Make the Grade 2017

July 27, 2017

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plus

SCHOOL RATINGS and contacts > NEW TEACHER BUSprofiles ROUTES where to find them > CURRICULUM

updates BUILDING UPGRADES > BUILDING here’s what’s new

YOUR LOCAL GUIDE

additions

FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

+ +GRADS’ BUSPRINCIPALS ROUTES + + CALENDAR GRADS’ADVICE ADVICE ++NEW CALENDARS

2 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 3

WE WANT YOU

BACK IN THE GAME • Sports injuries– ACL/MCL/LCL reconstruction, meniscal tears patella-femoral pain, rotator cuff repair, shoulder dislocation, shoulder separations, ankle injuries and many more.

• Acute pain conditions– tendonitis, bursitis, muscle strains, ligament sprains.

• Chronic pain conditions– osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis.

• Spinal disorders– Degenerative Disc Disease, scoliosis, spondylosis, disc herniation, laminectomies, fusions and other neck, back, and sacral injuries.

• Joint replacement– shoulder, hip, knee.

• Workers compensation claims

ORTHOPEDIC EXCELLENCE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.

STEVEN MISTRETTA PT, DPT Clinical Director Physical Therapist

1001 SCHOOL ST. • HOUMA, LA • 985-868-1540 WWW.GULFCOASTORTHOPEDICS.COM

TODD LAMBERT PT, DPT Physical Therapist

4 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

PUBLISHER

FROM THE TOP

LEE BACHLET

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR MARIAN LONG

CREATIVE

SHAUN HEBERT AMBER HUTCHINSON

Get ready for a great school year

D

EDITORIAL

ear Parents, I hope the summer was enjoyable for you and your child. School will be opening soon, and we want to welcome all students back.

As we begin a new school year, we want you to know that we are committed to providing a quality education for your child.

This past school year was one of many successes and positive student growth for our school system. Terrebonne

KEITH.MAGILL@HOUMATODAY.COM GARRETT.OHLMEYER@HOUMATODAY.COM

ADVERTISING

MARIAN.LONG@HOUMATODAY.COM

CIRCULATION

DSHUMAN@GATEHOUSEMEDIA.COM

ONLINE

HOUMATODAY.COM DAILYCOMET.COM

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 is created annually

by Gatehouse Media LLC, The Courier & Daily Comet parent company, and is distributed with various GateHouse papers across the country.

Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publications are those of the authors and do no necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. ©2017 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PHILIP MARTIN

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CORD COLOR CLIQUE CORD BRACELETS CAN BE CUSTOMIZED IN A RAINBOW OF COLORS.

Fine Clothing for Men & Women

Parish is one of the top five parishes in Louisiana in terms of growth in mastery on state tests. We want this school year to be even better.

Your child’s education is our highest priority.

During the course of this year, we encourage you to contact your child’s school should you have any questions.

On our website, tpsd. org, you will find some very basic opening of school information. Your child will receive much more information when

school begins.

Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower every student every day. We’re looking forward to another great school year.

- Philip Martin is superintendent of Terrebonne Parish’s public school system. The Courier and Daily Comet’s erfforts to solicit a welcome message from Lafourche schools Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews were unsuccessful.

play with

play with COLOR COLOR

CHRISTO CUFFS CAN BE WORN THREE WAYS – FLIP THE LEATHER INSERT OR WEAR THEM CHRISTO CUFFS CAN BE WORN THREE WAYS ON THEIR OWN.CUFFS GET EVEN MOREBE COLORCHRISTO – FLIP THE LEATHER INSERT CAN OR WEAR THEM FUL WITH EXTRA LEATHER INSERTS. ON THEIR OWN. GET EVEN MORE WORN THREE WAYS - COLORFLIP FUL WITH EXTRA LEATHER INSERTS. THE LEATHER INSERT OR WEAR THEM ON THEIR OWN. GET EVEN MORE COLORFUL WITH EXTRA LEATHER INSERTS.

Downtown Houma • 7873 Main St. • (985) 868-1505 Store Hours: MON-FRI 9AM-5:30PM, SAT 9AM-4PM WWW.EARLWILLIAMSSTORE.COM

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 5

OUR BEDSIDE MANNER HAS NO BOUNDARIES BECAUSE WE’RE JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

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You might find us giving safety presentations in schools, offering employee health evaluations in the workplace, or serving as trainers on the sidelines.

Since its inception, our award-winning Community Sports Institute has helped at more than 2,800 area events. It’s all part of revolutionizing how we keep helping you get better.

6 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

GRADS’ ADVICE TO FRESHMEN We asked some of Terrebonne and Lafourche’s most recent high school graduates to offer some advice to this year’s incoming high school freshmen. Here’s what they had to say.

CIERRA WINCH

CAITLIN HARRIS

Covenant Christian s you embark on your high school journey, you learn a lot about the type of person you are. You will both gain and lose some friends. The memories you make last a lifetime. Your experience will include triumphs and hardships, but you will always remember the people who stood by your side through it all.

