Webre
Body Walk
Karen Hayes shares heart information during
the Body Walk. College Oaks hosted its first
Health Fair on May 10th-14th under the
guidance of Coach Aaron Stanley and his
committee. The purpose of the Health Fair
is to have students in grades K-5 research
the human body and its systems while
participating in meaningful engaged learning
activities. Students prepared project boards
to display the results of their research and
displayed them in a central location to share
with parents, guests, and all of the classes.
Kindergarteners studied bones and first grade
studied the digestive system. Second graders
studied the heart and circulatory system.
Third graders studied the respiratory system.
Fourth graders studied muscular system, and
fifth graders studied the brain and nervous
system. On Monday, class sports and games
competitions took place. On Tuesday, a trainer
from GiGi’s led students in each grade in a
fitness routine. On Wednesday, the Human
Body Walk from the LSU Ag Center gave
students a first-hand look at the body from the
inside. On Thursday, Dr. Eric Sanders’ Dentist
Office provided dental health information
and lively tooth care demonstrations for the
students. On Friday, all students participated
in Field Day activities and competitions.
— Jeanette Webre
Rotary Club Award Winner
College Oaks is very proud to announce that
Patsy Byrley, College Oaks secretary, was a
winner of the Rotary Club of Lake Charles’
Employee Excellence Award. She was
nominated by Dr. Cathy Severns, Principal,
and five COE teachers.
— Jeanette Webre
Colors of the Rainbow
John J. Johnson II Elementary School
students placed “Silver” at the “Colors of the
Rainbow” dance competition held May 14, at
Bulber Auditorian at McNeese. The girls and
boys were so very excited and grateful for the
opportunity to compete and perform before an
audience of family members, Johnson faculty,
staff and friends. Johnson Elementary’s
Dancing Classrooms Culminating Event was
held on March 17th. The fifth grade classes
enjoyed ten weeks of dancing instructions
under direction of Steven White, dancing
instructor. Dancers performed the Merengue,
Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Swing, Waltz and
Polka. Josephine Berard’s dancing students
were Dante Bilbo, Kyla Bradford, Joshua
Bradley, Jaylon Carter, Joseph Collins, David
Deruso, Jr., Brooklyn Dowell, Camille Fox,
Demarriay Haynes, KeAnga Jones, Kiara
Joseph, Tommie Kinchen, Jr., Tilden Leger,
Angelic Miller, Tytianna Syas, Raelynn
Thomas, Brooklyn Washington and Bryinna
Williams. Cathy Cooks’ student dancers were
Kiara Anderson, Annie Bias, John Carter, Jr.,
Keyonna Chalk, Jaquerrious Crump, Darren
Fontenot, Janquise Frank, Breanna Groothoff,
Sirdayln Hickman, Joshua Hill, Aaliyah
Jack, Eric McCree, Gregory Montgomery,
Derranea Morgan, Shaniesha Reed, Melissa
Ross, Nathaniel Smith,Jr., Brianna Stevens,
Destanee Thomas and Anthony Williams.
Student Lainie Bellow served as disc jockey
for the event. Students also performed a Line
Dance, the Merengue and Macarena. They
were joined on the dance floor by parents and
teaching staff in performing the Stump and
Cha Cha Slide. Brianna Stevens, Nathaniel
Smith, Eric McCree, Kiara Joseph, Raelynn
Thomas and Brooklyn Dowell read essays
they wrote about their wonderful Dancing
Classrooms experience. Johnson’s Dancing
Classrooms was funded through a grant from
the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA,
the Division of the Arts and the Whistle
Stop and the city of Lake Charles. Johnson
Elementary faculty, staff, parents and students
are grateful for the opportunity of having the
Dancing Classrooms experience.
— Gloria E. Jackson
SHARE
Brown, AP World History; Nicole Fontenot,
AP US Government; Julie Sanders, AP World
History. The AP teachers who participate in
the AP Reading describe the experience as an
intensive collegial exchange, in which they
can receive professional support and training.
These teachers meet colleagues, exchange
ideas, and discover new teaching approaches.
More than 10,000 teachers and college faculty
participated in the 2009 Reading. We are
thrilled that four teachers from CPSB will
represent our district in the 2010 Reading.
— June Burke
Golden Rule Winner
Destiny Bell, winner of the Kiwanis Club
Golden Rule Award is shown with her proud
parents. College Oaks is very proud of Destiny
Bell, a fourth grade student, who was selected
as the Kiwanis Club Golden Rule winner for
the 2009-2010 school year.
— Jeanette Webre
Student Council Field Trip
Frasch Elementary Student Council Field Trip
The student council members from Frasch
Elementary took a 3-day educational field
trip to Dallas and College Station, Texas. In
Dallas, they visited The Sixth Floor Museum
and learned a wealth of information on the
assassination of President John F. Kennedy,
and in College Station, they visited the George
Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Student council sponsors are Ashley Guidry,
Katie Dupre, and Tara Fusilier.
— Katie Dupre
Counselor Recognized
Rachel Crum, Sam Houston High Counselor
Rachel Crum was honored recently at the
Calcasieu School Counselors Association
banquet, held at Pat’s of Henderson. This
tribute was extended to Rachel Crum for
her outstanding record during 30 years of
education, and her impending retirement
at the end of this school year. Rachel Crum
served as a business teacher before becoming
a high school counselor. She became a
member of the faculty of Sam Houston High
School in 2001, after serving at Leesville High
School. Rachel Crum is a Nationally Certified
counselor and has been an inspiration to
everyone she has come in contact with. She
will be genuinely missed. Pictured with
Rachel is Raedonna Person, past President of
CSCA.
— Peggi Flowers
Perfect Attendance
The Calcasieu Parish
School System is
pleased to announce
Sam Houston High’s
senior with K-12 perfect
attendance: Peter
Joseph Rubin. Parents
are Donna and Peter
Rubin of Lake Charles.
— Charlene Chiasson
Perfect Attendance
Frasch Students take 2nd Place at the
Region V Social Studies Fair
Two 5th grade students from Frasch
Elementary took 2nd place honors at the
Region V Social Studies Fair on April 20, 2010.
Tristan Baggett placed 2nd with his project
titled “The Amazingly Abundant Agriculture of
Louisiana” and Will Lavergne placed 2nd with
his project on “The Battle of Vicksburg”.
— Katie Dupre
AP Teachers Participate in Evaluation
In June, AP teachers and college faculty
members from around the world gather in
the United States for the annual AP Reading
where these selected teachers evaluate and
score the free-response sections of the AP
Exams. In the summer of 2009, two of CPSB
Advanced Placement Teachers participated
in the AP Reading for the AP World History
Exam – Julie Sanders and Michelle Brown.
For the 2010 summer, CPSB will have four
teachers participating in the AP Reading:
Elaine Billedeaux, AP Calculus; Michelle
Volume 32, Number 1
The Calcasieu Parish
School System is
pleased to announce
Westlake High’s senior
with K-12 perfect
attendance: Desiree
Latrice Eaglin. Parents
are Ella and Reynard
Eaglin of Westlake. Her
brother and father both
also had 12 years of
perfect attendance.
security purposes, webcam use is closely
monitored by school librarians.
— Helen Curol
PIE Donation
Moss Bluff Elementary would like to thank
their partner in education, Richey’s 3D Foam
and Insulation, for providing snacks and
drinks to all fourth grade students during
LEAP testing and subway sandwiches for the
teachers. Also, Moss Bluff Elementary would
like to thank Melanie Perry’s State Farm office
for donating pencils for testing week.
— Sherina Snead
New Teacher Academy
The New Teacher Academy showcased Title
I New Teacher Project and the Transition to
Teaching Program at the Louisiana Association
of Supervisors of Federally Assisted Programs
(LASAFAP) annual conference held in Baton
Rouge on April 22nd. The CPSS New Teacher
Academy provides preparation, support,
leadership, and autonomy as well as an
integrated, comprehensive solution to the
challenges of retaining new teachers in highneeds schools in Calcasieu Parish. The
Transition to Teaching program provides
assistance to uncertified teachers through a
federal grant. The Title I New Teacher Project
provides assistance for certified teachers by
means of AARA funds. Presenters were Cindi
Creel, Director of Federal Programs, Johna
Rion, New Teacher Academy Supervisor,
Lauren Beckham, Lisa Dietz, and Marve
Sevier, Instructional Coaches, and new
teachers Tammy Pettis from Iowa High
and Domonica Fresch from Ralph Wilson
Elementary.
— Lisa Dietz
— Charlene Chiasson
Web Cams in the Library
School librarians have been busy utilizing
new webcams for a variety of purposes.
Camilla Croxdale at Gillis Elem has created
an electronic story hour which the Pre-K
students love as a different format from time
to time. Tish Martinez at LeBlanc Middle
has partnered with Phyllis Stine at FK White
Middle to utilize webcams for book discussions
among students of the two schools. Cynthia
Smith at Washington-Marion has offered the
webcam’s availability to the school’s Career
Fair guests to introduce students to corporate
offices. All librarians have participated in
webcam meetings to discuss pertinent issues
without having to leave school campuses. For
Golden Rule Winner
Lucy Bellon, a Kindergarten student at Moss
Bluff Elementary, received the “Golden Rule
Award.” This award is given by the Kiwanis
Club of Southwest Contraband for students
who live by the values of the Golden Rule.
Lucy was honored with the award at school in
April.
