Dear parents and guardians, I am so excited to welcome you to our Parent Power Newsletter. We're thrilled that you’re interested in learning more from our dedicated team at EBR Schools and can’t wait to start sharing with you.
Inside this Issue
Looking for activities to get your kids outdoors or just simply allowing them to be creative? Perhaps, BREC can help with these spring break camp offerings:
Bring your child to Bluebonnet Swamp for three days of fun during the holiday break. They’ll be treated to nature-based activities such as arts and crafts, live animal encounters, hikes, games and a themed afternoon snack. Each day will include different activities, and campers will need to bring a bag lunch and drink each day. Activities in spring camp will focus on springtime topics such as baby animals, blooming plants and bees. Due to separate holiday weeks for local schools, we will be offering two sessions of camp to accommodate all EBR residents. Registration opened March 1. BLUEBONNET SWAMP NATURE CENTER Session 1: April 12-14 Session 2: April 18-20 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. / Ages: 6-12 $75 for in-parish residents $90 for out-of-parish residents More Info: 225-757-8905 sguidry@brec.org
Campers will jump into the season by creating spring-inspired art projects in an atmosphere of fun and encouragement. Media includes paint, clay, watercolor, pastels and mixed media. Milton J. Womack Park April 12-14 /8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ages: 7-10 Maximum of 30 participants $75 for East Baton Rouge Parish residents $90 for out-of-parish residents More info: 225-272-9200, ext. 1505 robin.mcandrew@brec.org
SPRING CLAY CAMP
Getting muddy is a great way to spend the spring holiday. Join us in our new clay studio to learn hand building, wheel throwing and glazing. Participants will also create free-form sculptures as well as create clay pieces that will become cherished memories of this FUN, NEW, UNIQUE camp! DRUSILLA LANE PARK April 12-14 / 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Ages: 9-12 Maximum of 12 participants $75 for East Baton Rouge Parish residents $90 for out-of-parish residents More info: 225-272-9200, ext. 1505 robin.mcandrew@brec.org
BOOK CLUB CAMP
This book club is like no other! Join professional artist and children’s book illustrator, Holly Stone-Barker, for three days of bookmaking and storytelling. We will create unique books ready for illustrations and fantastical stories by binding, folding and using natural materials. MILTON J. WOMACK PARK/DRUSILLA PARK April 12-14 / 8 a.m.-noon Ages: 8-12 Maximum of 12 participants $40 for East Baton Rouge Parish residents $48 for out-of-parish residents More info: 225-272-9200, ext. 1505 robin.mcandrew@brec.org
CREATIVE CHOICES TEEN CAMP
Like spoken word? Can you paint? Do you like movies? Are you creative? It doesn’t matter — we got you! Join us for three days of cool and different ways to learn both visual and performing art techniques. This unique and creative art camp will allow participants to artistically express themselves in ways they never knew they could. Painting, writing, clay, monologues and spoken word are just a few of the offerings that will inspire participants to make their creative choice! INDEPENDENCE PARK THEATRE EVENT CENTER April 12-14 / 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Ages: 13-17 Free for East Baton Rouge Parish residents Must preregister. More info: 225-272-9200, ext. 1505 robin.mcandrew@brec.org
Holiday riding camp will teach your child basic horsemanship, horse care, crafts and enjoying the outdoors. All campers will be assigned their own horse. FARR PARK EQUESTRIAN CENTER April 12-14 / 8 a.m.-noon / Late pickup 12:30 p.m. Ages: 8-12 $135 for East Baton Rouge Parish residents $162 for out-of-parish residents Registration opened Feb. 1
Campers review highlights of the American space program via interactive demos and games. Each session has a theme, chemical rocket construction and science inquiry activities. HIGHLAND ROAD PARK OBSERVATORY April 12-13 / 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Ages: 9-13 $55 East Baton Rouge Parish residents $66 out-of-parish residents
Outdoor Adventure
BREC-XPEDITIONS
Calling all Junior Adventurers! Looking for a fun adventure for your kids to enjoy during their spring break? Look no further than our BREC-xpeditions. Our experienced staff will lead participants on paddling and hiking adventures. Exact field trip locations will be weather-dependent. GREENWOOD COMMUNITY PARK April 12 - Paddling Expedition April 14 - Hiking Expedition 8 a.m.-5 p.m. / Ages: 10-14 / $35-$42 person per day More info: outdooradventure@brec.org
Tennis
Capital One Tennis Center at City Park1515 Dalrymple Drive 225-343-3767
SPRING HOLIDAY JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
This three-day camp includes tennis instruction and a visit to the splash pad (campers should bring change of clothes). Campers must bring their own lunch. April 12-14 / Tuesday-Thursday / 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Ages: 5-16 / $125 per person Registration Deadline: April 8 / $5 late fee
THE FIRST EARTH DAY
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.