Thibodaux High once had a teacher tell me that school is as fun as you make it. High school can be a series of amazing years or years of just getting by, and the difference is involvement. I recommend joining every club you can until you find one that feels like home. For me, that was Student Council.

I

COURTNEY CLARK

A

QUINN LAPEYROUSE

Thibodaux High e open-minded. Be open to new classes, new clubs, new sports and definitely new friends. You’d be surprised at how many new people you meet and what you have in common with others over the next four years.

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South Terrebonne High igh school is great, but it’s not your entire life. Learn to love it, take what you can from it. This is the start, the take-off point, into the journey that you decide to make with your life.

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NEED TO KNOW

Kids need vaccines

Where to find bus routes

Works in progress

Louisiana law requires children ages 4 or older and entering kindergarten, pre-k or Head Start programs to have proof they received the following shots:

You’ll find bus routes and schedules online at the Terrebonne Parish public school system’s website, tpsd.org, and Lafourche’s website at mylpsd.com. Both school systems provide bus service to the area’s Catholic schools as well.

Both websites offer all kinds of information to help parents and students. Some of what you’ll find:

A few building upgrades that will greet students:

q 1 booster dose against polio. q 2 doses measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. q 3 doses of hepatitis vaccine. q 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine. q 1 booster diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis.

Kids 11 or older entering sixth grade must have proof they received all immunizations above, as well as the following: q 1 meningitis vaccine. q 1 additional tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine.

-- Source: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

q Detailed school calendars. q Lunch menus q Contact information for school board members, schools, administrators and others. q School policies and procedures. q A schedule of start and dismissal times at each school. q Agendas for each school board and committee meeting.

Lafourche Chackbay Elementary: Construction is under way for a new $13.3 million building. Expected completion: mid-2018.

Tennis courts: Courts at the three public high schools are undergoing renovations.

Security upgrades New fences at W.S. Lafargue, Lockport Lower, North Larose and Cut Off elementaries will help create one entry point.

Terrebonne Southdown Elementary: Officials broke ground in February on the new building. Estimated cost: $15 million. Completion expected in June.

South Terrebonne High: Electrical upgrades done.

Reroofing Ellender Hlgh: Repairs will begin soon.

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 7

TERREBONNE SCHOOL INFORMATION ELEMENTARY

Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 725 PRINCIPAL: Dawn Fleniken GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 876-1007

ACADIAN ADDRESS: 1020 Saadi St., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 791 PRINCIPAL: Monica Breaux GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 876-0612 BAYOU BLACK ADDRESS: 4449 Bayou Black Drive, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 203 PRINCIPAL: Melynda Rodrigue GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 872-2460 BOURG ADDRESS: 4413 St. Andrew St., Bourg ENROLLMENT: 472 PRINCIPAL: Jennifer Blanchard GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 594-3663

Students prepare to have their pets blessed during a program at St. Bernadette Catholic School in Houma.

THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE

Here is a list of Lafourche and Terrebonne public and private schools, followed by enrollment, principal, state letter grade (available for public schools only), address and telephone number.

Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 402 PRINCIPAL: Melanie Wallis GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-3 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 872-1990

Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 384 PRINCIPAL: Christina Robinson-Pink GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 876-2272

BROADMOOR ADDRESS: 1010 Broadmoor Ave., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 621 PRINCIPAL: Melissa Soileau GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 879-1042

GIBSON ADDRESS: 6357 South Bayou Black Drive ENROLLMENT: 210 PRINCIPAL: Lacest Campbell GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 575-3260

LISA PARK ADDRESS: 6639 Lisa Park Ave., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 647 PRINCIPAL: Terez LeBlanc GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 876-1055

COTEAU BAYOU BLUE ADDRESS: 2550 Coteau Road, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 767 PRINCIPAL: Tess Daigle GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 868-4267

GRAND CAILLOU ADDRESS: 3933 Grand Caillou Road, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 525 PRINCIPAL: Amanda Callahan GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 879-3001

MONTEGUT ADDRESS: 1137 La. 55, Montegut, LA ENROLLMENT: 275 PRINCIPAL: Andrea Rodrigue GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 594-3657

DULARGE ADDRESS: 621 Dularge Road, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 367 PRINCIPAL: Cheryl Degruise GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 876-0176

HONDURAS ADDRESS: 530 Grand Caillou Road, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 250 PRINCIPAL: Anita Dufrene GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-3 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 872-5695

MULBERRY ADDRESS: 450 Cougar Drive, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 944 PRINCIPAL: Gwen Ferguson GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 872-5328

