Schools get their letter grades
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Claiborne
Parish Schools have gotten their letter grade, but according to Schools
Superintendent Janice Williams, it’s not as bad as it looks.
Last
week, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released its letter grades
for not just all parish school systems, but each individual school as well.
Here’s
how each school scored:
•
Athens High School, D-
•
Haynesville Elementary School, D-
•
Haynesville Jr./Sr. High School, D-
• Homer
Elementary School, D
• Homer
High School, D-
• Homer
Junior High School, D
•
Summerfield High School, C-
Even
though these letter grades look bad, Dr. Williams said it’s not, because many
of these schools have shown some growth, despite the overall grade.
The
letter grades are based on School Performance Scores (SPS), which are based on
several criteria. Each elementary school (K-5) is rated on their attendance
index and assessment index. Each junior high school (K-8 or 7-8) is rated on
its attendance index, drop out index and assessment index. Each high school
(9-12) is rated on its graduation index and assessment index.
Under
the SPS, which used to use a star system, schools that are academically
unacceptable, have a score below 60. For those on academic watch, their scores
are at 60 to 74. Schools that receive one star have a score of 60 to 79, two
stars, 80 to 99, three stars, 100 to 119, four stars, 120 to 139 and five
stars, 140 or above.
Under
the new letter grade system, these scores are then given a letter grade based
on their scores. If the school has an SPS of 120 or greater, then the school
will receive an “A,” and so on.
According
to LDOE’s website, the letter grade policy was enacted by lawmakers in 2010,
sponsored by House Education Chairman Austin Badon, “with the express intent to
give parents and others a clearer measure of how a school is performing.”
Williams
said even though the scores look bad, Claiborne Parish Schools have shown some
growth, and it will all be explained in detail before the start of November’s
regular monthly meeting. On Thursday, November 10, at 5 p.m., Williams will
meet with school board members to explain what the letter grades mean and where
each school has shown growth.
“The
letter grades were released by the Department of Education without any
explanation,” she said. “That’s the problem. This meeting will be open to the
public and everything will be explained then.”
In
other school board news, board members approved revisions to its policies and
adopted some new ones as well. According to Williams, there were approximately
20 revisions with one to two new policies added, including one called
Kindergarten Readiness. This means students will test upon entering
kindergarten and take a “reading readiness” exam.
The
superintendent was quick to assure board members and the public that this test
does not count to whether they will pass kindergarten. Rather, it is a tool to
find out where students stand on their reading skills when entering
kindergarten.
Another
policy revised is the “drug free school zone” policy. It has moved the zone
from 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet. Drugs or smoking will now not be allowed within
2,000 feet of a school or school function. All school activities, such as
sports games, school functions and others are smoke-free.
“All
school facilities are 100 percent smoke free and that includes extra-curricular
activities,” Williams said.
In
other news, the board tabled the agenda item dealing with advertising for bids
for the sale of the Pineview High School building. Roy Mardis, a member of the
Pineview Community Development and Educational Corporation, updated the board,
saying the police jury had voted to send the idea of an intergovernmental
agreement between them and the school board to their committees for further
study. The school board agreed to a meeting with the police jury’s buildings
and grounds committee, of which the school board will send three members --
Danny Lee, Yolanda Coleman and Dr. Robert Haynes.
“I
appreciate the patience and kindness you have shown,” Mardis said, “because we
have been dealing with this for a number of years.”
In
other news, personnel actions were approved by the school board. Homer Junior
High Special Education Teacher Donna S. Alderman tendered her resignation in
September. Tameka Miller will now fill that position.
Also, a
sabbatical change was made for Wanda Merritt, a teacher at Homer Elementary,
who will return to work on November 1. She previously took sabbatical for
medical reasons and has been released by her doctor to return to work in
November.
In the
superintendent’s report, Williams announced that the week of October 24-28 is
Red Ribbon Week, where students will celebrate being drug free.