ORIGINS OF EARTH DAY
In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Until this point, mainstream America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health.
However, the stage was set for change with the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller “Silent Spring” in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries as it raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health.
1990: EARTH DAY GOES GLOBAL
As 1990 approached, a group of environmental leaders approached Denis Hayes to once again organize another major campaign for the planet. This time, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also prompted President Bill Clinton to award Sen. Gaylord Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest honor given to civilians in the United States — for his role as Earth Day founder.
EARTH DAY FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM
As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. With 5,000 environmental groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people, Earth Day 2000 built both global and local conversations, leveraging the power of the internet to organize activists around the world, while also featuring a drum chain that traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people also gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for a First Amendment rally. Thirty years on, Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders a loud and clear message: Citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy.
EARTH DAY 2010
As in 1970, Earth Day 2010 came at a time of great challenge for the environmental community to combat the cynicism of climate change deniers, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public and a divided environmental community with the collective power of global environmental activism. In the face of these challenges, Earth Day prevailed and EARTHDAY.ORG reestablished Earth Day as a major moment for global action for the environment.
Over the decades, EARTHDAY.ORG has brought hundreds of millions of people into the environmental movement, creating opportunities for civic engagement and volunteerism in 193 countries. Earth Day engages more than 1 billion people every year and has become a major steppingstone along the pathway of engagement around the protection of the planet.
EARTH DAY TODAY
Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes.
Now, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day.
As the awareness of our climate crisis grows, so does civil society mobilization, which is reaching a fever pitch across the globe today. Disillusioned by the low level of ambition following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and frustrated with international environmental lethargy, citizens of the world are rising up to demand far greater action for our planet and its people.
The social and cultural environments we saw in 1970 are rising up again today — a fresh and frustrated generation of young people are refusing to settle for platitudes, instead taking to the streets by the millions to demand a new way forward. Digital and social media are bringing these conversations, protests, strikes and mobilizations to a global audience, uniting a concerned citizenry as never before and catalyzing generations to join together to take on the greatest challenge that humankind has faced.
By tapping into some of the learnings, outcomes and legacy of the first Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG is building a cohesive, coordinated, diverse movement, one that goes to the very heart of what EARTHDAY.ORG and Earth Day are all about — empowering individuals with the information, the tools, the messaging and the communities needed to make an impact and drive change.
Earth Day was first organized in 1970 to increase public awareness of environmental concerns. That first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other first-of-their-kind environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Fifty years later, it is a global movement in over 190 countries. To learn more, go to www.earthday.org
EARTH DAY Quiz
Test your environmental knowledge!
(answers at bottom of page)
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas? a. CO2 c. Water vapor b. CH4 d. All of the above
Globally, which economic factor emits the largest percentage of greenhouse gases? a. Transportation c. Industry b. Buildings d. Electricity production
Why is plastic dangerous for marine life? a. Can mistake it for food and cannot digest it b. Get tangled in it, affects ability to swim c. Both a. and b. d. Not dangerous; they use it for habitat
How long can the oldest whale species live? a. 50 years c. 100 years b. 75 years d. 200 years
What percentage of crops are dependent on bee pollination in the U.S.? a. 90% c. 50% b. 65% d. 30%
How Can You Help the Earth?
5 Ways to Help Your School and Community Make Everyday Earth Day!
Save electricity by turning off lights when you leave the room.
Use less cooling and heating energy by closing window shades and blinds to keep heat out during summer and keep heat in during winter.
Conserve energy and improve comfort by keeping exterior doors and windows closed.
Ensure that heating and air-conditioning units work efficiently. Keep heat-producing appliances away from the thermostat, keep return air vents clear of blockages and replace air filters regularly.