— Sherina Snead
Page 9
JJJ Suddenlink Celebration
John J. Johnson II Elementary School salutes
its students achievers for their recent honors.
For the fourth six weeks period, 11 students
earned Banner Roll, 68 made Honor Roll, and
101 had Perfect Attendance. For the fifth six
weeks period, 26 students earned Banner Roll;
64 earned Honor Roll, and 132 had perfect
attendance. Johnson’s Partner In Education,
Suddenlink, always provide an “Honor Roll
Celebration Party” at the school following each
six weeks period to recognize the Honor Roll
and Banner Roll achievers. Johnson’s faculty
and staff are very proud of these hard workers
and extremely grateful for Suddenlink’s
ongoing support of our school.
— Gloria E. Jackson
Read Across America
College Oaks celebrated Dr. Seuss Read Across
America Day on March 2 with administrators
and teachers sharing their favorite Dr. Seuss
stories with the students. As a special treat,
Ginette Evans, a special guest from the
Calcasieu Public Library System, read Oh the
Places You’ll Go and Green Eggs and Ham to
the first grade boys.
— Jeanette Webre
LEAP Saturday Review
On March 3, fourth grade students enjoyed
a day of fun at College Oaks’ LEAP Saturday
review day. Upon arrival, students ate a
breakfast donated by Sonic. Afterwards, they
rotated classes and participated in games
such as “Social Studies Around the World”
with Bradley, “Science Jeopardy” with Verret,
“ELA Race” with Verdin, and “Are You Smarter
than a Fifth Grader?” and “Who Wants to be
a Millionaire?” with Pentecost. Students left
with the thrill of being in a race, becoming
millionaires, and having traveled all over the
world.
— Jeanette Webre
JJJ and Kiwanis Club’s BUG Program
The Kiwanis Club of South Lake Charles
sponsored the Bring Up Grades (BUG) Honor
Roll Recognition/Celebration at John J.
Johnson II Elementary at the end of each six
weeks period. Third, fourth, and fifth grade
students set goals at the beginning of the
six weeks to pick up a least one grade, and
maintain or improve the remaining grades
from the previous six weeks period. Fourth
six weeks BUG Honor Roll honorees include
Alexus Bias, Laken Chambers, Gabriella Cook,
Exploria Crump, Evan Douglas, Daijuan
Duncan, Dasia George, Breonna Papillion,
Charles Siverand, Margo Stevens, Deandre
Duruseau, Nathaniel Cherry, D’andre Jones,
Ke’Auntay Trent, Zyshawn Richardson,
Sequoia Hickman, Raymond Joubert, Ravyn
Celestine, Myranesha Harrison, Angelina
Walker, Mila Bradley, Derek LeDoux, Patriana
Gibbs, Jade Bryant, Ramon Alfred, Sanaya
Page 10
Hardman, Sean Solomon, Lainie Bellow,
Destiny Charles, Aaliah Grant, Wil’Asia
Joubert, Jasmine Scott, Samantha Hypolite,
Domonique Lastrapes, Javon Thibodeaux,
Keyonna Chalk, Janquise Frank, Eric McCree,
Melissa Ross, Shawn Montgomery, Nathaniel
Smith, Anthony Williams, Brianna Stevens,
Raelynn Thomas, Bryianna Williams, Kyla
Bradford, Angelic Miller and Camille Fox.
Super BUGs, (students who are BUGs and
who also helped a fellow student to become
a BUG) include Gabriella Cook, Breonna
Pappillion, Charles Siverand, Nathaniel
Cherry, Myranesha Harrison, Domonique
Lastrapes, Javon Thibodeaux, Camille Fox,
Brianna Stevens and Tyrek Carter. Fifth
six weeks BUG Honor Roll honorees include
Gabriella Cook, Laken Chambers, Breonna
Papillion, Margo Stevens, Charles Siverand,
Devonta Young, Raymond Joubert, Myranesha
Harrison, Marcus Ross, Paige Nelson, Sanaya
Hardman, Ja’Marlin Lafleur, Sean Solomon,
Jarvis Taylor, Joseph Siner, Daylen Stewart,
Christian Lemelle, Troymequeountay Breaux,
Jasmine Scott, Javon Thibodeaux, Destiny
Charles, Damaria Mason, Darius Lewis,
Derranea Morgan, Shawn Montgomery, Tilden
Leger, Dante Bilbo, Demarriay Haynes, Joseph
Bradley, Kiara Joseph, Lainie Bellow, Raelynn
Thomas, Camille Fox, Tommie Kinchen, and
Trevis Dean. Super BUGs include Laken
Chambers, Charles Siverand, Wil’Asia Joubert,
Brianna Stevens, Eric McCree, Melissa Ross,
Keonna Chalk. The BUG Program is in its
second year at Johnson Elementary. Johnson
Elementary’s faculty, staff, parents and
students are appreciative of the generosity
extended by the Kiwanis Club of South Lake
Charles and J and J Exterminating Co., Inc.
— Gloria E. Jackson
Art teacher Sarah Smith and “Recycled
Runway”
John J. Johnson II Elementary School
students, Keyona Chalk, Melissa Ross, and
Annie Bias created “Recycled Runway”,
under the direction of the art teacher, Sarah
Smith. The model, wearing a woven garbage
bag dress, was the talk of the town at the
Calcasieu Parish School Board Exhibit, “Green
Matters.” To complete the ensemble the girls
formed jewelry from aluminum foil, a handbag
of candy wrappers, slipper shoes made from
newspaper, flowers cut from soda cans, and
a wrap made from packing material. This
was such an exciting, fun, and cause-worthy
project. Smith says to parents, “do not let
the kids sit on the couch all summer . . . try
something like this! It’s all garbage!”
— Gloria E. Jackson
Students Perform
T.H. Watkins Elementary Colors of the
rainbow team performed at McNeese State
University Friday, May 17th. The team won a
gold medal for their performance and moved
on to the finals on Saturday where they
received a bronze medal. Team members for
the Merengue- Mckeithan & Ladaysia...Foxtrot
Team- Cole & Tyra....Rumba Team- Keryton &
Dandre....Tango Team- Jordan & Makayla....
Swing Team- Cedric & Aaliyah...CaptainsMalik & Kamren. Dancing Artist was Angela
Reeves and teachers Shellie guidry, Julie
Ortego and Wendy Boyett.
— Shellie Guidry
Chess Winner
Frasch Elementary Chess
Club student Jace Benoit
placed 2nd in the K-3
division at the Parish
Tournament on March 6th.
— Katie Dupre
Mardi Gras Bead Donation
College Oaks participated in its 2nd annual
Mardi Gras Bead donation drive. For two
weeks students brought in unwanted beads,
and the autistic classes counted and sorted
all of them. The final total was 11,320 beads.
These beads will be sold back to krewes
and the proceeds will be used to help the
Southwest chapter of the Autism Society.
College Oaks teachers participated in “Jeans
for Autism,” and the school collected $230 for
autism awareness.
— Jeanette Webre
Frasch 5th Graders Get a Special Science
Lesson
On May 19th KPLCtv meterorologist Wade
Hampton visited Frasch Elementary to give the
5th grade students a special science lesson.
Wade Hampton talked to the students about
the weather, how hurricanes form, and he
discussed how meteorologists are able to make
weather predictions.
— Katie Dupre
ESGR Seven Seals Award
Presenting the Seven Seals Award are Chief
Petty Officer Harry Cormier (USN/Ret.) and
Captain Joe Hill (USN/Ret). Receiving awards,
from left, are CPSB Assistant Superintendent
Leo Miller, Jr.; Ward 3 Marshal Joey Alcede;
CPSB Assistant Superintendent Gary
Anderson; Sheriff Tony Mancuso; and CPSB
Superintendent of Schools Wayne Savoy.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
(ESGR) will present the Calcasieu Parish
School Board and the Calcasieu Sheriff’s
Office with the Seven Seal Award. The Seven
Seals award is presented to those employers
who have signed a Statement of Support
expressing his/her/their support for employees
serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
In addition they have been nominated and
received a Patriot Award from a service
member and have continued to demonstrate
support for our Guard and Reserve service
members.
— Charlene Chiasson
SHARE
Banner Performance
MSU Banners Presents Johnette Downing
McNeese State University Banner Series
and Partners, State Farm Insurance worked
together to offer the PreK-3rd grade students
of Brentwood Elementary a wonderful treat.
Johnette Downing came to the school to
not only sing songs based off of her popular
Louisiana themed books, but also find some
potential American Idol stars in the audience.
Students were allowed to participate on stage
to assist Downing with bringing her songs to
life.
— Willona Jackson
W.T. Henning Teachers Rock & Roll for
Teacher Appreciation
A fun filled luncheon was provided by Partner
in Education, Certain Teed, May 7th. Teachers
enjoyed old fashioned hamburgers, fries,
onion rings and delicious ice cream created
by Dairy Barn. They were entertained by fifth
grade students and the Leader of the Pack,
Greg Whiteard, principal. Fifties music and
karaoke was provided by Roxanne Nutt, a
Henning grandparent volunteer.
— Tanya Eubanks
DARE Students of the Year
On May 13th Frasch Elementary hosted the
2010 DARE Graduaton ceremony for the 5th
grade students who participated in the DARE
program this school year. There were over 100
students being honored. Pictured are the 2010
DARE Students of the Year Heather Misse,
Laura Williamson, Cullen Burton, Carleigh
Garcia,and Katelyn Leone along with Principal
Tony McCardle and DARE Instructor Officer
Chad Theriot.
