Students from the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) participated in the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair (Region IX) held last month at The University of New Orleans.

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies was the big winner with 29 awards. Other winning schools included Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Thomas Jefferson High School, John Q. Adams Middle School, T.H. Harris Middle School, Livaudais Middle School, and Riverdale Middle School.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Junior Division Category Winners
First Place Chemistry
Brynna Robert (Haynes)
The Effects of Protease on Gelatin

First Place Mathematics and Computers
Hannah Busher (Haynes)
Will Unique DNA Sequences Create Unique DNA Fingerprints?

Second Place Biological Sciences
Injee Hong (Haynes)
Are There Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Our Meat?

Second Place Environmental Sciences
Aishwarya Natarajan (Haynes)
What is the Most Efficient Method of Water Purification?

Second Place Physics
Areesh Chaudhry (Adams)
What is the Relationship Between the Shape of a Parachute and its Velocity?

Third Place Chemistry
Hyoel Lee (Haynes)
Rust of Patina?

Fourth Place Biological Sciences
Zachary LeBlanc (Adams)
The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Germination

Fourth Place Biological Sciences
Rose Coats (Haynes)
Do Plants Produce More Oxygen in Sunlight, Artificial Light or Darkness?

Fourth Place Mathematics and Computers
Justin Hamilton (Riverdale Middle)
How Does the Angle of a Truss Bridge Affect the Total Amount of Stress?

Fourth Place Mathematics and Computers
Collin Carney (Harris)
Keeping Up: Can Height be Predicted by Stride?

Fourth Place Physics
David Hutton (Haynes)
Does Vibrating a Sand Timer Affect the Time it Takes for the Sand to Flow Through?

Fourth Place Physics
Emilia Garcia and Fatima Shorf (Livaudais)
Beat the Heat with a Cool Soda!

Junior Division Special Awards
American Society of Civil Engineers Award for Engineering
Second Place
Ethan Hannan (Adams)
Design of Bridges

Broadcom MASTERS Award for Biological Sciences
First Place
Injee Hong (Haynes)
Are There Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in our Meat?

Broadcom MASTERS Award for Chemistry
First Place
Brynna Robert (Haynes)
The Effects of Protease on Gelatin

Broadcom MASTERS Award for Environmental Sciences
First Place
Aishwarya Natarajan
What is the Most Efficient Method of Water Purification?

Broadcom MASTERS Award for Mathematics and Computers
First Place
Hannah Busher (Haynes)
Will Unique DNA Sequences Create Unique DNA Fingerprints?

Broadcom MASTERS Award for Physics
First Place
Areesh Chaudhry (Adams)
What is the Relationship Between the Shape of a Parachute and its Velocity?

Gulf Coast Safety and Training Group Award for Chemistry
First Place
Hyoel Lee (Haynes)
Rust or Patina?

New Orleans Geological Society Award for Environmental Sciences
Sarah Bernoudy (Adams)
What Materials Absorbs Oil Spills Best?

New Orleans Section of NACE International Award for Chemistry
Second Place
Hyoel Lee (Haynes)
Rust or Patina?

Odebrecht Construction Award for Engineering
Ethan Hannah (Adams)
Design of Bridges

Pontchartrain Astronomy Society Award for Mathematics and Computers
First Place
Luke Snee (Harris)
Using Mathematics to Solve Astronomical Puzzles: The Diameter of the Sun

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Inc. Delta Chapter Award for Environmental Sciences
Third Place
Aishwarya Natarajan (Haynes)
What is the Most Efficient Method of Water Purification?

Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers – New Orleans Branch Award for Engineering
Second Place
McKenzie Herron (Harris)
Arch and Beam Bridge Designs

Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers – New Orleans Branch Award for Mathematics and Computers
First Place
Justin Hamilton (Riverdale Middle)
How Does the Angle of a Truss Bridge Affect the Total Amount of Stress?

U.S. Air Force Award for Physics
First Place
Areesh Chaudhry (Adams)
What is the Relationship Between the Shape of a Parachute and its Velocity?

U.S. Army Award for Biological Sciences
First Place
Injee Hong (Haynes)
Are There Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Our Meat?

U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps – Office of Naval Research Award for Physics
First Place
David Hutton
Does Vibrating a Sand Timer Affect the Time it Takes for the Sand to Flow Through?

