Joseph Watson of Livaudais Middle won first place for Individual Sociology.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System Social Studies Fair was held recently at John Ehret High. The following students placed in their respective categories, with the top two winners in each category qualifying for the Louisiana State Social Studies Fair in Lake Charles on March 3, 2017.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION

Individual Sociology
1st – Aidan Landry (Gretna No. 2)
2nd – Isabella Florek (Greenlawn Terrace)
3rd – Eli Thibodaux (Gretna No. 2)

Individual Political Science
1st – Isabelle DeGruy (Gretna No. 2)
2nd – Aiden Rosson (Gretna No. 2)

Airline Park Academy’s Demi Catalano and Kaylee Larrimer won first place for Group Sociology.

Individual Geography
1st – Gavin Richard (Gretna No. 2)
2nd – Farik Carbajal (Greenlawn Terrace)
3rd – Kinkaid Hinyup (Gretna No. 2)

Individual Anthropology
1st – Faith Patel (Airline Park)
2nd – Hannah Hoth (Gretna No. 2)
3rd – Srija Tamidela (Gretna No. 2)
3rd – Abdallah Jwayyed (Airline Park)

Individual History
1st – Siya Kumar (Airline Park)
2nd – Taylor Thompson (Alice Birney)
3rd – Giselle Perez (Greenlawn Terrace)

Individual Economics
1st – Ashley Phan (Airline Park)
2nd – Zoe Schexnayder (Airline Park)
3rd – Rashad Stevenson (Gretna No. 2)

Group Political Science
1st – Adeline Alcantar and Ava Pastor (Gretna No. 2)

Group Economics
1st – Jadden Esteen and Christian Polanco (Alice Birney)

Along with Kai Ferran, Brooke Casio won first place in Group History.

Group Sociology
1st – Demi Catalano and Kaylee Larrimer (Airline Park)
2nd – Drew Laughlin and Victoria O’Rourke (Gretna No. 2)

Group Geography
1st – Jared Camardelle and Jaci Camardelle (Gretna No. 2)
2nd – Genesis Foster and Isabella Musgrove (Gretna No. 2)

Group History
1st – Makayla Jayne and Gianna Falgoust (Airline Park)
2nd – Kai Ferran and Brooke Casio (Gretna No. 2)
3rd – Amelia Johnston and Jennah Quran (Gretna No. 2)

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

Individual Geography
1st – Yasin Judah (Livaudais)

Individual Sociology
1st – Joseph Watson (Livaudais)

Individual Anthropology
1st – Alaina Boyd (Roosevelt)
2nd – Julia Duong (Truman)

Individual History
1st – Emily Schmidt (Patrick Taylor)
2nd – Raquel Anguiano (Livaudais)
3rd – Winton Porter (Livaudais)

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

Individual History
1st – Emilee Gros (Jefferson Chamber)
2nd – Catherine Wertz (Patrick Taylor)

More than 340 fifth grade students from 17 schools across the Jefferson Parish Public School System take to the dance floor April 5 for Martin Marino’s 11th Annual Dance Challenge. This free ballroom dance competition starts at 6 p.m. at the Pontchartrain Center at 4545 Williams Blvd. in Kenner.

“We are so proud of all that these students have accomplished,” said Marino, “and we are excited to continue the tradition of the Dance Challenge here in the community of Jefferson Parish.”

The Dance Challenge is the only public school ballroom dance competition in Louisiana. Students will perform salsa, waltz, tango, and swing. Along with couples and team competitions, the event will feature professional performances and some special acts. These elementary school students have spent months training for the big event with area dance instructors.

“The dance program gives JPPSS students a venue for building self-esteem and confidence, as well as learning teamwork,” said Marino. “For many students, it becomes a life-changing experience.”

The JPPSS schools participating include Bissonet Plaza Elementary, Bridgedale Elementary, Butler Elementary, Dolhonde Elementary, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Harahan Elementary, Harris Elementary, Hart Elementary, Hearst Elementary, Kenner Discovery, Marrero Academy, Matas Elementary, Pitre Elementary, Pittman Elementary, Schneckenburger Elementary, Solis Elementary, and Terrytown Elementary.

Click to enlarge

The latest news and information from the Jefferson Parish Public School System is now available on smartphones with a new mobile app. JPPSS is partnering with Blackboard to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is now available in the online iTunes and Google Play app stores for free.

Download our Flyer

• English
• Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese

The mobile app will offer a constantly updated feed of district news and events with photos and links to the district’s website. The app can also be customized by the user by selecting the schools they are most interested in for news and updates. Users can also choose to receive breaking news and updates about school closures, calendar changes, or even sports updates.