— Katie Dupre
Frasch Chess Club Competes in the Parish
Tournament
Frasch Elementary Chess Club members Jace
Benoit, Will Lavergne, Gian Thornton, and
John Lewis Thornhill recently competed in the
Parish Chess Tournament on March 6th. They
are shown here with Chess Club Sponsors
Felipe Nah and Allison Brown.
— Katie Dupre
PBS Prize Drawing
John J. Johnson held its End of the Year PBS
prize drawings on May 27. Breonna Papillion
and Tristan Poullard were winners of new
bicycles, and Zyshawn Richardson was the
winner of a $60 gift card to the Simon Mall.
The winners’ names were drawn from a
collection of all PBS tickets earned by students
for good behavior during the school year.
Congratulations JJJ Winners!
— Gloria E. Jackson
Volume 32, Number 1
Law Signature School
Following a year-long application process, the
Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning
has earned the distinction of being named
a Law Signature School. Being named as
a Law Signature School also qualified the
LCB Academy to be a recipient of a $15,000
grant from the Louisiana Bar Foundation for
the construction of a courtroom on campus.
The LCB Academy has been developing
plans to offer a career cluster in Government
and Public Administration with the area of
concentration in Criminal Justice and Law &
Order. Courses included in the curriculum will
be Law Studies I, Intro to Criminal Justice,
Criminal Courts, Computer Forensics, and
Forensic Science.
— Charlie Adkins
PBS Eagle Store
The newest store to open for business
is located on the campus of Brentwood
Elementary! The PBS Eagle Store officially
opened the door to over two hundred students
based on their good behavior and following
of the school SOAR rules for the fourth six
weeks. Using Eagle Bucks, students made
purchases of candy, toys, games, and other
items. All of the store merchandise came from
parent donations, community donations,
teachers, and school PBS funds. The students
really enjoyed shopping and showing off their
purchases! Members of the 2009-2010 PBS
team are: Nancy Frank, Melanie Bradberry,
Gwen Daniel, Amanda Guillory, Patricia
Clemons, Corry Allen, Theresa Fondel, Lori
Dugas, and Vicky Broussard.
— Willona Jackson
VSE Students Working with Junior
Achievement Leaders, Arceneaux and
Ellender
Second grade students at Vincent Settlement
Elementary recently completed the Junior
Achievement program sponsored by
their Partners in Education, Westlake
Chemical. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and
preparing young people to succeed in a global
economy.
— Lori Young
Yearbook Winners
Guillory’s class had a Raising Cane’s time
as they enjoyed chicken fingers from Raising
Cane’s. They received this special treat for
having the largest number of yearbook sales
for the 2009 - 2010 school year.
— Phyllis Godfrey
Johnson Cox Donation
From left: Betty Sims, principal of John J.
Johnson II Elementary School, is joined by
Student of the Year, Camille Fox, Christian
Lemelle, Collin South, and Raelynn Thomas
in a exciting moment after receiving a $5,000
donation from Partner In Education, Cox, Cox,
Filo, Camel and Wilson Law Firm. Attorney
Richard Wilson, shown on right, represented
the firm and presented the generous donation
which will be used for playground equipment.
— Gloria E. Jackson
State Handwriting Winner
Alexis Vizia, first grade student in Theresa
Fondel’s classroom was honored on May
11, at the CPSB Board Meeting. Alexis was
recognized as the first grade Louisiana
State Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Winner. She
received a tote bag of prizes as well as her
teacher received prizes too. Congratulations
goes out to both Alexis and her teacher.
— Willona Jackson
Testing Pep Rally
Brentwood held a “Testing Luau” for students
on April 9. Students participated in the
testing limbo, and Are You Smarter than a
3rd, 4th, or 5th grader as testing draws near.
Students had a luau of a time as they showed
what they know.
— Phyllis Godfrey
Teacher AR Party
Brentwood Elementary teachers reap the
benefits of students showing off their reading
skills. The following teachers’ classes earned
a 90% or higher in Accelerated Reader for the
fifth six weeks: Nansel, Saucier, Fuselier,
Watson, Dugas, Fondel, Frank, Guillory,
Metoyer, Williams, and McDaniel. They had
a “raising” good time as they enjoyed chicken
fingers from Raising Cane’s.
— Phyllis Godfrey
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Brentwood Elementary’s Technology
Showcase
On April 28th and 29th, Brentwood
Elementary participated in the Technology
Parish Tour as a Technology Showcase
School. Visitors from all over Calcasieu
Parish were invited to see students actively
engaged in the learning process through
the use of various tech tools such as flip
cams, MP3 players, Palm handhelds,
Promethean boards, and ACTIV
expressions. They were given the “red
carpet treatment” upon entering the school
and were surprised by the “papparazzi”,
our very own KBES EAGLE News Team.
EAGLE news team members are: Darlene
Johnson, Kristyl Malone, Kyndon Navarre,
and James Daniel. The Technology
Showcase teachers are: Megan Fuselier,
Nancy Frank, Pennie Dupree, Amanda
Guillory, Stephanie Landreneau, Jessica
Rivero, and Audrette Metoyer.
— Willona Jackson
Kathy works with students at Sulphur and
DeQuincy High Schools as a mentor to
prevent dropouts and encourage leadership
and career development. She was
recognized as number one in the nation
for “Alternative Education Graduation Rate
and Positive Outcomes”.
Sheila Kratzer
U.S. Navy. Ensign Faulk successfully
completed four years of intensive
academic, physical, and professional
training, resulting in a Bachelor of
Science Degree with a major in Aerospace
Engineering. As a graduate of the Naval
Academy, Ensign Faulk completed a fouryear, total immersion program where
a strong, balanced academic program,
focused on the educational needs of the
Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed
on a strict, professional military training
environment emphasizing the development
of leadership skills. Following graduation,
Ensign Faulk has been assigned to
Pensacola, Florida where she will continue
training in Naval Aviation as a Navy Pilot.
Ensign Faulk is a 2006 graduate of A. M.
Barbe High School, Lake Charles, LA.
“The Connected Classroom Project”
Forensics Tournament
The Calcasieu Parish School System 2010
Middle School Forensics Tournament
was held at W.W. Lewis Middle School
with 14 schools and over 200 students
participating. Sweepstakes trophies were
awarded to F.K. White, first place; S.J.
Welsh, second place; and Ray D. Molo,
third place. Original Oratory winners
were Hannah Hebert, first place, Bell
City; Olivia Vincent, second place, W.W.
Lewis; and Dante Conner, third place, F.K.
White. Individual winners in the Prose
category were Marcus Hughes, first place,
F.K. White; Alyiah Dargin, second place,
Oak Park; and Kristen Norris, third place,
S.P Arnett. In the Poetry category, Jordan
Babineaux, first place, Ray D. Molo;
Raven Dobbins, second place, F.K. White;
and Taylor Gordon, third place, Vinton.
Winners in Dramatic Interpretation
were Matthew Carroll, first place, F.K.
White; Dylana Smith, second place,
Moss Bluff; and Victoria Herline, third
place, Vinton. Humorous Interpretation
winners were Brian Lazo, first place,
S.J. Welsh; Tiara Harrison, second place,
Oak Park; and Deija Vitatoe, third place,
Oak Park. In the Duo Interpretation
category winners included Aungelina
Chapman and Bailey Bridges, first place,
F.K. White; Madeline Curry and Sophia
Hartley, second place, Maplewood; and
Nicholas Walling and Summer Eason,
third place, F.K. White Middle. Debate
winner was Hannah Morris, first place,
S.J. Welsh. Jennifer Young, Maplewood,
was runner up. Highest speaker points
went to Christian Dennis, S.J. Welsh
and DiAndre Matthews, Ray D. Molo. In
the Extemporaneous Speaking category
winners included Matthew Martin, first
place, DeQuincy; Brianna Lee, second
place, J.I. Watson; and Andrew Tramonte,
third place, DeQuincy.
JAG High Performing Program
Kathy Keever, a JAG (Jobs for America’s
Graduates) Specialist in Calcasieu
Parish was presented with the JAG High
Performing Alternative Program award at
the National Training Conference July 15.
Page 12
During the 2010-2011 school year,
the Technology Training Department
in conjunction with Title 1 have been
involved in what has been deemed the
“The Connected Classroom Project”.
This project has been made possible
though the ARRA (American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act)/Stimulus Project
funds and EETT (Enhancing Education
Through Technology) federal grant funds.
Technology equipment and professional
development was provided at 35 Title 1
schools in Calcasieu Parish. Equipment
included 205 Connected Classroom
packages which consisted of a Promethean
board, laptop, projector and slate, 60
Promethean boards, 85 laptops, 24
projectors, 446 sets of ActivExpressions/
ActiVotes, 246 slates, 248 netbooks, 29
digital cameras, 19 digital camcorders,
and 37 mp3s. All participants that
received equipment were provided with
8 hours of professional development that
focused on ways that these items could
be used to improve student achievement.
Project participants will each submit two
flipcharts that showcase the various ways
they are using the equipment to enhance
learning and impact student achievement.
Haiti Project
Mary Ann Lacefield handing a check for
$315 to Becky Derise at the American Red
Cross for the people of Haiti to help with
their losses. This check comes from the
Washington-Marion High School Spanish
club.
