Being a good parent doesn't involve doing extraordinary things. It's the little things you do every day that are most important. Use these tips to help your child thrive and grow!

Spend time together. Regularly spend one-on-one time with your child doing something you both enjoy.

Make education a top priority. Show consistent interest in your child's academic progress and in what your child is learning.

Monitor technology use. Know the technology your child uses, and be aware of where your child goes online. Provide guidelines and set limits.

Encourage a healthy lifestyle. Have nutritious food at home and make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and exercise.

Look for teachable moments. For example, if there's a storm, talk about what causes thunder and lightning. If you don't know, try to find the answer together.

Encourage your child to dream about the future. Talk about the various careers people have, and choose a few careers to explore together.

Spend time together outside. Go for nature walks, hikes and explore the natural world.

Help your child develop their interests and talents. Celebrate the things that make your child unique.

Prioritize attendance. Regular attendance is crucial for success in school. Attendance impacts grades, reading skills and social growth. Make sure your child is in school every day!

Be aware.  Pay attention to your child's moods, sleeping patterns, and eating habits.  These can be good indicators of how things are going at school and with friends.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

 

The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

 

That September, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.

Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the group sponsored a national Negro History Week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

 

Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society — from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more.

When athletes open up about their mental health, it inspires others to do the same. On Feb. 24, Ryan Clark, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and other special guests will join us for Planting Seeds of Hope 2026.

 

This year's keynote speaker is Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient, combat veteran and nationally renowned motivational speaker whose journey embodies resilience, perspective and unwavering hope. After surviving severe burns from an IED explosion in Iraq, Rich chose not to be defined by tragedy but transformed it into purpose — dedicating his life to helping others believe again.

 

This is an evening dedicated to breaking stigma, sharing stories and reminding our community that no one has to face their struggles alone.

 

RSVP here: Registration Form | RainWillBringFlowers

 

Please consider these best practices to maximize student-athlete attendance:

Clear Feb. 24 of any evening extracurriculars:

By the middle of the school year, students are usually feeling more comfortable and relaxed in their classes. That’s great! Unfortunately, a “relaxed” attitude toward respectful behavior often goes along with this. 

 

In a class of many people, each student’s actions affect the others. It’s difficult for teachers to create a productive learning environment without respect. Talk with your child about the importance of being respectful to others in school. 

 

• Practice self-respect. Explain that this means acting in ways that make your child feel proud of doing what’s right. 

• Be on time. Promptness shows respect for other people’s time. 

• Listen and speak courteously. This means hearing others out and using civil language to express ideas and opinions. 

• Use polite body language. Raising hands, sitting properly on furniture, and smiling, nodding, and making eye contact with others show respect. 

• Take learning seriously. Your child should pay attention in class and participate. 

• Understand that it is possible to learn.

 

Information at Your Fingertips 24/7 We understand that your questions don’t always happen during school hours. To better support you, our website now features an interactive chatbot located on the right side in green. This tool, powered by innovative AI technology, provides 24/7 access to information, guides you to district resources, and answers common questions instantly. Whether you need to access FAQs or obtain school resources, the chatbot ensures you get accurate responses when you need them.

Direct Access to School Leaders Your insights and concerns are vital to our progress. Families are encouraged to visit ebrschools.org and click the "Contact Us" link on our landing pages or use the EBRPSS mobile app. This allows you to engage directly with school employees and administrators. By choosing specific topics, your inquiries are routed directly to the appropriate team, ensuring timely and accurate responses from the right person in the right department. Beginning in March, each school site will have their very own “Talk” buttons where families can interact directly with school building personnel!

We invite you to visit ebrschools.org today to connect directly with us! Your engagement helps us cultivate an excellent academic experience for every student.

 

As we strive to improve our service daily, we have made it easier than ever to share your experience while on-site. At every school location, you can submit building-level feedback by scanning the “Treat People Right” QR Code located near the front office and below.

 

All feedback is welcomed as we work to:

• Recognize outstanding service and highlight employee excellence.

• Address concerns efficiently to create a more responsive school system.

• Strengthen the "feedback loop" to ensure every parent and staff member feels heard and valued

Students don’t always know how to make the most of their study time. 

 

Discuss these common study traps— and ways to avoid them— with your teen: 

 

• Not knowing where to begin. At the start of each study session, your teen should make a list of the tasks that need to be completed that day. Then it’s time to prioritize. Which are the most important? Your teen should do those things first. 

 

• Reading without remembering. Help your teen learn how to read actively. This involves making a list of questions about the topic before beginning to read. Then, while reading, your teen can look for the answers. After reading, your student should try to restate the answers. 

 

• Assuming understanding. Instead of moving on after doing an assignment, your teen should pause for a short self-quiz. Suggest making up questions a teacher might ask about the topic, then trying to answer them. 

 

• Reading lying down. For many teens, it doesn’t take long at all for reading lying down to turn into sleeping. 

 

• Studying all night. Cramming doesn’t work. Learning things in shorter sessions spaced out over time is the best way to remember them.

Children’s formal education begins when they start school. However, a lot of crucial learning happens right at home. In fact, the things your preschooler learns at home now may have the biggest impact on school performance later. 

According to research, children who grow up in learning-rich homes have the best chance of thriving in school, and the benefits are long-lasting. 

 

What do learning-rich homes have that others don’t? 

1. Literacy activities. 

2. Learning materials. 

3. Quality interaction with family. 

 

Luckily, none of these are expensive or require special expertise. 

To create a learning environment: Create a learning-rich home with these three strategies: 

Future homeowners across Baton Rouge are invited to join Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation and Chase Bank for a free, supportive four-session Lock and Key Homebuyers Club designed to prepare you for financial readiness.

 

Sessions will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 12, Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26 at Chase Bank, 9632 Florida Blvd. Register HERE

 

The sessions will be led by trusted housing professionals, who will facilitate each session, providing real-world tools, education and encouragement to help participants reach their homeownership goals — and feel empowered doing it.

 

Throughout the program, participants will:

●      Receive free membership.

●      Get a detailed credit report review plan.

●      Participate in comprehensive homebuyer education classes.

●      Have a chance to qualify for a $1,500 UREC Closing Cost Grant.

 

For more information, please contact UREC at info@urecbr.com or (225) 356-8871.

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.