Drive-by shooter case dismissed
Incident still under investigation
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
Haynesville man is behind bars, but not for the shooting incident he was
accused of.
Charges
were dismissed against Cameron Cockrell, who was accused of assault by drive-by
shooting, aggravated assault on a police officer and possession of a firearm by
a convicted felon.
Cockrell
was brought to the Claiborne Parish Courthouse for arraignment on Tuesday,
August 5, on these charges, but after some investigation, the charges were
dismissed on insufficient evidence.
Jim
Hatch, assistant district attorney, said the witnesses just weren’t credible.
“On
further investigation, there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges,”
Hatch said. “After we looked at the statements of the ‘witnesses’ we felt like
they were not credible and could not be used in court.”
The
dismissal came on an oral motion to dismiss, but that doesn’t mean the case is
over.
“If
additional evidence is presented that gives us credible evidence, then we will
recharge the defendant,” Hatch said.
It
cannot be considered double jeopardy because Cockrell has not been to trial. At
this moment, the case is still under investigation, and if anything develops, the
case will be pursued further.
Cockrell
was arrested in June after the Haynesville Police Department received a report
that the suspect had shot at another police officer’s home. Witnesses had come
forward identifying Cockrell as the shooter.
He is
currently serving a mandatory 90-day sentence for probation violations. He is
on probation for an unrelated charge – possession of a Schedule II controlled
dangerous substance, methamphetamine – and the original sentence was a
suspended two-year sentence at hard labor, in which he was placed on active
probation.
He
violated his probation by not reporting to his probation officer for four
months, owning a dangerous weapon, consorting with convicted felons, leaving
the state without permission and was not drug and alcohol free.
Based
on those violations, his probation could have been revoked, said Hatch. These
were considered technical violations, so he was ordered returned to jail for 90
days. If he violates his probation again, then his probation can be revoked,
and can be ordered to serve his original sentence, which was 2 years.
Police investigate possible homicide
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Homer
Police and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department are asking for any
information regarding a case that appears to be a homicide.
The
Homer Police Department was dispatched to 607 East College Street on Saturday,
August 9, where they found a black male, identified as Charles Ray Kelly, 52,
of Homer, deceased.
When
police arrived, they found the victim unresponsive and not breathing, according
to a press release from Homer police. Paramedics from Pafford Ambulance
Services arrived on scene, finding Kelly lying next to the fence and sidewalk
area at the residence. They were not able to locate a pulse or heartbeat at that
point. Claiborne Parish Deputy Coroner Dr. Sam Abshire arrived on scene where
he pronounced the victim dead.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Booth arrived a short time later to assist Homer
Police in its investigation. Officers collected and photographed evidence at
the scene. Smith Transportation in Haynesville transported the deceased to Little Rock, Ark., for an autopsy.
As of
press time, an official cause of death is unknown.
Investigators
are following every possible lead and are asking anyone with any information
regarding this case to call Captain Donald Malray at the Homer Police
Department at 927-4000 or Deputy Ben Booth at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office, Criminal Investigation Division, at 927-9800.
Check out our Back-to-School edition!
School begins August 21
Dress Codes
Supply List
The Guardian-Journal
It’s
that time again! The kids in Claiborne Parish will be returning to school next
week, on Thursday, August 21.
In
light of all the hustle and bustle of getting ready to start school again, The
Guardian-Journal is here to help make parents’ jobs a little easier. In this
week’s edition, several helpful tips will be given on school zone safety,
traffic safety, and much, much more.
Check
out the inside pages for all the information you might need to help your child
get back into the groove. Find out where to get uniforms, school supplies, what
immunizations your child might need, and much more.
Also,
in next week’s edition, we’ll be gearing up for football, so don’t forget to
pick up your copy.
For
more information, call us at 927-3541. Thank you for choosing The
Guardian-Journal as your source for back to school!
A message from the Superintendent
New Horizons
There
are many things we are looking forward to for the 2008-09 school year for the
Claiborne 
Parish School Board. We will be unveiling a new Claiborne Parish
School Board website which will include hyperlinks for teachers, parents and
students. This website is designed not only to be informational but a resource
for the entire community to improve education in Claiborne Parish.
Teachers
will have a direct link to the Comprehensive Curriculum and other instructional
resources, as well as, professional development opportunities. Parents will
have links available to help them support the educational success of their
child. There will be links to advise them on internet safety, teenage safety
and a link to LaCHIP, which offers them no or low cost health insurance for
their child.