Louisiana Principal of the Year
Naval Academy
United Sates Navy Ensign Laura Rosanne
Faulk, daughter of Jeff and Vickie
Faulk, graduated from the United States
Naval Academy with Merit in Annapolis,
MD on Friday, May 28, 2010 and was
commissioned as an Officer in the
Margaret G. Goode, Maplewood Middle
School principal, was selected by the
Louisiana Department of Education as
the state middle school principal of the
year. She was honored during the Cecil J.
Picard Educator Excellence Symposium.
Goode has been an educator for 34
years and has served as principal of
Maplewood Middle School since 2003.
Borrowing the words of Ralph Waldo
Emerson, she believes that “the secret of
education lies in respecting the pupil.”
Education must be personalized: We
know that every individual student has
the capacity to grow, develop, and learn;
we must discover the elements of an
individual’s learning styles and interests
through building relationships; and we
must design interactive lessons focused
on the individual’s needs in order to put
together the puzzle pieces that show us the
personalized picture of helping our pupils
achieve their goals.
SHARE
Congratulations
Ashton Abshire, 6th grade student at W. W.
Lewis Middle School, won third place in the
state Environmental Education Commission
Awareness contest, language arts division.
The topic of the contest was Carbon Footprints:
Tread Lightly on Louisiana. Ashton won in
the 11-13 age group, in which there were over
160 entries. Ashton will receive his $75.00
prize award at a reception to be held in the
Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge on June
22. He and his family, his teacher Anne
Farrar, and principal Tony Dougherty are all
invited. In addition, Ashton’s writing will be
published in the 2010 calendar published by
the Environmental Education Commission.
Henry Heights would like to congratulate Jake
Adaway on winning 1st place in the Calcasieu
Parish “Louisiana” Art Contest in the 5th -8th
grade division. This win qualified him to show
his work in a state competition where he won
1st place in the 5th-8th grade division for
the Louisiana School Board Association Art
Contest. Jake received a plaque, ribbon and a
certificate. His work will also be on display for
a year in Baton Rouge at the LA. Department
of Education office. Congratulations Jake!
— Anna Allen
5th grade student, Reagan Lacy from W.T.
Henning placed 3rd in the History division at
the Region V Elementary Social Studies Fair.
He is the student of Donna Duplichan, social
studies teacher.
— Tanya Eubanks
The Calcasieu Parish Reading Council
announces their winners for the Young
Authors contest and Newspaper in Education
contest. All winners will be honored at a
reception in May at Henning Cultural Center
in Sulphur. Young Authors:Grade 2 - 1st Place
Fiction- Kelsey Broussard - St. John Elem.
(also placed 1st in state competition); 2nd
Place Fiction - Jillian Elliott - Westwood Elem.
Grade 3 - 1st Place Fiction - Jazmine Lucero
- Westwood Elem. Grade 4 - 1st Place Fiction
- Antonia Lubrano - St. John Elem. 1st Place
Non-Fiction - Rachel Proffitt -St. John Elem.
Grade 10 - 1st Place Fiction - Heidi Fields Sulphur High; Grade 12 - 1st Place Poetry
- Madeline Gibson - Sulphur High; 1st Place
Fiction - Madeline Gibson - Sulphur High (also
placed 2nd in state competition) Newspaper
in Education: Grade 2 - 1st Place - Sydney
O’Blanc - Frasch Elem. 2nd Place - Elizabeth
Hunt - Moss Bluff Elem. Grade 3 - 1st Place
- Kevin Atkinson - Frasch Elem. Grades 9-12
- 1st Place - Daniel Garner -Sulphur High;
2nd Place - Jennifer Petersen - 9th Grade
Campus. Calcasieu Parish Reading Council
Teacher Awards: Librarian of the Year - Susan
Gardebled - Sulphur High School; Teacher of
the Year - Rhonda Ney - R.W. Vincent Elem.
— Susan Gardebled
Two teams went to the Battle of the Brains at
McNeese on Saturday. Sulphur 1 won first
and Sulphur 2 was second. Team 1:Greg
Garner (captain), Chance Tarver, Jessica
Tarver, Daniel Garner. Team 2: Zach Silva
(captain), Kerry Beth Richardson, Beth
Warner, Alexis Naquin, Tyler Brumback.
— Lora Perkins
Sierra Jackson, LaGrange High Senior, was
selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar
out of 20,500 applicants. Of the 1,000
selected, Sierra was recognized for her strong
leadership, community service and academic
achievements that distinguish her as a Leader
for America’s Future.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Calcasieu Parish Reading Council state
level winners in the Louisiana Reading
Association Young Authors contest. Kelsey
Broussard, a second grader at St. John
Elementary, won first place in fiction. Madeline
Volume 32, Number 1
Gibson, a senior at Sulphur High School, won
second place in fiction.
— Charlene Chiasson
Talented art students taking classes at the
Lake Charles-Boston Academy have received
awards in the Louisiana Junior Duck Stamp
competition. Caleb Darbone placed 3rd in his
age division, and Stephanie O’Blanc, Alisha
Patel, Callie Breville, Jacoby Carvin, and
Anais Lafleur received honorable mentions
in their age division. Caleb will receive an
additional award and his artwork will be
displayed around the state for the year. There
were 287 entries juried by 5 jurors ranging
from two previous National Duck Stamp
competition winners, an artist, a wood carver,
a refuge manager and a state biologist.
— Charlene Chiasson
Ruthie Paris, Moss Bluff Elementary school
librarian, was published in The School
Librarian’s Workshop periodical, Spring
2010. Her article was titled Telling the Story –
Digitally.
— Charlene Chiasson
Prien Lake Elementary and Paula Bruchhaus
were selected as the Picture of Health winners,
sponsored by Prevention magazine. A video
of the students is projected to be shown on
an upcoming segment of The Doctors and
Bruchhaus will be on the show. The airing,
titled Colors of Your Health, is set for May 13th
on Fox’s KVHP.
— Charlene Chiasson
Kayla Tolbert, a student at WMHS and a
member of the Youth Action Forum, has been
selected to participate in a trip to Baton Rouge
for a day at the Legislature, which includes:
meeting with elected officials and touring the
Senate and House of Representatives. YAF is
a program of The Leadership Center, through
Family and Youth, and its goal is to engage
youth,from local area high schools, in career
exploration and civic participation.
— Angela Henley
LaGrange NJROTC celebrated their
accomplishments during the 2009-2010 school
year with an awards banquet hosted by Lake
Charles American Legion Post 1. LaGrange
NJROTC has served the community well since
its inception in 2003 and was awarded a Unit
Achievement this year for its accomplishments.
6 schools were selected for this award from
a group of over 50 NJROTC units spanning
an area to include West Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
LaGrange NJROTC provides a team
environment and an alterative to gym class for
students seeking to expand their educational
experience. NJROTC cadets are not in the
military and are not in anyway obligated
for military service. Leadership training is
the main emphasis in NJROTC. Students
wear military uniforms, march, perform
color guard duties, participate in community
service activities, visit military bases, visit
college campuses, and host guest speakers
with varying backgrounds. NJROTC also
competes in various competitions across the
region to include athletic, drill, air rifle, and
academic competitions. Two years in NJROTC
earn a student the required physical fitness
and health requirements for graduation.
Additionally, the NJROTC program attracts
over $25,000 per year in direct support of
NJROTC students. Additionally, LaGrange
NJROTC is the first JROTC in Louisiana to
start a Civil Air Patrol Unit which is sponsored
by the Air Force. Some NJROTC cadets are
given the opportunity to learn about aerospace
topics and flying. Additionally, Civil Air Patrol
Cadets get to fly in airplanes at no cost to
students. LaGrange NJROTC and Civil Air
Patrol have received funding to purchase an
FAA approved flight simulator costing over
$10,000. With this simulator, students can
log time towards an FAA flight certificate.
Additionally, Civil Air Patrol Training prepares
cadets to take the FAA Private Pilot Test and
instills self discipline in its cadets.
Exciting opportunities are available to
LaGrange students, opportunities that are
not available in most schools in Louisiana.
LaGrange Civil Air Patrol also sponsors a FlyA-Teacher program designed to take teachers
flying and encourage teachers to incorporate
aerospace education topics into school
curriculum.
— Lt. Robert Null
Matthew Cormier graduated from St. Joseph’s
Seminary May 7th. He was a resident of
Sulphur and attended D.S. Perkins during his
elementary years. Linda Portie, Curriculum
Coordinator at Vinton Elementary had the
privilege of having Matthew in her classroom
when Matthew was in second and third
grades. She traveled to Covington for his
graduation. The seminary is located in a
secluded, wooded section of Covington and
its beauty is breathtaking. The church at
the Abby is located on the grounds and that
is where the graduation ceremony was held.
Keynote speakers included the Bishop from
New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Just to have
been a spectator at this solemn, beautiful
ceremony in the centuries old church would
have been sufficient. But, there was also a
reception for all the graduates and their family
and friends following the ceremony. The
bountiful reception was held under the covered
pavilion where the graduates, faculty, family,
and friends gathered. Linda Portie has stated
that she is proud of all her students; however,
she knew there was something special about
Matthew after meeting him the first time.
— Linda Portie
At College Oaks, Sandra Lanier’s second grade
class received root beer floats for recognition
in entering the Easter Art Coloring Contest
sponsored by CSN magazine. Kailey Alfred
was the winner of the contest and received a
giant Easter basket and other gifts.
