ascension parish school system - apsb stutzman, central middle; and christie spohn, g. w. carver...

Ascension Parish School System

DISTRICT RATING

# R e p o r t t o t h e C o m m u n i t y

ASCENSION REPORT 2014:Layout 1 7/25/2014 2:57 PM

About the 2014 Community Report

The Ascension Parish School System is proud to report on its progress, goalsand accomplishments. The district is one of the highest performing schoolsystems in the state, now ranking No. 3 among Louisiana’s 70 school districtswith an “A” grade for academic performance. At the same time, the districthas maintained the prestigious and rigorous SACS Council on Accreditationand School Improvement designation.

Our Vision

Rigorous academic standards are the hallmark of our vision and philosophy. We are moving our district forward with the following goals:

• Closing the Achievement Gap• Literacy and Numeracy• High Quality Teachers• Leadership Development• High Graduation Rates/College and Career Readiness• Assessment and Technology Implementation• Support for Underperforming Schools• Positive Behavior

Ascension Parish School System1100 Webster Street P.O. Box 189Donaldsonville, LA 70346Gonzales: (225) 391-7000Donaldsonville: (225) 257-2000www.apsb.org

The mission of the Ascension ParishSchool System is to provide each studentthe high-quality education necessary tosucceed in an ever-changing world.

Visit us on Facebook and Twitter

2 | Report to the Community 2014

Patrice Pujol, Ed.D.Superintendent

A. Denise GravesAssistant

Superintendent

Steve Westbrook, Ed.D.Assistant

Superintendent

Catherine DavisDistrict [email protected]

Thomas “Moose”PearceDistrict [email protected]

Richard BrownDistrict [email protected]

Kerry DiezDistrict [email protected]

John D. MurphyDistrict [email protected]

A.J. NickensDistrict [email protected]

Taft C. KleinpeterDistrict [email protected]

Lorraine WimberlyDistrict 6-ABoard Vice [email protected]

Jamie BourgeoisDistrict [email protected]

Troy J. Gautreau, Sr.District 7-ABoard [email protected]

Patricia RussoDistrict [email protected]

District Snapshot#

Ascension Parish Schools rank

#3 in academic achievementin the state

CONTACT US

Board Members


Each year, Ascension Parish faculty members select a teacher from their school to compete in the state's highly recognized Teacher of the Year competition. In 2013-2014, 27 teachers were selected and honored in Ascension Parish based onthe criteria of performance and ability. Three teachers were selected as Ascension Parish Teachersof the Year: Matthew Monceaux, Dutchtown High;Alisha Stutzman, Central Middle; and ChristieSpohn, G. W. Carver Primary. They are pictured with Superintendent Patrice Pujol.

Ascension Parish Principal Marjorie Meyers ofPecan Grove Primary was selected as Louisiana Elementary School Teacher of the Year at thehonors banquet held recently in Baton Rouge.Also recognized at the event was Ascension's Mark Ebarb of Dutchtown High School who was aRegional Teacher of Year finalist.

#Teachers of the Year

#LA DOE Honors

Student of the Year honorees are recognized foracademics, leadership and citizenship. In 2013-2014, fifteen 5th graders, eight 8th graders, andfour 12th graders were honored for outstanding accomplishments. We are proud to recognizethe top three Ascension Parish District Studentsof the Year: Hira Azeem Hasan, DutchtownHigh; Casey Nicole Butler, Gonzales Middle;and Ella Reine Roussel, Prairieville Primary.

#Students of the Year

Academic Recognition

#3 in Louisiana on District

Performance Score

Achieved an "A"for Accountability

Top Technology-Ready District

Award for Financial Budget

Presentation

Top % of Studentsin State Earning

College/VocationalCredits

Early ChildhoodNetwork Grant

Award

Leading New JumpStart Career Efforts

for the Region

High Teacher Evaluation Scores

Strong Parent andBusiness-Industry

Partner Involvement

DID YOUKNOW?#ASCENSION PARISH SCHOOLS

#

Report to the Community 2014 | 3

#National RecognitionFor the second time, Ascension Parish Schools hasbeen cited in a national education publication forexcellence in creating and implementing innovative reform measures aimed at enhancingstudent achievement. In April, the Center for American Progress focused on the district's progressive methods for equalizing quality teachers across the district.


