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
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation (UREC), in partnership with the Southern University Law Center, is accepting applications from Baton Rouge-area high school students for the 2023 UREC Academy Pre-Law Institute. The interactive and instructional learning opportunity will introduce youth to the legal system while providing them with networking and mock trial experience. The Pre-Law Institute will take place March 14 to May 6 at Southern University Law Center. Sessions will be held from Tuesday – Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Interested applicants can submit an online application HERE.
There is no cost to participate in the Pre-Law Institute; the program is offered with support from Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation and Capital Area United Way.
Program Perks
Network with law professionals.
Participate in a mock trial.
Gain experience with preparing an opening statement, writing a closing argument, introducing evidence and examining witnesses.
Develop an understanding of the legal and criminal justice systems.
Pre-Law Institute Dates
March 13: Orientation.
March 14 – May 6: Pre-Law Institute. Tuesday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Southern University Law Center.
Eligibility
Open to all high school students in the greater Baton Rouge area with a GPA of 2.5 or above.
UREC Academy Trailblazers provides high school students with after-school and summer institutes that provide pathways to industry-based credentials; college and career readiness; ACT preparation; and real-world or simulated professional experiences. UREC Academy Trailblazer institutes include: pre-law, ACT prep, certified nursing assistant, entrepreneurship, and CompTIA. UREC is offering the 2023 Pre-Law Institute through partnerships with the Southern University Law Center, Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Capital Area United Way.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is building the future of Baton Rouge — and the award-winning faculty of the Fine Arts Department will ensure that the future is colorful and bright! Our educators are making a conscious effort to introduce students to the arts and nurture their unlimited creative potential. When students complement their studies with an education in the arts, it allows them to express themselves in an inviting and safe space. Students will learn team building, use critical thinking skills, develop problem-solving techniques and turn imagination into reality.
Not only are we paving the way for a future generation of artists, but we are shaping character, strengthening confidence and introducing new opportunities at home and abroad. Students will have the chance to further their arts education in places like France, England, South Africa and China. With more than 70 schools offering fine arts classes, taught by over 220 talented teachers, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is placing a dedicated focus on the arts. Join us as we continue to build a better and brighter future for our students by allowing them to CREATE!
Please join us for the forthcoming events posted below:
March is Tobacco and Vaping Prevention Month
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The I CARE Program recognizes March as Tobacco and Vaping Prevention Month. The program is actively working with community partners such as the DEA, Gardere Initiative, American Heart Association, OLOL’s Health Care Centers in Schools and local hospitals to continue to inform students and families about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. The I CARE Program provides schoolwide education to promote safe and healthy choices outside of vaping and tobacco use, and parents can also participate in training and request additional information to stay heavily informed about fake prescription pills and fentanyl deaths in Louisiana.
E-cigarettes and vapes are a rapidly emerging and diversified product class. These devices typically deliver nicotine, flavorings and other additives to users via an inhaled aerosol. These devices are referred to by a variety of names, including “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” and “tank systems.” „
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales.
The liquid usually has nicotine, which comes from tobacco, flavoring and other additives.
E-cigarette products can also be used as a delivery system for marijuana and other illicit drugs.
American Heart Association
What parents can do:
As a parent, you’re a powerful influence — even if your teenager seems to disagree with everything you say. Here are some of the most effective ways you can steer your kids away from tobacco:
Maintain a dialogue.
Think more than cigarettes. Explain that smokeless tobacco, hookah and e-cigarettes all have dangers, including nicotine addiction.
Prepare your kids for peer pressure. Discuss what they might say if a friend offers a cigarette or e-cigarette.
Establish a smoke-free home. Don’t allow family members or friends to smoke in your home or car. Make sure the places your child spends a lot of time are tobacco-free.
If your child has started smoking or vaping, try to learn why. This may help you talk with them more effectively. Instead of punishment, offer understanding and help to resist the dangerous lure of tobacco use and addiction.