Students
will have access to a new web-based program called Kids College. They will be
able to access it at school or home. It is an exciting interactive program that
strengthens K-8 skills in reading and mathematics.
Louisiana Pass is another
skills option for students to use. We will continue to build the website with
additional offerings that will be made to students of all grade levels. Please
visit the site at www.ClaibornePSB.org
In
addition, we will be implementing a new reading adoption in our schools. In
grades Pre-K-6, we will be using “Treasures,” from Macmillan/McGraw Hill, and
in grades 7-12, from Glencoe McGraw Hill. In Grades 7-8, we will be using “Reading with a Purpose,” grades 9-10 will be using “Readers Choice,” and grade 11 will be
using “American Literature.” Grade 12 will be using “British Literature.”
We will
also be piloting a new 8th grade math program in two schools this year with the
purpose of raising test scores. Our special education teachers are being
trained in “LANGUAGE,” a special program for students having difficulty in
reading.
Also,
under high school redesign, all incoming freshman will be required to pass 24
units of credit as specified by the Louisiana Department of Education, plus
GEE21 requirements in order to graduate. The freshman will have several options
to choose from for endorsements (career/technical endorsement, academic
endorsement).
New
legislative laws and the vision to “create a world-class education system for
all students in Louisiana,” as outlined by the Louisiana Department of
Education, seamlessly enhance the changes that have been stated above. These
innovations are only the beginning of how our schools will be impacted. We are
building and working towards meeting the needs and educating the students of
Claiborne Parish.
Wayne King
Superintendent
Here’s a little help with starting back
to school
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
With
school starting in a few days, local parents want to know what supplies are
needed, where to get them locally, and how much they’re likely to cost.
The
Guardian-Journal lists school supplies elsewhere in this issue of the paper.
Local school officials estimate supplies at $30-$50 per student.
Rising
gasoline and other household costs may present a challenge in covering
necessary school expenses. What to do?
Although
most families manage to secure needed school supplies, not all households can
cover everything. School personnel point out that some churches donate funds
for school supplies. They add that some area merchants help local schools with
gifts of pencils, paper, pens, and such for students whose families cannot
afford to buy supplies.
With
regard to school uniforms, local merchants who offer the uniforms include Fred
Smith and Sons and Miss Lizzie’s. A spokesman for Fred Smith and Sons says they
have school uniforms in all sizes. Miss Lizzie’s offers school uniforms as well
as teacher supplies.
For
families with cramped budgets, Clothes Etc., a nonprofit effort supported by
several local churches, can provide school uniforms and other clothing, most
items at fifty cents to a dollar each.
Many
teachers buy some supplies with their own personal funds. One teacher says,
“When you teach pre-K, kindergarten, and first-grade, you will run out of
tissues, paper towels, and crayons.”
Most
teachers agree that if a family has difficulty getting needed school supplies,
the parent or guardian should discuss the situation with the teacher. Something
can usually be worked out. Teachers may be able to direct the parent or
guardian to a helpful program or to other school personnel who can provide
practical assistance.
Ronnie
McKenzie, who oversees the public school bus system, advises that the school
board has acquired four new buses. Most routes will be the same this year with
slight modifications resulting from Pineview’s closure. Lines have been redrawn
with some former Pineview students assigned to Summerfield and others to
Homer.
McKenzie
also cautions drivers to slow down in school zones. He reminds drivers that
it’s illegal to pass a bus with its “STOP” sign extended. That’s also true when
picking children up at school. It’s illegal to go around even a stopped bus
with the extended “STOP” sign. McKenzie notes that law enforcement will issue
tickets to violators.
Paula
Becker, who supervises the Claiborne Parish school lunch program, confirms that
the prices for school lunches are not changing from last year. Breakfast will
be 50¢ and lunch $1. Reduced prices are 30¢ and 40¢ respectively.
—o—
“As
long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.” (anonymous)
New regulations on school buses
Editor’s Note: The following letter is from the
Superintendent of Schools Wayne King and Transportation Supervisor Ronnie
McKenzie regarding new regulations on student transfers on the school buses.
“Beginning
this school year, 2008-09, we will be instituting new regulations concerning
students transferring from one bus to another when going to school or returning
home. Listed below are the new regulations:
• All
students will be assigned a seat on the bus. This applies to both morning and
afternoon routes.
•
Students will be assigned to a bus based on residency. Students can no longer
change buses unless they have changed residency. This is for the safety of the
students and the prevention of overcrowding buses.