The Ascension Parish School System has focusedits curriculum to provide a rigorous high schoolexperience, preparing students for both collegeand career success. It starts early with guidanceand direction so students can explore meaningful areas of interest, as well as gainknowledge and skills for employment and post-secondary education. At the same time,they are encouraged to compete in state and regional competitions to be exposed to new opportunities. From welding to plant pathology,

Working Together to Prepare our High SchoolStudents for College and Career


College and Career Readiness#

Students can earn an IBC in highschool in these fields:

ADDA DraftingAdobe Certified AssociateAWS WeldingCertified Nursing AssistantComp TIA Network +CertificationCustomer ServiceEmergency Medical TechnicianFirst Responder Internet and Computing CoreMicrosoft Office SuiteNCCER CarpentryNCCER Electrical NCCER InstrumentationNCCER MillwrightNCCER PipefittingNCCER WeldingPharmacy TechProStart SERVSafeSTAR (Teaching)

Industry Based Certifications (IBC)

Students can earn high schooland college credit for:

Accounting I and IIAdvanced Math Agri-science II and IIIBiology IIBusiness Computer ApplicationsBusiness EnglishChemistry II Chemistry Elective Computer Electronics Cooperative Marketing EducationCosmetologyCustomer ServiceEnglish IVFinancial MathGeneral Cooperative EducationBusiness Computer ApplicationsNCCER Instrumentation,

Millwright and PipefittingPsychology ProStart Speech I Sr. Applications in English Statistics Technical MathTrigonometry US HistoryVet Tech Assistant Welding TechWestern Civilization

Dual Enrollment Options

nursing to electronics, Ascension students are creating, inventing, mapping, producing and experimenting in a variety of fields.

High School Centers of Excellence include:

Allied Health Center

ProStart Centers of Excellence

Information Technology

The Technology Center of Excellence Robotics Teamfrom East Ascension recently competed nationallyagainst more than 100 teams, placing 19th overall.Shown during the competition pre-judging are (l to r) Dwayne Ordeneaux, parent volunteer;David Branton, East Ascension teacher; JessicaLandry, student; Karl Schutze, LSU Mentor, and Cameron Roig, student.

ProStart Centers of Excellence students from St.Amant, Dutchtown, Donaldsonville and East Ascension high schools recently entered culinarycompetitions in New Orleans, with Dutchtownwinning 3rd place in Restaurant Management.Pictured (l to r) are Dutchtown students AutumnLee and Kathrynn Sappe working on their competition assignments.

Robotics ProStart

2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Academic Diploma Endorsements = 280 • Advanced Placement (AP) Credits Earned = 840 • Post-secondary Credits Earned = 12,667• Career/Technical Diploma Endorsements = 205 • Industry Based Certifications (IBC) = 586



Jumpstart/Early College

Jump Start will add options and rigor to the career component of our students’ education, making AscensionParish graduates more employable and/or providing afoundation of dual enrollment credits for starting college.

Early College Option Available Through RPCC PartnershipThe Ascension Parish School System and River Parishes Community College have begunan innovative partnership that allows students to work toward a transferable associate’sdegree in arts and humanities while working toward their four-year high schooldiploma. The program is called APSB-RPCC Early College, and is offered to high schoolfreshmen.

The new program appeals to students who want smaller classes, who want to fast-tracktheir path to a baccalaureate degree, or who want to move directly into industry aftergraduation. “Our Early College option is ideal for these students. It typically isn’t forthose students who prefer the traditional high school experience,” said David Alexander,Director of Secondary Education.