— Jeanette Webre
College Oaks Elementary School 5th grader
and DHH student Aaron Earl was one of ten
student artists parishwide who will have art
work on display at City Hall. Lake Charles
Mayor, Randy Roach, has asked for ten pieces
of student work to be framed and hung in
his City Hall Office for a full year. After
that period of time the framed work will be
returned to the students. It is an honor for
Aaron to be selected, and he will receive
recognition for his participation in the art
display.
— Jeanette Webre
Moss Bluff Elementary was well represented
at the Regional Social studies Fair this
year. Cheyenne Leleaux and Lexi Reed won
first place in Geography and runner up in
division 1 overall group winner. Also, Breanna
Burkhead and Kacie Reed won fourth place
in Sociology. The school is proud of these
students’ accomplishments.
— Sherina Snead
The faculty, staff, and students of John J.
Johnson II Elementary School congratulate
Indiana Rideaux, school secretary and
bookkeeper, who earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in General Studies from McNeese
State University on May 15th. The Johnson
Elementary family is very proud of her
accomplishment.
— Gloria E. Jackson
Calcasieu School System’s National Merit
Finalists and Semifinalists include Robert
Dalton, Sulphur High, Semifinalist and
Finalist; Gregory Garner, Sulphur High,
commended student; Christopher Barclay,
Page 13
Barbe High, Semifinalist and Finalist; and
Sierra Jackson, LaGrange Senior High,
Semifinalist and Finalist. Megan Baldassari,
Sulphur High, received a Special Merit
Scholarship from PPG. More than 1.5
million juniors in about 22,000 high schools
entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship
Competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary
SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial
screen of program entrants. The nationwide
pool of Semifinalists, which represents less
than one percent of U. S. high school seniors,
includes the highest scoring entrants in each
state. The number of Semifinalists in a state
is proportional to the state’s percentage of
the national total of graduating seniors. To
become a Finalist, a Semifinalist must have
an outstanding academic record throughout
high school, be endorsed and recommended by
the high school principal, and earn SAT scores
that confirm the student’s earlier performance
on the qualifying test. The Semifinalist
and a high school official must submit a
detailed scholarship application, which
includes the student’s essay and information
about the Semifinalist’s participation and
leadership in school and community activities.
Approximately 15,000 Semifinalists advance to
the Finalist level and it is from this group that
all National Merit Scholarship winners are
chosen. Merit Scholars designees are selected
on the basis of their skills, accomplishments,
and potential in rigorous college studies,
without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin,
or religious preference. Three types of National
Merit Scholarship awards are offered and each
finalist competes for one of 2,500 National
Merit $2,500 Scholarships that are awarded
on a state representational basis. About
1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships are
provided by approximately 270 corporations
and business organizations for Finalists who
meet their specified criteria, such as children
of the grantor’s employees or residents of
communities where sponsor plants or offices
are located. In addition, about 200 colleges
and universities are expected to finance some
4,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship
awards for Finalists who will attend the
sponsor institution.
— Charlene Chiasson
Jacob Dudley, 5th grade student at WT
Henning has been selected to attend the
National Student Leadership Conference in
Washington, D.C. in July 2010. He is the
son of Roland Dudley of Sulphur. He was
nominated by his teacher, Janie Broussard.
— Tanya Eubanks
At the Region V Science Fair, Dolby
Elementary received the “Best Elementary
School” award based on the number of projects
that received recognition. Eighteen students
received awards. Jana Guidry, fifth grade
teacher, was the sponsor.
The Dolby Elementary Chorus, under the
direction of Wava McClain, received the
Sweepstakes Trophy at both the District and
State Chorus Festivals for superior ratings in
sight-reading and performance.
Solasse Kennison, Dolby Elementary fourth
grade, won first place at the State Social
Studies Fair in the Geography category.
Nyah Harmon, third grader, received the
Kiwanis Club Golden Rule Award. She was
nominated by her teacher, Kate Valentine.
Dolby Elementary Dancing Classroom
Finalists competed in the Colors of the
Rainbow competition at Bulber Auditorium.
The Dolby Team won gold in the semi-finals
and silver in the finals. Team members are
Bailey Dugas, Dajia May, Caroline Ritter,
Emily Corman, Seana Flood, Haleigh
Harrington, Aaron LeMelle, Kenan Fontenot,
Michael Anderson, Austin Corley, Korey
London, Jimmy Vo, and Treylon Carrier. Team
sponsor is Michele McGee.
Congratulations to the following students for
their outstanding accomplishments!
Writing Contest: William Albrecht & Aagrika
Neupane tied for 1st place. Brian Giang placed
2nd and Reginald Larkins came in 3rd. In
the primary division, Ali Ali placed 1st. Poster
Contest: Jessenia Ortiz came in 1st place. Alex
Albrecht placed 2nd and Sohomia Irfan came
in 3rd.
— Leslie Comeaux
Students at Nelson Elementary participated
in a school-wide handwriting contest. The
following students won in their grade levels
and went on to represent Nelson in the
parish contest. 5th-Colby Rozas; 4th-Katelyn
Jackson; 2nd-Paige Guillory. Katelyn Jackson
and Paige Guillory were parish winners!
— Leslie Comeaux
Leslea Mudd, first grade teacher, received a
QSM grant for her “Geometry Scavenger Hunt”
Project.
Brandi Soileau, second grade teacher, was
selected as an I-TEC Teacher by the CPSS
Technology Department.
The Calcasieu Parish School System,
Department of Curriculum and Instruction,
would like to congratulate Victoria Hand for
receiving her degree, Doctor of Philosopy in
Educational Leadership, from the University
of New Orleans,December 20th. She will be
presenting her dissertation research data to
the Louisiana Education Research Association
on March 4 and 5, 2010.
— Patrick Deaville
The LaGrange Speech and Drama team
competed at the McNeese State University
Speech and Play Rally on March 12th. The
team won numerous awards and we have
many students that were chosen to compete
at the State level. Raven Evans received
the Excellence in Acting Award, Marshadee
Bushnell received the Most Promising Actress
Award. Three of our students were given
$1000.00 scholarships to the McNeese Theatre
Department. These students were Raven
Evans, Marshadee Bushnell, & Tracy Ryan. In
the category of Speech, Raven Evans placed
1st in Interpretation, Dria Heidenreich placed
1st in Extemporaneous, and Courtney Brown
placed 3rd in Impromptu Speaking. The
following students will compete on a State
Level: Faith Garner, Raven Evans, Jermerro
Ryan, Ricky Ryan, & Dria Heidenreich. The
Drama Team will also compete at the State
level.
— Shelly Buller
Partners in Education
The faculty and staff of Brentwood Elementary
have many people to thank for the donations
and expressions of appreciation shown to them
during the week of Teacher Appreciation. The
following businesses and community friends
provided food and door prizes for the week
and our annual luncheon: Sybil Coleman
and family, Great American Cookie Company,
Sonic’s, Pizza Hut, Piccadilly’s, Popeye’s,
Seafood Palace, Johnny Carino’s, Faye Lockett,
State Farm, Northrop Grumman, Sandra
Richard, Kyoto’s Japanese Steakhouse, Texas
Roadhouse, Zydeco Crawfish, Smoothie King,
CiCi’s Pizza, Chili’s, Logan’s Roadhouse,
Dairy Barn, and IHop. Live entertainment was
provided by fourth grade students, Cheyenne
Fontenot and Kyla Smylie.
— Willona Jackson
Vincent Settlement Elementary PIE, Westlake
Chemical will be recognized by the State
of Louisiana as a Distinguished Partner
Page 14
in Education on June 16th followed by a
reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Westlake
Chemical has been part of the Vincent
Settlement family for fourteen years.
— Lori Young
Vincent Settlement Elementary is proud to
announce that they will be partnering with a
new local business for the upcoming school
year. Rain Carbon II has stepped up to the
plate to partner with VSE. Vanessa Courville,
a representative for the local plant, visited the
school and toured the campus. VSE Faculty
and Staff are excited about their new business
affiliation.
— Pamela LeDoux
College Oaks Partners in Ed provided the
following treats for our teachers and staff
for Teacher Appreciation Week: on Tuesday,
First National Bank gave chicken salad
sandwiches and Verizon provided chips; on
Wednesday, Raising Canes provided chicken
and Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels gave pretzels;
on Thursday, Cancun provided enchiladas
and side dishes; and on Friday, Cameron
State Bank provided sandwiches. McAllister’s
rewarded Pentecost’s 4th grade class with a
cookie platter for having the most students in
attendance for McAllister’s night. McAllisters
provided cookies, fruit punch, and lemonade
for the AR celebration in March and April.
Rain CII provided ice cream for the Honor Roll/
Banner Roll Party for the fifth six weeks. Rain
CII donated snack cakes and ribbons to our
Banner / Honor Roll students. First National
Bank donated the postage for our upcoming
care packages to our soldiers in Iraq. Also,
Cameron State Bank donated money needed
for an upcoming event at our school. The
newest PIE, Cancun Mexican Restaurant gave
certificates for weekly drawings. Sonic Drivein provided breakfast for LEAP Saturday.
— Jeanette Webre
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In the Schools
Clean Campus Contest
The students of Brentwood Elementary are
doing their part to help beautify their school.
