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 here.
Inside this Issue
The I CARE Program in EBRPSS is the only prevention education program of its kind and has been serving the East Baton Rouge Community for over 40 years!
The 21st Century Vision of the ICARE Program is to provide students and staff with social-emotional coping strategies and trauma-informed approaches in prevention education. I CARE will advocate for students, community members, parents, and staff to have safe ad drug-free schools. Red Ribbon Week is one of I CARE's premier prevention education programs! We look forward to your participation this month at your school sites!
What Is Red Ribbon Month? It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. Show your personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign® is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.
DID YOU KNOW? Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations. Red Ribbon Week® (October 23-31), the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started. This year’s theme is Drug-Free Looks Like Me™ Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week® and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.
BOO AT THE ZOO, PRESENTED BY HANCOCK WHITNEY
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 - Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021
The zoo invites participants to Boo at the Zoo, presented by Hancock Whitney! Participants should wear their best costumes and enjoy a fun and festive day at the zoo! Regular zoo admission applies. Admission gates open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grounds close at 5 p.m.
THIS YEAR AT BOO AT THE ZOO:
There will be traditional photo-ops throughout the zoo with fall- and Halloween-themed structures.
As well, we will be providing fun and festive enrichments to our animal friends throughout the day.
It's sure to be a good time for all ages!
Upcoming dates:
Saturday, Oct. 16
Sunday, Oct. 17
Saturday, Oct. 23
Sunday, Oct. 24
The gorgeous Southern city of Baton Rouge has something for everyone during the fall and Halloween season. Single people looking for fun autumn activities, couples looking for a little romance and families who want something for their kids will find just what they are looking for in Baton Rouge.
CAJUN COUNTRY CORN MAZE
Finding your way through a corn maze is a quintessential fall activity. Cajun Country Corn Maze in Pine Grove, less than an hour’s drive from Baton Rouge, doesn’t disappoint. This maze winds its way through a family-owned farm. The farm has been operating for three decades, while the maze has been a regular fall attraction for almost 20 years. This season, the 7.5-acre maze is open from Oct. 7 to Nov. 26.
Cajun Country Corn Maze is so much more than a simple maze. This attraction also has a petting zoo, pig races, duck races, a playground and more. You can also ride a cow train and try your hand at the air cannon. There’s something for the entire family at Cajun Country Corn Maze.
If you are looking for a haunted corn maze in Baton Rouge, the farm hosts haunted nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Saturday in October. You can walk the haunted trail through the property’s woods or explore the scary pallet maze. Adrenaline seekers can hop on the farm’s safari ride for the annual zombie shoot. Don’t worry — though Baton Rouge does have some voodoo practitioners, there’s not a zombie infestation. These zombies are of the stuffed variety.
GREATER BATON ROUGE STATE FAIR
The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair is a fun-filled event that will dazzle kids and adults alike. This year, the fair will run from Oct. 26 to Nov. 5. The fair, a regular Baton Rouge event since the 1960s, is held on 100 acres located on Airline Highway.
The fair also has everything you expect from a fantastic carnival. Every day of the fair, there will be different live music acts. This year’s performers include names like Chase Tyler, Sara Collins and Remedy. Ride more than 40 different amusement park rides that range from family-friendly to towering, adrenaline-pumping rides. You can also try to win a prize at the different carnival games.
The fair also offers visitors a chance to interact with a different type of petting zoo. Pet kangaroos, camels, antelope, mini goats, llamas, wallabies and more. You can also catch an exciting pig race where piglets sprint around a racetrack, competing for bragging rights.
The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair also features live entertainment. Last year, local performer and magician Tim Spinosa dazzled fairgoers with sleight of hand and amazing illusions.
Between rides on the Ferris wheel and live shows, you can indulge in plenty of delicious fair food. Fill up on cotton candy, corn dogs, turkey legs and more.