Alexander said the APSB-RPCC Early College program enrolled more than 25 districtfreshmen last year who wanted the challenge. They attended classes on the RPCC campus, taking high school credit classes in the mornings and college-level, associatedegree classes in the afternoon. Students from all four high schools in the parish participated, and some continued to participate in extracurricular activities at theirhome schools. Tuition, books, lunch and transportation for the program are included inthe district’s education costs.

River Parishes Community College facultymember Raymie Bel (shown far left) is directingAscension Early College Option student JullianParks, as she delivers her extemporaneousspeech at River Parishes Community College.

#

While most Louisiana jobs do not require a four-year college degree, themajority now require advanced education after high school at communitycolleges or technical education facilities.

Enter Jump Start, a new state-of-the-art career and technical education system that aims to give students an elective path with more courses thatmatch up to Louisiana’s high-wage career needs. Those job skill areas offocus include chemical, construction, engineering, healthcare, informationtechnology, manufacturing and transportation. The electives are beingcustomized for students pursuing a university-preparatory diploma or acareer diploma, and will be included in graduation requirements for thosestudents completing high school in 2018.

The new courses are being prepared by a regional team of career development academic leaders, and Ascension is providing direction inshaping these courses.

Jump Start will be phased in over several years beginning with the freshman class of 2014. No student graduating in 2014 through 2017 willbe asked to vacate the path to a Basic Diploma.

Jump Start: Providing Rigorousand Relevant Career PathsMatched to Louisiana Jobs

UNIVERSITY

HS GRADUATE WITH

CERTIFICATION

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DID YOU KNOW?In 2013-2014, 35 students split their day betweentheir home campus and Associated Builders andContractors, earning advanced certifications forhigh-demand, high-wage jobs.



Academics#

Ascension Leadership AcademyDeveloping Leaders

The Ascension Leadership Academy is an innovative professionaldevelopment program designed by the Ascension Parish School Systemto create a surplus of high quality, highly effective teacher leaders,school-level administrators and district-level administrators. Theprogram is geared to organizational members who demonstrateleadership potential, commitment to the future of the district, and havea strong drive to achieve greater levels of responsibility. Whileparticipation does not guarantee promotion, the Leadership Academy isthe district's commitment to, and investment in, aspiring leaders withhigh potential to positively impact the educational experiences of allstudents.

One Ascension Leadership Academy cohort is designed to developteacher leaders for both formal and informal roles, and a second cohortis designed to develop school-level leaders who seek career advancement to key administrative roles, such as assistant principalsand principals.

“Our ultimate goal is to pinpoint leaders within our system who canempower their colleagues, lead groups of educators, and innovate andsustain reform efforts with the sole purpose of securing our students’success,” said Jennifer Tuttleton, the Ascension Parish Director of SchoolImprovement, who started the program in late 2012 with 25teacher leaders, assistant principals, and associate principals who completed a year of training focused on school-level leadershipdesignations.

“It is a simple concept: we want the best talent in our system to seekthe role of leader,” Superintendent Patrice Pujol said.

Enhancing Academics, Addressing Growth

ascensionACADEMYleadership

New freshman academies are being constructed at Dutchtown High, East Ascension High and St. AmantHigh to enhance the educational environments for incoming first-year high school students and to createadditional growth space at current facilities forupperclassmen. Each new academy will have separateclassroom and administrative buildings constructed onproperty adjacent to existing campuses and strategicallydesigned to meet transportation needs and the combined use of cafeteria and athletic facilities. Each facility is designed to house approximately 600 freshmen.

All new academies are being constructed with existingfunds in the district. No new taxes are being used forthese facilities. The academies are currently in the designphase and expected to be bid out by February 2015, withcompletion of construction anticipated to take 18 to 24months. The academies will allow 9th graders to takeclasses together and for teachers and adminstrators to bemore interactive with them. Academic records show thatfreshman academies improve student behavior, decreaseabsences and increase overall test scores.

• Ascension Parish has the 2nd highest percentage of “A” schools in the state -- 12 schools have an “A” status, accounting for 45% of all schools in the district. The next leading district has 36%.

