Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We hope this letter finds you well. As part of our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services to students, we are excited to announce some important updates regarding our School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) at Scotlandville Middle and Scotlandville High Schools. Please review the information below to learn more about these changes and how they may benefit your family. 

 

 

The Scotlandville Middle Magnet School-Based Health Center (SBHC) will relocate to Scotlandville Magnet High School on Friday, January 24, 2025. While the physical location is changing, we remain dedicated to maintaining convenient access to care for all middle school students. 

 

Here’s how we will continue to serve your child: 

• On-Site Care via Mobile Health Unit: The HCCS Mobile Health Unit will visit Scotlandville Middle Magnet School weekly, every Wednesday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, January 29, 2025 through May 14, 2025. 

• Access to the New High School Clinic: Middle school students can also access care at the Scotlandville Magnet High School clinic. A parent or guardian must accompany them for in-person visits. 

• Video Visits: Video visits are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This convenient option allows your child to receive care from the comfort of your home or school. 

 

To request a video visit appointment, follow these steps: 

 

1. Complete a current, signed consent for your student using the QR code below. 

2. A video visit may be scheduled via MyChart in collaboration with designated school personnel while remaining on the schools’ campus, or from home by calling (225) 654- 7325. 3. The provider will evaluate symptoms and make recommendations for a plan of care if needed, including treatment if appropriate. The pediatric provider may recommend certain medications. Prescriptions will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice or home delivery can be arranged through RxONE. 

4. Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health providers will give your child a school excuse to return to school when recommended.

 

Parents can join video visits virtually to support their child’s care. Instructions for connecting will be provided upon scheduling the appointment, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. 

 

 

We are excited to announce the grand opening of the Scotlandville High School-Based Health Center on Thursday, January 30, 2025. This new facility will provide comprehensive medical and mental health services to all students.

 

 

• The provider can provide care for both sick and wellness visits, including prescribing medications, making arrangements for any testing needed at one of the seven school-based health centers or another location, and can provide referrals for specialized care. 

 

We proudly accept all patients, regardless of their payor source. Part of the mission of school-based health centers is to provide services to any student with or without insurance. Clinic visits are covered by most insurance plans, but we do not charge a copay and do not charge for services beyond what insurance will pay. 

 

To ensure your child can access care when needed, we encourage you to complete the consent to care process now. Use the QR code below to provide consent while your child is well, making it easier to access services throughout the school year.

 

As a proud partner of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, Health Care Centers in Schools (HCCS) is dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes for students across Greater Baton Rouge. We provide physical, mental, and behavioral health services to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in a healthy and caring environment. Our service lines include School-Based Health Centers, School Nursing, and Community Outreach. 

 

We are here to support you and your family. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at (225) 343-9505. 

 

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s health and well-being. 

 

Sincerely, Health Care Centers in Schools 

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health

 

 

 

 

The Steve Carter Education Program provides $1,500 vouchers to families of eligible K-12 public school students per school year. The digital vouchers can be used to purchase high-quality literacy and math tutoring. The program is part of the Louisiana Tutoring Initiative and is named after the late Baton Rouge State Representative Steve Carter. Established in R.S. 17:4032.1 through Act 415 of the 2021 Legislative Session, the program was expanded through Act 649 of the 2024 Legislative Session.

 

 

 

It is never too early (or late) to start doing literacy activities with your child. Strong literacy skills are essential for development and provide a foundation for school and work performance, social skills, and solving problems in all subject areas. Just a few minutes spent each day on simple literacy activities can add up to a lifelong love of reading and learning! These literacy-based activities are great for your newborn, toddler, or preschool age child.

Short books with rhythmic patterns and rhyming words are fun.  This can be a special time to bond with your baby and help develop their language skills.

When they communicate with you through cries or coos, respond directly to them with smiles and encouragement.

Babies enjoy the rhythms and melodies of music--lullabies, your favorite songs, nursery rhymes set to music, or any songs will do!

On walks around the house, yard, or community, talk to them about what you see.  Point to objects and describe it to your child.

Learn and use signs for words your child may need to communicate (more, drink, go, etc.)

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM).  This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well.  Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships. 

 

Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault.  Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year.  Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.

 

Adolescents in abusive relationships often carry these unhealthy patterns of violence into future relationships.  Indeed, children who are victimized or witness violence frequently bring this experience with them to the playground, the classroom, later into teen relationships and, ultimately, they can end up the victims and perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.

Everyone can make a difference by reaching out to young people in simple ways.  As we interact with teens in our work or personal lives each of us can act on President Obama’s call to stand against teen dating violence by:

If you know of a teen or parent that could benefit from speaking to a caring, well-trained peer advocate, please connect them with the National Dating Abuse Helpline, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-866-331-8453), by texting "loveis" to 77054, or through live chat at loveisrespect.org.
For more information, please visit the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Women.

Research shows that parent involvement in education has a positive effect on student success at school.  When teachers and parents work together, the results can be powerful.  To foster effective two-way communication:

 

It’s natural to worry about your teen’s future and whether he will be able to get a good job.  A new study found one effective way to make a difference for your teen’s future:  Talk about the importance of science and math.

 

There are plenty of great jobs in science, technology, engineering and math.  (Together, these fields are often called STEM.)

 

STEM-related jobs are increasing every year.  Some require only a two-year associate’s degree after high school.  Often these jobs have starting salaries of $50,000 or higher for new college graduates.

 

Yet teens often avoid the math and science classes they need in high school to prepare for these jobs.

 

That’s where parents can play a significant role.  Help your teen see that the choices she makes today can affect her future.  Then:

 

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) has announced its National Merit Award winners.

National merit awards are given to magnet schools that demonstrate a commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and strong parent and community involvement.

 

There are two categories of merit awards: (1) Magnet Schools of Excellence, the top merit award given to only a select group of magnet schools and (2) Magnet Schools of Distinction, the second highest award of recognition.

 

Please join me in congratulating our Magnet Schools and Programs of Excellence and our Magnet Schools and Programs of Distinction!

 

 

These outstanding schools will be recognized during an awards ceremony at Magnet Schools of America’s 41st National Conference in Nashville, TN taking place during the week of April 7-11, 2025.

Let’s celebrate the incredible accomplishments of these schools and the dedicated teams 

The East Baton Rouge School System launched its annual "Adopt an Elf" campaign to support homeless families during the holiday season.  The initiative offered an opportunity for the community to provide identified homeless students with clothing, toys, and hygiene kits for the holiday season.

 

We sincerely thank you for participating in our cherished tradition.  Your generosity and festive spirit brought joy to our students.

 

Thank you,

The Office of Federal Programs

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 for additional information, program requirements and/or any questions you may have.