•
Telephone calls or notes to change buses for students will not be accepted at
the school. The school will not be allowed to give that permission. Please
direct your requests to the Transportation Department, or the school principal
concerning any changes about your child’s situation.
• If,
due to unforeseen circumstances, your child cannot ride their regularly
assigned bus, you, as the parent/guardian, will need to make arrangements for
their transportation.
Your
cooperation and support is needed so that we can continue to provide the same
professional quality of bus transportation for our students.”
For
those who have any questions regarding this matter, call the Claiborne Parish
School Board at 318-927-3502.
DART accepting donations of school
supplies
Claiborne
Parish’s Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is accepting school supply
donations for the 2008-2009 school year to help chldren who have been
victimized by domestic violence.
Children
fleeing abusive homes usually leave with very little. They may transfer to
another school, and their mothers are strapped financially.
In the
past, DART has helped with necessary school materials for these young ones, but
supplies are running low. Although unable to care for all a child’s needs, DART
can help with many necessary items.
DART
seeks donations of the following: book bags, #2 pencils, loose leaf paper,
5-subject notebooks, 1-subject notebooks, three-pocket folders, Crayola
markers, Fiskas scissors, Elmer’s white school glue (no glue sticks, please),
manila folders, dry erase markers, paper towels, blue and black pens, red pens,
construction paper, Kleenex tissue, highlighters, 16-count crayons, and other
items on the school lists.
If you
can help, contact Mary Ellen Gamble at 927-2818 or bring donations by the DART
office in Homer.
Why immunizing your child is still
important
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Vaccinations
are an excellent way to protect your little one from life-threatening diseases.
Since the start of widespread immunizations in the United States, the number
of cases of some formerly common childhood illnesses like measles and
diphtheria have declined dramatically.
Immunizations
have protected millions of children from potentially deadly diseases and have
saved thousands of lives. In fact, some diseases crop up so rarely now that
parents are sometimes asking if the vaccinations are necessary anymore.
Truthfully,
most diseases that can be prevented by vaccines do still exist in the world,
even in the U.S., although they rarely do occur. In reality, vaccinations still
play a very crucial role in keeping our children healthy.
Unfortunately,
misinformation about vaccines could make some parents decide not to immunize
their children, thereby putting them and others at a greater risk of
contracting one of these diseases. Vaccines work by preparing your child’s
body to fight an illness.
Each
immunization (shot) contains either a dead or weakened germ, or parts of it,
that cause a particular disease. Your child’s body practices fighting the
disease by making antibodies that recognize specific parts of that germ.
This
permanent, or long-standing, response means that if your child is ever exposed
to the actual disease, the antibodies are already in place and his/her body now
knows how to combat it so that your child doesn’t get sick. This is called immunity.
Many
parents worry that by exposing their child to a disease through immunization
will actually give the child that particular disease, but it is impossible to
get a disease from any vaccine made with dead bacteria or viruses or just part
of the bacteria or virus.
Only
vaccines made from weakened live viruses, like chicken pox or measles, mumps
and rubella (MMR), could possibly make a child develop a mild form of one of
those diseases. It’s almost always much less severe than if the child had contracted
the disease by being exposed to the virus itself. The risk of disease by
immunization is extremely small. Few things in medicine work 100% of the time,
but vacines are a great weapon against disease. They work in 85% to 99% of all
cases.
The
best time to immunize your child is when they are healthy. Because the vaccines
work by protecting the body before disease strikes, if you wait until your
child gets sick, it will be too late for the vaccine to work.. Vaccines are
intended to keep healthy, active children healthy. A few vaccines, like the one
for measles or the series for Hepatitis B may make you immune for your entire
life. Others, like the tetanus shot, last for many years but require periodic
boosters for continued protection. Children who are between the ages of four
and six years old should receive four vaccinations, the Hepatitus B series;
Diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and Pertussis; inactivated poliovirus; and
measles, mumps and Rubella (MMR) before starting school.
Adolescents
ages 11 and 12 now receive the Hepatitus B series; Diphtheria and tetanus; and
MMR boosters to help control some of these diseases. Teens between the ages of
13 and 18 also receive the Hepatitus B series and Diphtheria and tetanus
boosters before beginning college.
It is
also a good idea to get the flu vaccine each year even if you or your child got
it the year before. The protection wears off and flu viruses change constantly
from year to year. That is why the flu shot is updated each year to include the
most current strains of the virus.