Senior Division Category Awards
First Place Medicine and Health Sciences
Senthil Natarajan (Haynes)
RNA Binding Ability of FUS Mediates Toxicity in a Drosophila Model of ALS

First Place Environmental Management
Nicklas Dang (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Acids and Bases on the Amount of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide?

First Place Energy and Transportation
Destin Bailey (Thomas Jefferson)
How Does Pitch Angle Affect the Efficiency of the Propeller?

First Place Earth and Planetary Science
Kiara Horton (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Temperature on the Atmospheric Index of Refraction?

Second Place Physics and Astronomy
Tiffany Lou and Linda Tran (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Surroundings on the Intensity of Sound Produced?

Second Place Environmental Sciences
Siddesh Ponnapakkam (Haynes)
What is the Water Quality of the Area Known as the Cancer Alley?

Third Place Environmental Sciences
David Herbert (Haynes)
Rehabilitating the Wetlands

Third Place Engineering – Materials and Bioengineering
Stephen Torry (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Heat Treatment of Different Types of Steel?

Third Place Earth and Planetary Science
David Burns (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Relative Humidity on the Levels of UVA and UVB Measured at Ground Level?

Third Place Chemistry
Paris Evans (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Nanospray Coating on the Stain Resistance of Natural and Synthetic Fabric?

Fourth Place Plant Sciences
Arielle Laurent (Taylor)
What is the Effect of the Amount of Salinity in Water on the Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Spartina Alterniflora?

Fourth Place Physics and Astronomy
Johnny Negrete (Thomas Jefferson)
The Effect of Distance from a Diffraction Grating on the Wavelength Intensity of Electromagnetic Radiation

Fourth Place Environmental Management
Kes-Lynn Joseph (Thomas Jefferson)
The Effect of Temperature on Moringa Oleifera as a Coagulant

Fourth Place Chemistry
Hadeel Abuali (Thomas Jefferson)
How is the Ability to Buffer Acid Precipitation Affected by Charcoal?

Fourth Place Chemistry
Micquel Downs (Taylor)
What is the Effect of Temperature on the Luminosity of Luminol?

Fourth Place Cellular and Molecular Biology
Alana Williams (Thomas Jefferson)
The Effect of Flavoring on Yogurt Cultures

Senior Division Special Awards
U.S. Air Force Award for Physics and Astronomy
First Place
Sara Adoue and Arthur McGee (Taylor)
How Does Temperature Affect the Speed of Sound?

The Patrick F. Taylor School Awards
These materials and/or field trip grants are presented to participating high schools which have a minimum of 10 projects competing in the senior division. These awards are given to recognize successful participation in the fair and are to be used to promote interest in upper level math and science courses.

The JPPSS winners are:
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School

Senior Division Grand Award Winners
Three Grand Award Winners were selected from winners in each category from the senior division to represent Region IX. Transportation and living expenses are provided to the students and their teachers.

The JPPSS winner is:
First Place
Senthil Natarajan and teacher Susan Stephens from Haynes Academy

Junior Division Grand Award Winners
Two Grand Award Winners were selected from the winners in each category from the junior division and each will receive $50 and a plaque.

The JPPSS winner is:
Aishwarya Natarajan from Haynes Academy

More than 46,000 students returned to school in Jefferson Parish last month. August 9^th was the first day of school and parents and students at Bridgedale Elementary were greeted by Superintendent Dr. James Meza, Jr. and school board president Larry Dale. Meza and Dale also visited other schools including Matas Elementary, Harris Middle and East Jefferson High.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) announced three employees as its Outstanding School Support Employees of the Year: Sally Falcone of Lionel R. Collins Montessori School, Russell Mohamad of T.H. Harris Middle School, and Tammy Dixon of Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy. The three employees are the district’s nominees for the state recognition of Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year.

“I want to congratulate these deserving support employees,” said Superintendent Dr. James Meza, Jr. “They have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to our students throughout their tenure with the school system that has undoubtedly helped our students and our schools to succeed.”

Sally Falcone is a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten assistant at Lionel R. Collins Montessori School and has been employed with the district since 1989. In nominating Falcone, principal Esther Pollard noted her willingness to do whatever needs to be done to support the students at Collins.