On
October 28, students, faculty and staff will be allowed to wear pink to
celebrate October as Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Also,
this week is Bus Driver’s week, where bus drivers will be honored for their
dedication and hard work at carrying the parish’s most precious cargo -- our
children.
Remember,
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, the letter grade scores of Claiborne Parish
Schools will be discussed in detail prior to the school board’s regular monthly
meeting. They will meet at 6 p.m. for its regularly scheduled meeting at
Central Office in Homer. For more information or for questions, please call
their office at 318-927-3502.
Man arrested for sex crimes
A joint
investigation led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man as a result of an online
investigation.
Conducted
by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
(CPSO), the investigation was conducted under LSP’s Operation Child Watch
initiative, a joint multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement
operation targeting sexual predators that exploit and victimize children.
The
one-month long investigation revealed that Michael P. Latham, while online,
engaged in numerous sexually orientated conversations with whom he believed was
a 14-year-old female. During those conversations, Latham solicited sexual
favors and sent photos of himself that were inappropriate.
Latham
was subsequently interviewed by investigators and admitted to the allegations,
according to a news release from state police.
Latham
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC) on charges of
indecent behavior with a juvenile and online solicitation of a minor. Bond on
each charge is to be set.
At the
time of his arrest, Latham had been employed as the director of the Harris
Baptist Encampment in Claiborne Parish for nearly eight years.
The
Louisiana State Police remains committed to investigating and arresting those
who sexually exploit and victimize innocent children.
“All
law enforcement agencies continue to actively pursue child predators to ensure
the safety of our children,” a news release from CPSO said.
In
other crime news, on Sunday, October 9, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy
Everette Lewis noticed a white Chevy truck that failed to stop at the U.S. Hwy.
79 bypass and La. Hwy. 9 intersection.
Lewis
conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and as the deputy began his
investigation, he detected a strange odor coming from the vehicle.
Deputy
Aaron Christian and his canine partner arrived on scene to assist. The canine
alerted as to the presence of illegal drugs and as passengers were asked to
exit the vehicle, deputies observed what appeared to be a hand-rolled cigarette
containing a green leafy substance fall onto the running board of the vehicle.
A
passenger in the vehicle, Jaron Adam Winters, 19, of Homer, claimed ownership
of the suspected marijuana. Further search of the vehicle revealed a pack of
cigarette rolling papers commonly used in the smoking of illegal drugs.
Winters
was arrested and booked into CPDC and charged with simple possession of
Schedule I CDS (marijuana). His bond was set at $500.
Multiple agencies train for the worst
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Deputies from the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies all around Louisiana and Texas
spent the week in Claiborne Parish training for all types of situations
officers hope to never deal with but do. Above, these officers, along with
Claiborne Academy Head Mistress Jane Brown, far right, stop for a photo on
Wednesday afternoon, just before concluding exercises for the day. Training
took place at the former Pineview High School in Lisbon and Claiborne Academy.
Canine Officer “Rico,” and his partner Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron
Christian, pictured second from left, assisted in subduing a “suspect” before
his “arrest.” Norm Garner, with the National Canine Interdiction Association,
assisted in training with officers and their canine partners while training in
Claiborne Parish.
The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputies along with several other law enforcement agencies
participated in a training seminar last week.
Using
the old Pineview High School buildings as their training grounds, law
enforcement agencies participated in mock scenarios that involved canine
training, school shooters and others. Canine officers and their two-legged
partners participated in scenarios where they sniffed out drugs, helped detain
a suspect and other scenarios the dogs and their partners must learn.
“We had
some great speakers and some good scenarios that you don’t ever want to
happen,” said Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, “but if it does happen,
we’re trained to go in there and get the shooter.”
Norm
Garner, with the National Canine Interdiction Association (NCIA), said the
seminar included multiple agencies: Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the
Homer Police Department, the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish
Sheriff’s Office, Epps Police Department, Farmerville Police Department, Smith
County Constable’s Office and the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office.
