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Donaldsonville — Ascension Catholic High School’s Class of 2012 graduated on May 18 in a ceremony held in Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church. Valedictorians: Macy Raelyn Esneault and Nicholas Gerard Wild. Salutatorians: Haley Nicole Capello and Lauren Theresa … Continue reading →
ZACHARY — The Zachary Community School District led the state with the highest percentage of fourth- and eighth-graders scoring on grade level in the recent high-stakes LEAP tests, a staff member told the School Board on Thursday. Accountability and Assessments Supervisor Karin Lawless said 87 percent of the students scored at the “proficient” level on … Continue reading →
One of the bills needed to carve out a new public school district in southeast Baton Rouge passed the Louisiana House on Thursday but fell well below the vote margin needed to pass a crucial companion measure. The proposal, Senate Bill 563, won House approval 59-37. Continue reading →
Graduates from area high schools and colleges are listed according to schools and will be added as they are published in The Advocate during this 2012 spring graduation season. For schools outside of The Advocate’s circulation area, only graduates from The Advocate circulation area will be listed. Continue reading →
BAKER — Baker High School held commencement exercises Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Bethany World Prayer Center. Valedictorian: Frederick Demond Parker Jr. Salutatorian: G’Ariel Alaysia Young. Summa cum laude graduates: … Continue reading →
DONALDSONVILLE — Commencement ceremonies were held Friday, May 18, for Donaldsonville High School’s Class of 2012 at Floyd Boutte Memorial Statdium. Valedictorian: Stefanie Renee Rodrigue. Salutatorian: Devonta Micole Guidry. Other … Continue reading →
A House-passed bill that would allow a state agency to survey some public school students on their sexual practices was killed Wednesday by the Senate Education Committee. Critics of the measure, including Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office, said the legislation was too broad and would intrude on the privacy of students and families. “We have some concerns … Continue reading →
Fourth- and eighth-grade public school students showed slight gains this year on a test required for promotion, including students in the Baton Rouge area, officials said Wednesday. In addition, the number of students performing on grade level rose by two percentage points, which state Superintendent of Education John White said is notable in grappling with one of … Continue reading →
ZACHARY — Commencement exercises for the 2012 graduates of Zachary High School were held Tuesday, May 22 , at Bethany World Prayer Center in Baker. Valedictorians: Taylor Jolyn Garig, Emily Renee Mann, Taylor Brooke Odom, Madeline Paige Pipkin and Deanne Claire Seamon. Continue reading →
The state’s third-best female high school bowler is considering her school options for next year But Ki’Ara Smith, a student at East Baton Rouge Parish Laboratory Academy, isn’t considering colleges. The 10th-grader is trying to figure out where she will continue her high school studies after EBR Lab closes Wednesday. Smith is … Continue reading →
Baton Rouge-area private and parochial schools have offered more than 1,100 seats for students who hope to escape troubled public schools using state vouchers, officials said Tuesday. The aid, which backers call scholarships, is supposed to offset tuition and fees. Continue reading →
BAKER — The elimination of six jobs and one transfer of duties in the Baker school district caused dissention during the School Board’s meeting Tuesday. Superintendent Ulysses Joseph explained some of the eliminated positions were vacant while others amounted to layoffs. “I’ve been hearing about this at church, at the gym and at the … Continue reading →
More than 5,000 seats will be available for students who qualify for state subsidies to attend private and parochial schools, the state Department of Education announced Tuesday morning. The slots cover 125 schools in 33 parishes, the agency said. Participating schools in East Baton Rouge Parish are Trinity Christian Academy; … Continue reading →
ST. FRANCISVILLE — Bains Elementary Principal Dorothy Temple called the names of scores of students without a hitch during an awards program Monday, but her voice choked with emotion when it came time to acknowledge her “reward” for 47 years in education. Temple, principal of the school since 1991, is retiring. … Continue reading →
A plan to set up a new school district in southeast Baton Rouge, which has rocketed through the Legislature, faces a showdown vote in the state House on Thursday. The two-bill package has passed the Senate Education Committee, the full Senate, the House Education Committee and, for one of the bills, the House Appropriations Committee. Continue reading →