Use a reusable water bottle, to make a big impact on your plastic consumption.
(*) ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. Learn more about ENERGY STAR.
This energy conservation tip is provided by the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Aramark Energy Management Team. For more information, please contact us at 225-226-3723 or savoie-don@aramark.com.
(Earth Day Quiz Answers: 1. d, 2. d, 3. c, 4. d, 5. a)
Children need opportunities to build strong self-identity and positive attitudes within our diverse community. Understanding who they are and how they are connected to others help children develop a sense of belonging and purpose. Adults can support children in developing their self-identity, empathy for others, understanding of social roles and communication skills through meaningful conversations.
Quality conversations allow adults and children to build relationships based on respect. When adults listen to children and answer their questions openly and honestly, children learn that their thoughts, feelings and ideas are important, and that the adults in their lives are trusted sources of information. This is also an opportunity for children to practice the social rules for conversations such as taking turns, listening, respectfully disagreeing and using polite phrases, such as excuse me, nice to meet you, please, thank you, etc.
The following ideas can be used to start family conversations that support the development of a healthy self-identity and appreciation for others.
Sit together in front of a mirror, or look at photographs and ask, “How are we alike? How are we different?”
Once a week, have a family share night. Everyone takes a turn sharing a story about their week. After telling a story, ask “What would you have done?” Asking children to put themselves in the position of someone else helps them develop empathy.
Create a “Talk Box.” Each week, family members can write discussion topics or questions on slips of paper and put them into the box. Each evening during dinner, family members can take turns choosing a conversation topic from the box. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to talk about the topic or question. Some sample questions or topics could include, “What does it mean to trust someone?” “When you feel sad, what helps you feel better?” “Describe a time you helped someone.” “Explain what it means for something to be fair."
Read a short book out loud together before bedtime and talk about the characters and story. Ask, “How do you think they felt?” or “Why do you think they did that?”
Traditionally, Arts in Schools Month is celebrated in March. However, state testing is a priority/focus during March and the first part of April. This year, the Fine Arts Department will celebrate/highlight the district's arts programming during the last week of April. Please see event descriptions, dates, times and locations in the tables below:
Date: Monday, April 25
Event: Movie night
Location: McKinley Middle Magnet
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Description:
This is an evening of fun for the Baton Rouge community to explore the types of arts programming offered to students (K-8) in EBR Schools. Parents and students will be able to talk to amazing arts teachers and administrators to learn more about artistic programming and arts opportunities in elementary and middle school.
We will also have an outdoor movie night, featuring the blockbuster hit “Sing 2.” Please bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy a night of fun, food and singing!
Concessions will be sold.
ADMISSION: FREE
Date: Tuesday, April 26
Event: Poetry slam
Location: Glen Oaks High School (auditorium)
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Description:
This poetry slam and showcase will feature EBRPSS students using their oration and writing skills to empower others through written and spoken word. The poetry slam is sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts, Department of Literacy and Baton Rouge Police Department.
We will also have a few well-known special guests!
ADMISSION: FREE
Date: Wednesday, April 27
Event: College night
Location: Tara High School
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This arts night will focus on students in grades 8-12 who have an opportunity to explore colleges and universities from around the country that have dynamic arts programming.
If your child would like to major/minor in music, theater arts, dance, media arts or visual arts, this will be the event for you!
Come out and learn about many phenomenal institutions from across the country that may meet your child’s future artistic pathway.
ADMISSION: FREE
Date: Thursday, April 28
Event: Film festival
Location: Woodlawn High School
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This night will spotlight students in media and graphic arts classes who have created films for our third annual EBRStudent Film Festival.
Come out and see this year’s nominated movies and see who takes home this year’s highest honors!
ADMISSION: FREE
Date: Friday, April 29
Event: Teacher art exhibit
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
This exhibition will highlight the talents of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System visual arts teachers.
ADMISSION: FREE
Date: Saturday, April 30
Event: SaturDAY Fever!
Location: Baton Rouge High School
Time: 12:30 p.m.
This fun-filled afternoon of talent will feature the performing arts teachers in our district. This teacher showcase will show our teachers' talents themed around the sounds of the 1970s!
Come out and dress to impress in your ’70s attire. The best audience costume will receive a PRIZE!