• Ascension Parish has the 2nd highest percentage of schools earning Top Gains among all districts in the state -- 14 schools earned Top Gains, accounting for 51.9% of the district.

• Ascension Parish had 7 schools improve by one letter grade in the most recent state report.

• Ascension Parish has the 4th highest graduation rate in the state with an 87.1% four-year completion rate.

DID YOU KNOW?

Architectural rendering of the St. Amant High Freshman Academy



# Safe Environments/Prevention

Ascension Parish Public Schools promote avariety of educational initiatives to help create safe and non-threatening environmentsfor our students. Through our “Step Up &Stop It!” programs, district educators andcounselors help students identify words, actions and behaviors that may lead to unsafe or harmful consequences. The initiatives emphasize anti-bullying, anti-violence and anti-gambling. Studentsare provided with safe and anonymous waysto report abuses with the district proceduresin place to investigate concerns and stop theabuses.

CYBER SAFETYSEMINAR At the same time, the district’s public

awareness program “Don’t Let One Bad Decision Decide Your Future” urges students to make good decisions at promand graduation events, and warning parents of the liability of providing alcoholto minors.

The Ascension Parish School System isteamed with municipal, parish and state lawenforcement officials to manage security atall district campuses and during specialevents, including having trained School Security Officers on campuses daily. Thedistrict has invested in security cameras atall its schools, providing 24-hour surveillance of key campus areas. Thoserecordings are routinely monitored byschool and law enforcement officialsthroughout the year.

The district also monitors use of the Internet to help identify theft, cyberbullying, pornography, sexting andother threats. Internet safety workshops are available to parents.

“Step Up and Stop It” Initiatives

"Cyber Safety"presented by the non-profit organization, The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication 2

Internet safety is a complex andever-changing issue. The AscensionParish School System, EATEL andMalco Gonzales Cinema on AirlineHighway in Gonzales are sponsoring a new, highly laudedand uniquely designed educationalprogram from IROC2 for parents ofmiddle school and high school students. The program is free andopen to all parents in AscensionParish. The event will be held onWednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. atthe Malco Gonzales Cinema onAirline Highway. APSB extends asincere thank you to EATEL andMalco Gonzales Cinema for sponsoring this excellent educational program.

Sponsored by:



Construction Progress#

The Ascension Parish School System is in the final phaseof completing a $100 million capital improvement planthat was approved by voters in 2009. The plan has included 56 major projects throughout the district to becompleted over a five-year span that began in 2010.

To date, the district has successfully completed the majority of the projects. The district recently completedthe construction of a new G.W. Carver Primarycampus and renovation of Gonzales Primary. Projectmanagers are in Phase II of renovations for PrairievilleMiddle and Galvez Middle. Many smaller jobs have beencompleted and those projects scheduled to begin in2014 and 2015 are currently in design or are going outfor bid for construction in the coming months.

These construction projects are part of an on-goingstrategic plan to create proper learning environments fora rapidly growing enrollment. Over the past 10 years,Ascension Parish Public Schools has grown from a student enrollment of 16,511 students in 2005 to 21,521students in 2014 -- that's a sustained increase of 500 students per year!

G.W. Carver Primary Grand Opening

Prairieville Middle School Renovation Underway

Promises Kept

St. Amant Middle Gymnasium

Gonzales Primary2005 2014

Enrollment in Ascension Parish Schoolshas increased by 500 students each

year for the past 10 years!