Assistant Custodian Russell Mohamad of Harris was nominated by principal Otis Guichet for being an employee who inspires others to go above and beyond in their jobs. Guichet credited Mohamad for serving as an ambassador for not only Harris Middle School but also the entire school system.

Tammy Dixon, a plant manager at Patrick Taylor Academy, was nominated by principal Jaime Zapico for her work in ensuring that the campus is both pristine and safe for the students and the staff. In her nomination form, Zapico wrote that Dixon is an asset to Taylor, and that the school staff and students are very fortunate to have her as part of the family.

The Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program is run by the Louisiana Department of Education and provides an opportunity to honor an outstanding employee at the elementary, middle/junior high and high school levels who supports and provides leadership in the operation of non-instructional activities within the school year.

Recently, the students of T.H. Harris Middle School gathered in the gym for their annual holiday program. The program featured performances from the Harris cheerleaders and dance team, as well as holiday selections from the band and choir.

According to principal Otis Guichet, programs like this holiday celebration are a great motivator for students.

“It builds camaraderie among the students and school spirit. We want them to be serious about academics, but it is also good to have fun at school. It gives them a reason to be vested in the school,” he said.

In addition to the entertainment, the results of the annual “penny drive” were announced at the event. The drive is a grade level competition where students put pennies in their grade level jugs and receive a point per penny. If students put any other coins or bills in the other grade level jugs, then that grade loses points equal to the amount of the donation.

The funds raised go to the parent/teacher group. Funds from this year’s drive will be used to treat all the eight grade students who achieve basic or above in each component of the spring standardized test to an outing.

Photos from the event are available on the JPPSS Flickr page.

T.H Harris Middle principal Otis Guichet set the scene perfectly for his students gathered to hear decorated World War II pilot Art Arceneaux speak.

“Picture yourself in three years. That’s how old Mr. Arceneaux was when he went off to fight the war,” Guichet told the middle school students. “When the country needed him at 18 years old, he rose to fight for the freedoms that we have today.”

Guichet invited Arceneaux to speak at Harris after the two men met at the National WWII Museum. Guichet saw the opportunity as a dynamic living history lesson for his students — one that would take primary sources to a whole new level. During his introduction of Arceneaux, Guichet told students they were in the presence of a true hero.

Along with tales from the war, the marine aviator PTO also told students how lucky they were to be in school. Born during the Great Depression, Arceneaux said it was a luxury his immigrant parents did not have.

“My parents were not educated. They had two or three grades,” said Arceneaux. “Every night my parents would sit us down to go over lessons. I thought they were helping us, but they were going to school.”

Select the video above to hear from Guichet and Arceneaux about the visit and to see the veteran’s full presentation to the Harris Middle students. Click through the photos below to learn more about the decorated veteran, who is also a winner of the military’s oldest aviation award. Visit this link to view all of our photos from Arceneaux’s visit.

Harris Middle student Alexis Lavarine brought two of her six championship boxing belts to the September board meeting.

The Jefferson Parish School Board recognized T.H. Harris Middle School student Alexis Lavarine at their September 2 meeting.

An honor student in the classroom, Lavarine won the 13 and 14 year old division of the Ringside World Championship Boxing Tournament. She also holds six belts. Lavarine’s parents, David and Carla, are both Jefferson Parish Public School System teachers. David also trains his daughter, along with Dennis Guidry.

Lavarine worked out three times a day, running and boxing for more than two hours a day, to prepare for the tournament. The hard work paid off. Her goal is to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and earn a gold medal.

A passion for writing led T.H. Harris Middle student Yasmin Silva to enter and win the America’s WETLAND Foundation “Keep Your Eye on the Prize” art, essay, and photography competition. Silva placed first in the state in the Essay category for grades 7-9. Her piece was called “Lily’s Lesson” and focused on the story of a young girl who helped to conserve the wetlands in order to help animals. Learn more about this exceptional student, her school, and hear her award winning story in this video production from JPS-TV.

The students of the Jefferson Parish Public School System will do more than simply celebrate along the parade routes during Carnival season. Many of our school’s performance groups will take center stage participating in parades all over our area. This schedule highlights where our student groups will be during the 2016 Mardi Gras parades.

Don’t see your school on the list? Please send parade name, date and time, as well as the school groups marching to Ted Beasley at theodore.beasley@jppss.k12.la.us.

