David LeBlanc is a junior at Ascension Catholic High School. He is 17 years old and has a 4.00 GPA. David's parents are Dave and Rhonda LeBlanc of Donaldsonville.
The assistant superintendent of schools in Ascension Parish has moved up the ladder.
Patrice Pujol was unanimously selected Superintendent of Schools by the school board members at the April 6 meeting.
Pujol, a lifelong resident of Ascension Parish, is the first women to hold the post.
Name: Cyle Lamonte’ Brooks
Age: 8
Class: Ms. Lindsey Schexnayder
GPA: 4.0
School: Donaldsonville Primary School
Grade: 2
Ascension Parish Schools Superintendent Donald Songy will retire effective June 30, pending acceptance by the School Board during the regular meeting scheduled Tuesday for 6:30 p.m. at East Ascension High School in Gonzales.
October 19-23 has been proclaimed Teen Vehicle Safety Week and all Ascension Parish High Schools are making students aware of the positive safety choices which can be made. Since traffic crashes are the number one reason for teen fatalities, local teen peer leaders are speaking out this week in order to save lives. Superintendent Donald Songy and the Principals at East Ascension, St.Amant, Dutchtown and Donaldsonville High schools have all been successful implementing a vehicle safety and alcohol use prevention curriculum in their schools called Protecting You Protecting Me. This program is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, Blue Cross Insurance, Governors Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools and SAMHSA.
Senator David Vitter and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell are also great supporters of this program where high school students from Ascension parish mentor children in grades 1 through 5 at Carver, Lake, Dutchtown, Donaldsonville and Lowery Primary schools. PYPM helps reach children before they have fully shaped their attitudes and opinions about alcohol use through youth and their role in preventing it.
Cutting edge technology focuses on the effects of alcohol on the developing brain during the first 21 years of life through a series of health and science based lessons. The program is taught by student leaders of the school who must sign an honor code and be living examples and role models to younger students. Madd LA would like to thank the following high school teachers for implementing this program: Ms. Amy Edmonds at Dutchtown, Ms. Lacey Barbera from EA, Ms. Melissa McCormick from St. Amant and Major Don Bailey and Sgt. Cynthia Jones from Donaldsonville.
For more information regarding this program, please contact Cindy Savoy, Youth Coordinator at 225-926-0807.
On last Tuesday, area schools sponsored a “meet and greet” for parents and students. Students were allowed to meet their new teachers, and receive their new class schedules. Many parents paid additional school costs and signed up for volunteering early.
“The attendance is amazing,” says Lowery Intermediate Principal Monica Hills. “I am glad to see my students back and ready to begin another great year.”
Down the hall at Lowery Elementary, teachers were standing in the hallways to welcome their new bunch of students and allow them to place school supplies in their respective areas.
Parents sat with teachers while they explained what is expected from the students and parents for the year.
Several students paced through the elementary halls greeting everyone and linking with friends.
“I am excited to meet my teacher for the year, and to see all my friends,” says Lowery Elementary student Trent Sullivan.
The eagerness and excitement was an area theme throughout all schools as kids ventured back to school on last Wednesday.
Teachers and staff at Donaldsonville Primary greeted students with open arms as well. Principal Marydine Emery greeted every student and staff assisted parents and students with their schedules.
Students walked down their prospective hallways to greet their teachers, some entering school for the first time.
Major changes came to Donaldsonville High as they welcomed a new principal, and several new teachers this school year.
“Changes are coming for all of DHS, I hope everyone is ready, because we are moving forward,” says Dr. Esrom Pitre, Donaldsonville High Principal.
Students at DHS will now resume school at 7:35 a.m. and dismiss at 2:40 p.m.
Students will enjoy a short vacation for Labor Day observance on September 7 and resume on September 8.
DONALDSONVILLE – The Ascension Parish School Board Tuesday night moved to reissue $7.4 million in bonds.
By taking advantage of lower interest rates, the district could save some $571,000 over the bonds’ term, according to New Orleans-based bond attorney Jerry Osborne.
The Ascension Parish School Board recognized its 2008-09 Students of the Year and its National Board Certified Teachers Tuesday night at East Ascension High School.
Students were selected from every parish school to represent three levels: a fifth-grade student for the elementary level, an eighth-grade student for the middle school level and a senior for the high school level. From each of the three groups, one student was selected as the Student of the Year for the level.
The first annual West Ascension Southern University Alumni Association "Blue and Gold banquet," was an unqualified success. Over three hundred individuals enjoyed a delightful dinner and soothing sounds of jazz held at Rosie's Catering hall, in St. James. The theme for the banquet was: "Education, where do we go from here." Donaldsonville High School's Junior Air Force ROTC led the banquet with the presentation of colors, followed by everyone singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Ronald Julien, president of the association, spoke about the success of the banquet and the importance of the alumni association.
As students headed to school for the first day of classes in Ascension Parish public schools Friday, turbulent weather caused system officials to scramble in the early hours to fix power issues at some campuses.
More than 50 parents and educators discussed options for students who attend two west Ascension Parish schools which have been included on the state's list for those that did not meet minimum standards Monday during an informational meeting.
The Ascension Parish school system learned Friday that Donaldsonville High and Lowery Intermediate schools did not meet minimum standards required by the Louisiana Department of Education that is linked to students' performance on standardized tests, attendance and number of dropouts.
Deputy Clerk of Court Peggy Denoux and Stacy Sagona demonstrate the election booths during an Election Commissioner's class Wednesday night at the Donaldsonville Courthouse. Elections are set for Oct. 4 and Nov. 4.
Malik Washington learned bike safety from Louisiana State Troopers Thursday morning during a back to school event at the Dream Center Church's west campus located at old Lowery Middle School.
Tpr. Sammy Robinson told participants it is important to have an adult with them when they ride bicycles and to come to a complete stop at stop signs and walk their bike across intersections.
The artwork of 46-year-old painter Alvin Batiste of Donaldsonville is celebrated throughout the state for its charm and inspired application.
The E.D. White Historic Site will present Batiste's renowned work in an exhibition forty pieces strong Aug. 15-16.
"The Folk Art of Alvin Batiste" will only be on display for two days, but live painting by Batiste on site enhances the brief celebration.
Joycelyn Jagers, resources teachers, welcomes Carlo Harris and Raquel Harris during Lowery Intermediate School's registration and orientation Friday afternoon. All Ascension Parish public schools begin the 2008-09 school year Friday.
Donaldsonville Air Force Junior ROTC was recently selected as one of 70 units out of 879 to receive the 2007-08 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award with Merit.
Donaldsonville High School is one of only five in the state of Louisiana to receive this award.
Less than 24 hours after speaking at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., Edgard native and former West St. John standout, Tyson Jackson, an LSU senior defensive end, spoke to students at Donaldsonville Louisiana Marine Institute.
Donning LSU's traditional white uniform, Jackson was joined by LSU senior wide receiver, Demetrius Byrd, a Miami native, who sported LSU's limited edition purple jersey with a pelican emblem worn against Tulane last season to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans.
Copies of the proposed revised Ascension Parish Pupil Progression Plan will be available for public viewing at numerous locations throughout the parish, according to a release from Ascension Parish Public Schools.
The plan will be available for viewing at the School Board office, located on Webster Street in Donaldsonville, as well as at Donaldsonville High School, Dutchtown High School, East Ascension High School and St. Amant High School during school hours July 21-Aug. 31.
Five members of the Donaldsonville High School FFA Chapter attended Louisiana's 79th Annual FFA Convention in Monroe June 3-6.
This year's convention theme was "Blue Jackets/ Bright Futures".
Attending were James Hood, Jarlen Joseph, William Breaux, Dontrell Davis, and Ryan Whittington. Members were accompanied by Ag Teacher/ FFA Advisor Jeff Templet.
