Every home has received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Louisiana’s self-response rate is just under 57 percent, which is below the national average. There are a number of parishes where the rate is in the 30s and 20s. Please consider using your system’s communications channels to encourage employees, families and other stakeholders to complete the 2020 Census.

 The 2020 Census count impacts the federal funds that communities receive each year for programs and services that are critical for schools, students and younger children, such as:

• Special education, Head Start, after-school programs, and classroom technology
• Food assistance, including free and reduced-price school lunches
• Maternal and child health programs
• Planning, preparedness and recovery efforts for national emergencies, including COVID-19

 Self-responses, which can be completed online, by phone or by mail until September 30, ensures federal funding to support Louisiana students.

 The Department encourages school systems to explore the 2020 Census Toolbox to find general resources and activities specially designed to be engaging and appropriate for each grade level, from counting for kindergarteners to examining career statistics for high schoolers.

St. Mary Parish Schools began this school year under COVID-19 Phase 2 restrictions. For the safety and security of our families, we implemented a virtual option for students, a hybrid schedule for grades 6-12, and classroom and bus capacity limits.

 On September 11, Governor Edwards announced a move to Phase 3. This action allows buses to transport students at 75% capacity, and classrooms can accommodate a few more students with social distancing measures in place.

 In Phase 3, St. Mary Parish Schools can begin making plans for all students to return to school campuses for daily instruction. Beginning on Monday, September 28, all students in grades K-5 and those in grades 6-12 will attend face-to-face classes on a daily basis. The hybrid schedule will be discontinued for grades 6-12 as students return to a daily instructional schedule.

 Parents who have chosen an all-virtual option for their child should contact the school to discuss possible Phase 3 alternatives that would best promote their child’s continued learning.

 The school system is very aware of special circumstances facing families during this extraordinary time. Our goal is to provide consistent instruction throughout all pandemic phases. St. Mary Schools strictly follows all guidance issued by the Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Education, and Centers for Disease Control regarding wellness protocols throughout its schools and offices. The movement to Phase 3 still requires that students participate in a wellness screening each morning, wash hands throughout the day, and adhere to social distancing and face coverings.

 Under Phase 3 guidelines, the district is confident that students can return to a safe learning environment with daily instruction designed to meet the needs our students. Educating children in a time of ongoing change is a challenging task, but it is worth our efforts to ensure that all students receive an exceptional education in St. Mary Parish.

 We look forward seeing our students once again for in-person learning on Monday, September 28.

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MCHS is starting a Cross Country Track Team.  If you are interested in joining please email Mr. Hymel at thymel@stmaryk12.net by Friday at 3pm.  

The St. Mary Parish School Board has voted to enact the changes to the district's School Calendar proposed by Dr. Teresa Bagwell at the Special Session held on Thursday, August 6, at 4:00 PM. 

The changes to the school calendar were based on several factors, including

• the importance of providing additional preparation time as teachers transition to virtual instruction.
• the desire to share more information with parents about their role when choosing a virtual education for their children.
• the concerns of parents about returning their children to traditional learning in the face of a COVID-19 pandemic.
• the need to ensure that the technology to make online learning work was ready to be deployed.

The Board's vote postpones the first day of school for St. Mary Parish students to Tuesday, Sept. 8.

View Calendar

Please click the links below to see the St. Mary Parish School Board policy on Eletronic Telecommunication Devices.

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