Saturday, January 23

Krewe of Driftwood – 1 p.m. in Kenner

• Adams Middle
• Bridgedale Elementary Beaglettes and spirit squad
• Chateau Estates Elementary
• Matas Elementary dance team
• Schneckenburger Elementary “Schneckettes” dance team

Sunday, January 24

Krewe of Little Rascals – 12 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Meisler Middle

Krewe of Perseus – 1 p.m. in Slidell

• Gretna Middle cheerleaders and dance team

Friday, January 29

Krewe of Oshun – 6 p.m. in Uptown

• Ford Middle

Krewe of Cleopatra – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• Thomas Jefferson High band, cheerleaders, flag team, PAWS dance team
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Excalibur – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Bonnabel High
• Patrick Taylor Academy band and cheerleaders

Krewe of Athena – 7:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Gretna Middle cheerleaders and dance team
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Saturday, January 30

The Mystic Knights of Adonis – 11:45 a.m. on the Westbank

• Lincoln Elementary
• Truman Middle

Krewe of Choctaw – 2 p.m. in Uptown

• Marrero Middle band

Krewe of Caesar – 6 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel High
• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, cheerleaders, AFJROTC honor guard, armed drill team, unarmed drill team, and drum corps
• Grace King High
• Haynes Academy band, cheerleaders, and dance team

Sunday, January 31

Krewe of Carrollton –  12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Riverdale High band and spirit groups

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin –  1 p.m. in Uptown

• Lincoln Elementary
• Truman Middle

Krewe of Alla –  2 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• Thomas Jefferson High band, cheerleaders, flag team, PAWS dance team
• West Jefferson High band, JROTC, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Wednesday, February 3

Krewe of Druids – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Nyx – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• Grace King High

Thursday, February 4

Knights of Babylon – 5:45 p.m. in Uptown

• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Muses – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Friday, February 5

Krewe d’Etat – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders

Krewe of Centurions – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel High
• Riverdale Middle band, cheerleaders, dance team, and flag team

Saturday, February 6

Krewe of NOMTOC – 10:45 a.m. on the Westbank

• Truman Middle
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Krewe of Iris – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Bonnabel High

Krewe of Tucks – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Krewe of Isis – 6:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Grace King High

Sunday, February 7

Krewe of Okeanos – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Grand Isle Independent – 1 p.m. in Grand Isle

• Grand Isle School band

Krewe of Bacchus – 5:15 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Monday, February 8

Krewe of Pandora – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Grace King High
• Livaudais Middle band, dance team, cheerleaders

Tuesday, February 9

Krewe of Argus – 10 a.m. in Metairie

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders
• Grace King High
• West Jefferson High JROTC

The Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) named its district winners for the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

Metairie Academy’s Arlene “Cookie” Malloy, Harris Middle’s Suzanne Nugent, and Bonnabel Magnet Academy’s Torey Hayward each received this prestigious honor. The three JPPSS educators are now eligible to become 2017 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

• Click here for Principals of the Year
• Click here for Students of the Year

The winning candidates demonstrate a positive impact on student learning, deliver rigorous and standards-based instructional practice and support, and show the ability to invest and inspire colleagues, families, community, and students.

JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph surprises Metairie Academy teacher “Cookie” Malloy with the news that she’s been named the JPPSS Elementary School 2017 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

Arlene “Cookie” Malloy is a third grade math and science teacher at Metairie Academy. An educator for 39 years, Malloy has also taught at William Hart Elementary. Malloy created the morning music program at Metairie Academy, which connects songs to historical and current events. She takes pride in serving her co-workers and the thousands of students she’s influenced in Jefferson Parish.

“It is my responsibility to make sure they leave my classroom having grown academically and socially,” said Malloy. “Parents place their trust in me to guide, protect, and nurture their child. When you think about it, it is an awesome responsibility. It is very gratifying to know that I have had a part in educating so many individuals.”

Harris Middle’s Suzanne Nugent was treated to a second line from the band after learning she’s the JPPSS Middle School 2017 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

Suzanne Nugent teaches ELA, math, science, and social studies to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at Harris Middle. Nugent has been a teacher at St. Ville Elementary, Hearst Elementary, and Deckbar Special School. She expanded Harris Middle’s use of PBIS, which encourages positive behavior and fosters a healthy school climate. This school leader has also reached out to local businesses to gain support for school programs.