The
flu shot reduces the average person’s chances of catching the flu by up to 80%.
Getting the vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get sick by the symptoms
are usually fewer and milder.
Claiborne Parish School Faculties
Athens High School
Principal:
Craig E. Roberson; Assistant Principal: Carrie Hathorn Short; Second Grade:
Anjanette N. Bailey; 8th-12th Grade Math: Paul E. Bean; High School
English/Librarian: Shannon K. Brewster; 6th-11th Grade Social Studies: Nancy
Casey; Pre-K: Angela W. Corbin; High School Special Ed/6th Grade Science:
Rhonda Grigsby; Elementary Special Ed/7th Grade Math; Leroy Hamilton; Fourth
Grade, Patsy M. Jackson; 6th-12th Grade HPE/Basketball, Marcus D. Jackson;
Third Grade: Amecia K’Vonne Johnson; Business/7th Grade Language, Talisia
Specks Kennedy; 7th-12th Grade Science, Brandy McNeal; Kindergarten, Janell B.
Overstreet; First Grade, Jennifer A. Watson; Fifth Grade, Ethel R. Williams;
6th-8th Grade Reading/6th Grade Math/ 6th and 8th Grade Language, Katherine
Winzer.
Haynesville Elementary
Principal:
Robert Michael Bond; Pre-K Special Ed, Jennifer Bailey; 4th Grade ELA, Amy B.
Bays; Third Grade Math, Michele L. Bays; 2nd Grade Math, Karen Buford; First
Grade Math, Tamela R. Click; Pre-K Title I, Martha M. Crittendon; 4th Grade
Math, Jill H. Dick; Kindergarten, Michelle Eubanks; First ELA/Math, Peggy S.
Holloway; Kindergarten, Judy B. Holly; 2nd ELA/Math, Judy A. Hudson; Special
Education, Amy Hough; 1st ELA, Rosemary J. Kirkindoff; Pre-K, 8G, Kathryn Lee;
2nd ELA, Connie W. Lewis; Kindergarten, Melissa Ann McEachern; 2nd and 4th
Grade Special Ed, Mary L. Presley; 3rd ELA/Math, Cherry Rhodes; Pe/Boys
Basketball, Chad Rook; 4th ELA/Math, Jennifer L. Ware; 3rd ELA, Jeanne Martine
Wilson
Haynesville Jr./Sr. High School
Principal:
William A. Kennedy; Administrative Assistant: Timothy W. Crittendon; Art, Karla
S. Allen; 6th Grade English, Penny Andrews; High School HPE/Girls Basketball,
Richard Britt; High School Science, Ricky L. Brown; 5th and 6th Grade Science,
Laurie Coker; 6th Grade Math, Martha Dison; IBCA/HPE, David A. Franklin; High
School English/Librarian, Leigh Ann Gantt; High School Social Studies, Beverly
Coleman Garcia; 7th and 8th Grade Special Education, Andre Hampton; Home
Economics, Lorie Rene Harper; High School Science, Martha Harson; 7th Grade
English/High School Social Studies, Leah Haynes; 5th Grade English, Tara
Hollis; 5th and 6th Grade Social Studies, Leslie Hollis; Special Education,
James T. Jackson; High School English, Jeannie S. Kirk; Business Education,
Lynn A. McCoy; High School English, Erin McKenzie; Spanish I&II, Sheryl
Meadows; Junior High HPE, Keith Morgan; Hihg School Math, Monica S. Beene; 5th
and 6th Grade Special Education, Byron Sanford; High School Math, Melanie Scruggs;
Junior High Social Studies, Rodger Randolph Sexton; 8th Grade English, Dana M.
Smith; Business Education, Sharon Spence; Counselor/Social Studies, Ted G.
Waller; 7th and 8th Grade Math, Thomas Watson; 5th Grade Math, 7th and 8th
Grade Science, Connie L. Winn
Homer Elementary
Principal:
Patrice S. Lee; Assistant Principal: Debra Winzer; Special Ed, Resource 5, Amy
S. Anderson; First Grade, Kimberly Ann Baker; Pre-K, Christine Baker; First
Grade, Amber Flenniken Barton; Kindergarten, Miranda Louise Bogle; P.E. Timothy
W. Connelly; Second Grade, Donna Lenora Dean; Special Ed, Life Skills, Claudia
T. Duckworth; First Grade, Cathy Carver Ellis; Fifth Grade, Bobby Ray Evans;
Second Grade, Susan W. Ewing; Third Grade, Donna T. Gantt; Third Grade, Dorthee
Garner; Kindergarten, Andrea Heard Gaston; 4th Grade, Kristin Emerson Goede;
5th Grade, Rosemary Grimm; Special Ed, Resource Pre-K/Kindergarten, Sandra B.