“There are many factors that impact student success, and community and parent engagement is certainly near the top of that list,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “This new mobile app allows us to communicate with our parents and stakeholders in a way they can easily access every day.”

Diensn Xing

Haynes Academy junior Diensn Xing scored a perfect 36 on the ACT recently. The accomplishment puts Xing in rare company, as less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score.

“I was pretty excited,” said Xing, who scored a 28 on the ACT when he last took it in seventh grade. “I was hoping to get a 36. I worked really hard for it. I wasn’t sure, because I was actually a little bit sick on the day of the test.”

Xing is active in the school’s academic games and numerous school bands. He’s the drum major, treasurer of the student council, and president of Mu Alpha Theta. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society.

“Diensn is raked number one in his class and took calculus as a sophomore,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo. “As accomplished as he is in the classroom, I also appreciate how polite he is and that he is always willing to help his classmates.”

This driven young man wants to study medicine in college and is currently looking into Brown University. Xing views an education, especially one based in science, as a way to make positive changes in the world around him.

“The only way to improve society and to solve questions like the cure for diseases is to research and ask questions like, ‘What if I can cure cancer? What if I can help with old age? What if I can cure ALS?,'” said Xing. “All of those questions have to be asked and then answered.”

Xing is the son of Banghe Xing and Ning Guo. In a letter to Xing recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Marten Roorda stated, “Your achievement on the ACT is significant and rare. While test scores are just one of multiple criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.”

ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2016, only 2,235 out of nearly 2.1 million graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

Bissonet Plaza Elementary hosted a dog agility show on International Puppy Day, with help from the Swamp Dog Agility Club of Greater New Orleans. Dogs of all age and sizes jumped, climbed, and sprinted as the students watched as part of a positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) reward.

Bissonet Plaza physical education teacher Susan Kelly expressed how impactful pet therapy can be with the students.

“Almost all of the dogs are trained on word commands. So if a student does not open his or her mouth and tell the dog what to do, the dog will not do it,” said Kelly. “We have children that would never answer out loud or express their feelings, but after just a year’s time working with the dogs, they have become some of the most outspoken children in the school.”

Kelly works with dogs outside of school and incorporates pet therapy during the holidays.

“The dogs come dressed in their best holiday costume,” said Kelly. “Dogs put smiles on everyone’s faces and just relax them.”

All schools and offices in the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, April 10 through Monday, April 17. Schools and district offices will reopen on Tuesday, April 18.

For a look at our entire calendar, please click here.

Congratulations to the staff members at Miller Wall Elementary and Riverdale High for being recognized as April 2017 JPPSS Campus of the Month.

Riverdale High won the honor for the East Bank. Miller Wall Elementary was honored for the West Bank. Each month a committee of five will select an East Bank and West Bank school and showcase a selected campus based on the following criteria.

• Clean hallways
• Clean restrooms
• All restrooms are equipped with adequate supplies such as toilet tissue in each stall, soap for washing hands, working hand dryers or paper towels
• Safe and secure campus
• Well- groomed yard and flower bed
• School entrance and office entrance are appealing, free of clutter, trash, and inviting to visitors
• Office staff is welcoming
• All classrooms are free of clutter
• Evacuation signs are posted in all areas

The winning schools will be recognized at a school board meeting with the school principal and custodial staff in attendance.

Neel Mondal

Haynes Academy is known for academic success. This latest achievement, however, may set a new bar for this school that regularly ranks among the best public schools in the state and nation.

Haynes Academy sophomore Neelambar “Neel” Mondal scored a perfect 36 on the ACT earlier this school year. In addition to acing the ACT, Mondal also earned a perfect score on the PSAT.

“This is the first time I’m aware of that we’ve had a sophomore score a 36 on the ACT. I also don’t know that we’ve ever had a sophomore earn a perfect score on both of those tests,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo. “Neel excels in everything he does, whether it’s as an academic games champion or simply setting the example as a model student and leader.”

Mondal plans to study engineering in college. He participates in the school’s academic games, Mu Alpha Theta, and quiz bowl. This was the second time Mondal took the ACT. He managed a 33 in just the seventh grade.

“I was excited (to find out about the perfect ACT score),” said Mondal. “All the hard work I put in finally paid off.”

Mondal is the son of Debasis and Dipa Mondal. In a letter to Mondal recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Marten Roorda stated, “Your achievement on the ACT is significant and rare. While test scores are just one of multiple criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.”

On average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2016, only 2,235 out of nearly 2.1 million graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.

Marrero Academy students are participating in a free online reading challenge called Scholastic’s Read 100,000. Students read and log minutes on the website as they help their school achieve its reading goal.  Marrero Academy’s library slogan is “Reading is our super power!” The Marrero Mudbugs are the strongest super heroes in the nation, ranking as the number one school with minutes read. Marrero Academy currently has a total of 1,908,096 minutes!

Tamara Warner

Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies Principal Tamara Warner has been named one of the state’s top educational leaders. The Jefferson Parish Public School System Elementary Principal of the Year is among 24 of the 2018 Principal of the Year Semi-Finalists announced today by the Louisiana Department of Education.

These educators are making exceptional gains with students, pushing them to achieve at the highest levels in the state. All Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semi-finalists will be honored at the 11th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration on July 28 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge. This exciting event is co-sponsored by Dream Teachers. Click here for a full list of the Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semi-finalists.

Warner is overcome with emotion when surprised with the news that she is the district elementary principal of the year.

Warner has been principal of Gretna No. 2 Academy for two years. The JPPSS Elementary School Principal of the Year makes it a priority to ensure all students, teachers, and parents feel directly supported. Warner has a strong belief in the importance of continuous professional development for her staff and herself. She helps build on the individual strengths of her many teachers in order meet the school’s demanding academic goals.

“Supporting the teaching and learning process within my school is one of the most challenging, yet gratifying, responsibilities as the school leader,” said Warner. “This single aspect of leadership yields the strongest implications regarding students’ academic success and the growth of the school.”

In partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, the Louisiana Department of Education annually honors the state’s most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs.

The Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year awards programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge those educators who are making exceptional gains with students. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession.

Ashton C. Edler

A Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) student was among the honorees today when the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) released the names of the first group of winners in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Haynes Academy senior Ashton C. Edler is a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner.

Edler, whose probable career field is astrophysics, won the National Merit Nelson F. Peterson Scholarship. This scholarship is sponsored by Genentech. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is based in South San Francisco and serves as headquarters for Roche pharmaceutical operations in the U.S. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

More than 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors.

Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

Fifteen Jefferson Parish Public School System students were named National Merit Finalists this school year. This is the first announcement of National Merit Scholars in 2017. The NMSC will name recipients of National Merit $2500 Scholarships on May 10, and winners of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards on June 7 and July 17. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

Pictured from left are Waggaman Community Foundation President Sam Sparacio and past president Shelia Sparacio, Cherbonnier/Rillieux students Jacie Arol, Demya Sibley, Skylin Adams, Misty Brehm, Ebony Whitehead, and James Hibley, and principal Cristin Menyweather.

The Waggaman Community Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Cherbonnier/Rillieux Elementary. The generous donation is meant to enhance the educational experience for students inside the classroom and beyond.

“Not only am I grateful for this donation as the school’s principal, I’m also truly appreciative as a member of the community,” said Cherbonnier/Rillieux Elementary Principal Cristin Menyweather.

The funds will go towards instructional materials as well as to experiences that engage students outside of the classroom like field trips and improvements to the playground area. The foundation decided to make the donation after president Sam Sparacio and board members visited the school to learn about its initiative to improve its school performance score. The foundation was seeking to enhance the educational experience of students in the Waggaman and Avondale communities.

“We have an ambitious goal,” said Menyweather. “We want to motivate students and faculty through rewarding incentives that will inspire us all to achieve excellence. This significant contribution by the Waggaman Community Foundation is greatly appreciated.”

U.S. News & World Report released its 2017 Best High Schools rankings and four schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System made the national list. Those schools are:

• Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies: awarded a gold medal, ranked second in Louisiana and 114 nationally

• Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy: awarded a gold medal, ranked fourth in the state and 239 nationally

• Thomas Jefferson High: awarded a silver medal, ranked tenth in Louisiana and 2192 nationally

• Riverdale High: awarded a bronze medal, Nationally Recognized

“It’s an honor to see our schools receive this national recognition year after year ,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “Remarkable work is taking place at each of these schools to put our students on a path to success after graduation.”

The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 22,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System and Title I offer a unique, three-week summer program for students in grades 2-7. Registration for the JPPSS Summer Arts Camp is open now through May 16.

The JPPSS Summer Arts Camp will be available on both sides of the river from June 5-23.  The East Bank campus is Riverdale Middle. The West Bank campus is Truman Middle.  The camp offers classes in visual and performing arts, dance, pottery, woodworking, writing, photography, crafts, athletics, and more. Classes are taught by professional artists. Students from public, private, and parochial schools are welcome to register.

For registration costs and information, as well as a full list of classes, click on one of the flyer links below. You can also view a video from the 2016 summer arts camp at this link. For more information, contact Jeannine Prejean at 504-349-8594 or jeannine.prejean@jppss.k12.la.us.

• East Bank Flyer & Registration Form
• West Bank Flyer & Registration Form
• Video Release Form
• Emergency Card & Childcare

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and support a great cause with the Jefferson Chamber, Jefferson Parish, and the New Orleans Baby Cakes! Bring the family for a night of baseball as those organizations recognize Head Start for its local programs.