Students from Pre-K through 5th grade took
an active part in preparing Brentwood’s
campus for the Clean Campus Contest which
was held on April 23, 2010. As we anxiously
await the results of the contest, students enjoy
spending time in Brentwood’s Eagles Nest ,
or in the outdoor reading corner near first
grade classrooms as they learn new things.
Our students have truly shown pride in their
school.
— Phyllis Godfrey
Dolby Elementary Gifted Center
This year the Dolby Elementary Gifted Center
has implemented a community service
program. This community service program
is called “Reach out and Touch”. “Reach
Out and Touch” is a cohesive group of gifted
students that has collaborated with others to
establish trust and a deep sense of connection
between their peers and their community.
This program has served as a tool that has
been intended both to strengthen each child’s
senses of civic engagement and nationalism ,
and to help him/her achieve their educational,
developmental and social goals
The Calcasieu Parish School System
gifted students at the Dolby Elementary
Gifted Center had a distinctive prospect to
support pediatric patients hospitalized in
our community. The program has assisted
students in developing social and emotional
skills. Students were empowered with a sense
of responsibility, caring, and concern for the
well being of others, as well as themselves.
This has flowed into all aspects of their
education and supported the development of
productive community citizens. Learning this
can be said to touch both the ‘head’ and the
‘heart’ and result in students who are more
inspired and classrooms that excel.
This year the gifted community service
program focused on the following holidays:
Halloween, Christmas and Easter. During
these holidays the gifted children at the Dolby
Elementary Gifted Center created personal
greeting cards for pediatric and infant patients
at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Lake
Charles Memorial Women’s Hospital Gauthier
Campus, St. Patrick Hospital, and Women’s
and Children’s Hospital. For Halloween the
gifted students made 175 Halloween goodie
bags for the hospitalized children and babies
at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. “Reach
Out and Touch” also participated in “Healthy
Halloween” at Lake Charles Memorial passing
out Halloween trinkets, books, crayons and
play-doh. “Reach Out and Touch” also passed
an additional 85 sugar free candy goodie bags
to local children in Lake Charles who are
diabetic. All Halloween goodie bags and cards
were handed out on Halloween day.
For Christmas, ‘Reach Out and Touch”
donated 115 new toys to the KPLC Community
Christmas drive. The Dolby Elementary gifted
students were featured on the 6’oclock news
at Wal-Mart on Nelson. In addition to the
donation, the program passed out 55 new toys
to the hospitalized children at Lake Charles
Memorial Hospital, Lake Charles Memorial
Women’s Hospital Gauthier Campus, St.
Patrick Hospital, and Women’s and Children’s
Hospital. Every child received a hand made
Christmas card from our gifted students in
addition to their gift. ‘Reach Out and Touch”
passed out 15 infant gifts to the NICU babies
at Women’s and Children’s and Lake Charles
Memorial Women’s Hospital Gauthier Campus,
with a babies first Christmas card. All toys
and cards were passed out Christmas Eve.
For Easter, “Reach Out and Touch” donated
15 Easter baskets to Lake Charles Memorial
Hospital and Women’s and Children’s Hospital
to hospitalized children. The community
service program also passed out 15 stuff
bunny rabbits for the NICU babies at Women’s
and Children’s Hospital and Lake Charles
Memorial Women’s Hospital Gauthier Campus.
Each child / baby also received an Easter card
from the gifted students. In addition, “Reach
out and Touch” donated 15 new toys to the
pediatric play room at Lake Charles Memorial
Hospital. All Easter items were passes out the
Saturday before Easter.
Volume 32, Number 1
The gifted students at Dolby Elementary Gifted
Center has worked every hard throughout
these holidays to make sure each hospitalized
child/baby received something on the above
mentioned holidays. The gifted teacher and the
Dolby Elementary gifted Center are very proud
of the gifted students for devoting many hours
towards this program.
A special thank you goes out to the gifted
parents who made this program a success.
Without their support and encouragement
this program would not be what it is today.
Our program is moving forward as a center
and has become partners with Lake Charles
Memorial Hospital in an effort to provide
essential items for children, their parents
and siblings. In 2010 -2011 school year our
program will work very closely with the
pediatric floor personal and the CEO at Lake
Charles Memorial Hospital.
— Mikie Ferguson
Skylar Cormier, student at SP Arnett Middle
School, has been selected to attend the
Junior National Young Leaders Conference
this summer in Washington, D.C. She was
nominated by her teacher, Teri Sugandi, who
recognized her as one of a select group of
students with the scholastic merit, maturity
and strength of character to represent SP
Arnett at this unique leadership program for
exceptional 5th and 6th graders.
-Linda Cormier
Dolby Elementary had their first day of “Leader
in Me” training on May 31st. The “Leader in
Me” Program is based on Steven Covey’s Seven
Habits for students. The program develops
leadership skills in elementary students.
Training, which is funded by a grant from the
SW Alliance, will continue in August.
— Pam Quebodeaux
Katelyn Jackson was selected as KVHP’s
Student of the Month for April. Katelyn is a
4th grade student in Kay’s classroom at Nelson
Elementary. Congratulations Katelyn!
— Leslie Comeaux
Vincent Settlement Elementary students
participated in the annual St. Jude’s MathA-Thon raising over $1,100.00. The students
surpassed this year’s goal of $1,000.00. Since
VSE has started participating in Math-AThon 10 years ago, they have raised almost
$20,000.00 to help St. Jude’s find a cure for
childhood cancers.
— Paullette Szymanksi
Two teachers from Frasch Elementary were
recently awarded the H.C. Drew Grant. Third
and fourth grade teachers, Millie Clement and
Shirleen Lawrence were awarded grant money
to assist in providing the newest technology
and software available to enhance student
learning in the classroom.
— Katie Dupre
Students at WT Henning were challenged to
pass at least 10,000 tests during the current
school year. They more than doubled their
goal reaching 21,963 tests passed. Greg
Whiteard, principal will now camp out on
campus to acknowledge their fantastic
achievement.
— Tanya Eubanks
Camille Fox and Bryianna Williams, two fifth
grade students with the highest grade point
averages at John J. Johnson, were presented
a special certificate and a $5.00 gift card from
52 Aces Humanity Group and K.P.C. #141 on
April 9. The presentation was made by Dereck
Gradney of 52 Aces, a local humanitarian
organization. 52 Aces is dedicated to inspiring
the children of our community to always
strive to do their best and let them know their
accomplishments do not go unrecognized.
Johnson’s faculty, staff, and parents are
grateful for the kindness expressed by 52 Aces
and K.P.C. #141.
— Gloria E. Jackson
Moss Bluff Elementary celebrated Louisiana’s
history and culture during the last week of
April. Through out the week, students were
taught about Louisiana across the curriculum.
On Friday, all students participated in Cajun
dancing and music, Louisiana foods, exhibits
demonstrating animals found in the state, a
visit from the Contraband Buccaneers, and
frog races.
— Sherina Snead
Moss Bluff Elementary teachers and students
participated in a school wide math day. The
students were exposed to multiple grade level
expectations and a variety of instructional
methods at the school. All involved, had a
great time and learned valuable math skills.
— Sherina Snead
Moss Bluff Elementary students collected
phone books for the “Team Green of Southwest
Louisiana Contest.” The students donated
enough books for the recycling project that
were recognized as the eighth place winner.
Lori Comeaux, a second grade teacher at the
school, organized the project for the students.
— Sherina Snead
On March 17, College Oaks’ Kindergarten
classes concluded their IIM study on St.
Patrick’s Day with a celebration featuring Irish
music and games. Special shamrock cookies
and green punch were enjoyed by all. The
walls were decorated with a giant rainbow with
a lucky pot of gold and the Irish IIM projects
from each class. Their St. Patrick’s Day
booklets featured facts they had learned about
the holiday.
— Jeanette Webre
At College Oaks, the theme for the PBS
celebration for the fifth six weeks was
“Jolly Ranchers and Jeans.” Students with
outstanding behavior were rewarded with free
play outside and tasty treats.
— Jeanette Webre
Students in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
recently took the last Scantron test for the
school year. This computerized test allows us
to compare the growth that students have had
since the beginning of the school year.
Before the tests were administered students
were told about the Scantron incentives that
were available. They were also told that their
Scaled Score and their gains could result in
some nice rewards. Students who have a
certain Scaled Score or a substantial growth
would be eligible for an extra free recess. If
scores and gains were a little higher, they
would be eligible for the free recess plus a free
dress day. If both of their Math and Reading
scores met the criteria they would get two
free recesses and two free dress days. Those
students who had the highest Scaled Scores
or the most gains will be treated to the free
recess, free dress, and a Pizza party with the
Principal.
Once all tests were completed and the reports
printed, it was obvious that the gains were
phenomenal. Thanks to all the students who
worked so hard. The week of May 17th begins
the reward incentives.
- Linda Portie
Whitney Hurlbut and Mandy Benoit will
represent WW Lewis Middle school at the
Keystone Institute this summer in Keystone,
Colorado. The Keystone Institute seeks to solve
our society’s most challenging environmental,
energy, and public health problems.
Participates will take part in environmental
projects and research. The institute is
sponsored through the local refinery W.R.
Grace.
— Whitney Hurlbut
Washington-Marion HS held a Haiti Super
bowl. Students were allowed to dress in their
favorite team clothing-Indianapolis or New
Orleans. Just like the Super bowl, the SAINTS
won. Funds collected from this event AND the
Spanish class/club donations totaled $775.00.