Hardwell; Library, Maggie Harris; Special Ed, Resource 1 & 2, Elizabeth Z.
Haynes; 4th Grade, Melanie Smith Holloway; 4th Grade, Helen L. Houston; Pre-K,
Katherine D. Johnston; 5th Grade, Hester L. Jones; 2nd Grade, Monica
Kirkpatrick; 4th Grade, Sandra Jo Langley; 3rd Grade, Ashley Lonadier; 1st
Grade, Lisa Gay Long; 3rd Grade, Michelle B. Martin; Kindergarten, Margaret A.
McKenzie; Kindergarten, Vicky S. Monzingo; 4th Grade Dana Parks; Pre-K, Kathy
Lynn Pipes; 2nd Grade, Wanda S. Reeder; Special Ed, Resources 3 & 4, Karen
Tigner; Kindergarten, Myrhonda Turner; Nurse, Lara Edwards Waddle; 5th Grade,
Andre L. Washington; 2nd Grade, Carla Renee Whitehead; and 4th Grade, Gussie M.
Young
Homer High School
Principal:
Dwight B. Mitchell; Dean of Students, Gurtha Capers; Assistant Principal, Sara
Seeliger; Algebra I/Geometry, Kendra L. Bonnett; Spanish, Annie Bradshaw;
Algebra 2, Shirley M. Duty; Biology 2, Anthony Gantt; Health/PE 1, 2, 3, 4,
Bernice Elaine Gilbert; Civics/Free Enterprise/American Government, Joseph W.
Guillory; Chemistry/Biology, Willia Hatter; English 1, 2, Susan T. Hays; Option
3, Marilynn M. Holyfield; World Geography/World History, Glen Kyle;
Library/Reading, Jan Marie Veuleman; Family Con. Sci. 1, 2/Ad
Res/Par/Edu/Food&Nut, Elner Makia; Special Education, Noel B. Moore;
English 2, 3, Jamie Bass Nichols; English, 4, 2, Denice S. Owens; Wood, Ralph
L. Pike; BCA/Acct. 1, 2/Desktop Publishing; David C. Ridley; Advanced
Math/Geometry, John Sampson; Band/HJH, Lenward T. Seals; Special Education,
Donna H. Smith; Intro BCA/Financial Math, Norman Bernard Tharpe; American
History/Old Testament, Robert Wayne Volentine; Physical Science/Environmental
Science, Cher L. Wallace; Option 3, Anthony William Weaver
Homer Junior High School
Principal:
Twyla C. Hilton; Administrative Assistant: Mazeroski Bursey; Special Education,
Donna Alderman; Librarian, Keith D. Beard; 8th Grade Math, Donald A. Bellew;
6th Grade Language Arts, Ellen E. Conner; 6th Grade Social Studies, Jennifer
Deaton; 7th Grade Social Studies, Shirley Ford; 8th Grade Science, John Steven
Grafton; 7th Grade Science, Missy Gray; PE/Coach, Stephenie L. Gray; 8th Grade
Social Studies, Debra D. Harmon; 8th Grade Language Arts, Kimberly H. Hays;
Gifted, Donna Hudson; 6th Grade Math, Regina Diane Manning; Special Education,
Ray McPhee; Gifted Art, Rhonda Faye Porter; 7th Grade Math, Jessica R. Richardson;
7th Grade Language Arts, Audrey Kay Turner; 6th Grade Science, Debra M. Watson
Junction City Schools
First
Grade, Deborah T. Barron; 5th Grade, Teresa L. Brady; Elementary PE, Kim Y.
Brantley; 1st Grade, Nancy C. Dodson; Home Economics Teacher, Alice Anita
Littleton; Assistant Principal/Coach, High School, William R. Lowe; Business
Teacher, Orice Deneen Miller; Social Studies/Coach, Bradley E. Smith;
Elementary Counselor, Mitzi Thompson
Summerfield School
Principal:
D’Arcy Stevens; Guidance: Tammy H. Jerry; Pre-K, Karla C. Aycock; Middle School
History, Denise Campbell Baugh; 4th Grade, Christy L. Chandler; History, Devona
Ann Cowling; Elementary Science, Beverly B. Curry; 1st Grade, Patricia Eddens;
5th Grade, Clara Evans; Science, Christopher E. Hightower; PE, A.Z. Johnson;
Art, Rebecca Nassif Lowe; Business, Lasonia S. Manning; Spanish, Sheryl E.