ADMISSION: $5 (Children under 5 FREE)
Date: Sunday, May 1
Event: Art, jazz and pizazz
Location: Galvez Plaza, downtown Baton Rouge
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This day of arts will showcase the “best of the best” art and music in EBR Schools with a look at magnet school availability for the 2022-2023 school year.
Live jazz-themed performances, school displays and free admission to downtown arts museums will be available for the day!
The day will end with a performance by EBR jazz students and the Southern University Jazz Band.
ADMISSION: FREE
OLOL Health Centers in Schools would like to let parents know that the Broadmoor High health clinic will be open to all EBR Parish students (including student-athletes) during spring break. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 12; Thursday, April 14; and Monday, April 18. The school-based clinic is located at 10100 Goodwood Blvd.
“The most satisfying flower we will ever grow is a child who matures into full bloom.” ~Jill Rigby Garner
With spring arriving, gardening is on my mind. The most important gardening you will ever do is in the garden of your child’s heart. There are five stages to producing fruit in your child’s life:
Preparing the soil — Before you can plant seeds in your child’s heart, you must possess those seeds in your own heart. The more we develop mature fruit in our own lives, the easier it will be to develop character in our children. We cannot expect more of our children than we expect of ourselves.
Planting the seeds— Wouldn’t you agree that the seeds of honesty, patience, respectfulness, courtesy, friendship, kindness, and gentleness would be the first seeds to cultivate?
Protecting the growth— We need to spend more time making our children strong in the security of the roots of their family than we do worrying about the pests that will try to invade their little hearts and turn them cold. We can give our children the fortitude to fight off the pests. Children need to know who they are. They need to know they are loved unconditionally; that’s the best pesticide you can use!
Pruning the branches —Discipline is one of those words we don’t like to talk about today. An effective discipline is an action taken to change an inappropriate behavior. Using repetition as a discipline is the growing secret of all successful parents.
Patiently waiting —The most difficult stage of gardening is pulling weeds when necessary and checking daily for trouble spots, especially in the latter stages of growth (teen years) as we watch the garden mature. This is the time to listen to their hearts, so you can hear what is not being said in their words.
This is a long process from birth to adulthood. Stay the course in your child’s heart and you will witness the development of a beautiful, handsome blossom that began in the hand of a loving, patient gardener with a plan and a purpose.
Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum
Join us for STARGAZING under the dome of the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium on Saturdays at 10 a.m.! Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky during the interactive presentation, then sit back for a featured show for all ages. Collect a new constellation trading card each Saturday by clicking here.
Included in general admission (free for members); admission price paid at the door.
Upcoming dates:
Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16 at 10a.m. Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m.
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation (UREC)
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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High Schoolers Invited to Apply to UREC's CNA Institute
UREC is accepting applications for the 2022 College & Career Ready Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Institute for Baton Rouge-area high school students. The CNA Institute will take place April 20 to June 15. The deadline to apply is April 13.
Learn more at urecbr.com/cna2022
Eligible, graduating high school seniors are invited to apply for the 2022 Ronnie Edwards Scholarship Award, which is awarded annually in the amount of $1,000. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is April 15. View eligibility requirements and submit an online application at urecbr.com/2022scholarship
April calendar
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The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and all of its entities (including Career and Technical Education Programs) do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment); and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX coordinator is Andrew Davis, director of Risk Management (ADavis6@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 929-8705. The Section 504 coordinator is Elizabeth Taylor Chapman, director of Exceptional Student Services (ETaylor@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 929-8600. The Title II coordinator is Dr. Sandra Bethley, administrative director of Federal Programs (SBHorton@ebrschools.org), phone (225) 922-5538.
All students have an opportunity to participate in Career and Technical Programs of Study, including, but not limited to areas of health care; construction crafts and trades; automotive technology; IT computer technology; culinary programs; criminal justice; and agriculture. Admission requirements for each course can be found in the student course guide/schedule packet of the individual campus where the course is being offered. Please contact the guidance counselor at the specific school site for additional information, program requirements and/or any questions you may have.
Parent Power is a publication of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Dr. Sito Narcisse, Superintendent of Schools
sitonarcisse@ebrschools.org
Alexandra Deiro Stubbs, Chief of Communications & Public Relations