# Construction Progress

Prairieville Middle School •Major Campus Overall Phase 1 Complete, Phase 2 Under Construction

Galvez Middle School •Additional Classroom Space /Administration Area Improvements Under Construction

•Electrical Upgrades Under Construction

•Improve Campus Parking and Traffic Flow Under Construction

•Replacement of Existing Fence Under Construction

Ascension Alternative School •Additional Classroom Space / Administration Area Improvements Under Construction

•Electrical Upgrades Under Construction

Construction Projects Still to Be Completed in Final Phase of $100 Million Capital Improvement Plan

Donaldsonville High School •Build New Library In Design

Lake Elementary School •Drainage Improvements Under Construction

•Expand Kitchen Under Construction

•Expand Library Under Construction

St. Amant High School •Build New Multi Classroom Addition In Design

Donaldsonville Primary School •Remove Temporary Classrooms In Design

•Build New Classroom Addition In Design

•Bus Drop-off Canopy In Design

Ascension Head Start •Electrical Upgrades In Design

•Remodel Interior Hallways In Design

Lowery Elem. and Middle•Electrical Upgrades In Design

•Exterior Painting In Design

•Parking & Canopy Expansions In Design

Oak Grove Primary School •Electrical UpgradesPending

•Expand Administration OfficePending

East Ascension High School •Build New Classroom Addition In Design

Dutchtown Middle Library/ Media Center Architectural rendering of the new Donaldsonville High Library



Pre-K#

Ascension Parish Public Schools has reached out to extend quality education to agreater number of our youngest community members. The district’s pre-k program,Head Start, and those private child care centers accepting public funding have united toform the Ascension Parish Early Childhood Network. The first year of implementation ofthis partnership has resulted in:

• Families provided a common enrollment method in which they can apply online for any program in the network in one place

• Children in all programs provided increasing quality instruction with consistent expectations

• Collaborative relationships between public and private program leaders

Why start early?Research shows that the achievement gap appears long before children reach kindergarten. In fact, it can become evident as early as the age of 9 months.At-risk children who don't receive a high-quality early childhood education are:

• 25% more likely to drop out of school• 40% more likely to become a teen parent• 50% more likely to be placed in special education• 60% more likely to never attend college• 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime

Early childhood programs are the most cost-effective way to ensure the healthy development of children in poverty and to offer the greatest returns to society.

To find out more about the parish’s pre-k opportunities, go towww.ascensionearlychildhood.org or www.apsb.org or call 225-391-7013.

Ascension Parish Early Childhood Providing Quality Childcare and Early Learning for Children Ages Birth to Five

Ascension Parish Early Childhood Network

Ascension Parish Public Schools’ pre-kindergarten programs and “Licensed A”child care centers have created a community network to provide qualitycare and learning for children from birthto five years old. This combined effortwill provide more children in the parishwith early learning experiences to develop the skills necessary to be “kindergarten ready.” Listed below are private childcare centers that have partnered with Ascension Parish PublicSchools to enhance quality learning experiences for Ascension's youngest citizens:

2014-2015 Partners A Child's WorldAdventures in Learning Ascension Christian Alphabet SoupColor WheelCreative Kids TreehouseGenesisGrace's Early LearningKinder GardenKingdom Kids La Chateau La MaisonLittle Doves Little Lads and LassiesMaw Maw Mason's Willis Country School


State Minimum FoundationProgram (MFP) Funds

Parish Sales and Use Taxes

Parish Ad Valorem Taxes

Other

Employee Salaries and Benefits

Operation & Maintenance of Plant

Technology

Substitutes & Other Professional Services

Student Transportation

Equipment, Materials, Supplies

Other

General Fund Expenditures

General Fund Revenues

The 2014-2015 Ascension ParishSchool System Budget

is $219 Million

28%

1%

48%

23%


# Finance

The Ascension Parish School System hasreceived the Government Finance Officers Association’s DistinguishedBudget Presentation Award for its 2013-2014 Annual Operating Plan.

The award recognizes high qualitybudget documents that are deemed tobe informative of the district’s budgetingprocess, which contribute to better decision making, enhanced accountability and transparency.

The award is earned by only the top 2% of government agencies in the United States. Last year, only 11out of about 4,000 government bodies inLouisiana earned the award, and onlytwo of the 11 were school districts.