Meadows; 6th Grade, Charlotte Sue Moring; 1st Grade, Monica H. Morrow; Special
Education, Terry Pelfrey; History, Ernest J. Ratcliff; Kindergarten, Julia Ann
Rockett; Math, Gregory Paul Scriber; Middle School Science, Amy L. Scriber;
English, Carol A. Simpson; Math, Melanie M. Sims; 3rd Grade, Nakia K. Smith;
Special Education, Karen J. Smith.
Claiborne Alternative School
Principal:
Clifton E. Lewis; Assistant Principal: Sandra M. Boston; Special Education
Teacher, Terry Battle; Alternative School Teacher, Linda F. Mozeke
Central Office/Title 1/Special Education
APE PE,
Perry D. Anderson; Food Service Supervisor, Paula W. Becker; Child Welfare and
Attendance Supervisor, Mike Blackwelder; 3-Year-Old Preschool Teacher, Kimberly
A. Clements; Title I, II, V Supervisor, Carl S. Craig; Special Education
Director, Diane W. Dyer; Pre-K Coordinator, Tammy H. Emerson; Social Worker,
Stephanie Franklin; School Psychologist, Kaylon Therese French; IEP
Coordinator, Rhonda S. Hatfield; Technology Supervisor, Janet H. Holland;
Transitional Coordinator, Jan C. McCullin; School Nurse, RN, Angela S. McCurry;
Human Resources Manager, Mary McDaniel; Maintenance Supervisor, Ronald D.
McKenzie; Title I Director, Barbara F. Monzingo; Social Worker, Thais M.
Morelos; Home School Interventionist, Ruby J. Polk; School Psychologist, Erin
Elizabeth Rouse; Educational Diagnostician, Lisa Gail Spillers; Educational
Diagnostician, Sovella Thompson; Elementary Programs Supervisor, Mary G.
Triplet; Secondary Programs/Adult Education Supervisor, Janice Marie Kennedy
Williams; and Business Manager, Ginger D. Woodall.
Parish student test scores improving
CPSB Teacher of the Year recognized
Maggie Harris, center, was recognized as
the Claiborne Parish Teacher of the Year. Pictured at left is Superintendent
Wayne King and far right is School Board Vice President Vera Meadors.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Claiborne
Parish students have improved, according to state statistics recently released.
According
to LEAP statistics, 97 percent of fourth grade students in Claiborne Parish met
approaching basic and basic standards when they took the LEAP test last spring.
This means that fourth grade students surpassed the statewide average, which
was 84 percent.
“This
is one tremendous accomplishment,” said King. “The attribute goes to teachers,
to the administrators that run those schools, to the children who took the test
and learned, and the support of the parents that went into this to make it
happen. When we say the fourth grade, they did a bang up job, but also the
pre-K teachers, kindergarten, first, second and third grade teachers – they
built the foundation for where those kids need to be. Let’s not forget that
they are all doing something in our schools that is really outstanding.”
Regarding
eighth grade students, 74 percent met approaching basic and basic standards.
The eighth grade test scores did not quite meet the state average, listed as 78
percent, but they did make a huge improvement from last year’s percentage,
which was 66 percent.
“There’s
something going on in our schools that are good,” he continued. “This gives us
encouragement to take a lot of pride in what’s going on in the classroom. We
need to keep working towards the goal of being successful academically.”
Students
taking the GEE, or the general exit exam, for high school students in grades
10-12, 53 percent met the approaching basic level, while 38 percent were
unsatisfactory, and 10 percent met basic in English Language Arts. In
Mathematics, 45 percent were unsatisfactory, while 27 percent were approaching
basic, 24 percent was basic and 3 were at the mastery level. In Science, 73
percent met unsatisfactory level while 27 percent met approaching basic. In
Social Studies, 83 percent met unsatisfactory level while 17 percent met the
approaching basic level.
In some
areas, Claiborne Parish students faired better than the average statewide. For
instance, in English Language Arts, the percentage of students who met
approaching basic surpassed the statewide average. Also, the percentage of
students who met approaching basic and basic in Claiborne Parish was higher
than the state average. In Social Studies, the parish percentage was lower than
the state average in approaching basic and unsatisfactory.
