Lafayette Parish School System

🌟 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟! 🌟

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent SPED Summit Conference, an event dedicated to empowering teachers and staff in their careers and classrooms! This wasn’t just your typical professional development session—it was a transformative experience for all who attended.

Here are some highlights and reviews from the event:
✨ 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Attendees had the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and build supportive professional relationships.

✨ 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Participants left the summit feeling empowered and confident in their roles, knowing they have strong support in Special Education.

✨ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: The summit was highly engaging and interactive, leaving attendees inspired and motivated.

✨ 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥: Attendees walked away with greater insight into connecting with students and effective teaching strategies.

Session Highlights:

🔹 Not Just a Para presented by Devin Soeseno and Dr. Samantha Webre
🔹 What Not to Say presented by Janine LaFleur
🔹 Keys to De-escalation presented by Sarah Lemaire
🔹 Trust the Process: Arts Experiences in the SPED Classroom presented by Lian Cheramie, Tim Gaffga, Emme Morgan, and Kelli Richard
🔹 IEP Meetings: An Inside Look presented by SPED staff
🔹 Thriving in the Co-teaching Classroom presented by Meghan Jordan and Traci Sudduth

One attendee sums up the event by stating, "Together we can move mountains in the SPED community!" Thank you to all the presenters, vendors, and participants for making this event a resounding success.

Congratulations to our 2024 LPSS retirees! On Tuesday, June 11, LPSS had the privilege of celebrating employees who have made 2024 their retirement year.

Thank you to all retirees for your significant contributions to the Lafayette Parish School System. Your years of dedicated service are truly appreciated. Congratulations on your retirement!

The Lafayette Parish School System is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Melton as the Director of District Progress and Compliance.

Read the full release on our website:
https://www.lpssonline.com/news/1791931/lpss-appoints-director-of-district-progress-and-compliance

Effective July 1, the positions previously known as Directors of Schools will be reclassified as Chiefs of Schools, and three LPSS veterans will fill the roles: Ginger Richard, Chief of Elementary Schools; John Mouton, Chief of Middle Schools; and Julia Williams, Chief of High Schools.

Read the full release on our website:
https://www.lpssonline.com/news/1791916/lpss-announces-new-leadership-roles

In observance of Juneteenth Day, all LPSS programs and facilities will be closed, on Friday, June 14, 2024. This includes all on and offsite summer school and summer camp programs in the district.

Construction Update: Lafayette High School!

Check out the June 12, 2024, construction update presented at last night's board meeting!

The Lafayette Parish School Board recognized the Elementary LPSS Fitness team for their exceptional performance at last night's board meeting. They were crowned the 2024 Elementary Fitness State Champions and named the "most fit elementary students" in the state! 🏆

Here's a recap of their impressive stats:
These Fitness State Champions boast an impressive team score of 2378 points in the state fitness competition🏃🎽

Standout performers were:
🏆 Kolbron J. from Charles Burke, securing 1st place with an outstanding 639 points, earning him the title of Mr. Fitness 2024. 💪
🏆Kohen B. from Martial Billeaud, taking 2nd place with a commendable 628 points.
🏆Special mentions to Liberty A. (Charles Burke), Amelia B.(Martial Billeaud), Aubrey P. (Martial Billeaud), and Reagen F. (Milton Elementary) for their fantastic contributions to the team's success.

Way to go Fitness State Champions!

Following James Rollins' transfer to Northside High School, the Lafayette Parish School System is pleased to announce that Kimberly Magee has been chosen to lead Lerosen Preparatory School.

Read the full release on our website:
https://www.lpssonline.com/news/1791512/lpss-announces-new-program-administrator-for-lerosen-preparatory-school

Another successful Superintendent Golf Tournament is in the books! Approximately $60,000 was awarded to qualifying seniors as a result!

🏌🏼52 scholarships awarded
🏌🏼‍♂️27 companies represented/donated
🏌🏼‍♀️144 golfer participants

A special thank you to all who were involved in making this event a huge success!

