Interested in learning more and possibly earning free college credit? ModernStates.org offers free online courses taught by college professors. Students completing a course will earn a FREE voucher to take the CLEP exam. More information is available on the Modern States website

Reading Resources

 1) MackinVia: This is an online eBook app that is used in some of our libraries throughout the district.  MackinVIA is now providing thousands of multi-user ebooks for FREE download.  

     https://www.mackin.com/hq/distance-learning-essentials/digital-content/

 2) Renaissance at Home (our AR program) is offering free access to:

• myON provides 24/7 access to over 6,000 digital books using at-home devices, also available offline.
• myON News delivers engaging, kid-friendly reporting on US and world events, in both English and Spanish.
• Freckle helps educators to effectively differentiate at-home daily skills practice across math, ELA, social studies, and science

You’ll find more information and resources at our Renaissance at Home hub, an online site we’ve created during this time of school closures.  

Financial Aid Planning

• The FAFSA requirement for graduation has not been waived. 
• Please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete. 
• LDOE staff are available to assist families remotely with financial aid planning support and FAFSA completion. Please email a request to ldefianancialaid@la.gov for phone or online support. 
• The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) is providing services remotely until further notice. Until then, please direct all concerns to custserv@la.gov. Also, follow @LOSFA on Twitter and Facebook, or visit their website for additional information and updates; refer to the TOPS Continuation Contingency Policy for information about TOPS.
• The Louisiana Education Authority (LELA) is a division of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), a nonprofit public trust established to bring financing assistance and advantages to the people of Louisiana. Families may call their help line (844) GO FAFSA or (844) 463-2372 for assistance with FAFSA-related questions.

ACT Information

• The Louisiana Department of Education is working with ACT to reschedule the statewide spring ACT test administration for June 2, pending a lift of the stay-at-home order.  This test is available to all juniors and registered seniors.
• Seniors who still need a qualifying score for TOPS may also register for another June session:
• Test Date: June 12-13, 2020     
• Registration Deadline: May 22, 2020      
• Late Fee: June 5, 2020

• PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!  SEATING WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO LARGE NUMBERS NEEDING TO TEST!

 An early fall administration will also be available for students who were unable to test in June.

Supplemental Learning Opportunities

Parents and students,

The following websites are suggested by St. Mary Parish Schools to supplement student learning:

• https://academy.act.org/ - PreACT and ACT work
• http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/ - student selects grade - assignments from 7 content areas are generated
• https://www.khanacademy.org/ - now has scheduled lessons
• https://modernstates.org/ - Free CLEP

ACT Practice Packets

• ACT printed practice packets will be available for pick-up on Thursday, April 2^nd and Tuesday, April 7^th, from 3 PM to 6 PM. Want to stay at home? The same practice test can be found from ACT.org at https://bit.ly/2ylof6I. Avoid the line and #flattenthecurve!
• If picking up a packet, please stay 6 feet apart from each other and do not come in a group/crowd.
• Teachers will be checking their e-mails daily. Please feel free to reach out to them via e-mail if you have any questions about this packet or any other learning you are doing by choice.
• We are here to support you in any way we can.

Students can further focus on ELA, Math, Science, Reading, and Writing by creating a free account at ACTAcademy.org. ACT Academy is a free online learning tool designed to prepare students for college and career success. Through video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to your academic needs, ACT Academy provides students with a personalized study plan.