As always, reach out to the I CARE Program for more information and support! Scan the link below for additional information regarding fentanyl and tips from parents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation (UREC) is accepting applications for the 2023 Ronnie Edwards Scholarship Award. Ronnie Edwards founded Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation in 1992. She pioneered UREC’s youth development initiatives and championed education while advancing the organization’s purpose of “Building Today’s Communities for Tomorrow.” Edwards also served North Baton Rouge in areas such as community development, state and local government, and business. She died in 2016. This scholarship honors her legacy and contributions. Complete the scholarship application HERE.
Deadline: Friday, March 31, 2023 (midnight)
Award Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
Applicant must be accepted into a two- or four-year college or university with plans to begin in fall 2023.
Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who participated in UREC’s youth development programs (College & Career Ready Pre-Law, EMR, IGNITE Entrepreneurship, IGNITE ACT Prep, CompTIA IT Fundamentals, or CNA institutes).
OR
Is a graduating senior from Glen Oaks High School (Class of 2023)
Submit an Application Click HEREto complete the scholarship application.
About UREC:
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation is a nonprofit community development organization with a mission of transforming communities by investing in people and restoring neighborhoods. UREC’s College & Career Ready Initiative is a 21st-century community learning center that provides after-school and summer learning programs with the support of sponsors.
It’s finally time for the Louisiana PTA Centennial Celebration and Recognition Ceremony as we commemorate this special 100-year achievement! It is a day to learn together, network, conduct LAPTA business, and celebrate the winners of our contests, awards, grants and challenges. There are activities and courses for both adults and children. Registration deadline is March 17, 2023.
Attendance for all Local PTA Units is required as written in the Bylaws. See Lines 527-553 of LAPTA Bylaws at LouisianaPTA.org/bylaws. Participation in the whole day is encouraged but not required.
*If the Register Now link opens to a blank page while using Edge Browser, either clear cookies, use the QR code or try using Chrome browser.
Tickets are $25 per adult and $10 per child (2-12-year-olds). This includes a continental breakfast by CC’s Coffee House, special catered lunch by City Pork Catering with “Taste of Louisiana” menu, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, activities, courses and recognition ceremony. Lunch includes crawfish pies, meat pies, chicken & sausage jambalaya, crispy catfish, BBQ ribs, cajun sausage, government greens salad, mac & cheese and green beans.
Activities: Northshore Technical Community College has two exciting experiences for children and adults to explore until 3 p.m. Starlab® features a portable digital planetarium. Learn about Night and Day, moon phases, constellations and Star Lore, Eclipses, the Milky Way Galaxy and more. Gator Mobile STEM Lab is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for hands-on STEM career exploration. It has maritime technology with mobile maritime simulator, 3D printing, VR for human anatomy and more.
Courses: Session 1 (9:30-10:50) is the LAPTA general membership meeting and is open to all. All PTAs are required to attend to help meet quorum. It includes elections of the LAPTA executive officers, kickoff of the new statewide Louisiana Lagniappe PTSA, a brief overview of the rich 100-year history of LAPTA, transition information for next year’s success and more. Session 2 (11:00 – 11:50) and Session 3 (Noon – 12:50) each offer two courses and are open to anyone. Session 4 (2:00 – 2:45) includes roundtable discussions about the national standards for family-school partnerships. Course descriptions will be posted as soon as possible.
Recognition ceremony (3 – 5) will include a brief history of LAPTA’s 100 years, new unit charters, winners of contests, grants, awards and challenges, and a special closing.
Free Tickets: LAPTA provides student winners with two free tickets (use code 2FREE) and adult winners with one free ticket (use code FREEADULT) for the winners of safety poster contest, Love Louisiana video challenge, reflections, special awards and grant winners.
WHERE: Liberty Magnet High School, 1105 Lee Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
COST: $25/adult, $10/child (2-12-year-old), plus free tickets for the winners
The Council of the Great City Schools is partnering with Dr. Bernard Harris to offer the CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships Program for high school seniors who are planning to major in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Named after former astronaut, physician and businessman Bernard Harris, who was the first African American to walk in space, the scholarships are available to 2023 graduating seniors in urban school districts represented by the council.