📢 13-Minute Thursdays for Incoming LPSS Kindergarten Families! 📢

🗓️ When: Every Thursday until July 18 (except July 4)
🕛 Time: Noon

The Parent and Family Resource Center is offering quick Zoom sessions with low/no-cost tips to prepare children for school this August. Each 13-minute session covers:

- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Motor Skills
- Safety
- Self-care
- Executive Functioning

Why Join?
Score Freebies
Connect with Other Families
Learn from Home/Office

Just 13 minutes to help children start school with confidence! Don’t miss out!

🔗 **Join on Zoom!**
https://lpssonline-com.zoom.us/j/84457717151

LPSS held its annual Summer Kick-Off for LPSS principals, assistant principals, and some staff. Retiring leaders honored at this event were Perry Myles, Principal of Northside High School, and Director of Middle Schools Kathy Aloisio. LPSS extends its gratitude for your service.

Special thanks to Prairie Elementary for hosting this year's event.

Earlier this week, Employee Services unveiled a Teacher Learning Center, designed to train teachers and help them acclimate to the classroom environment. Located behind Baranco Elementary School, this center is dedicated to fostering growth and professional development. The center features specialized training spaces: one side for elementary classroom training and the other for middle and high school classroom training. Each classroom is uniquely designed to inspire and support educators.

We extend a special thanks to everyone who contributed to this retention effort, including our community partners: Love Our Schools and The Pugh Family Foundation, with support from Nicky Walker, Cy Dugas, and Ryan Martin of LDOE’s Reimagine Grant, Mrs. Latikka Magee with Federal Programs, and LPSS Technolgy Department, Facilities and Maintenance Department, and Warehouse. Special recognition goes to Jacque Toliver and her teacher support coaches Angie McKinley and Reanna Metcalf for their hard work in making this center a reality.

Following the retirement of Perry Myles, the Lafayette Parish School System is pleased to announce that James Rollins has been selected as the next leader of Northside High School.

Read the full release on our website:
https://www.lpssonline.com/news/1791189/lpss-announces-new-principal-of-northside-high-school

The Lafayette Parish School System announces administrative changes in the district.

Read the full release on our website:
https://www.lpssonline.com/news/1791154/lafayette-parish-school-system-announces-new-district-appointments

The Lafayette Parish School Board and Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. extend their deepest condolences on the passing of Richard Zuschlag, a respected community leader and valued partner in education.

Mr. Richard Zuschlag and Acadian Ambulance supported several key initiatives and projects, including the expansion and partnership of health academies programming, offering $1,000 sign-on bonuses and direct employment access to graduates, and serving as a crisis management partner with emergency response readiness. “He was a remarkable individual whose contributions and partnership were invaluable," said Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr.

“The impact Mr Zuschlag has made in our community was huge. He is greatly appreciated and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard and his family.” adds Board President, Brit Latiolais.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with you the passing of our friend, mentor, and leader Richard Emery Zuschlag. Richard fought the hard fight that so many with cancer and its complications have endured. While we mourn our extraordinary loss, we are comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering. He is now in the loving arms of his Lord, in whom he had unwavering faith.

Richard was a much loved and admired agent of change, not only in the state of Louisiana but across the nation. The lives he affected through his vision, generosity, inspiration, and leadership are countless. Whether a friend, employee, peer or patient, all of our lives were changed due to his undeniable determination to make a difference.

His legacy endures through his beautiful family, and in every life saved, every patient helped, and in every battle he waged to ensure that all people had access to high-quality medical care. He never backed down when fighting for the things he loved most: his family, his employees, and the communities he served.

His legacy also lives on in the company he tirelessly worked 53 years to grow and nurture. Acadian Companies is not just a successful organization but also serves as an example of how servant leadership, high integrity and unwavering determination create success, not for one, but for all.