Teaching
the training included Darron Craft with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), John Turner and his team from the U.S. Marshal’s Office, Chris Plants of
the FBI and instructors and members of the NCIA.
“We
would like to give a special thanks to Ronnie McKenzie of the Claiborne Parish
School Board and Claiborne Academy for providing us with training locations,”
Garner said.
And
after the training, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Christian and his
partner Rico were awarded the “Top Dog” and “High Patrol” awards by NCIA.
“We’re
very proud of Deputy Aaron Christian for winning the ‘Top Dog’ and ‘High
Patrol’ awards,” Bailey said. “Aaron does a fantastic job with our canine.”
The
NCIA is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with and provides support
to law enforcement, providing canine officers when the need arises and also
trains canines and their respective partners. Garner and his wife also run a
shelter where they take care of dogs that didn’t make the cut and retrain them
to become viable police officers. They are tested to see if they can be trained
and are tested for their temperament. If they pass these tests, then they are
donated to law enforcement agencies that need these canines and can’t afford to
purchase one.
In
earlier reports, Garner says it’s important that these officers and their
partners train on a regular basis so they don’t lose their edge. It also
creates better bonding between canine and handler. According to Garner, a
properly trained canine enables officers to conduct a search without a search
warrant. These dogs are used for drug interdiction, searches, bomb detection,
burglary detection, criminal apprehension, search for missing persons,
protecting their handlers and to assist other law enforcement agencies.
‘Swamp Gravy’ conference this weekend
Submitted photo
The ‘Swamp Gravy’ conference will be this
Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, at Homer City Hall. Come out and learn how
a small town turned their economy around through the history of its people.
This is
the weekend we’ve been waiting for! With help from the Claiborne Parish Police
Jury, the Town of Homer, the Claiborne Economic Development Board, the Chamber
of Commerce, the Athens Garden Club, Killgore’s Pharmacy and numerous
individuals, the Claiborne Jubilee is bringing Swamp Gravy to Claiborne Parish.
Regional sponsors include Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Louisiana North
Tourism, and the Louisiana
This
could be a transformational event for the parish, but we need a good turnout to
make the magic happen. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now at the
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, the Grapevine, Regions Bank or Killgore’s
Pharmacy.
What
are we doing? We are producing a weekend with the famous community of
Colquitt, Georgia where the Colquitt-Miller County Arts Council has transformed
the spirit and economy of that rural part of southwest Georgia through
storytelling -telling the true stories- and mural making! The idea is that
everyone has a story…some are better at telling it than others, but if you get
the right team with a good story, a strong writer - who fashions the story
into something funny, poignant, frightening, thought-provoking, or absurd – and
a great local community cast to perform the story, you’ve got a winner. A
winner that produces revenue, unites the community, identifies – brands - the
community, and engages everyone! Swamp Gravy has turned good ole Colquitt on
its ear and inspired economic development in multitudes of ways; some of them
aren’t even “artsy!”
Why do
we need YOU? You are the person that can make THIS happen in your community!
Remember how we all joined together to create the Eye-20 “TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY”
commemoration that told the stories of the Elders who witnessed the Great
Depression right here in North Louisiana? This is our idea for the next step:
let’s gather the stories that reflect the uniqueness of each community, gather
the artists who will translate the stories into a theatrical production, then
gather the community members to perform the stories, and finally, gather an
audience to come and experience the production.
Why do
we need YOU on October 14 and 15? The founders and principal actors of Swamp
Gravy are coming to the Town of Homer to produce a two-day workshop that
explains everything from how they did it, to how you can do it, and how we can
create an annual storytelling tour for North Louisiana that attracts visitors
and citizens to come to the stage in each parish and experience the uniqueness
of the region while contributing to the economy!
