Dear parents and guardians, we are 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
Eight more Baton Rouge Magnet High School students scored a 36 on the ACT during the 2024-2025 School year. They are 9th grader Ziang Zhuang; 11th graders Ryan Yang, Tristan Jarnagin, Cecily Lu, Clark Ortego, Lukas Schwehm, and Brianna Warren; and 12th grader Thomas Deny. Baton Rouge Magnet High School now has a total of 16 current students who have scored 36 on the ACT.
L-R: Thomas Denny, Brianna Warren, Cecily Lu, Ziang Zhuang, Ryan Yang, Clark Ortego, Lukas Schwehm. Not Pictured Tristan Jarnagin.
Health Care Centers in Schools, a part of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, have full-time Behavioral Health Providers in seven School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) located in the EBRPSS. These providers are licensed social workers who provide quality behavioral and mental health services to students that effectively integrate a wide range of interventions and collaborative mental health services in the SBHC setting. Responsibilities include individual, group and family therapy, as well as case management, and crisis prevention and intervention services. The HCCS Behavioral Health Providers are available for video visits for students attending EBR schools that do not have a health clinic.
To schedule a visit, please scan the QR Code below:
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations come together to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care and resources.
Why Do We Support Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental health awareness plays a crucial role in reducing stigma, encouraging early intervention and fostering empathy and understanding. By normalizing conversations around mental health, it nurtures a more compassionate society where individuals feel empowered to seek help, leading to improved mental wellbeing. Key objectives of Mental Health Awareness Month include:
Educating the public about mental health conditions and their impact.
Reducing stigma by encouraging open conversations and fostering acceptance.
Highlighting the importance of early intervention and access to treatment.
Sharing available mental health resources, including support groups and crisis services.
Building solidarity and reducing isolation for those facing mental health challenges.
Advocating for improved mental health policies, increased funding and better access to care.
Promoting mental wellbeing and self-care practices for overall health.
What Are Some Key Facts About Mental Health in the U.S.?
Despite progress in mental health initiatives, more than 30 million people in the U.S. still lack access to comprehensive, high-quality care. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for Mental Health Awareness Month and the importance of bringing attention to this disparity:
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
In 2022, 22% of high school students seriously considered suicide in the past year.
How Can I Support Mental Health Awareness?
There are many ways to support Mental Health Awareness Month! One of the best ways is to lead by example and prioritize your own mental health. To help you get started, we’ve created a checklist with practical tips. Click below for your free toolkit.
You don’t have to work in the behavioral health care field to help yourself and others thrive. Here are three things you can do this month to move mental health forward:
Download our free toolkit above. We’ve outlined several ways you can support your mental wellbeing and help others. Inside, you’ll find tips, original content and resources!
Get trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). You can be the difference through MHFA, a course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use challenges. Already trained? Learn how to become a MHFA Instructor!
Raise your voice.Help us advocate to expand access to mental health and substance use care and bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing.
Where Can I Find Mental Health Resources?
Help is out there, and hope is possible. Here are some free resources to lean on if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis:
We know health is personal – it’s about more than just numbers and tests, it’s about your physical, mental and emotional well-being. It’s about you. Go Red for Women is championing better health and well-being for all women, helping them live their best lives through every age, stage, and season.
More than 44% of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. The good news: women have the best resource – each other. Women have the power to help each other. To support each other. To teach each other. To empower each other. And we're on a mission to make sure no woman has to go it alone.
Summer break is a time for kids to relax and have fun, but it can also lead to learning loss known as the “summer slide.”
Studies show that students, especially those from low-income families, experience a decline in academic skills. In fact, these kids lose an average of two months in reading achievement over the summer, causing them to fall almost three grade levels behind their peers by the time they reach fifth grade. To add to this, math and reading scores are at historic lows due to disrupted learning during the pandemic.
To help kids keep learning and foster their academic success when school is out, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has developed effective programs to prevent summer learning loss and bridge the achievement gap. This includes a national partnership with Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, in support of Project Learn, an evidence-based approach to youth-centered learning at Boys & Girls Clubs. Panda Cares also creates Centers of Hope at Clubs — safe and inclusive spaces that encourage learning, interaction and personal development.
Here are five ways parents and caregivers can support learning while schools are out for summer:
1. Make Reading a Priority
Reading is a powerful tool that nurtures imagination, enhances vocabulary and boosts comprehension skills. By encouraging children to read during the break, kids can stave off summer learning loss and keep their minds sharp. Reading exposes them to new ideas, different perspectives and diverse cultures.