“I am never content with the status quo; rather I am always looking for ways to improve things, make things better,” said Nugent. “I am secure enough in my own work and have a strong commitment to continual growth not only for my students but for the school as a whole.”

These Bonnabel Magnet Academy students celebrate the good news along with Torey Hayward after learning he’s the JPPSS High School 2017 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

Torey Hayward teaches tenth grade English II, Honors English II, and speech at Bonnabel Magnet Academy. He developed the school’s High5 ACT Preparation Program, which helped students grow an average of 3.2 points in the English section during its first year and has led to more teachers infusing ACT strategies into their lessons. During his four years working with student council, its participation numbers have quadrupled. Bonnabel’s student council has served its school so well that it is nominated to the a Gold Council from the Louisiana Association of Student Councils.

“This work has largely contributed to the shift in school climate at Bonnabel,” said Hayward. “We see more students attending events and conducting themselves in a way that exudes school pride. Individually, this exposure to leadership opportunities had introduced our students to individuals and opportunities that will create pathways for them after leaving Bonnabel.”

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 focus public attention on those educators who are making exceptional gains with students and pushing them to achieve at the highest levels in the state. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession.

Lip sync battles have taken prime time and late night television by storm. The students at Harris Middle recently held a lip sync battle of their own to help raise money for an arts workshop. Watch the video above for the story or click here to see the entire competition.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System recognized excellence in education during its annual Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony Luncheon May 18 at The Four Columns in Harvey. The Teacher of the Year from every JPPSS school was honored during this event that was attended by Jefferson Parish School Board members, business and community stakeholders, and school and district leaders.

Melissa Sallinger, second from left, received the Lucien Gunter Excellence in Teaching Award from the Jefferson Business Council. She’s pictured with, from left, JPPSS teachers Doha Mosrie and LaDonna Smith, JBC Chairman Mickal Adler and Executive Director Tony Ligi, and JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph.

Jefferson Business Council Executive Director Tony Ligi and Chairman Mickal Adler presented the Lucien Gunter Excellence in Teaching Award to Bonnabel Magnet Academy High Teacher of the Year Melissa Sallinger. Sallinger is also the JPPSS High School Teacher of the Year.

You can watch the entire ceremony above or click here to view the photo gallery. Below is a list of all our Teachers of the Year.

Adams Middle: Danita Brown
Airline Park Academy: Ann C. Heath
Alexander Elementary: Howard Hayes
Allen Ellender School: William Sayles Jr.
Audubon Elementary: Stephanie Melan
Birney Elementary: Deborah Poche
Bissonet Plaza Elementary: Elisa Western
Bonnabel Connections: Jane Russo
Bonnabel Magnet Academy High: Melissa Sallinger
Boudreaux Elementary: Faith Chauvin
Bridgedale Elementary: Joan Albarado
Butler Elementary: Rikki Templet
Chateau Estates School: Renee Hall
Cherbonnier-Rilleux Elementary: Faith Michot
Clancy-Maggiore School for the Arts: Pamela Simoneaux
Collins Montessori School: Crystal Marshall
Cox Elementary: Persephonie Foster
Cuillier Career Center: Michael Taylor
Dolhonde Elementary: Molly Huggins
Douglass Elementary: Coretta Brown
East Jefferson High: Kristi Christian
Ehret Connections: Paula Johnson
Ellis Elementary: Jennifer Hazelwood
Estelle School: Jenea Hatty
Fisher Middle-High: Paige Falcon
Ford Middle: Kristie Wortham
Grace King High: Katharine Da Silva
Grand Isle School: Racheal Vaughn
Greenlawn Terrace Elementary: Jessica Sanchez
Green Park Elementary: Chandrika Furtick
Gretna Middle: Rene Smith
Gretna No. 2 Academy: Melissa Comeaux
Harris Elementary: Lori Pittman
Harris Middle: Karon Oldham
Hart Elementary: Trudy Allen
Harahan Elementary: Sarah Aucoin
Haynes Academy: Roxane Coron
Hazel Park/Hilda Knoff Elementary: Katherine Smart
Hearst Elementary: Robyn Gentinetta
Helen Cox High: Bonita Hall
Higgins High: Kathy Pechon
Janet Elementary: Gilda Grana
Jefferson Elementary: Sherry Barcia
John Ehret High: Daniel Baker
John Martyn Community School: Kenneth Jackson
Johnson Gretna Park Elementary: Kelly McCoy
Keller Elementary: Doha Mosrie
Kerner Elementary: Melanie Morales-Poche’
Lincoln School for the Arts: Shawn Hampton
Livaudais Middle: Reginald Joseph
Live Oak Manor Elementary: Joy Bridges
Marrero Academy: Julie Kleppner
Marrero Middle: Alexia Thompson
Matas Elementary: Edwin Dorvin IV
McDonogh 26 Elementary: Keia Jones
Meisler Middle: Gina Lagarrigue
Metairie Academy: Kim Bourgeois
Miller Wall Elementary: Linda Toncrey
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy: Margaret Grindstaff
Pitre Elementary: Danielle Lewis
Pittman Elementary: Melanie Lemonier
Riverdale High: Nicholas Sonnier
Riverdale Middle: Stacey Miller
Riviere Elementary: Adrienne Arrillaga
Roosevelt Middle: Annette Hagan
Ruppel Academy: Bridgette Bangs
Schneckenburger Elementary: Valerie Touchet
Solis Elementary: Terri Johnson
Strehle Elementary: Kristen Burke
St. Ville Elementary: Ava Samuel
Terrytown Elementary: Dusty Harrison
Thibodeaux Elementary: Kacey Albert
Thomas Jefferson High: Katherine Gaumond
Truman Middle: Kazanna Mancuso
Washington Montessori School: Daquana Williams
West Bank Community School: Donya Bazile
West Jefferson High: Kim Conner-Davis
Woodland West Elementary: Kimbrelle Payne
Woods Elementary: Shirlanda Joseph
Worley Middle: LaDonna Smith