These monies will be given to the American
Red Cross for victims of the earthquake in
Haiti. Sponsors of the events were Jassaland
Kelly-Demease, super bowl, and Mary Ann
Lacefield, Spanish club.
— Angela Henley
Page 15
Noteworthy
The Westlake High Vocational Classes
are sponsoring a Career Day & Fair
on Friday, April 23. Featured during
this day, will be motivational speakers,
seminars and a career fair specializing
in various careers. Motivational
speaker Bruce Hamilton will open the
day.
HighTech Grant
The CPSB Technology Training Center
is implementing a federally funded
technology grant to improve student
achievement by utilizing instructional
technology tools and strategies with
high school students at Bell City High.
The HighTech grant encompasses a
job-embedded professional development
approach whereby the technology
facilitator, Sharon Fontenot, leads justin-time professional development and
instructional modeling that directly
addresses the goals and strategies
outlined in the schools’ improvement
and technology plans. Utilizing a
team approach, the teachers regularly
engage in professional development
and collaboration to design lessons
encompassing research-based, effective
technology strategies to support and
enhance the state-endorsed Louisiana
Comprehensive Curriculum in core
subject areas. In conjunction with
the grant, Mrs. Fontenot is directly
working with ninth through twelfth
grade teachers and students in a pilot
1:1 computer initiative using netbook
computers. Each high school student at
Bell City High has their own netbook,
provided by this federal grant.
The Region V Teaching, Learning,
and Technology Center, located in
the Calcasieu Parish Technology
Department, services the five
surrounding parishes: Allen,
Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron,
and Jeff Davis, in addition to the
Dioceses of Lake Charles, approved
Brumfield vs Dodd non-public schools
and McNeese State University. Joshlyn
Foreman and Mitzi Comeaux are the
TLTC facilitators for Region V. The
TLTC staff has provided training in
web 2.0 tools, webcams, flip cameras,
MP3s, Promethean, Intel initiatives,
Thinkfinity, Blackboard, Discovery
Education, and Proficiency Express to
over 2,000 participants for the 20092010 school year.
Mitzi George from J. I. Watson. Daniel
Light, the lead researcher, found the
teachers very knowledgeable and deeply
emerged in enhancing classroom
instruction with web tools. The student
observations, technology products and
interviews validated the impressive
work by Calcasieu educators as they
incorporate technology integration by
communicating, collaborating and
conducting research electronically.
Each of these teachers represented our
district with exemplary teaching skills
and impressed the visitors with their
insight, knowledge, vision and focus on
student outcomes.
Sloan Hunter from Sulphur High
successfully passed the CompTia
Network+ industry based certification.
The CompTia Network+ exam is an
industry based certification that is
internationally recognized, vendorneutral and proves a technician’s
competency in managing, maintaining,
troubleshooting, installing
and configuring basic network
infrastructure. A passing score on
the exam is 720 and 900 is a perfect
score. Sloan’s score was 875. Sloan is
a Networking Basics student at Lake
Charles Boston Academy of Learning.
— Charlene Chiasson
Congratulations to Nelson Elementary’s
dance team! They recently competed
with other elemenatry schools at
McNeese State University where
they showcased their dancing skills.
Nelson’s dance team took home gold!
The members of the dance team are
Madeline Ellis and Riley Hartley,
Lindsey Fontenot and Ryan Mellard,
Mary Amanda Bell and Logan
Fontenot, Valeria Faria and Logan
Shaughnessy, Dasha German and
Reginald Larkins, along with Dance
Captains Mallory Walker and Luis
Ortiz.
— Leslie Comeaux
Ericka Murray, a fifth grade teacher
at Moss Bluff Elementary, received a
grant provided by Wal-Mart. The funds
she received were to purchase supplies
used for science instruction in the
classroom. The grant amount was one
thousand dollars.
— Sherina Snead
During the 2009-10 school year, 1902
students in Calcasieu Parish middle
& high schools were successful in
reading at least 25 library books, a
24% increase in student participation
over the previous school year. “Stayin’
Alive with 25!” – a reading campaign
for middle & high school students
in Calcasieu Parish Public Schools
– has proven successful for its 4th
consecutive year, according to Helen
Curol (Library Consultant). The
promotional campaign was initiated
TLTC and Education Development
locally by middle & high school
Center
librarians, based on advice from Dr.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board was Sally Clausen (Commissioner of Higher
selected to participate in a research
Education in Louisiana). Dr. Clausen
study May 10th and 11th conducted
encourages middle & high school
by the Education Development Center
students to read at least 25 books each
(EDC) located in New York. EDC is
school year if they plan to participate
internationally known for their vision
in higher education following high
and research in the field of educational school graduation. The campaign
technology. The Region V Teaching,
also assists school librarians in their
Learning, and Technology Center
cooperation with teachers to promote
facilitator Joshlyn Foreman coordinated Accelerated Reading (AR) as well as
the research visit for the team. The
their diligence in promoting a love of
selected teachers who opened their
life-long reading among students. Due
classrooms up to the researchers and
to differences in student populations
provided insight into the utilization
among schools, success ratings are
of web 2.0 tools from a teacher’s and
based on statistics from year to year @
student’s perspective were: Ashleigh
each school.
Schulz and Meg Reed from Moss Bluff
Elementary, Brandi Hearnsberger
According to data, the top 3 readers in
from Sulphur High, Arlene Cain from
middle schools during the 2009-2010
the LCB Academy of Learning, Terri
school year are: Marquis Guy (205 at
Simpson from Maplewood Middle and
Oak Park Mid); Derrick Carter (183
The Region V Teaching, Learning,
and Technology Center facilitator
Mitzi Comeaux provided professional
development for over 100 teachers
participating in the STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Math) project
across the state. The professional
development supports STEM educators
in creating lessons with a connection
to the comprehensive curriculum and
Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Page 16
at Reynaud Mid); and Darrius Simon
(144 at Molo Mid). Librarians (Angela
McManemin & Rhonda Foy) at SJ
Welsh Middle led the district in number
of actual participants among middle
schools with 237 students. Adrienne
Oakley (librarian) at JI Watson Mid
recruited 148 students to rank highest
in percentage of increase (886.67%)
over the previous school year. Other
increases are celebrated at Arnett (Sue
White, Librarian), DeQuincy Mid (Lisa
Boyer, Librarian), LeBlanc Mid (Tish
Martinez, Librarian), Oak Park Mid
(Melony LeMay, Librarian), Reynaud
(Patti Fontenot, Librarian), Vinton Mid
(Peggy Paige, Librarians), and FK White
(Phyllis Stine, Librarian).
Top 3 readers among high school
students are: Felicia Rainwater (424 at
DeQuincy HS); Cheyenne Sonnier (201
at Sam Houston HS); 164 books each
for Cody Dennis (Sulphur 9th), Clayton
Stanley (Sulphur HS), and Courtney
Dartez (Sam Houston HS). Barbe HS
(Kayla Little & Sheryl Swift, Librarians)
tied with Sulphur HS (Susan Gardebled
& Kristi Tyree, Librarians) for total
number of reading participants at 50
each. This represented an increase of
16% for Barbe & an increase of 92% for
Sulphur HS over the previous school
year. Other schools showing increases
were DeQuincy HS (Joy Mitchell,
Librarian), Washington-Marion
(Cynthia Sam, Librarian), Westlake
HS (Renee Grantham, Librarian), and
Sam Houston HS (Connie Degenhardt
& Vickie Barto, Librarians). Vinton HS
(Jeannie Breaux, Librarian) ranked
highest in rate of student participation
with an increase (183%) over the
previous year.
— Helen Curol
College Oaks received a Drew Grant
to provide a mobile laptop lab for
classrooms to study a different career
each month during the next school
year.
— Jeanette Webre
Barbe High School French Immersion
students first place winners at the
Louisiana Association of High School
French Clubs are Marissa Fraser and
Charity Labby, Banner Art competition;
and Hannah Carter, Advanced Quiz
Bee on French culture. Braden Ryder
won a scholarship to study French
in at Université de Moncton in New
Brunswick, Canada, for five weeks
this summer as did Sulphur High’s
Tyler Hartjen. The scholarships include
room, board, classes and excursions.
The whole weekend was conducted in
French as were all of the competitions.
— Charlene Chiasson
The following Sam Houston High
students are now Adobe Certified
Associates in Visual Communication
using Adobe Photoshop CS4. This
certification is sponsored by Adobe
Systems Incorporated: Cody Barnhart,
Justin Chesson, Logan Derks, Justin
Dufrene, Kensie Fletcher, Sydney
Fontenot, Nicole Harmon, Jay McGee,
Michael Oliver, Cristhian Perez, Morgan
Porteau, Jason Richards, Kelsey
Rousseau, Billy Sommers, Ginger
Van Winkle, Brittany Verret, and Tate
Young. The teacher is Marie Coleman
who also received certification.
— Charlene Chiasson
Children participating in Calcasieu
Parish School System’s early childhood
education PreK Programs are better
prepared for kindergarten and future
success, according to a report released
by the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child
Development and Lifelong Learning
at the University of Louisiana at
Lafayette. The report also noted that
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4-year-old students in the parish
surpassed the national average on
test scores at the conclusion of their
PreK experiences. Calcasieu Parish
schools served approximately 1,400
4-year-old students during the 200809 school year through a variety of
PreK programs, including the Title I
Prekindergarten Program, 8(g) Student
Enhancement Block Grant Program,
and the state’s nationally acclaimed
early childhood program, the Cecil J.