Four $5,000 scholarships for two males and two females each will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic seniors pursuing studies in STEM-related fields in college next fall.
To apply for the 2023 scholarship, the application must be submitted online by April 10.
Interested in becoming a paraprofessional with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System? We want you!
Listed below is information relative to the pare pro test in which one is required to pass in order to become a paraprofessional:
Please use the following link to register for the EBRPSS paraprofessional test: https://bit.ly/3VJpAKf
Registration Information can also be found on the EBR website. www.ebrschools.org- Departments--Human Resources—Paraprofessionals
REGISTRATION/TESTING INFORMATION:
EBRPSS Applicants: As of June 2021, the EBRPSS paraprofessional test is free to all participants that have an active EBRPSS application on file in our Frontline education recruit and hire system and the application reflects that they are seeking employment in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for the current school year.
Non-EBRPSS Applicants: A nonrefundable fee of $55 is required in money order form to register for this test. The $55 money order should be made payable to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and must be paid on the day of the test.
The paraprofessional test, offered under the auspices of the Educational Testing Services (ETS), is administered at the Professional Development Center, 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70814 (Room 301). The test will begin promptly at 10 a.m.; therefore, if you arrive more than five minutes late, you will not be admitted in the test site.
BASIC PROCEDURES:
Please wear a mask or face covering.
Please bring a valid driver's license or picture identification upon entry.
Cellular telephones, calculators, smart watches and other electronic devices are to be kept in your car.
You will receive your unofficial PRAXIS test score at the conclusion of taking your test.
If you have any questions, please contact: Mynesha Williams (mwilliams40@ebrschools.org), Tobrina Jackson (tjackson1@ebrschools.org) or Allison Brown-Lands (ABrown12@ebrschools.org).
Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
Set a bedtime that lets your child get the 10-11 hours of they need each night.
Have your child go to bed and wake up at the same times every day — even on weekends.
Mark mornings consistent.
Make getting ready for school easier by helping your child create a regular routine. For example, make sure your child packs their backpack the night before. Have your child wake up at the same time each morning. It should be early enough so that your child has plenty of time to get ready for school (for example, eating breakfast and getting dressed).
Set aside a time and place for homework.
Pick a time that works well for you and your child. Plan on about 10 minutes of homework per grade level.
Set up a homework spot that’s comfortable, quiet and well-lit. Stock it with supplies, such as pencils, pens, paper and a dictionary.
Stay close by in case your child needs help.
Make time to talk every day.
This helps you stay connected with your child. It can also help you keep an eye out of problems.
Plan a regular time to talk, such as during dinner or on the ride to school.
Ask specific questions about your child’s day (such as “What did you learn in math?”)
Listen fully. Don’t interrupt.
Encourage your child to come to you with any problems or concerns.
FREE SATURDAY TUTORING
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The Baton Rouge Magnet High School Beta Club will offer FREE tutoring services each Saturday in March, 9:30-10:30 a.m., at the Main Library at Goodwood! Beta members will tutor elementary, middle and high school students. See subjects offered below. Only 60 spots are available each Saturday. Registration is required. Register online at ebrpl.co/tutor or call 225-231-3770.
Elementary students: English, math, science and reading.
Middle schoolers (6th grade - 8th grade): English, math and science.
High schoolers: English, math (9th – calculus) and science.
Upon advanced request, they will provide tutoring in French, Spanish and Latin.
March Calendar
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Parent Power is a publication of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System
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, 225-929-8705). The Section 504 coordinator is Danielle Staten-Ojo, (dstaten@ebrschools.org., 225-326-5668). The Title II coordinator is Dr. Sandra Bethley, administrative director of Federal Programs (SBHorton@ebrschools.org, 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.
Dr. Sito Narcisse, Superintendent of Schools
sitonarcisse@ebrschools.org
Letrece Griffin, Chief of Communications & Family Engagement