Around 2,000 students are being honored at the Jefferson Parish Public School System’s annual Superintendent’s “A” Breakfast of Champions. The events recognize outstanding academic accomplishments for students who have earned an “A” in each course taken and no lower than a “B” in honor courses taken during the first and second nine-weeks marking periods. Those students and their families are invited to attend the breakfast ceremony.

Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is joined by members of the school board, district leaders, and school administrators in honoring these young scholars in grades 6-12.

Event photos of students will be available on the JPPSS Facebook page or at the links below, where the pictures can be downloaded or shared with family and friends. You can also watch the full ceremonies at the links below, as they are made available. The links below will become active once the photos and videos are available. If you’d like to order a DVD of the event, please click here.

MARCH 6

Fisher Middle-High, Gretna Middle, Helen Cox High, Livaudais Middle, Marrero Middle,West Jefferson High, Worley Middle

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 7

Ruppel Academy, Thomas Jefferson High

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 8

Allen Ellender School, Estelle School, Ford Middle, Grand Isle School, Higgins High, John Ehret High, Truman Middle

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 9

Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 21

Haynes Academy (High School)

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 22

East Jefferson High, Harris Middle, Matas Elementary, Riverdale Middle, Riverdale High

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 23

Haynes Academy (Middle School)

• Photos
• Video

MARCH 26

Adams Middle, Bonnabel Magnet Academy High, Chateau Estates School, Ellis Elementary, Grace King High, Meisler Middle, Roosevelt Middle

• Photos
• Video

Jefferson Parish Public School System Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is inviting the community to join him for coffee and a town hall as part of a larger plan to understand the district from as many viewpoints as possible.

These coffee chats and town hall events will be held in all nine JPPSS districts. Each coffee chat will take place at a locally-owned coffeehouse, restaurant, or community building from 8 to 9 a.m., with the exception of the chat in District 5 that will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Each town hall will be held at a district school from 6 to 7 p.m. These listening sessions will allow community members to share their thoughts on five questions:

1. What are our strengths?
2. What are our challenges?
3. What should we start doing?
4. What should we stop doing?
5. What is possible?

The coffee chats and town halls will bookend nine days Dr. Brumley will spend at a different school getting to know students, educators, and families. The schools were drawn at random by each board member. Each day will begin with coffee, followed by a meeting with that district’s board member, a learning walk around the school, a meeting with that school’s principal, lunch with students, a meeting with faculty after school, and a town hall meeting that night.

These Discovery Days are part of Dr. Brumley’s 100-day entry plan that was unveiled on March 28. The entire plan is available at this link.