Distinguished Budget

Presentation Award

82%

2%1%1%3%

3%

8%


Contact Information#

Ascension Parish Public Schools K-12

Other Schools/Facilities

Your direct connection to Ascension Parish Schools www.apsb.org

225-257-2000 | 225-391-7000

Lowery Middle(6-8)

Oak Grove Primary (K-5)

Pecan Grove Primary (K-5)

Prairieville Middle (6-8)

Prairieville Primary (K-5)

St. Amant High (9-12)

St. Amant Middle (6-8)

St. Amant Primary (K-5)

Spanish Lake Primary (K-5)

Sorrento Primary(K-5)

LeBlanc Special Services & Federal Programs

Ascension Head Start

APPLe Digital Academy

Early College OptionRiver Parishes Community College

2389 A Hwy 1 S. Donaldsonville, LA 70346

17550 Old Jefferson Hwy Prairieville, LA 70769

1712 S. Pecan Grove Ave. Gonzales, LA 70737

16200 Hwy 930 Prairieville, LA 70769

40228 Parker Road Prairieville, LA 70769

12035 Hwy 431 St. Amant, LA 70774

44317 Hwy 429 St. Amant, LA 70774

44365 Hwy 429 St. Amant, LA 70774

13323 Bluff Road Geismar, LA 70734

42211 N. City Parc Dr.Sorrento, LA 70778

611 North Burnside Gonzales, LA 70737

603 Lee Avenue Donaldsonville, LA 70346

38606 Hwy 22 Darrow, LA 70725

925 W. Edenborn Pkwy.Gonzales, LA 70737

225-257-2550225-473-2514-F

225-391-6750225-621-2370-F

225-391-7450 225-644-6985-F

225-391-6300225-673-4883-F

225-391-7400 225-391-7401-F

225-391-6000 225-621-2573-F

225-391-6500225-621-2593-F

225-391-7950225-621-2613-F

225-391-7650 225-391-7651-F

225-391-6900225-391-6901-F

225-391-7211225-391-7381225-621-2534-F

225-391-7351225-474-2752-F

225-391-6850 225-474-2774-F

225-675-0410

Central Middle (6-8)

Central Primary (K-5)

Donaldsonville High (9-12)

Donaldsonville Primary (EC-2)

Duplessis Primary (K-5)

Dutchtown High (9-12)

Dutchtown Middle (6-8)

Dutchtown Primary (K-5)

East Ascension High (9-12)

Galvez Middle (6-8)

Galvez Primary (K-5)

Gonzales Middle (6-8)

Gonzales Primary (K-5)

G.W. Carver Primary (K-5)

Lake Elementary (K-8)

Lakeside Primary (K-5)

Lowery Elementary (3-5)

14101 Roddy Road Gonzales, LA 70737

41469 La Hwy 621 Gonzales, LA 70737

100 Tiger Drive Donaldsonville, LA 70346

38210 Hwy 3089 Donaldsonville, LA 70346

38101 Hwy 621 Gonzales, LA 70737

13165 Hwy 73 Geismar, LA 70734



612 East Worthy Road Gonzales, LA 70737


16093 Henderson Bayou Rd. Prairieville, LA 70769

1502 W. Orice Roth St. Gonzales, LA 70737

521 N. Burnside Gonzales, LA 70737

11310 Legacy Oaks Gonzales, LA 70737

14185 Hwy 431 St. Amant, LA 70774


2389 B Hwy 1 S. Donaldsonville, LA 70346

225-391-6400 225-621-2682-F

225-391-7700 225-391-7701-F

225-257-2900 225-473-4496-F

225-257-2600225-473-6920-F

225-391-6650225-677-5984-F

225-391-6200225-677-8191-F

225-391-7800 225-621-2351-F

225-391-7850 225-621-2383-F

225-391-6100225-621-2397-F

225-391-6350225-621-2434-F

225-391-6600225-621-2447-F

225-391-6450225-621-2509-F

225-391-6700225-621-2663-F

225-391-6800225-621-2556-F

225-391-6550 225-621-2476-F

225-391-7750 225-391-7751-F

225-257-2500225-473-2539-F


ascension parish school system - apsb stutzman, central middle; and christie spohn, g. w. carver...

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