What
will we do to get you? We’ll “treat” you to the Conference. That’s right; you
won’t pay a conference fee to attend. This is a conference that usually has a
$250 registration fee. However, we are really serious about needing you to
experience the opportunity so that you can tell us if this is something that
your parish – city – or arts organization would be willing to see come to
fruition right here. We are asking for a Registration Fee to hold your seat of
$25 per person and this pays for all meals and two performances. And the Upper
Crust Catering is providing a delicious dinner that you won’t want to miss!
SRAC is providing a limited number of Artists Scholarships for each parish in
Northwest Louisiana. For more information contact, Vickie Marshall,
318-673-6500. Additional scholarships are available by calling Cynthia Steele
318-927-2566.
Here’s
the Conference Overview – All events held at First Presbyterian Church, Homer
Friday, October 14
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 Registration – Meet and Greet
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Becoming a Social Artist Led by Jan Sanders
Why a Social Artist? Each community, neighborhood,
organization, etc. is unique and requires the creativity and passion to design
new responses to change. In this workshop, participants will learn of skills
to develop and recognize natural capacities for creativity and leadership as an
approach to social change.
Noon -1:00 Lunch/Sponsors Recognition Sponsors
1:15 – 3:00
Workshop Continuation: Becoming a Social Artist
3:00 – 4:00
Where Do We Go From Here?
4:00 – 6:00
Visit the Ford Museum and the shops on the town square
6:00 pm
Dinner
7:00 pm
A Taste of Swamp Gravy - A cast from Colquitt, Georgia
will delight you with their storytelling and singing as they tell true stories
from South Georgia.
Meet the cast party with make-your-own sundaes!
Saturday, October 15
10:00 a.m.
Storytelling Circles and Cabaret Led by Gayle Grimsley,
Joy Jinks, Karen Kimbrel, and Charlotte Phillips
Storytelling has been a way of transferring information,
wisdom, legend, and folklore for eons. All humans come from a heritage of
storytelling, but many have forgotten the power and beauty of a community
remembering and preserving this treasure. In the Storytelling Circles you
will learn how to take ordinary, extraordinary stories from story form to the
stage and perform selected stories for the Saturday evening Cabaret.
Noon –1:00
Lunch
1:15 - 4:00
Workshop Continued
4:00 - 6:00
On Your Own
6:00 pm
Dinner
7:00 pm
Cabaret: You’ve Got A Story and I’ve Got Story, We’ve All
Got A Story To Tell
Celebrate our success over Coke Floats.
This is
a perfect fit for Claiborne Parish. Remember, you don’t have to move to live in
a better community!
Introducing the MOCS Homecoming Court
Congratulations to our 2011 Mt Olive
Christian School Homecoming Court! Up front and center is the 2011 Homecoming
Queen Alyssa Patterson. Pictured are, back row from left, Freshman Maid Katie
Watzek, Sophomore Maid Kelsey Ellis, Senior Maid Nascha James, Spirit
Sweetheart Brooke Butler, Football Sweetheart Charli Pate, Senior Maid Heather
Jones, Sophomore Maid Courtney Kidd and Freshman Maid Taylor Jones.
CPPJ, CPSB to meet on Pineview
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
District 1 Claiborne Parish School Board
Member Danny Lee and District 8 Claiborne Parish Police Juror Roy Mardis shake
hands after the school board agreed to meet with the police jury’s buildings
and grounds committee regarding a possible intergovernmental agreement on the
old Pineview High School building.
The Guardian-Journal
Thanks
to the hard work of the Pineview Community Development and Educational
Corporation (PCDEC), the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and School Board are set
to meet regarding the possibility of an intergovernmental agreement to use the
old Pineview High School.
According
to District 8 Police Juror Roy Mardis, in September, the police jury voted
unanimously to amend the agenda and add for discussion the old high school.
At this
time, he said, it was decided to ask for an opinion from the police jury’s
attorney, Danny Newell, in this matter. It was also sent to the buildings and
grounds committee, of which Mardis is a member, for consideration and research.