Discovery Days Schedule

Monday, April 23, 2018

District 3 (Tiffany Kuhn): Fisher Middle-High
2529 Jean Lafitte Blvd.
Lafitte, LA 70067
Coffee Location: Lafitte Little Civic Center
4917 City Park Dr.
Lafitte, LA 70067
Town Hall Location: Fisher Middle-High

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

District 6 (Larry Dale): T. H. Harris Middle
911 Elise St.
Metairie, LA 70003
Coffee Location: French Press Coffeehouse
2120 David Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003
Town Hall Location: Harris Middle

Thursday, April 26, 2018

District 1 (Mark Morgan): Vic. A. Pitre Elementary
1525 Spruce St.
Westwego, LA 70094
Coffee Location: TBA
Town Hall Location: Pitre Elementary

Friday, April 27, 2018

District 9 (Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge): A.C. Alexander Elementary
600 W. Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065
Coffee Location: French Press Coffeehouse
3236 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
Town Hall Location: Alexander Elementary

Monday, May 7, 2018

District 4 (Melinda Bourgeois): Marie Riviere Elementary
1564 Lake Ave.
Metairie, LA 70005
Coffee Location: Lakeshore Playground
1125 Rosa Ave.
Metairie, LA 70005
Town Hall Location: Riviere Elementary

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

District 5 (Cedric Floyd): Cherbonnier-Rillieux Elementary
700 Dandelion Drive
Waggaman, LA 70094
Coffee Location: J.C. Simmons Community Center (8:30-9:30 a.m.)
4008 US Hwy 90
Avondale, LA 70094
Town Hall Location: Cherbonnier-Rillieux Elementary

Friday, May 11, 2018

District 2 (Ricky Johnson): Gretna Middle
910 Gretna Blvd.
Gretna, LA 70053
Coffee Location: Parrot Pete’s
1901 Manhattan Blvd.
Harvey, LA 70058
Town Hall Location: Gretna Middle

Monday, May 14, 2018

District 8 (Marion Bonura): John Q. Adams Middle
5525 Henican Place
Metairie, LA 70003
Coffee Location: Caffe! Caffe!
4301 Clearview Pkwy
Metairie, LA 70006
Town Hall Location: Adams Middle

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

District 7 (Melinda Doucet): Catherine Strehle Elementary
178 Millie Dr.
Avondale, LA 70094
Coffee Location: Mt. Hermon Baptist Church
3512 US Hwy 90
Avondale, LA 70094
Town Hall Location: Strehle Elementary

This is the second in a weekly series of posts updating the public on the progress of Dr. Cade Brumley’s 100-day entry plan. To view his complete plan, click here. To view a table outlining his progress to date, click here.

Dr. Brumley received a warm welcome from this student during his Discovery Day at Pitre Elementary.

This was arguably one of the busiest weeks of Dr. Brumley’s first 100 days as leader of the Jefferson Parish Public School System. Dr. Brumley’s Discovery Days took him to four different schools in four different cities where he met with hundreds of students, educators, parents, and community members. School visits and roundtable sessions with students, educators, and families are part of the strategies outlined in his plan, Love to Learn; Learn to Lead: A 100-Day Investment for a Stronger JPPSS.

Recent Updates

• First 25 Days

Here is what Dr. Brumley was up to this week as he works towards completing his plan and helping build a strong foundation for the future of our students.

• Held Discovery Days at Fisher Middle-High, Harris Middle, Pitre Elementary, and Alexander Elementary. Each Discovery Day includes a coffee chat at a nearby establishment in the morning, a one-on-one conversation with that district’s board member, a learning walk around the school, a one-on-one conversation with the principal, lunch with students, a faculty meeting after school, and a community town hall that evening. Discovery Days are still scheduled for Riviere Elementary (5/7), Cherbonnier-Rillieux Elementary (5/9), Gretna Middle (5/11), Adams Middle (5/14), and Strehle Elementary (5/15). Click here for the full schedule and to learn more about Discovery Days.
• Met with business and community career and technical education leaders
• Met with education facility master plan consultants, MGT
• Visited Bissonet Plaza Elementary
• Started the external budget review process
• Met with Lafitte Mayor Timothy Kerner and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto
• Created Educator’s Compensation Working Group, which has started holding meetings