The St. Mary Parish Virtual Learning Program will once again offer the Summer Learning Institute, a program that allows students to take advantage of the summer break by enrolling in new courses or retaking courses for high school credit.

While traditional summer school is often restricted to students with remediation needs, the SMPVLP Summer Learning Institute encourages students to consider enrolling in a course if

• The course is not offered at their assigned school.
• Their schedules are too full to add fun or unusual electives.
• They have failed a course and wish to retake it to avoid falling behind.
• Schedule conflicts are preventing students from taking a required course.

Enrollment in the Summer Learning Institute is open to high school students attending public, private, or charter schools.

More information can be found in the press release or on the Summer Learning Institute webpage. 

From Dr. Bagwell: St. Mary Parish Schools announced two important district level administrator appointments today. The position of Human Resources became available with the retirement of Mr. Peter Boudreaux and will be filled by Ms. Suzanne Bergeron who previously served as an Instructional Supervisor and former principal of Patterson Jr. High School.

A longtime educator in St. Mary Parish, Ms. Bergeron has led the district’s instructional division for elementary and middle schools during a time of significant change. Additionally, Ms. Bergeron holds the distinction of achieving leadership certification from the National Institute of School Leaders and was selected as the district’s Middle School Principal of the Year in 2014 and 2016. Her extensive experience at various levels of leadership will be critical as she assumes the role of staffing schools and supporting district employees.

Ms. Niki Fryou, former principal of Hattie Watts Elementary who currently serves as an Instructional Specialist for English language arts was tapped to replace Ms. Bergeron as Instructional Supervisor. As a highly respected administrator and former Louisiana Principal of the Year, Ms. Fryou led Hattie Watts in earning several national and state awards including that of, National Blue Ribbon School and Louisiana High Poverty-High Performing School. Her drive for academic excellence also resulted in the school’s adoption of “Leader in Me” that has garnered attention for its role in building students’ life skills and self-confidence. 

The two appointments will take effect June 1^st as district staff begin to prepare for the opening of the 2019-2020 school year.

As part of its regular meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2019, the St. Mary Parish School Board recognized and congratulated the following individuals:

• Student of the Month: Karlie Sonnier, 5th Grade (M. E. Norman Elementary School)
• Student of the Month: Jude Tarver, 5th Grade (Berwick Elementary School)

• Employee of the Month: Ms. Shannon Duplantis, 5th Grade Teacher (M. E. Norman Elementary School)
• Employee of the Month: Ms. Kayla Beam, Teacher (Berwick Elementary School)

At the same meeting, the Top Word Millionaires in St. Mary Parish were introduced by Ms. Sarah Broussard:

• Elementary: Stanley Aucoin (Berwick Elementary School)
• Secondary: Chloe Lanclos (Centerville High School)

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

St. Mary Parish Schools announced today the appointment of current MCJHS principal Joe Stadalis to replace Peter Boudreaux as assistant superintendent. Mr. Boudreaux’s promotion to the position was rendered inactive due to his recent decision to retire from the public school system. Fortunately, superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell was able to draw upon the assistant superintendent applicants to select Mr. Stadalis from the group of highly-qualified and experienced educational leaders.

Mr. Stadalis has served St. Mary Parish for the past 28 years. Beginning his career as a physics teacher, he continued his educational career as a principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. As a long-time administrator of Aucoin Elementary, Stadalis was recognized for his leadership in academic achievement, leading the school to an “A” school performance label. Stadalis also served in the district’s special services department and held the position of secondary instructional supervisor before returning to the principalship at Morgan City Jr. High School. His extensive experience at such a wide variety of school levels and unique instructional settings will facilitate a smooth transition with the duties of assistant superintendent as he works with all stakeholders of St. Mary Parish Schools.

The St. Mary Parish School Board approved the following proclamation at its regular meeting on April 11, 2019:

• School Lunch Hero (May 3, 2019): Presented by Ms. Claire Guarisco

As part of its regular meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2019, the St. Mary Parish School Board recognized and congratulated the following individuals:

• Student of the Month: Ava Louviere, 5th Grade (Centerville Elementary School)
• Student of the Month: Jaelynn Miller, 5th Grade (Patterson Junior High School)
• Student of the Month: Rylie Chaisson, 8th Grade (Patterson Junior High School)
• Student of the Month: Justin Chauvin, 12th Grade (West St. Mary High School)

• Employee of the Month: Ms. Yvette Pogue, 5th Grade Teacher (Centerville Elementary School)
• Employee of the Month: Mr. Erik Savoy, 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher (Patterson Junior High School)
• Employee of the Month: Ms. Marina Clay, Math Teacher and Cheerleader Sponsor (West St. Mary High School)

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

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

More information can be found on our Early Childhood Network webpage: District | Schools and Programs. 

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