We will forever be changed, forever be grateful, and forever be better because of who Richard was and the lessons and legacy he has left us. He treated everyone with respect and was constantly striving to bring people together for the greater good. It is up to all of us to honor this legacy by living and leading by his example and his faith. Because of Richard, Acadian is stronger than ever, and in his honor, we will carry on his life’s work.

Special thanks go out to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dr. Charles Burnell, Dr. Jason Breaux, Paul Hamilton and the many friends and healthcare providers who attended to him.

Please continue to pray for Richard, his family, friends and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this loss.

Information regarding services will be provided when available. We humbly ask you to please respect the privacy of the family while arrangements are being made.

On Tuesday, June 4, the Lafayette Parish School System Facilities and Long-Range Planning Committee will host their monthly meeting at Ovey Comeaux High School. Civic Solutions Groups will be present to provide an overview of the ongoing district optimization planning process. This meeting is open to the public.

📆Tuesday, June 4, 2024
⏰11:30 am-1:30 pm
❗️The meeting will start at 12pm after a brief facility tour
📌Ovey Comeaux High School—Black Box Theatre

This meeting will also be available online via live stream. Click the link below to access the live stream.
https://www.youtube.com//streams

The Early Childhood Department is hosting summer onsite support sessions around the parish to support families with their Pre-K Application. These sessions are open to any families regardless of home zone. Staff will be available to support with completing the online application, reviewing required documentation, and other questions and assistance.

The Early Childhood office is also open every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm at 207 Town Center Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70506 for assistance.

Every year, our education leaders travel to New Orleans to participate in the Louisiana Department of Education's (LDOE) professional learning conference, the Teacher Leader Summit. This year, the summit saw its largest attendance yet, with over 7,000 educators!

Teachers, school leaders, and system leaders engage in workshops focused on Louisiana's back-to-basics approach to education. This year, members of our very own Math Department led sessions at the Teacher Leader Summit Conference!

Coaches Nicole Disotell and Melissa Duhon led a session titled "Know to Grow: Providing Feedback in Eureka Math Squared Classroom," while Coaches Peggy Jones and Nedra Francis presented "Know to Grow: Discovering the Eureka Math Squared Lesson Components."

A special thanks and shoutout to these individuals for helping to grow leaders and teachers across the state of Louisiana!

Congratulations once again to everyone honored at our recognition event earlier this month! Relive the memorable event and see all of this year's recipients by visiting the link below.

Lafayette Parish School Board Recognitions 2024 118 new items · Album by District Resource

LPSS is providing free meals to children during the summer as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Meal Programs. No registration is needed. The program is open to anyone aged 18 and younger. For times and locations please see the graphic below.

Way to go Aiden!

UPDATE: Lafayette's Aiden Pham makes it through second round Scott Middle Schooler, Aiden Pham, is in the midst of his third consecutive appearance at Scripps National Spelling Bee

From semi-finalist to finalist, congratulations to Teacher of the Year Finalist, J. Joy Stalnaker! Myrtle Place Elementary

Our biggest Teacher Leader Summit ever opened this morning with the live announcement of Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists. These 18 educators were recognized during this morning's opening session. A record 7,000+ attendees are registered to join us in New Orleans this week. https://ow.ly/cFt350RZ4WT

Last week, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Jackie Club,18 LPSS students and club members visited the Louisiana State Capitol to participate in Legislative Day. During the event, students had the opportunity to speak with local legislators, advocating for mental health awareness, su***de prevention, and anti-bullying initiatives. The schools represented at the event were L.J. Alleman, Lafayette High School, DSTMA, and Lafayette Middle.

A big thank you to the Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Jackie Club, for making this experience possible!

Earlier this month, Junior Achievement of Acadiana held its final "JA Day" for the year at Prairie Elementary School, marking its 17th year at Prairie. Students school-wide received an age-appropriate curriculum delivered by a volunteer from the community including Business Academy students from Acadiana High School. The lessons focused on three pillars: financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Lafayette Parish School System offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 28.