These
scores are from the 2007-08 school year. Superintendent Wayne King said school
performances will also be in by September.
The
school board also recognized its teacher of the year. Maggie Harris, librarian
at Homer Elementary, was chosen because of her exemplary work with the school’s
library. Before her arrival at the school, Homer Elementary had no library. She
has literally built a whole new world for Homer’s children from scratch.
She
came to Claiborne Parish from Arkansas, retiring after 28 years, and has a deep
love for children. She has been with Homer Elementary since August 2003.
Homer
Elementary Principal Patricia Lee said Harris has been a big asset to the
school.
“She is
the one that has furnished that library from the ground up,” Lee said. “She
continually works hard. Whenever we need somebody with a lot of energy,
Maggie’s the one we call on, because she has a lot of energy.”
Harris
received a plaque for her honor and received a brand new laptop computer.
Harris
said a special thank you to many involved in her teaching experience in
Claiborne Parish, including Lee, and Mary McDaniel, personnel supervisor. She
also thanked God for giving her the ability to teach, but she also spoke highly
of her support system, which includes her husband of 33 years, and her son, who
is currently in Iraq.
“I just
want to thank each and every one of you who have said a kind word or an encouraging
word,” she said. “And if you get a chance to come by the library, bring your
checkbook, because we’re still trying to raise money for our books.”
In
other school board news, a resolution was passed for its millage rates, which
means those rates will not roll forward. It was set at 5.94 last year and will
be at 5.16 this year.
“These
will collect the same amount of money as they did last year on our ad valorem
tax,” said Ginger Woodall, the school board’s business manager. “It looks like
we’re adjusting down, but we’re collecting the same amount of money.”
The
special operations and maintenance tax will be at 5.02. Last year it was 5.78.
In the special funds, school district 1 maintenance tax is set at 4.08 mills,
district 11 at 3.16, district 13 at 11.96, district 16 at 3.92 and district 26
at 9.25.
“Year
after next is when we will have to start lowering that tax, because we will be
paying more principal on the bond issues,” Woodall said.
The
bond and interest tax for district 11 will be set at 31.5 mills and bond and
interest tax for district 13 will be set at 35.42 mills.
The
school board also made a few changes to the student handbook, adding a few
things required by the state, plus its new transfer policy.
Other
changes were in Procedures for “In House” Drug Testing and School Bus rules and
regulations.
In
personnel news, Charles Bryant resigned as Haynesville Junior/Senior High
School’s assistant principal. Tim Crittendon was appointed by the school board
to replace him. Also, Lynn McCoy was appointed to administrative assistant to
fill Crittendon’s vacancy.
Three
teachers in Claiborne Parish also received a check for $750 from the Alliance for Education. Those teachers include Harris for her grant called “Who’s Who in
our Community?” Also, Kristi Chandler of Summerfield Elementary received a
grant for $748.18 for Accelerated Reader. Theresa Brady of Junction City also
received a grant for $693 for her grant called “Creative Class.”
Two caught smuggling drugs into prison
The Guardian-Journal
Two
people were caught trying to smuggle drugs into a state prison last weekend.
On
August 9, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies J.T. Williams and Darren Keel
received a call to David Wade Correctional Center regarding introduction of
contraband (narcotics) into a state penal institution.
Upon
arrival, Williams and Keel made contact with Warden Ray Hansen, who stated
Dianne D. Adams, 41, of Monroe and her 16-year-old son were visited an inmate,
Frankie Adams.
The two
individuals brought marijuana into the correctional facility and attempted to
give it to Inmate Adams. Dianne Adams tried to distract prison guards while the
juvenile threw a bag of marijuana into the room where Frankie Adams was.
Both
suspects were transported to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigation Division for questioning by Detective Charles Buford.
Dianne
Adams was arrested and charged with introduction of contraband into a state
penal institution and simple possession of marijuana with bond set at $5,500.
Her 16-year-old
son was arrested and charged with introduction of contraband into a state penal
institution and simple possession of marijuana.
The
juvenile was then escorted to a juvenile facility.
Burn ban lifted
The burn ban in Haynesville and Fire District 3 has been
lifted. For more information, or if you have any questions, please call the
Haynesville Fire Station at 624-1611.
She did it! Her hair is HOT PINK!