MRS. HEATHER’S PUMPKIN PATCH
Pumpkins are one of the most beloved symbols of Halloween. Why go to the store for a pumpkin when you could go right to the source? Come to Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch to pick out just the right pumpkins for carving. This pumpkin patch is located in Hammond, just about an hour’s drive from Baton Rouge. The gorgeous pumpkins and delightful fall activities will make the drive well worth your time.
During the summer, Mrs. Heather’s is the perfect place to pick strawberries. But during the fall, it transforms into a Halloween hot spot. The pumpkin patch’s fall season runs from Sept. 23 to Nov. 6. After you have found the perfect pumpkin for your future jack-o’-lantern, you can explore what else Mrs. Heather has to offer. Pack a picnic lunch so you can spend all day enjoying the sunshine and fall weather.
Adventurous visitors can try the farm’s zip lining. Kids will love the tunnel slide, the pedal tractors and merry-go-round. Visitors can also take a stroll down the nature trail. Other great fall activities at Mrs. Heather’s include a hay maze, cow milking, duck races, horseshoes and face painting. During the weekends, kids can even paint their pumpkins right there at the pumpkin patch.
GHOST OF THE CASTLE SHOW
Halloween is the perfect time of year to go looking for a few ghosts. Louisiana’s Old State Capitol has earned a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in Baton Rouge. Reports of mysterious footprints left in the dust and paranormal sightings have made this old building a hot spot for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. One of the building’s ghosts is rumored to be a 19th-century politician named Pierre Couvillion. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re there. Who knows? Maybe you will catch a glimpse, or even a photo, of a fleeting apparition.
If you want to get a little closer to experiencing the otherworldly at this famous haunted spot, you can try the Ghost of the Castle experience. This 4-D show features the ghost of Sarah Morgan, a woman who lived during Civil War times. Her ghost does not aim to surprise or terrify you. Instead, she tells you about the history of the building through a haunting and fascinating theater performance.
The Gothic building’s haunted history and reputation are no surprise, given the scandals it has survived. After your encounter with the ghost of Sarah Morgan, you can learn more about this national historic landmark. The museum at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol features exhibits on the state’s culture and history, as well as a significant collection of art, artifacts and documents that span decades.
We offer specially priced computers and laptops for lower-income households. Bring in current driver’s license or state ID, along with one of the following:
Medicaid card
Food stamp card
Unemployment or disability information
Veteran’s VA card
Proof of age 62 or above 501c3 (LANO members and NPOs)
The CACRC's Computers for Louisiana's Families program offers low-cost refurbished computers with a Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System and additional software pre-installed. More information can be found on our flyer. If you qualify, and would like to print out an application, please click the link below:
All computer systems include the following software: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Open Office Suite, Avast Antivirus and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Home internet is a critical part of your child's education and future. That's why Cox has teamed with Connect2Compete, a program that brings affordable internet service to qualifying households. The whole family can go online for school assignments, job searches, email and more.
Your household may be eligible for high-speed internet service at $9.95 a month (plus tax) if:
You have at least one child eligible for free lunches through the National School Lunch Program.
You have not subscribed to Cox high-speed internet service within the last 90 days.
You have no outstanding bills or unreturned equipment with Cox.
Eligible customers will receive:
Fast, affordable high-speed internet service for only $9.95 a month.
No deposit required.
No contracts to sign.
No installation or modem rental fees.
To see if you are eligible, visit, Connect2Compete.org/Cox or call 1-855-222-3252.
Students need strong study skills to be successful in middle school — and parents play a significant role in helping their children develop them. The study skills middle schoolers learn now will help them succeed today, in high school and beyond.
To lay groundwork for your child’s academic success:
Encourage child to break down large projects. Don’t let your middle schooler get rattled by long-term assignments. Show them how to divide big projects into smaller, more manageable parts.
Have your child estimate how long a homework assignment or project will take and plan study time accordingly. Then, have them use a timer to see if estimates are accurate. This will help them make adjustments for future assignments, if necessary.
