[StBernard] News from the St. Bernard Parish Schools to all St. Bernard families:

[Westley Annis]

News from the St. Bernard Parish Schools to all St. Bernard families:

The school system, under the direction of School Superintendent Doris
Voitier, has been operating out of offices in the Louisiana State Department
of Education since our community was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.  Ms.
Voitier remained at Chalmette High throughout the storm and until one week
after the storm had passed.  She then immediately opened offices in Baton
Rouge because that location gives the school district immediate access to
state education officials who could assist us in the rebuilding of our
school district, to student records, to employee retirement and benefits
officials, to state officials who monitor school district programs, to state
government officials, and to internet contact with all students and
employees.

Since Katrina struck, we have been in touch with approximately 150 families
regarding assistance in getting children into school and have even graduated
some students.  We also have heard from about 75% of our employees and
continue to be concerned about those with whom we have had no contact.  You
can access our employee updates by accessing the State Department of
Education's web site at www.louisianaschools.net and ask questions about the
school system by email: beverly.lawrason at la.gov. 

Some important updates for families:

 

The school district hopes to open temporary educational facilities in St.
Bernard in January.  From that point forward, we will rebuild our school
district, school by school. 

 

You may request school academic records for your children by contacting the
Assistant Superintendent at the above email address.  Unfortunately, most of
the records at the schools were lost in the flood.  Academic records are
available through computer records that were saved. 

 

Seniors who are attending schools in other districts and completing
graduation requirements there can forward their transcripts to St. Bernard
Parish Schools in May, and you can request that we issue you an Andrew
Jackson, Chalmette High, or St. Bernard High diploma.  You must still meet
all state graduation requirements, including successful completion of the
Graduation Exit Exam.  We are working on the possibility of a graduation
exercise for our seniors in May.  Stay turned for more information on that
possibility. 

 

Seniors who need to contact Balfour regarding their senior rings can do so
by phone:  866-559-2022 or balfourno at yahoo.com 

 

TOPS officials are asking the legislature to grant some waivers regarding
TOPS requirements such as residency and core course requirements for
students who are attending schools out of state because of being displaced
by the storm or for students who are attending high schools that cannot
offer courses which meet TOPS guidelines.  For more information regarding a
particular situation, ask your question through the above email address. 

 

Many parents are considering home schooling as an option for their students.
Please remember that all home school students should register with the State
Department of Education.  Also, for high school students requesting credit
through home schooling:  credit can only be granted after successful
completion of an equivalency examination.  For more information contact the
school system.  Also, you may wish to consider the Louisiana Virtual School
or the correspondence program offered through LSU. 

 

We want to help your child transition through this school year as smoothly
as possible.  Please contact us and we will be able to assist you.  We hope
to have an office facility operational in St. Bernard within the next few
months.