District News

1.         Move that the Board present a plan of redistricting Board districts in accordance with the 2010 Census not later than the August 2012 meeting.

Authored by Dr. Licciardi

2.         Move that the Board tentatively adopt those sections of the teacher contract that are neither in opposition with new state laws nor in contradiction to the school system’s sch00l-based administration philosophy.  Further, the Board will proceed to negotiate in good faith to create a viable contract that centers on student achievement.

Authored by Dr. Licciardi

3.         Move that all interested parties be notified that the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) not be extended beyond June 30, 2012 and not be in effect after June 30, 2012 in light of new legislation recently signed into law by Governor Jindal, the recent re-organization plan approved by the Jefferson Parish School Board, along with new school board policies, all of which conflict with elements of the existing collective bargaining agreement.

Authored by Mr. Jacobs

NOTE:  These motions will become Second Readings and may be voted on by the Board at its June 6 meeting.

A Meisler Middle School student is set to become the next featured character in a book series by skateboarding star Tony Hawk after winning a national online contest. 

            7^th grade student Autumn Bray is the national winner in an online contest at Tony Hawk’s website.  Bray’s female character/avatar Autumn Rose will be the next featured character in Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution book series that will be available in August 2013. 

“I heard of the series and then my teacher told me about the contest and I entered because I am a huge Tony Hawk fan and I love skateboarding so I figured it would be a really cool and fun contest to enter,” said Bray.

Inspired by its action-adventure, sci-fi book series Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution, the contest invited students to create a unique and inspiring character to be the next member of the Revolution team, a group of teens on a quest to find the remaining pieces of Tony Hawk’s shattered skateboard.

Autumn’s imaginary character is a great student and athlete, active in many sports including cheerleading, softball, soccer, and skateboarding, but loves surfing most of all. Her character likes to try new things and to stand out from the crowd.

“We are inspired by the originality and imagination of all of our finalists and want to offer special congratulations to our winner, Autumn. She had a clear vision about the kind of fictional character she wanted to create and was able to effectively articulate her style and personality, which obviously resonated with readers. Her character is smart, confident, and daring – essential ingredients for the next Revolution team member,” said Capstone Group Publisher and General Manager Ashley Andersen Zantop.

Bray has won a trip to Tony Hawk’s Stand Up For Skateparks 2012 in Beverly Hills in October and a VIP pass to meet Tony Hawk.

            Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution book series features middle school-aged characters participating in skateboarding, snowboarding, and freestyle BMX.  A total of 24 books in the series is planned by Capstone Books. 

            Congratulations to Autumn Bray!

One of the country’s largest banks, a major retailer, and a non-profit organization teamed up to give Greenlawn Elementary School a library makeover.

            Capital One, Target, and the Heart of America Foundation have partnered to award a $65,000 READesign grant to Greenlawn Elementary School to revitalize the school’s library.

The READesign® Library Makeover revitalizes elementary school libraries that engage children in learning, creating a love of reading. Each themed READesign® Library Makeover includes 1,000-2,000 new, high-quality library books, new furniture, and vibrant paint, murals or original paintings by a nationally recognized artist.          

The READesign® Library Makeover program engages volunteers, especially local youth, as well as corporate team members and other members of the community, in service and community involvement through library beautification and improvement activities, book distributions, and one-on-one reading activities with children. The project provides tangible results in the form of a revitalized library, as well as the intangible results of engaging people in caring, compassionate community service to children in need.

Jefferson Parish Public School System Acting Superintendent Dr. James Meza, Jr. said he expects to see a major shift in academic performance in year three of his reorganization of the school system.

Meza added that the reorganization of the system to redirect resources and energies into the classroom coupled with the education reforms from Governor Jindal and the Legislature this year will move the school system’s ranking into one of the best in Louisiana.

Meza made those comments as the keynote speaker at the annual Excellence in Education award ceremony that honors the school system’s students, teachers, and principals of the year.

Meza repeated his message of redirecting resources, reorganizing central office, and reallocating human capital in order to transform the school system.  He said that by the end of the 2013-2014 school year, he expects to see improved test scores.  

The Jefferson Parish School Board will meet in regular session on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 3:00 p.m., at Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, Building 200, 2801 Bruin Drive, Kenner, Louisiana, for the following purposes:

1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Resolution – Canvassing the Election Returns
4. Presentations
   1.   T.H. Harris Student
2.  JPPSS National Merit Finalists

3.  JPPSS Student with 12 Years Perfect Attendance

4.  JPPSS Students of the Year

V.        Approval of Minutes

            VI.       Committee Second Readings

            VII.      Second Readings

1.  Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Dale
2. Mr. Delesdernier
3. Dr. Licciardi and Mr. Jacobs
4. Mr. Floyd and Mr. Jacobs
5. Mr. Delesdernier

 VIII.     Consent Agenda

1. Westbank remainder of the School Year Suspensions
2. Eastbank Remainder of the Year Suspensions
3. School Closure, Consolidation, and Boundary Changes for the 2012/2013 School Year
4. Amendment to the charter school contract for Jefferson Community School
5. Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Child Nutrition Budget Revision,  Fiscal Year 2012-2013  Child Nutrition Projected Budget
6. Engagement of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC to perform audit for FY 2012
7. Settlement of general liability lawsuit filed by Georgette  Hastings, 24^th JDC, case No. 691-112
8. Personnel Recommendations
9. Personnel Case D-5
10. Proposal Tabulations and Recommendations
11. Proposal Tabulations and Recommendations

Construction

12. Administration Building
13. William Hart Elementary School
14. Riverdale High School
15. Maintenance and Operation Agreement with Star Services
16. Washington Montessori
17. Remove a certain construction project from the 60 day hold
18. Terrytown Elementary school
19. William Hart Elementary
20. JPPSS Construction Contract with Architects and Engineers
21. Contract Revisions with JEDCO

IX.       New Business

1. New Business
2. First Readings

X.        Committee Reports

XI.       Directives/Resolutions

XII       Announcements/Good News

XIII.     Adjournment

The Jefferson Parish Public School System will recognize its teachers during the first week of May this year as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Even though the school year will be completed soon, now is the time for students, parents, and the community to show its appreciation to teachers.

Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 7 – 11 this year and May 8^th will mark Teacher Appreciation Day.

So make sure that we all celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week! Show your teacher how much he or she means to you.

Since 1984, the national PTA^® has designated the first full week in May as Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System will honor the district’s high school valedictorians and salutatorians and their guests with Certificates of Merit and gifts at the 23nd Annual VAL / SAL luncheon on May 16. Students will be accompanied to the luncheon by the teacher, counselor, assistant principal, or principal whom they believe most influenced their school career.

Deputy Superintendent Richard Carpenter, who will lead the celebration, will be accompanied by Acting Superintendent Dr. James Meza, Jr. and board members.

The celebration luncheon is scheduled from 11 AM to 1 PM at Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie.