With the appointment of Dr. Teresa Bagwell as superintendent, a selection process was undertaken to determine her successor as assistant superintendent. The caliber and breadth of experiences represented among the candidates made the decision difficult as each has dutifully served St. Mary Parish Schools. After interviews and examination of credentials, Human Resources Director Mr. Peter Boudreaux was chosen as the district’s new assistant superintendent.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Boudreaux also served as supervisor of secondary education and principal of Maitland Elementary School and Morgan City High School. Mr. Boudreaux’s vast experiences as a social studies and special education teacher, in addition to his leadership at the school and district level, will be valuable in fulfilling the many duties of assistant superintendent. He is a highly knowledgeable and dedicated educational leader who will be an asset in the continuation of progress for St. Mary Schools.

Pre-K registration is ongoing at all district elementary school sites. Pre-K students must be four (4) years old on or before September 30, 2019, for the 2019-2020 school session.  Parents and guardians are asked to register at the school in their attendance zone.  The documents listed below are needed for registration: 

• Birth certificate
• Immunization record
• Social security card
• Proof of residency (utility bill)
• Proof of income

Calcasieu Parish is hosting its first annual Virtual Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2019, from 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM.  This "Microsoft Day of Innovation" will be hosted online, which means attendace relies only on a computer or mobile device and a WiFi connection.

Because of our district's long-standing partnership with Calcasieu Parish for providing access to Microsoft training opportunities, St. Mary Parish educators are invited to attend this event free of charge.

Additional information can be found on the Technology Department's Professional Development page:  Departments | Technology | Professional Development

The Red Ribbon Committee has announced the Grand Champion Winner of the 2019 Red Ribbon Drawing Contest. Congratulations to Emily Rogers (Hanson Memorial High School), whose artwork will be features on the cover of the annual Red Ribbon Calendar.  

Additional winners will also have their artwork featured in the calendar:

• Breckin Monceaux - Kindergarten – Berwick Elementary 
• Ali Freeman – 1^st grade – St. John Elementary
• Cooper Eenigenburg – 3^rd grade – St. John Elementary
• Emma Fontenot - 3rd grade – J. S. Aucoin Elementary
• Micah Liner - 4th grade – St. John Elementary
• Ridge Blocker - 4th grade – Hattie Watts Elementary
• Avery Graham – 5^th grade – M. E. Norman Elementary
• Sophia Hastings – 6th grade – Morgan City Junior High 
• Grace Faucheaux - 8th grade – Hanson Memorial 
• Scott Williams - 8th grade – Berwick Junior High  
• Lori Buteau – teacher – Hattie Watts Elementary 
• Paula Boudreaux – teacher – J. S. Aucoin Elementary 

All winners will be recognized at the April 11, 2019, meeting of the St. Mary Parish School Board. 

The 22nd Annual St. Mary Parish Student Art Show was held throughout the month of March at the Artists Guild Unlimited Gallery of Morgan City. The Student Art Show continues to be a wonderful opportunity for students in grades Pre-K through twelve from across our parish to share their creativity in the visual arts. Winners were honored at an awards reception at the close of the show, and first place winners in each group will be presented at the regular April meeting of the St. Mary Parish School Board. 

Congratulations to Matison Leblanc (MCHS) for winning the Best in Show award. A complete list of art show winners can be found on the Departments | Fine Arts page.

The St. Mary Parish School Board approved the following proclamation at its regular meeting on March 14, 2019:

• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March): Presented by Ms. Jennifer Collins-Lanceslin
• National Library Week (April 7-13, 2019): Presented by Ms. Sarah Broussard
• Week of the Young Child (April 8-12, 2019): Presented by Ms. Suzanne Bergeron
• Secretaries Week (April 22-26, 2019): Presented by Mr. Pete Boudreaux
• Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10, 2019): Presented by Mr. Pete Boudreaux
• National Autism Awareness Month (April):  Presented by Ms. Tiffany Wilson

As part of its regular meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2019, the St. Mary Parish School Board recognized and congratulated the following individuals:

• Student of the Month: Jaelii Robinson, 5th Grade (Wyandotte Elementary School)
• Student of the Month: Shila Hebert, 8th Grade (Franklin Junior High School)
• Student of the Month: Katelyn Larson, 12th Grade (Patterson High School)

• Employee of the Month: Ms. Mary White, Curriculum Facilitator (Wyandotte Elementary School)
• Employee of the Month: Ms. Norveline Greene, School Secretary (Franklin Junior High School)
• Employee of the Month: Ms. Courtney Andrews, History Teacher (Patterson High School)

Congratulations to these outstanding St. Mary Parish students and employees.

The St. Mary Parish School Board has selected a new superintendent to replace Mr. Leonard Armato, who has announced a retirement date of June 30, 2019.

In executive session on Thursday evening, February 28, the board interviewed four applicants for the position. Following those interviews, the board voted publicly, choosing Dr. Teresa Bagwell to be the next superintendent.

Dr. Bagwell is currently serving as assistant superintendent of St. Mary Parish Public Schools and has 37 years of experience in the field of education. She is slated to assume her new position effective April 1, 2019. 

Additional new items can be found on the District News Archive page.