Gonzales — East Ascension High School’s 2012 graduating class held commencement exercises on May 18 at Spartan Stadium in Gonzales. Valedictorian: Jori Medernach Salutatorian: Chauncey Stephens Continue reading →
BACHELOR OF SCIENCES Justin C. Aldridge, Axis, Ala. Barbara R. Bedford, Baton Rouge Ashley B. Coleman, New Orleans Kimberly Michelle Coleman, Baton Rouge Asha Sade Curry, Baton Rouge Continue reading →
Accounting Technology Associate of Applied Science Deshae Baker, Baton Rouge Huong Berthelot, Plaquemine Kristen Broussard, Baton Rouge Joshua Cantu, Denham Springs Patricia Carr, … Continue reading →
LSU GRADUATES FROM EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH Rachel Michelle Theriot. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE … Continue reading →
It was a rare day Friday as Baton Rouge’s three postsecondary institutions held their commencement ceremonies on the same day — all within hours of each other. More than 5,000 students graduated from Baton Rouge Community College, LSU and Southern University. Among about 600 students completing degree requirements at BRCC was Patricia Klemens, a Frankfurt, … Continue reading →
ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana High School held graduation ceremonies for 132 seniors on May 18 at the school’s football stadium. Valedictorians: Courtney Lyn Jennings, Tyra Gabrielle Morrison, Nkechi Nicole Nwabueze, Brianna Nicole Whittaker and Kalyn Elaine Wilson. Salutatorian: Marissa Gabrielle … Continue reading →
Gonzales — St. Amant High School’s Class of 2012 held its graduation ceremony on May 17 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. Valedictorian: Allen Joseph Hernandez. Salutatorian: Morgan Brin Westbrook. Distinguished honors graduates: Aaron Reece Abadie, Brittany Marie … Continue reading →
SLAUGHTER — As teachers and parents congratulated the first seventh- and eighth-graders to complete the school year at Slaughter Community Charter School on Friday, crews were busy working to provide classroom space for another grade next year. The school, which opened in August, plans to add the ninth grade for the 2012-13 school year, and … Continue reading →
LIVINGSTON — The Livingston Parish school system has declared financial exigency for a second consecutive year — and the second time in parish history. The system faces a projected $4.6 million deficit for 2012-13, due to increased retirement contributions and a return to the budget of funds for step raises and three furlough days … Continue reading →
More than 4,500 people will receive college degrees Friday in Baton Rouge. LSU: LSU’s 277th commencement exercise will begin at 9 a.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. For more information, visit http://www.lsu.edu/commencement. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY: Southern’s spring … Continue reading →
The East Baton Rouge School Board approved a contract Thursday for incoming Superintendent Bernard Taylor that will pay Taylor an annual base salary of $225,000 per year, plus incentives for school system improvement. The board also voted to reopen Lee High School, but did not decide what grade levels would be at the school or an … Continue reading →
NEW ROADS — The Pointe Coupee Parish School Board on Thursday unanimously decided to post a reduction in force notice to district employees in the event that layoffs may be necessary to balance the 2012-13 fiscal year budget. But Superintendent Linda D’Amico said the board’s action was simply a “just in case” … Continue reading →
More than 190 students received degrees Wednesday at Our Lady of the Lake College’s commencement exercises held in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena. The Most Reverend Robert W. Muench, bishop of Baton Rouge, was the keynote speaker. His address was titled
“ ‘Transitioning’ — What Life Is All About.” Teresa … Continue reading →
GEISMAR — Dutchtown High School’s Class of 2012 held its graduation ceremony on May 16 at Griffin Field. Valedictorian: Emily Harvey Salutatorian: Sierra Sossamon Distinguished Honor Graduates: Humberto Jose Alexander, Mark Anthony Alsay, Colby … Continue reading →
ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana Parish School Board members clashed over personnel issues at their meeting Tuesday. Board members Milton Coates and James White objected to advertising for a curriculum specialist and an instructional coach to assist with the implementation of the new teaching standards beginning in fall. Common Core State Standards, or CCSS, … Continue reading →
CLINTON — The East Feliciana Parish School Board should consider withholding a “13th check” from employees this summer to avoid wiping out the general fund’s small balance in the coming fiscal year, the board’s financial adviser said Tuesday. Certified public accountant Tommy LeJeune said paying a salary supplement of about $600,000 as the fiscal year … Continue reading →
More than 9,000 Catholic elementary school students in East Baton Rouge Parish could be starting their school day at 7:45 a.m. next year, 45 minutes earlier than this year, in a change expected to save the public school system $2 million a year, officials said. Under a tentative agreement reached with the East Baton Rouge Parish … Continue reading →