Increase his/her self-awareness. Ask your child to figure out when they are at his/her best. Then encourage them to do most of their homework and studying during those times. If they need to let off some steam after school, encourage them to go for a run or a brisk walk before sitting down.
Turn off the television. Don’t buy your child’s argument that TV is “just background noise.” Make sure homework time is free from all distractions.
Promote organization. Help them create a system to keep track of important assignments. It might be file folders, a color-coded binder or a desk calendar.
Studies show the more parents engage with and nurture their children at home, the better those youngsters do when they start school. Here are five simple ways to build important skills and promote learning:
Play together. Don’t ignore the value of having fun! Spend time playing games and solving jigsaw puzzles. Dress up in old clothes and put on a silly show together. Stack a tower of blocks. Crank up the radio and sing.
Be creative. Activities like squishing clay, coloring and finger painting aren’t just fun —they’re educational! So let your child get messy sometimes. It could boost school smarts.
Cuddle. Hugs and snuggles are more than a cozy way to bond. They’re also a way to make your child feel loved and safe. The more secure they feel at home, the more confident they may be when they head to school.
Get active. Healthy bodies nourish healthy minds! Go on walks with your child. Play catch outside. Go down the slide at the park. Skip rope. And when you’re finished, share a healthy snack and chat about how much fun you had.
Connect. Introduce yourself to your child’s preschool teacher or day-care provider. Ask your child questions about what they are learning and doing every day. The more they know learning matters to you, the more it will matter to them!
SOURCE: K.L. Bierman and others, “Parent Engagement Practices Improve Outcomes for Preschool Children,” Social and Emotional Learning, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
HVAC air vents can be installed in various places in a room, including ceilings, walls, doors and even floors. Unfortunately, these vents are often ignored when it comes to placing furniture and wall hangings in a room. Consequently, vents get inadvertently covered up, which affects the HVAC system's ability to adequately cool or heat. Be aware of air vent locations and avoid placing or hanging anything in front of them.
(*) 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.
As I write this month, Hurricane Ida’s trek through much of the eastern section of our country has left behind devastation. Wildfires rage out West. Social unrest abounds. Fear of the COVID-19 variant continues.
These grown-up storms are framing our children’s childhoods. Not to mention the disappointments with friends, feeling left out of the crowd, bullying and the too-many-to-list struggles of adolescence.
How do we help our children weather these storms in a way that build them rather than break them?
I believe we often, with good intentions, make matters worse by searching for complicated solutions to complicated problems. When the truth is the best defense for your children has been, and always will be, a strong family connection. Children need to know they are a valuable member of their family. They need to know that no matter what may blow through their lives, their family will stand with them.
Building a Strong Family in Uncertain Times
Clean up together. After a windstorm, if children are old enough to pick up sticks, they can be part of the cleanup. It’s important we allow our children to help with raking, cleaning the yard and anything else that is age-appropriate. This helps children learn there’s more to family than just fun and games. Children need to understand that each family member has a duty to help! A family that works together when trouble comes stays together.
Create family rituals. Family rituals give your children a sense of security, identity and belonging. Family rituals can help children feel safe during our uncertain and changing times and comfort them in unfamiliar circumstances. Rituals help children recognize that while the world may not be safe, their family can be a safe haven from the world. In my family, we always said, “Me, too”, when we left each other’s presence, as a secret way of saying I love you.
Family Day once a month: Take turns letting a different family member choose the activity a. Sunday night suppers: Gather the family around the dinner table to discuss last week’s struggles and next week’s plans! b. Other ideas: Dancing in the kitchen. Friday night pizza. Following a favorite sports team.
Operate as a team: Think of a football coach who works with individual players to hone their skills for the sake of the team. Each player gives their best so that the team as a whole can win. They support each other, play well together and stand together when an opponent threatens.
From our hearts to yours,
Wise Ol’ Wilbur
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