Picard LA 4 program.
— Charlene Chiasson
Principal Brent Washington and
NNPS committee members, Kerra
Pappillion and Gwen Daniel presented
on the topic: Parenting at the year
end inservice held on May 14th at
the St. Charles Retreat Center. The
presentation gave insight into some of
the events held throughout the school
year in order to offer tips and support
to our parents. An overview of our onsite parenting center was also shared.
— Willona Jackson
The following students received their
Adobe Certified Associate in Web
Communication using Dreamweaver:
Chris Dugas, Barbe High Junior;
Jamarick Valerie, LaGrange High
Senior; and Lori Childress and Aaron
Miller, Sulphur High Juniors. These
are the 1st students in the parish to
receive this certification. The students
are in Web Design/Digital Media at
Lake Charles-Boston Academy of
Learning.
— Charlene Chiasson
Renee’ Ryan Fiser, Web Design/
Digital Media Instructor at Lake
Charles-Boston Academy of Learning
has received Adobe Certification
(ACA) Educator status in Web
Communication using Dreamweaver,
Visual Design using Photoshop, and
Rich Media Communication using
Flash. To receive this nationally
accredited certification you must pass a
certification exam in each of the three
categories and teach the approved
curriculum for two or more years. She
is the first teacher to receive any one of
these certifications in Louisiana.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Board of Regents and Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education
has appointed LeBleu Settlement
Elementary Principal Jill Portie to serve
on a committee that is being formed
to examine the Board of Elementary
and Secondary Education policy that
requires 124 or more credit hours
for a baccalaureate degree in teacher
education. The work of this committee
is very important for higher education
and teacher preparation.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Lake Charles-Boston Academy of
Learning middle school Music Mastery
students earned a “Sweepstakes”
trophy with Superior ratings awarded
by all judges in both concert
performance and sight reading at the
District Band Festival. The high school
Music Mastery students also earned
a “Sweepstakes” trophy for their top
rated performance and sight-reading
at the festival. The coordinator of the
LCB Academy music mastery course
is Bruce Lambert. All CPSB band
directors participate in instruction and
logistical support for the course during
the spring semester.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Assistant Principals and
Administrative Interns participated
in four meetings this year. At the
beginning of the school year, members
gave input as to topics they would like
addressed. Three meetings consisted
of professional development provided
by guest speakers. Topics included
RTI, Negotiated Settlement, Discipline,
Volume 32, Number 1
School Finances, Kindergarten
Alignment with State Accountability,
Elementary Quality Deployment
Plan, Legal Updates, and the Fourth
Grade Transitional Program. One of
the four meetings was a “Technology
Visit” to two elementary schools to
observe the integration of technology
by teachers and students. The schools
selected by the members were Moss
Bluff Elementary and Dolby. A
special thanks is extended to Charles
Caldarera and Dr. Pam Quebodeaux
for graciously permitting their schools
to participate in this worthwhile
activity. Cameron State Bank was the
Partner in Education for this group
of educators. They provided treats
to members at the meetings. Arlene
Hobaugh was the coordinator of the
activities for the Assistant Principals
and Administrative Interns.
— Arlene Hobaugh
On April 20-21 Debora Garrick,
Elementary Curriculum Consultant,
presented a two day training on
RTI and Differentiated Instruction
to teachers at J.J. Johnson
Elementary School. While acquiring
pertinent information, teachers were
meaningfully engaged in “hands-on”
activities.
— Arlene Hobaugh
The Calcasieu Parish Reading Council
announces their state level winners
in the Louisiana Reading Association
Young Authors contest. There is a
separate contest for each grade level
in the categories of fiction, non-fiction,
and poetry. Kelsey Broussard, a second
grader at St. John Elementary, won
first place in fiction. Madeline Gibson,
a senior at Sulphur High School, won
second place in fiction.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Educational Development Center
(EDC), a New York based educational
technology research company, collected
data from the classrooms of Ashleigh
Schulz and Meg Reed from Moss Bluff
Elementary, Brandi Hearnsberger
from Sulphur High, Arlene Cain from
the LCB Academy of Learning, Terri
Simpson from Maplewood Middle and
Mitzi George from J. I. Watson.
— Charlene Chiasson
Donna Little’s second grade class at
Gillis Elementary is featured in the
March 2010 Reflector magazine with
Partner in Education Christine Bailey’s
State Farm Agency. Bailey’s team
read a book entitled The Snowbelly
Family of Chillyville Inn to the
class. A photographer from Chicago
photographed the event for the national
magazine.
— Charlene Chiasson
Kathyrn Matte, of Sulphur High and
The Children’s Theatre Company,
was elected chairperson for the 20102011 State Student Board (SSB) of the
Louisiana Thespian Society.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Calcasieu Parish School System
has been selected as a presenter for
the Super Summer Institute in late
July. The event is sponsored by the
State Department of Education, Office
of Career and Technical Education
in partnership with the Louisiana
Community and Technical College
System.
— Charlene Chiasson
TSTAR is an acronym for Targeting
Success Through Alternative
Resources. It was conducted
under the leadership of Dolores
Hicks, Administrative Director of
Elementary Schools, Dr. George Reado,
Elementary Director of Curriculum
and Instruction, and Arlene Hobaugh
coordinator of the program. It was
designed for the specific purpose
of providing academic assistance
to overage fourth grade students in
the elementary school setting. Nine
students in this pilot program were
from schools in Academic Assistance
and were recommended by the
principal of each school based on the
following criteria: a student must
be one or two years behind his/her
required age and appropriate grade
level requirements. Selection was
also based upon students’ scores
from multiple data sources. It began
in November and ended after state
testing. The program was piloted
at no additional cost to the school
system. It was housed at C.A.S.E.S.,
and students were taught by a teacher
already assigned to C.A.S.E.S. All
9 students passed the 2009-2010
LEAP test administered this year. We
are extremely proud of the efforts of
Jeanna Bure, TSTAR teacher, students,
parents, and all parties involved in
helping our students to accomplish this
level of academic success. A special
thanks is extended to Marva Davis,
principal, and her staff.
— Arlene Hobaugh
Phyllis Hess, Westwood Elementary
Principal, and Margaret Goode,
Maplewood Middle Principal, have been
named 2011 regional principals of
the year in their categories. They will
compete at the state level this summer.
— Charlene Chiasson
Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach
has selected Ty Fullington, 6th Grade
S.J. Welsh, and Nelson Gage Rodgers,
6th Grade S.J. Welsh, to serve on his
Junior Team Green committee.
— Charlene Chiasson
The Calcasieu Parish School System
2010 Middle School Forensics
Tournament was held at W.W. Lewis
Middle School with 14 schools and
over 200 students participating.
Sweepstakes trophies were awarded
to F.K. White, first place; S.J. Welsh,
second place; and Ray D. Molo, third
place.
— Charlene Chiasson
A Wall Street Journal article titled,
African Teachers Come to the
Rescue of Cajun Country: Imported
Francophones Help Revive a Culture;
Savoring ‘Le Gumbó’, featured Moss
Bluff Middle School French Immersion
teacher Cyran Hounnou, He is from
West Africa and teaches seventh grade.
— Charlene Chiasson
The LaGrange NJROTC was
awarded a Unit Achievement for its
accomplishments. Six schools were
selected from a group of over 50
NJROTC units spanning an area
that includes West Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
— Charlene Chiasson
Alicia Jones, gifted teacher at Westlake
High, was selected as Regional Teacher
of the Year and will move on to state
competition.
— Charlene Chiasson
Rich Media Communication
certification in Flash CS were
awarded to Chris Dugas, Barbe
High, Web Communication and Rich
Media; Jamarick Valerie, LaGrange
High, Visual Communication, Web
Communication and Rich Media;
Aaron Miller, Sulphur High, Visual
Communication, Web Communication
and Rich Media; Lori Childress,
Sulphur High, Visual Communication,
Web Communication and Rich Media.
All were designated as Adobe Certified
Associates. They are students of Renee’
Ryan Fiser of the Lake Charles Boston
Academy of Learning.
— Charlene Chiasson
Page 17
Quality Corner
Quality Corner Site Visits
The Continuous Improvement Compass rubric is a tool that was used to establish baseline data by
individual schools during Quality site visits during January, February, and March. The rubric addressed
the following areas:
•
School Focus on Data Folders
•
School and Classroom Bulletin Boards
•
Dashboard and GPS
•
Classroom Focus on Data Folders
•
Bonus: Evidence of Other Quality Processes
Upon conclusion of each site visit, the school received an Exit Report based on student and teacher
interviews and observations during classroom visits. Each school received a rating of Not Evident,
Emerging, Operational, or Highly Functional. Lists of commendations as well as one to three
recommendations for continuous improvement were included in the report. The data was utilized in
determining professional development needs and school specific support. The graph below indicates the
results of the site visits.
The rubric has been revised to include specific indicators that will enable each school to move forward in
its continuous improvement efforts. A new category, Stakeholder Focus on Data Folders, has been added.
The new rubric will be implemented in the 2010-2011 school year.
A Summer Leadership Workshop will be held the first week of June. Each school team will review the
site visit rubric from 2009-2010. Then, using the new rubric, leadership teams will set goals and develop
an action plan to address the goal.
Page 18
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