EAST HOUMA ADDRESS: 222 Connely St.,

LEGION PARK ADDRESS: 710 Williams Ave.,

OAKSHIRE ADDRESS: 5459 Vicari St.,

POINTE-AUX-CHENES ADDRESS: 1236 La 665, Montegut, LA ENROLLMENT: 141 PRINCIPAL: Cindy Chauvin GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 594-2131 SCHRIEVER ADDRESS: 2052 W. Main St., Schriever, LA ENROLLMENT: 539 PRINCIPAL: Miranda Babin GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-3 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 868-1199 SOUTHDOWN ADDRESS: 1327 Bayou Dularge Road, Theriot, LA ENROLLMENT: 195 PRINCIPAL: Kanika Smith GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-3 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 879-1629 SOUTHDOWN UPPER ADDRESS: 5001 Bayou Black Drive, Gibson, LA ENROLLMENT: 110 PRINCIPAL: Casannah Moses GRADE LEVELS: 4-6 PHONE: 575-3261 UPPER LITTLE CAILLOU ADDRESS: 4824 La 56, Chauvin, LA ENROLLMENT: 556 PRINCIPAL: Trisha Melancon GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 594-4071 MIDDLE AND JUNIOR HIGH CALDWELL ADDRESS: 445 La 311, Schriever, LA ENROLLMENT: 370 PRINCIPAL: Ronald Foret

8 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

GRADE LEVELS: 4-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 868-2565 ELYSIAN FIELDS ADDRESS: 700 Hibernia Place, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 404 PRINCIPAL: Markita Grant GRADE LEVELS: 4-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 876-2041 GRAND CAILLOU ADDRESS: Grand Caillou Road, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 348 PRINCIPAL: Judy Gaspard GRADE LEVELS: 5-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 876-7172 LACACHE ADDRESS: 5266 La 56, Chauvin, LA ENROLLMENT: 379 PRINCIPAL: Mark Thibodeaux GRADE LEVELS: 5-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 594-3945 MONTEGUT ADDRESS: 138 Dolphin Drive, Montegut, LA ENROLLMENT: 545 PRINCIPAL: Jennifer Pitre GRADE LEVELS: 5-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 594-5886 VILLAGE EAST ADDRESS: 315 Lafayette Woods, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 232 PRINCIPAL: Roneka Coleman GRADE LEVELS: 4-6 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 868-4900 EVERGREEN ADDRESS: 5000 West Main St., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 710 PRINCIPAL: Kelly Burlette GRADE LEVELS: 7-8

STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 876-2606 HOUMA JUNIOR HIGH ADDRESS: 315 St. Charles St., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 1035 PRINCIPAL: Darrell Dillard GRADE LEVELS: 7-9 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 872-1511

GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 872-3277

PRINCIPAL: Jason Hutchinson GRADE LEVELS: K-12 PHONE: 851-7567

SOUTH TERREBONNE ADDRESS: 3879 La 24, Bourg, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,009 PRINCIPAL: Mark Torbert GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 868-7850

HOUMA CHRISTIAN ADDRESS: 109 Valhi Blvd., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Jimmy Champagne GRADE LEVELS: K-12 PHONE: 851-7423

OAKLAWN JUNIOR HIGH ADDRESS: 215 Acadian Drive, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 420 PRINCIPAL: Torrey Carter GRADE LEVELS: 7-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 872-3904

TERREBONNE ADDRESS: 7318 Main Street, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 968 PRINCIPAL: Scotty Dryden GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 879-3377

HIGH SCHOOLS

TERREBONNE CAREER AND TECHNICAL ADDRESS: 3051 Patriot Drive, Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: William Simmons Jr. GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 PHONE: 851-1163 PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ELLENDER ADDRESS: 3012 Patriot Drive, Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 996 PRINCIPAL: Blaise Pellegrin GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 868-7903 H. L. BOURGEOIS ADDRESS: 1 Reservation Court, Gray, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,507 PRINCIPAL: Principal Matthew Hodson GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 872-3277 SOUTH TERREBONNE ADDRESS: 3879 La 24, Bourg, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,009 PRINCIPAL: Mark Torbert GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 868-7850 H. L. BOURGEOIS ADDRESS: 1 Reservation Court, Gray, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,507 PRINCIPAL: Principal Matthew Hodson

COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ADDRESS: 144 Rue Des Affaires, Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Jason Hutchinson GRADE LEVELS: K-12 PHONE: 851-7567 HOUMA CHRISTIAN ADDRESS: 109 Valhi Blvd., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Jimmy Champagne GRADE LEVELS: K-12 PHONE: 851-7423 MARIA IMMACOLATA CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 324 Estate Drive, Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Prissy Davis GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 876-1631 PRIVATE SCHOOLS COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ADDRESS: 144 Rue Des Affaires, Houma, LA

MARIA IMMACOLATA CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 324 Estate Drive, Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Prissy Davis GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 876-1631 ST. BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 309 Funderburk Ave., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Lydia Landry GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 872-3854 ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 300 Verret St., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Brenda Tanner GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 868-6646 ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 441 Sixth St., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Genevieve Gottschalk GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 876-2038 ST. MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL ADDRESS: 266 Gabasse St., Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: Myers McAllister GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 872-5573 VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH ADDRESS: 209 S. Hollywood Road, Houma, LA PRINCIPAL: David Boudreaux GRADE LEVELS: 8-12 PHONE: 876-2551

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 9

LAFOURCHE SCHOOL INFORMATION ENROLLMENT: 365 PRINCIPAL: Principal Holly Bouzigard GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 693-7597