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Christina Griffin, communications
representative for the American Cancer Society, (pictured far right, standing)
said if Claiborne Parish raised $60,000 for the ACS, she would dye her hair
purple. Well, it didn’t exactly come out purple, but it was hot pink. Pictured
from left, back row, are Barbara Lindsey, Sandra Griggs, Glenda Bailey, April
Chachere, Elbie Dickens and Griffin. Seated, from left, are Cindy Bolling,
Nancy Mason and her granddaughter Kylie Ryan, age 2. For more information, call
Griffin at 318-648-7178 or go to their website at www.cancer.org.
Highway safety officials urge drivers to
exercise caution as school year begins
Sheriff reminds everyone to be safe
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey would
like to remind motorists that school is beginning for the year
2008-09.Please note speed limits posted
in our school districts.
“The first few weeks of school are always
hectic and involve adjustments on everyone’s part,” Bailey said. “Please drive
carefully. Our primary concern is the safety of our children. Have a good
school year!”
BATON
ROUGE – With many schools across Louisiana opening this month, the Louisiana
Highway Safety Commission is reminding drivers to take special safety
precautions as child pedestrians, school zone speed limits and school buses
reintroduce themselves to morning and afternoon traffic.
“Schools
are opening their doors all across the state, which means you will see children
walking, school buses making frequent stops, and more cars on the road as
parents drive children to and from school,” said Lt. Col. John LeBlanc,
executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. “It’s important
that motorists understand and obey traffic laws to make school days safer for
children and adults alike.”
Many
children across the state travel to and from school via school buses, which
make frequent stops to pick up and drop off students. Motorists are required to
stop at least 30 feet away from a school bus that has stopped to load or unload
children. Stopping is required by law whether you are meeting the bus from the
opposite direction or traveling behind it. However, motorists are not required
to stop when a school bus is stopped in opposite lanes on a roadway separated
by a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier or any obstacle that prevents
traffic from driving thereon.
“A bus
that has stopped to unload or pick up students will extend its stop arm and
activate its flashing red lights,” LeBlanc said. “Failing to yield when a bus
extends its stop arm not only endangers the lives of children exiting the bus,
but can result in costly fines.”
Drivers
must take other safety precautions during the school year, such as slowing down
and obeying the posted speed limit in school zones. All motorists should also
be alert and watch for students, who may dart into the street without looking.
Additionally, carpool drivers
are responsible for making sure all children are in their age-appropriate seats
and that all restraints and seat belts are correctly fastened. Children who
have outgrown safety or booster seats should be seated in the rear seats of the
vehicle with seat belts properly fastened. Louisiana law requires all children
ages 13 and under to be restrained in an appropriate child safety seat.
The
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission also recommends parents and guardians keep
their children safe by teaching them these good habits:
• When
waiting for the school bus, line up away from the street as the bus approaches.
• After
entering the bus, find a seat and remain seated until the bus comes to a
complete stop.
• When
exiting the bus, always stop at the curb and wait for a signal from the bus
driver before crossing the street.
•
Children who walk or ride bicycles to school should be taught to look left,
right and left again before crossing the street, to cross only at designated
crossings, and to never dart out into traffic or enter the road from between
parked cars. Young cyclists should always wear helmets, which are required by
law for riders ages 12 and under.
Claiborne Healthcare Foundation gets
first business partner
Submitted photo
Pictured from left are Dwayne Woodard,
Doug Efferson, Jery Adkins, Scott and Tommy Davidson, John Watson, and Ann
Burton. Not pictured are Joey White and Robert Haynes.
Scott
and Tommy Davidson of Sugar Creek Farms, Inc. are pictured holding the
Louisiana-shaped award they received at the Business and Industry Committee
meeting on Wednesday, August 6, after making their donation.
The
Davidson brothers have the distinct honor of becoming the first Business
Partner of Claiborne Healthcare Foundation. Other Business and Industry
Committee members pictured are Dwayne Woodard; Doug Efferson, hospital
administrator; Jerry Adkins; John Watson and Ann Burton. Committee members not pictured
are Joey White, chairman; and Robert Haynes.
The
Davidsons are proud to show their support of the Critical Care . . . Close to
Home Campaign, which includes renovating the intensive care unit and remodeling
the medical/surgical nursing station and cafeteria.
A gift
to Claiborne Healthcare Foundation stays right here at home as every dollar
given funds the capital project of Homer Memorial Hospital.
To
become a business partner or for more information about Claiborne Healthcare
Foundation, please contact the Foundation office, located in Homer Memorial Hospital, at 927-1400. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join other friends
of Claiborne Parish in promoting and sustaining quality healthcare for our
area.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
