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
Tis' the season the give to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. The EBR Community Engagement Team will be on site at Off The Hook Restaurant, located at 5211 Corporate Boulevard for Fundraising Night. Ten percent of all restaurant sales between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. will be contributed to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Please come out and support this cause!
Dear School Administrators, Parents and Caregivers,
When athletes open up about their mental health, it inspires others to do the same. This February, Ryan Clark, Clyde Edwards-Helaire; with a few other special guests to be announced in the coming weeks, will join us for Planting Seeds of Hope 2026.
This is an evening dedicated to breaking stigma, sharing stories, and reminding our community that no one has to face their struggles alone.
Please consider these best practices maximize student athlete attendance:
Clear February 24th of any evening extracurriculars
Arrange for transportation so students, teams and clubs can travel together
Post save the date attached flyer on school’s social media pages
Email event information out to students and parents
Provide incentive to students to attend via extra credit
The 49th Annual DEMCO Essay Contest is now open to high school juniors across DEMCO’s seven-parish service area: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.
Students may submit an original essay in the form of a letter to a political leader on a topic of personal importance. Submit essays online at DEMCO.org/essay-contest by January 20, 2026.
While all students are eligible for prizes for best-written essays, only DEMCO members are eligible to win the all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Twelve semi-finalists will be chosen to present their essays before a panel of judges. Four winners will then represent DEMCO at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 2026.
For nearly five decades, the contest has encouraged students to think critically about the issues shaping their communities while developing leadership and communication skills.
“By engaging with real issues and sharing their ideas, these students are taking the first steps toward becoming thoughtful leaders,” says Randy Pierce, DEMCO chief executive officer and general manager.
Chanon Martin, DEMCO manager of member and community engagement, added, “Leadership begins with awareness and participation. This program shows students how their voice matters — and how one idea can help shape the future.”
To learn more about the history of the NRECA Youth Tour or to enter the contest, visit DEMCO.org/essay-contest.
Eight EBR Schools and 117 girls participated in the Girls on the Run program this fall. Eleven of the volunteer mentors are also EBRPPS staff. The schools are: BRCVPA, Cedarcrest Southmoor, Crestworth Elementary, Jefferson Terrace Academy, Villa Del Rey, WHAM, and Progress Elementary.
Cassandra Milham, a GOTR volunteer and teacher at Villa Del Rey shared, "Girls on the Run gives our girls a safe space to share what's going on in their lives and provides the tools they need to navigate those challenges they face both in and out of school. Having this program at our school has helped our girls find their voice in taking control of big emotions."
The end-of-season celebration 5K took place on Saturday, November 15, 9 am at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.
We look forward to continue serving EBR Schools and girls next spring. If there is any way Girls on the Run can help in your goals for family and community engagement in EBR, please let us know.
Some situations can make it hard to get your child to go to school every day. But help is available.
For example:
The school may offer before and after-school programs to fill gaps in child care.
If your child is being bullied, the school can make a plan to help your child feel safe at school again.
If your child has a health problem and you don't have insurance, the school nurse may be able to refer you to a free or low-cost clinic to get care.
If your child often gets upset about leaving you and refuses to go to school, the school counselor may be able to offer advice--or refer you to someone who can.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Work together to keep track of absences.
Be sure to know what's required for reporting an excused absence, such as an illness. For example, you may need to call the school or send a note.
Ask your child's teacher or another staff member to contact you if your child is absent without permission.
Stay in touch.
Write down the name and contact information of school staff members you can call with questions or concerns.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM OFFICE OF CHILD WELFARE AND ATTENDANCE:
407 E. Polk Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225)456-5139
According to a recent study, regular pleasure reading at a young age is linked with stronger cognitive skills and better mental health. To encourage your elementary schooler to read for fun:
Find reading role models who can inspire your child. Ask relatives, family friends or neighbors who love reading to recommend books they enjoyed at your child’s age.
Weave reading into daily routines. At the breakfast table, encourage your child to read a book while you read the news. If your child gets stuck or restless working on a school assignment, suggest taking a break to read just for fun—your child is unlikely to say no!
Create a “book nook.” Help your child make a special place in your to read. Include a basket of books, pillows or a bean bag chair, stuffed animals and a light.
Take books everywhere you go and read with your child. For extra fun, have your child pick a book related to your destination. For example, read a book about the dentist together while waiting for a dental appointment.
Make a special visit to the library to stock up on books before a family trip or vacation. Your child will discover that reading is a relaxing way to spend free time away from home.
Offer a monthly incentive for finishing a certain number of books.
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