ELEMENTARY BAYOU BLUE ADDRESS: 1916 Bayou Blue Road, Houma, LA. ENROLLMENT: 753 PRINCIPAL: Becky Plaisance GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-4 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 879-4378

SOUTH THIBODAUX ADDRESS: 200 Iris St., Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 467 PRINCIPAL: Diane Smith GRADE LEVELS: 4-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 446-8471

BAYOU BOEUF ADDRESS: 4138 La 307, Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 288 PRINCIPAL: Kenn Robichaux GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 633-2352 CHACKBAY ADDRESS: 101 School Lane, Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 361 PRINCIPAL: Robby Lee GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 633-2348 CUT OFF ADDRESS: 177 W 55th St., Cut Off, LA, 70345 ENROLLMENT: 495 PRINCIPAL: Deborah Griffin GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 632-3116 GALLIANO ADDRESS: 148 W 158th St., Galliano, LA ENROLLMENT: 442 PRINCIPAL: Ragan Lorraine GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 632-7211 GOLDEN MEADOW LOWER ADDRESS: 118 Alcide St., Golden Meadow, LA ENROLLMENT: 235 PRINCIPAL: Kelly Adams GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-2 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 475-7385 GOLDEN MEADOW UPPER ADDRESS: 124 N. 3rd St., Golden Meadow, LA ENROLLMENT: 222

ST. CHARLES ADDRESS: 1690 La. 1, Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 198 PRINCIPAL: Andrea Delcambre GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 446-6862

A group of graduates celebrate at South Lafourche High School’s commencement May 25 at the school in Galliano.

THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE

Here is a list of Lafourche and Terrebonne public and private schools, followed by enrollment, principal, state letter grade (available for public schools only), address and telephone number.

PRINCIPAL: Buffy Boura GRADE LEVELS: 3-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 475-7669 LOCKPORT LOWER ADDRESS: 1421 Crescent Ave., Lockport, LA, 70374 ENROLLMENT: 467 PRINCIPAL: Myra Ougel GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-2 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 532-2846 LOCKPORT UPPER ADDRESS: 201 School St., Lockport, LA ENROLLMENT: 375 PRINCIPAL: Ann Hodson-Foret GRADE LEVELS: 3-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 532-3223 NORTH LAROSE ADDRESS: 175 Richardel Drive, Larose, LA

ENROLLMENT: 286 PRINCIPAL: Rachel Crosby GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 693-3445 RACELAND LOWER ADDRESS: 144 Bowie Road, Raceland, LA ENROLLMENT: 438 PRINCIPAL: Valerie Bourgeois GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-2 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 537-6837 RACELAND UPPER ADDRESS: 3759 La. 308, Raceland, LA ENROLLMENT: 363 PRINCIPAL: Tina Guidry GRADE LEVELS: 3-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 537-5142 SOUTH LAROSE ADDRESS: 154 W. 25th St., Larose, LA

THIBODAUX ADDRESS: 700 E. 7th St., Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 639 PRINCIPAL: Robin Bourgeois GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-1 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 446-6116 W. S. LAFARGUE ADDRESS: 700 Plantation Road, Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 494 PRINCIPAL: Monica Tauzin GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-5 STATE LETTER GRADE: D PHONE: 447-9292 MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH BAYOU BLUE ADDRESS: 196 Mazerac St., Houma, LA ENROLLMENT: 444 PRINCIPAL: Andre Adams GRADE LEVELS: 5-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 851-1952 EAST THIBODAUX ADDRESS: 802 E. 7th St., Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 314 PRINCIPAL: Tanya Richard GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: C

10 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

PHONE: 446-5616 GOLDEN MEADOW ADDRESS: 630 S. Bayou Drive, Golden Meadow ENROLLMENT: 366 PRINCIPAL: Hennessy Melancon GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 475-7314 LAROSE-CUT OFF ADDRESS: 13356 W. Main St., Larose, LA ENROLLMENT: 495 PRINCIPAL: Samantha Lagarde GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 693-3273 LOCKPORT ADDRESS: 720 Main St., Lockport, LA ENROLLMENT: 372 PRINCIPAL: Ashleigh Landry GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 532-2597 RACELAND ADDRESS: 3737 La 308, Raceland ENROLLMENT: 353 PRINCIPAL: Nancy Curole GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 537-5140

PHONE: 532-3319

SIXTH WARD ADDRESS: 1865 Choctaw Road, Thibodaux ENROLLMENT: 258 PRINCIPAL: Kenneth Delcambre GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 633-2449

SOUTH LAFOURCHE ADDRESS: 16911 E. Main St., Cut Off, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,036 PRINCIPAL: Gaye Cheramie GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: A PHONE: 632-5721

WEST THIBODAUX ADDRESS: 1111 E. 12th St., Thibodaux, LA, 70301 ENROLLMENT: 444 PRINCIPAL: Gregory Cook GRADE LEVELS: 6-8 STATE LETTER GRADE: C PHONE: 446-6889

THIBODAUX ADDRESS: 1355 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux, LA ENROLLMENT: 1,407 PRINCIPAL: Glenn Haydel GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: B PHONE: 447-4071

CENTRAL LAFOURCHE ADDRESS: 4820 La. 1, Raceland, LA ENROLLMENT: 1342 PRINCIPAL: Jarod Martin GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 STATE LETTER GRADE: A

LAFOURCHE PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Ellender High cheerleaders root for the Houma school’s boys basketball team in a January home game against the Assumption High.

THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 12925 E. Main St.,

Larose, LA 70373 PRINCIPAL: Scott Bouzigard GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-8 PHONE: 693-3342 HOLY SAVIOR CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 201 Church St., Lockport, LA PRINCIPAL: Tricia Thibodaux GRADE LEVELS: K-8 PHONE: 532-2536 ST. GENEVIEVE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 807 Barbier Ave., Thibodaux, LA 70301 PRINCIPAL: Chris Knobloch GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 447-9291 ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 501 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA PRINCIPAL: Gerard Rodrigue Jr.

GRADE LEVELS: Pre-K-7 PHONE: 446-1346 ST. MARY’S NATIVITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY ADDRESS: 3492 Nies St., Raceland, LA 70394 PRINCIPAL: Marissa Bagala GRADE LEVELS: K-9 PHONE: 537-7544 E. D. WHITE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ADDRESS: 555 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA PRINCIPAL: Michelle Chiasson GRADE LEVELS: 8-12 PHONE: 446-8486 E. D. WHITE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ADDRESS: 555 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA PRINCIPAL: Michelle Chiasson GRADE LEVELS: 8-12 PHONE: 446-8486

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 11

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12 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 13

PHOTOS: The Courier and Daily Comet

BACK TO SCHOOL

Throwback to school

4

H

ere are some scenes from campuses around Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes during the past school year. They offer a glimpse of some of the activities awaiting this year’s students.

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1.- Members of the E.D. White Catholic High football team emerge from the tunnel onto the field for a game in September against Berwick High.

2.- In conjunction with United Way for South Louisiana and a number of area organizations and businesses, Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Arlanda Williams (right) hosted a Pack the Bus school drive at her restaurant, Big Meats, before school started in August.

3.- The Central Lafourche High School band plays this afternoon at a pep rally Aug. 27 at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration at the school auditorium in Mathews.

4.- King Colin Cherry rides in St. Bernadette Catholic School’s Krewe of Panda Carnival parade Feb. 24 in Houma.

5.- Terrebonne Parish School Board members and others break ground Feb. 15 for a new Southdown Elementary School in Houma.

6.- Graduates Jenna Kraemer (left) and Courtney Clark pose for a selfie May 23 during Thibodaux High School’s commencement at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium.

14 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017

JUST THE FACTS District 7: Roger Dale DeHart, 879-1329 District 8: Donald Duplantis, 873-8239 District 9: Vicki Bonvillain, 381-1501 Superintendent: Phillip Martin, 876-7400 School Board Office: 201 Stadium Drive, Houma

LAFOURCHE PARISH Enrollment: 14,756 students

2016-17 Budget Revenue: $166.2 million Local: $82.5 million (50 percent) State: $65.9 million (40 percent) Federal: $17.8 million (10 percent) Spending: $175.1 million Instruction: $117.1 million (67 percent) Support: $32.2 million (18 percent) Debt: $15.5 million (9 percent) Charter schools: $9.3 million (5 percent) A teacher works with a student at Thibodaux High School.

PUBLICSCHOOLS

THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE

Budgets and board members

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

T

errebonne and Lafourche each operate about 30 public schools, and combined, the two parishes enroll more than 32,000 students. In addition, the Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux enrolls about 5,500 students at 13 schools, and several other religious and private schools serve students in the area.

Here’s a quick look at the two parishes’ public school systems, based on data from local school boards and the state Education

Department. Included is a list of elected school board members who set policy and help constituents with concerns.

Instruction: $157.9 million (85 percent) Support: $26.4 million (14 percent) Debt: $1.2 million (0.65 percent)

TERREBONNE

School Board members

Enrollment 18,101 students

District 1: Roosevelt Thomas, 876-7612 District 2: Gregory Harding, 876-0393

2016-17 Budget Revenue: $188.6 million State sources: $92.4 million (49 percent) Local: $71.5 million (38 percent) Federal: $24.8 million (13 percent) Spending: $185.7 million

District 3: Richard “Dicky” Jackson, 868-1657 District 4: Debi Benoit, 493-2563 District 5: Brenda Leroux Babin, 876-7947 District 6: L.P. Bordelon, 876-3305

School Board members District 1: Louis Thibodaux, 447-9407 District 2: Brooke Huddleston, 227-0075 District 3: Richmond Boyd Jr., 447-6691 District 4: Marian B Fertitta, 447-6691 District 5: Mary Breaud, 447-1534 District 6: Gregg Stall, 441-2019 District 7: Gary Foret, 537-3433 District 8: Open District 9: Julie Breaux, 532-6283 District 10: Dennis Jean Chiasson, 532-5758 District 11: Clyde J. Duplantis III, 857-9143 District 12: Ann Sanamo, 693-3082 District 13: Al Archer, 632-3094 District 14: Ray Bernard, 632-2312 District 15: Calvin Duet, 475-5524 Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews, 446-5631 School Board Office: 805 E. Seventh St., Thibodaux

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 15

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DATES TO KNOW Here are the 2017-18 calendars for Terrebonne and Lafourche public schools. In most cases, Catholic schools follow the same calendars; check with your child’s school for specifics.