At
October’s regular monthly meeting, the school board agreed to meet with the
police jury and selected a committee to meet with them. District 1 School Board
Member Danny Lee, District 5 School Board Member Dr. Robert Haynes and District
4 School Board Member Yolanda Coleman will meet with the police jury’s
buildings and grounds committee to discuss the proposed agreement.
At that
time, the school board voted to table advertising for bids for the school
building pending the results from the meeting.
On
Monday, October 3, PCDEC met at Forest Grove CME Church with more than 40
people in attendance. District 3 Police Juror Robert “Bob” McDaniel, also chair
of the police jury’s buildings and grounds committee, was present with his
wife, Theresa. Bill Bailey was also recognized for his support and advice, even
though he was not able to attend the meeting.
The
idea is for PCDEC to lease the building for the purposes of development of
workforce, child care, after school homework care, tutoring, college prep,
games, sports, fitness and nutrition. Also, senior day care, cultural arts and
life skills training will be included. These skills will include home
economics, saving and spending, budgeting, plan spending, decision making,
etiquette, resume writing, communication skills, violence prevention skills and
first aid/CPR for children and adults.
PCDEC
would like to thank the school board for their efforts to accommodate the
Pineview alumni in this matter.
“We
thank the police jury for the consideration being given,” Mardis said. “Our effort is to be a benefit for all
Claiborne Parish and northern Louisiana residents.”
In
2008, Pineview High School was closed by the school board due to budgetary
issues. The school board was actually going into the hole by keeping the school
open. Enrollment was dangerously low, and in the end, it was decided to close
the school. Since that time, Mardis, Pineview alumni and the corporation have
worked to make a plan and obtain the building from the school board.
Mark Your Calendars!
Holloway fundraiser set for October 22
The Guardian-Journal
A
10-month-old baby is in need of the community’s help.
On
Saturday, October 22, a fundraiser will be held at Mt. Olive Christian School
in Athens from 11 a.m. until. The benefit will feature a concert, bake sale and
silent auction. Barbecue plates will be available and raffle tickets are also
being sold for several large items. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Also,
an account has been set up in her name at Gibsland Bank and Trust.
Emilee
Holloway is the daughter of Jennifer and Brad Holloway, and the granddaughter
of Pam and Jerry Hightower and Larry and Debby Wallace.
Emilee
has epileptic seizures, or infantile spasms, in which medication for this
condition is very, very expensive. The family is asking for the community’s
support as their little girl is treated for this debilitating condition.
If you
cannot attend, please pray for the success of the benefit and for Emilee’s
healing. For more information, please call April Smith at 318-245-0080.
What a hole!
La. 2 closed for bridge repairs
The Guardian-Journal photos/K.H.
Hightower
Louisiana Hwy. 2 East has been closed for
the last several days as state crews tear out and rebuild a bridge. According
to officials, construction for the new bridge should be completed within the
next several weeks. The bridge outage has made it tough for residents of the
Lisbon area and around the Arizona Community on Lake Claiborne. Detours have
carried them around to Hwy. 9 into town if they have to come in to Homer.
Treasures in the Attic
When is
the last time you were in Grandma’s attic?
What
treasures might be hidden there for you to discover! An old doll made of wood
and old scraps of clalico, a set of brightly painted blocks made from leftover
pieces of wood, a cast iron fire truck or an early set of Lincoln logs may be
hidden away just waiting to be found.
The
Ford Museum is seeking vintage toys for a new window display, Treasures in the
Attic.
Toys
brought in by the public will be added to those that make up to Ford Museum’s
collection.
If you
have a vintage toy you would like to share with others, please drop it off at
the museum.
Loan
documents will be filled out for all items if necessary. We look forward to
having the window completed by the end of November.
Contact
Linda Volentine at 318-927-9190 or . Museum hours are
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 am to 4 p.m.