Head Start Fundraiser Night is Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. when the Baby Cakes take on the Iowa Cubs at the “Shrine on Airline.” Tickets can be purchased at this link.

The Head Start Birth to Five Program is designed to ensure school readiness for children entering kindergarten and to prepare them for lifelong success. Fundraiser sales will help to raise money for Head Start programs. This event is made possible with the support of the New Orleans Baby Cakes.

If you are interested in sponsoring a family or school to attend the Head Start Fundraiser Night, please contact Stephanie Cox (stephanie@jeffersonchamber.org or 504-835-3880) or Christy Marino (christy@jeffersonchamber.org or 504-835-3880).

What makes a good teacher…

What are the qualities needed to transform a classroom into a home and a school community into a family…

Teacher Appreciation Week is May first through fifth. We honor teachers and celebrate the lasting contribution they make to all our lives.

Thank you to all of our educators! You make a difference in the life of a child every day. If you are a parent, you know this first-hand. Just think of all the times your son or daughter has uttered the phrase, “But my teacher said…”

A teacher’s words carry weight. You educate, guide, and inspire.

Since teachers mean so much to us, I want us all to do something simple and meaningful for them.

Let’s make Teacher Appreciation Week and the entire month of May special for as many teachers as possible. Many students write thank you notes to show their appreciation. Since we all are or have been students, I’m asking each of you to tell a teacher about the personal impact they have made in your life. Whether it’s by email, snail mail, or in person, I guarantee your message will put a smile on their face.

Over 250 students at Riviere Elementary got the chance to express their creativity while also celebrating the culture of the school’s Bucktown neighborhood. The school was selected to participate in the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s residency program, Artist and Sense of Place. Students worked with a professional artists to create pieces that were then displayed at the Ogden.

The Jefferson Parish School Board will hold two public hearings on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 to consider a redistricting proposal for Alexander Elementary and Audubon Elementary. The board will also consider a proposal outlining the attendance zone for Ralph J. Bunche Elementary, which will reopen for the 2017-18 school year. The public hearings will begin at 5 p.m. at the JPPSS Administration Building at 501 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey.

For more information and to view the proposed attendance zone maps, click one of the links below:

• Alexander/Audubon Redistricting
• Ralph J. Bunche Attendance Zone

Standing from left, Alaina Smith (Ehret High), Klarissa Klein, Hannah Barrouse (Thomas Jefferson High), Kathy Nguyen (Riverdale High), Britney Do (Thomas Jefferson High), Rosmery Perez (Riverdale High), Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Senator John Alario, Jr., Dana Boudreaux (Fisher Middle-High), Ru’ia Jwayyed (East Jefferson), kneeling from left, Naomi Gomez (Grace King High), Michelle Nelson (Riverdale High), Norian Gutierrez (Grace King High), Sean Powell (Riverdale High), Bryant Applegarth (East Jefferson).

The artwork of Jefferson Parish Public School System students will soon be on display for visitors from around the globe the enjoy. Sixteen students from six JPPSS high schools earned top prize in the Bayou Segnette art competition. The winning pieces by these young artists will be placed in the new rental cabins at Bayou Segnette State Park.

“I’m so proud that we will be displaying such local, young talent,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “I tell people around the state and around the country that there is something in the soil in Louisiana that’s special that grows such talent in the arts.”

The art competition was a collaborative effort by JPPSS, Bayou Segnette, Louisiana State Parks, and Lt. Governor Nungesser’s office. Along with having their artwork displayed, the students also won a night’s stay in one of the floating cabins. Over 80 entries were received from JPPSS students. The winning students are:

East Jefferson High (art teacher in parenthesis)

• Bryant Applegarth (Sandra Toups)
• Ru’ia Jwayyed (Sandra Toups)

Fisher Middle-High

• Dana Boudreaux (Vanessa Favaloro
• Chad Terrel (Adele Westmoreland)

Grace King High

• Naomi Gomez (Saundra Lewis)
• Norlan Gutierrez (Tracey Bullington)

John Ehret High

• Hoa Nguyen (Julie Quirk)
• Alaina Smith (Julie Quirk)

Riverdale High

• Tejion Champagne (Kimberly Robinson)
• Michelle Nelson (Kimberly Robinson)
• Kathy Nguyen (Kimberly Robinson)
• Rosmery Perez (Phillip Whitmore)
• Sean Powell (Kimberly Robinson)

Thomas Jefferson High

• Hannah Barrouse (Laurie Holley)
• Britney Do (Pauline Freeman)
• Klarissa Klein (Pauline Freeman)