LAFOURCHE Aug. 4: Teachers’ first day (No students) Aug. 9: Students’ first day Sept. 1: Staff training day (No students) Sept. 4: Labor Day holiday Sept. 11: Student progress reports sent home Oct. 6: Staff training day (No students) Oct. 9: Fall break Oct. 17: Report cards Nov. 13: Student progress reports Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 20-Jan. 2: Christmas-New Year’s holidays

Jan. 3: Students return to class Jan. 8: Report cards Jan. 12: Staff training (No students) Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 5: Student progress reports Feb. 12-16: Mardi Gras holidays March 21: Report cards March 30-April 6: Spring break April 23: Student progress reports May 10: High school seniors’ last day May 24: Students’ last day of class May 25: Last day for teachers

TERREBONNE Aug. 3: First day for teachers (No students) Aug. 4: Staff training (No students) Aug. 7: First day for students Sept. 4: Labor Day holiday Sept. 6: Student progress reports sent home Oct. 6 and 9: Fall break Oct. 17: Report cards Nov. 10: Student progress reports Nov. 20–24: Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 20-Jan. 2: Christmas holidays

Jan. 3: Students return to school Jan. 8: Report cards Jan. 12: Staff training (No students) Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday (holiday) Feb. 5: Student progress reports Feb. 12-16: Mardi Gras holidays March 20: Report cards March 30-April 6: Easter holidays April 23: Student progress reports May 23: Last day for students May 24: Staff training (No students) May 25: Last day for teachers

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 17

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MEET THE PRINCIPAL

Scotty Dryden

S

cotty Dryden of Terrebonne High is one of several new principals this year at public schools in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. He was a longtime teacher and served as assistant principal at Terrebonne High for the past three years. We asked him a few questions as the start of class nears.

Scotty Dryden

reason I became a teacher. The major difference is you see students, teachers and education from a different perspective. It also gives me a bigger platform to influence positive changes in education.

What made you interested in becoming a principal?

I wanted to help students in more ways. I enjoy the opportunity of hearing student struggles and figuring out how I can assist them and hopefully change their life in a positive way. Really, it is no different than the

What are you goals for this school year?

I know as a principal I am supposed to say my goal for 2017-18 is to make sure Terrebonne High is an A school, but really my goal is to make sure students enjoy their time in school and that Terrebonne produces productive citizens. I believe if we can accomplish that the school score will take care of itself.

New Principals Terrebonne public schools: q Scotty Dryden -- Terrebonne High q Amanda Callahan -- Grand Caillou Elementary q Jennifer Blanchard -- Bourg Elementary Lafourche public schools: q Kristine Collins -- Cut Off Elementary q Celeste LeBoeuf -- North Larose Elementary q Rebecca Werner-Johnson -Raceland Lower Elementary

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STAND

UP How to deal with cyberbullying

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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ver half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying, according to statistics from i-SAFE, an internet safety education foundation. Surprisingly, over half of young people who are cyberbullied do not tell their parents when it occurs — most likely because they fear that if they tell, parents will take their phones away in response.

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 19 “Today, kids are getting connected to the internet at younger and younger ages.

They’re exposed to the internet at home as well at school and their friends’ homes.

A parent and guardian can allow kids access to the internet, but they should be very vigilant on their child’s online activity and communicate with them often on the subject,” said Joel Mesa, education director/school coordinator, Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County.

What cyberbullying looks like Cyberbullying is using the internet, cellphones or other technology to send or post images or text intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Some examples include making a threat through a livestream gaming system, posting a slur, spreading a rumor via text message, or pretending to be someone else online to trick or harass someone.

While the damage can be painful and even prompt suicidal thoughts or actions, 81 percent of youths say that teens cyberbully because it is no big deal, Mesa said.

Kids don’t think about the consequences.

Parents need to do their homework to best decide what safety controls or filtering softwares are best for their own

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family and situation, Mesa said.

“It is imperative for parents to be aware what their kids are doing online. The parents should talk with their kids about cyberbullying and other online issues regularly,” Mesa said.

Tips for parents: • Keep the computer in an open area at home, such as the living room or kitchen, to make it easier to monitor activity.

• Maintain access to a child’s social networking and email accounts. Inform kids that you may review their online communications if you think there is a real reason for concern.

• Create your own accounts on the social networks your children are members of and “friend” them.

• Ask for passwords but inform your child that they will only be used in case of an emergency.

• Ask children to show what they know how to do online, as well as their favorite sites.