Help kids make reading a priority by being a reading role model and establishing a regular reading routine. Make reading a family activity and initiate discussions to deepen their engagement. Parents and caregivers can also create a reading space at home or visit a library for designated reading time.
And remember, audio books count toward reading comprehension and might help get your kid interested in reading — support them in the learning style that works for them.
2. Embrace Summer Learning Programs
To beat the summer slide, check out local community centers, libraries and schools for interactive summer learning programs. They make learning fun and exciting as kids explore new subjects.
At Clubs, kids can join programs like Summer Brain Gain that keep them active and engaged during summer break, all while having a great time. With themed activities and a final project to practice working together, it’s a supportive environment that teaches them about teamwork and critical thinking — skills that will prepare them for school and apply later in life.
3. Embark on Educational Trips and Activities
Learning doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom. Museums, science centers, historical landmarks and zoos offer valuable opportunities for kids to ask questions, actively engage with exhibits and discuss what they learned. The best part is that many of these places offer discounts for students and even free admission days, so groups can explore them without breaking the bank.
At Clubs, kids can connect with nature and explore environmental science through outdoor education and summer learning programs. Activities like gardening, hiking and camping teach kids about ecosystems, sustainability and conservation. They can also participate in community service projects focused on environmental stewardship, nurturing a sense of responsibility and empathy towards the natural world.
4. Use Technology to Enhance Summer Learning
Make summer learning engaging and interactive by integrating educational technology. Look for websites, apps and online platforms that provide games, quizzes and educational content covering different subjects. Encourage kids to spend some time exploring these resources, selecting ones that align with their interests and grade level. Through programs like the Computer Science Pathway, Club kids can hone their STEAM skills and develop interests that shape their future careers.
5. Foster Hands-on Learning
Taking part in hands-on activities promotes critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity, all essential to preventing the summer slide. Motivate kids to pursue projects that align with their interests, such as building models, conducting science experiments or doing art and crafts.
Cooking together can also be an opportunity to explore mathematical concepts and improve reading comprehension by following recipes — plus, it’s a fun way to connect with youth! These activities not only enhance academic skills but also cultivate a sense of curiosity and independence.
At Clubs, kids have dedicated spaces stocked with tools, materials and technology that enable kids to engage in DIY (Do-It-Yourself) activities to bring their dreams to life. From models to woodworking and 3D printing, the possibilities are truly limitless.
Whatever you decide to embark on to stop the summer slide, make sure to practice recognition and reflection with the youth in your life. Go beyond a simple “great job!” and provide specific feedback. For example, say, “I can tell you’ve been practicing,” “That’s a creative idea,” or “That question makes me curious to learn more.” Also, encouraging kids to reflect on their experience teaches them to observe, look for significance and consider future exploration.
“Reflection is a way to make almost any experience an opportunity for learning. Prompting youth to reflect on what they’re experiencing makes them more likely to remember it.” – Chrissy Chen, National Director of Youth Development Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America
These simple actions will enhance your interactions and make this summer a meaningful learning experience for kids and teens.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System announces the schedule of graduation ceremonies for the high school Class of 2025. Ceremonies are planned for the graduates of 14 schools across the district.
In addition to taking place in person, graduation ceremonies will be streamed live via YouTube.
Ceremonies are scheduled to take place on the dates and times listed below:
Glen Oaks High | Auditorium: 6650 Cedar Grove Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70812
LSU | Pete Maravich Center: N. Stadium Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Southern University | F. G. Clark Activity Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Fun in the Sun
Protect your child from too much sun. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so be extra careful during that time.
Whenever your child is outside, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Choose one that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours and after being in the water or sweating.
Keep children under 1 out of the sun as much as you can. Dress your baby in lightweight, light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Always cover their head. Children under 6 months of age can have small amounts of sunscreen put on their faces and the backs of their hands, but be careful not to get it in their eyes or mouth.
Most of the sun's burning rays go right through clouds, so use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Select sunglasses for babies and children that provide 100% UV protection.
When it is 90° or above and humid, children should not play outside or exercise for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids even if they are not thirsty. Water is best.
Take breaks to cool off in the shade.
Safe Travel
Always strap children in a properly fitted car seat, booster seat or seat belt when traveling by car or airplane.