PINEVILLE — Louisiana College recognized its 2012 spring graduates in the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in Guinn Auditorium. Graduates from The Advocate’s circulation area include: Laquita Armstead, Donaldsonville; Glenn Barras III, Baton Rouge; Emily Bordelon, Plaucheville; Daniel Chapman, Denham Springs; Kathleen Fairchild, Denham Springs; Devan Greene, Kaplan; Kayla Guidry, … Continue reading →
AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish school system may soon change auditing firms for the first time in 18 years. Of the seven firms responding to a request for proposals, Harris CPA of Baton Rouge fell to the middle of the pack in scoring, Chief Financial Officer Bret Schnadelbach told the School Board’s Financial Advisory Committee … Continue reading →
Central schools won’t be offering vouchers to children in lower-performing public schools in other school districts to attend Central schools this fall, the Central School Board decided this week. In a letter to the board sent last week, Central Superintendent Michael Faulk recommended rejecting participating in the state’s voucher program because the school system is … Continue reading →
When Capitol High School administrators were looking toward this graduation season, one big obstacle they had to overcome was finding a place to hold the ceremony. The small graduating class of 100, out of the 265 students at the school, meant there was little money from senior fees to pay for putting on the event. Continue reading →
A bill that would pave the way for a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge was cleared Monday for a showdown vote in the full Louisiana House. The measure, Senate Bill 563, won approval in the House Appropriations Committee, which was asked to review the financial impact of the change. The vote was 11-8 and … Continue reading →
Louisiana Association of Educators President Joyce Haynes told the Press Club on Monday that union leaders are looking at possible lawsuits and they plan to come back next year to try to overturn Gov. Bobby Jindal’s sweeping education revamp. “We’re going to have to come back and show you that doesn’t work,” Haynes said. “Experts say … Continue reading →
PLAQUEMINE — A proposal by Iberville Parish School Superintendent Ed Cancienne to reverse start times of the district’s elementary and high school students in the upcoming school year got a lukewarm reception from several School Board members Monday night. Cancienne told the board he wants to bump up the start time … Continue reading →
HAMMOND — Southeastern Louisiana University conferred degrees on more than 1,200 graduates Saturday at the university’s spring commencement exercises. Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler was keynote speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center arena. Candidates for associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were honored. Southeastern President … Continue reading →
LAFAYETTE — More than 1,300 students graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette during commencement exercises Saturday. Candidates for graduation are listed by parish and college below. Arts: Dustin J Benoit, Lindsey T Delacerda, Damien Damon Mitchell, John A Prevost. Business Administration: Jeanne M … Continue reading →
A high-ranking LSU administrator recommended the university next week award an honorary doctorate to a booster whose company pays the official a six-figure salary. Opponents to awarding an honorary doctorate in Humanities to Sean Reilly, chief executive officer of Lamar Advertising Co., say the award is a conflict of interest because LSU Provost Jack Hamilton is … Continue reading →
A scaled-down bid to curb bullying in public schools remains alive, and may well win final approval, largely because one Baton Rouge lawmaker had a change of heart. Meanwhile, a bill that would require the teaching of sex education in public schools is likely dead for the session because another Baton Rouge legislator changed his mind. Continue reading →
PLAQUEMINE — The Iberville Parish School System on Friday marked a major expansion of its Math, Science and Arts Academy-West campus with opening ceremonies for its $2.4 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Math learning center. The new 11,000-square-foot center took a little more than a year to construct and adds five additional classrooms to the … Continue reading →
One hundred and seventy-five graduates are expected to participate in the Southern University Law Center 2012 Commencement to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the F.G. Clark Activity Center on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus. The group comprises Fall 2011 graduates and Spring and Summer 2012 graduates. U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, will … Continue reading →