• Get to know a child’s online friends.

• Be clear about what sites a child can visit and what they are permitted to do when online.

• Search Google for your child’s name, and look at profiles and any postings about them.

Need help?

“If the child is being cyberbullied, parents should talk with him or her and listen. They should show love and acceptance,” Mesa said. “Some signs that can be red flags that a child is being cyberbullying include wanting to stay home from school, sadness, spending a lot more time or a lot less time online, a dip in grades and withdrawing from contact with classmates,” Mesa said.

Don’t respond online to the bullying. Keep evidence by printing or saving emails, photos and screenshots of posts.

Block the email address or phone number the cyberbullying is coming from.

Report the cyberbullying to school officials, to the internet or cellphone service provider, or to law enforcement, depending how serious it is.

“If a child sees cyberbullying, parents should teach or reinforce that asking the person to stop cyberbullying and support the target are the right things to do; and of course, the child can also anonymously report the cyberbullying,” Mesa said.

For more, visit stopbullying.gov or wiredsafety.org.

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FREEPIK.COM

DAZE How to ease back into the school-year routine

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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oing from summer break back to the busy days of the school year can be a difficult transition for students and parents, but there are ways to ease

into it.

Change can be exciting, but new teachers and pressures can be unsettling for kids. It takes time and flexibility to transition smoothly, especially for students who experience anxiety.

Tantrums, sleeping problems or outright refusal to participate are signs children may need clinical attention, said psychologist Courtney Keeton, who specializes in the treatment of childhood anxiety and selective mutism at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

“If a child’s anxiety is causing a great deal of distress in her or his daily life, or if getting along with family members or friends becomes difficult, normal activities in and outside of school are avoided, or there are physical symptoms like stomachaches or fatigue, these red flags indicate that the child’s anxiety should be evaluated by a child psychologist or psychiatrist,” Keeton

“Insufficient sleep is a major cause of not only poor academic performance but poses an increased risk of obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction as well as mood disturbances, suicidal ideation, increased risk of athletic injury and motor vehicle accidents.”

Dr. Robert Rosenberg

said.

It’s normal for nearly all children to experience mild back-to-school jitters that gradually diminish over a few weeks. The key to success is for parents to help prepare children for school-year routines, such as an earlier bedtime and selecting the next day’s clothes ahead of time, Keeton said.

Sleep routine Sleep is incredibly important for students, said Dr. Robert S. Rosenberg, board-certified sleep medicine physician and author of “The Doctor’s Guide to Sleep Solutions for Stress & Anxiety.” Consequences from lack of good, healthy sleep range from inattentiveness to problems with impulse control, working memory, planning and organizing, he said.

“Insufficient sleep is a major cause of not only poor academic performance but poses an increased risk of obesity and cardio-metabolic dysfunction as well as mood disturbances, suicidal ideation, increased risk of athletic injury and motor vehicle accidents,” Rosenberg said.

Two weeks before school starts, parents should start putting children to bed earlier and stick to it on weekends,

Rosenberg said. Calculate, based on your child’s age, how many hours of sleep they should be getting: • Preschool: 10-13 hours • School age (6-13): 9-11 hours • Teens: 8-10 hours “Then, based on what time they need to get up for school, work backward and put them to bed 15 minutes earlier every night or two, until their sleep/ wake schedule is appropriate for their age,” Rosenberg said.

More tips to ease in • Arrange play dates with one or more familiar peers before school starts, Keeton said. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children’s academic and emotional adjustment.

• Visit the school before classes begin, rehearse the drop-off, and spend time on the playground or inside the classroom if the building is open. Have the child practice walking into class while the parent waits outside or down the hall, Keeton said.

• Like anything new, starting the school year is challenging. Reassure your child it may be hard but should soon become easy and fun.

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 21 MAKE THE GRADE

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TALK TALK the

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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ellphones are a big part of kids’ lives. It’s how they keep in touch, make plans and even make contact with new friends — and strangers.

While parents are allowing younger and younger children access to phones, these devices are opening up both opportunities and dangers that kids might not be ready for.

A whopping 84 percent of teens 15 to 18, 60 percent of kids 10 to 14 and 22 percent of kids 6 to 9 own phones, according to C+R Research.

But the dangers can lie with any smart device.

“Parents also need to think in terms of handhelds such as iTouches, tablets and anything with Wi-Fi capability,” said internet privacy and cybersecurity lawyer Parry Aftab, who founded and runs WiredSafety, a cybersafety help group. “Parents withhold cellphones without realizing they’ve handed a child

12

added.

Parenting in the 21st century means teaching your child to ha digital street smarts. “Trust but verify everything,” Aftab said.

To find age-appropriate apps talk to your school librarian or media specialist then test the ap out with your child, Aftab said.

Set rules, time limits and guid lines for disconnecting, such as the dinner table and before bed, Aftab said. Parents should lead b example.

Kids don’t understand privacy issues like adults do.

“Make them aware that peopl can misuse their information. (T them) don’t share anything you wouldn’t want shared with your least-favorite person at school who might misuse that information,” Aftab said.

an iPad or tablet that’s just as connected.”