The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. In Washington state, the law says children under 13 must ride in the back seat where it is practical to do so.
Children in rear-facing car seats should never be placed in the front seat if it has an air bag.
Check the owner's guide for your child's car seat to make sure it is approved for airplane travel.
Reserve a car seat or booster seat, or bring your own, when renting a car, riding with friends and family, or using a car share service.
Lock all doors when driving.
Never leave children alone in a car, even for a minute. Children left in cars are at risk for heat stroke, which can lead to death. Other risks are setting the car in motion and getting injured by playing with power controls. Keep empty cars locked at all times.
Water Safety
Never leave children alone in or near the water, even for a minute. Actively watch children when they are in and around water. Have adults take turns being “child watchers” at family events.
Young children need to wear life jackets when playing in or near water and while on docks. Children, teens and adults should wear life jackets for boating and while swimming in lakes, rivers or the ocean.
Bring life jackets with you on outings and vacations. Make sure they fit and are comfortable.
Teach your children to swim. Be aware of the hazards of swimming in a lake or river.
Toys and mattresses that inflate will not keep children safe. U.S Coast Guard-approved life jackets are the only flotation aid you can rely on.
Children should swim only when lifeguards are on duty or if an experienced swimmer is watching.
Pools need a fence that has 4 sides, is at least 4 feet high, and is self-latching and secured.
Cover your spa when not in use. Keep long hair away from intake drains at the bottom of spas.
If you spend time in boats, learn about boating safety. Visit boatus.org to learn more.
Ponds, 5-gallon buckets and wading pools are drowning hazards for very young children. Empty water from buckets and wading pools, and make sure children are supervised around water.
Lawn Care
When you mow the lawn, keep children under 5 inside or away.
Never let children ride on mowers or in carts towed by mowers.
Don't allow children under 12 to use a push mower or those under 16 to drive a riding mower.
Store mowers away from children. Toddlers can cut or burn themselves on mower parts.
Avoid using insect or weed killers on your lawn or garden. If you do, keep children out of the yard for at least 48 hours.
Window Falls
Move furniture, and anything else a child can climb or stand on, away from windows.
Install window guards or stops on windows. Kids can fall from windows open as little as 5 inches.
Don't rely on window screens - screens keep bugs out, but they don't keep kids in.
If you don't have window guards or stops, keep windows latched.
Wear knee and elbow pads for scooter riding, and add wrist guards for roller blading or skateboarding.
Ride a bike that fits them.
For family bike rides
Children under 1 shouldn't ride as passengers on adult bikes.
Children ages 1 to 4 (or less than 40 pounds) should ride belted and wearing a helmet. They ride best in a carrier seat mounted on the bike or in a bike trailer.
Children follow your lead, so always wear a helmet when you ride!
Playgrounds
Watch children while they play at the playground.
Keep children away from the front and back of swings while in use.
Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent burns.
Check play equipment for exposed bolt heads, sharp edges and places where fingers can get pinched. Cover these with rubber.
Place new play equipment over wood chips, sand or another soft surface.
Avoid riding double on swings and slides.
Teach children to take turns and not push or roughhouse on play structures.
Bites and Stings
Teach your child to never surprise or scare a dog and never approach a dog they don't know.
Check eaves and under decks for bee or wasp nests. Teach children not to touch or throw things at nests.
Avoid using insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.
Use repellent that contains no more than 30% DEET.
Use repellent on the outside of clothing and on exposed skin. Avoid putting it on cuts. Do not spray repellent on your child's face. Instead, spray a little in your hand and rub it on their face. Be careful to avoid their eyes and mouth.
Avoid dressing your child in brightly-colored and floral print clothing.
Avoid using scented soaps, perfumes and hair products.
Ticks
To protect against ticks, especially when playing or hiking in woods or fields with long grass:
Have children wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Tuck clothing into pants and pant cuffs into socks.
At the end of the day, check your child's whole body for ticks.
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 for additional information, program requirements and/or any questions you may have.
Lamont Cole, Superintendent of Schools
lcole@ebrschools.org
Marlon Cousin, Administrative Director of Family and Community Engagement
mcousin@ebrschools.org
Andrea Simmons, Community Liaison
asimmons2@ebrschools.org
Twahna Harris, Community Liaison
tharris5@ebrschools.org
1050 South Foster Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806, USA