Not understanding just what kids are doing on their phones is a big mistake.

“The No. 1 thing parents find surprising in general is that anything parents can do on their home computer kids can do on their phones,” said Rob Zidar, co-founder of internet safety firm ThirdParent.

“Adults use technology differently than kids. There’s no way a parent can keep up. You use common sense but there’s no rating system for apps,” Aftab said.

“One hundred percent, phones are opening up things kids are not ready for,” Zidar said. While parents would never let their child drive a car without training and a license or even cross the street without teaching them to look both ways, “at the age of 9 or 10 we hand them a phone and it opens up a whole new set of risks,” he said.

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a better idea is to show a concerted interest in kids’ online lives, both experts agreed. Signing a cellphone contract works for some people, but “in general kids vary so much and one size doesn’t fit all,” Zidar said.

The goal is tech transparency.

Ask your child how they use their phone. Ask what apps they’re using and how they’re using them.

“Convince your child they can talk to you if they are unsure of anything. If they think something is unsafe online. If someone they don’t know or someone they think is inappropriate has followed them.

If they think they’ve been hacked that they can come to you,” Zidar said. “Parents need to parent even when the child is more tech-savvy.

Parents have the life experience to help.”

Educating kids about digital safety is a constant dialogue and requires a strong relationship. Many children fail to tell their parents about something they were uncomfortable with online because they’re Hall) afraid their parents will take away their phones, Zidar said. Losing phone privileges means losing their lifeline to their social group, he

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What is the right age?

A level of trust must be in plac once you’ve decided your child needs — not just wants — a phon “Are they old enough to deal with the stuff that comes with owning a phone? Are they good enough decision makers? Do you trust they’ll come to you if they’ unsure about something?” Zida said.

Parents should always have ki passwords, but when they’re old than about 13 keep them in a sea envelope and use them only in a emergency, Aftab said. You sho be checking in but only when th give you reason to, she said.

If left on, location services will show a user’s location eithe publicly or in metadata. Zidar recommends turning location services off so that others canno find where your child is, especially if she’s Snapchatting phot from Dunkin’ Donuts every day after school. A more sophisticated option is to go into each ap and turn off location services to prevent it from tagging a child’s geographic location, he said.

Be active and engaged, but rea ize the best way to protect a chil is to limit the amount of screen time and balance it out with oth healthy activities, Aftab said.

22 / MAKE THE GRADE 2017 16 / MAKE THE GRADE

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POSITIVE Help your child deal with school year changes

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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hange is hard for everyone.

Entering a new school is one of the biggest changes a child may encounter in his young life.

Parents can help smooth the transition and make it less traumatic.

“A lot of parents may feel anxiety about a change of school, but they should be careful not to project those feelings on their kids. Their child may not be feeling the same thing,” said parenting expert, blogger and author Richard Greenberg, who shares an analogy: “If you got in a taxi and said to the driver, ‘Take me to the airport’ and he said, ‘I

don’t know how to get there,’ you wouldn’t feel too good about it.

Kids are in the back of our cab. The key is to project confidence.”

Put yourself in their shoes and try and remember how it felt to be a kid in a new situation, he added.

“Let them know you’re part of the process. Project that this is going to be great. They’re going to have fun.

Change is a part of life. It’s a part of growing up. Tell them that you’re proud of them. Use the power of positive thinking,” Greenberg said.

Make a friend early “Friends play an enormous part of success in school,” said educational psychologist and parenting, bullying and character expert Dr. Michele Borba, author

of “UnSelfie.” “Friends keep kids happy. They make a child want to go to school. They are a support system.”

If you can connect your child with one friendly face before school starts, it can ease the process of changing schools.

“Walking into a new school without knowing someone is stressful,” Borba said. “The goal is to make your child feel secure in dozens of ways.

Whatever you can learn and discuss ahead of time will reduce their anxiety.”

Look for opportunities for your child to meet neighbors and potential classmates over the summer. Check out library and park district programs and the local newspaper to see what’s happening in your area.

Here are some more tips: • Visit the school’s website.

Take a virtual tour and download a map of the school if possible. Check the school calendar and read the school rules and dress codes.

• If possible, visit the school and talk to the teacher or an administrator before classes begin.

• Practice your introductions. Have your child come up with a short conversation-starter: “Hi! My name is Mike. I just moved here from Baltimore and I play baseball.” That way he’ll be ready with something to say to new acquaintances.

• Remind your child that it’s normal to feel anxious and let them know you’re there for them if they have questions.

• If your child is concerned about riding the bus, brief your child on safety rules and visit the bus stop in advance. Point out familiar landmarks and reassure your child that an adult will be on hand when they disembark at the school.

• Parents can contact the school’s parent teacher organization, which can provide information about the new school. Volunteering is a great way to become a part of a new community and make new friends for both parent and child.

• No matter how anxious you are when dropping off a child at a new school, don’t linger, Borba said.

That will only increase their anxiety.

MAKE THE GRADE 2017 / 23

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