Parent

power

east Baton Rouge parish school system

 
volume 19, issue 3 | OCTOber 2026
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

01
NFL Flag Football League Officially Launches in East Baton Rouge Parish
 
Dyslexia Awareness Summit
02
03
Computers for Louisiana Families
05
Support Homework Efforts
07
Connect 2 Succeed 
& Educator Career Awareness
Checklists Can Help 
Your Teen Stay Organized
08
09
Red Ribbon Week
Have a Question?  We're Listening
10
11
Información para los Padres
Información para los Padres
12
13
October Calendar
NFL Flag Football League Officially Launches in East Baton Rouge Parish
01

Parish law enforcement agencies officially launched the NFL FLAG football league and opened online registration to players and families parishwide. The league is hosted by the Louisiana Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation (LECJF) from the Inspiration Center, PAL of South Louisiana (PALSLA), National Police Athletic/Activities League (National PAL), RCX Sports and BREC.
The launch builds directly on the partnership announced Aug. 20, extending the coalition's community-trust mission into a hands-on youth recreation program for the winter 2027 season.
 
"Today extends the trust-building mission we announced on Aug. 20 into a concrete, registerable program for our kids. Through PAL of South Louisiana, one of LECJF's featured resources, we're launching the first of many programs that will bring kids, cops and communities together on the field," said Clay Young, of LECJF.
 
Multiple fields across East Baton Rouge Parish have been committed to the league, giving players, parents, coaches, referees and volunteers local access no matter where they live in the parish.
 
"Committing BREC's fields across the parish means every family, no matter their neighborhood, has a field close to home. That's what real access looks like," said Dr. Raharold Lawson, of BREC.
 
As part of the event, National PAL announced a $150,000 grant to PALSA. Of that total, $50,000 will help launch the NFL FLAG initiative across East Baton Rouge Parish, with the remaining $100,000 supporting future PALSLA Signature programming across the parish. These activities and athletic programs will provide high-quality, relationship-based youth engagement experiences that turn mentorship with law enforcement officers into action, equipping PAL kids with life skills, expanding opportunity and creating positive relationships between youth and law enforcement.
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Registration details 
• Registration for the NFL FLAG league of East Baton Rouge Parish is open through the league's online registration portal. 
 
• The league is open to boys and girls ages 6-18 (cannot be a high school graduate) who reside in East Baton Rouge Parish, with divisions organized by grade and age group. 
 
• Full registration is $45 per player, and the first 400 players registered parishwide will receive 50% off registration thanks to BREC and a dedicated private investment in the league. Each registration includes a game jersey, shorts and a flag belt. 
 
• Families interested in coaching or volunteering can also indicate interest through the registration portal. Follow-up communication regarding volunteering, coaching and officiating will take place shortly after registration is live. 
 
• NFL FLAG is delivered in partnership with National PAL and RCX Sports. It comes with the full national structure, official NFL FLAG rules and equipment, trained coaches and officials, insurance coverage, background checks for every adult on the field and a pathway to regional and national championship tournaments.
 
The Registration Link is: Season timeline www.lecjf.org/pal 
• REGISTRATION PERIOD: Sept. 17 - Dec. 18. 
• RCX SPORTS FREE SKILLS CLINIC: Saturday, Dec. 5 at Memorial Stadium (featuring player training, referee training, coaching, parent and volunteer resources, and complimentary health physicals courtesy of FMOL Health 
• Opening Season Jamboree: Wednesday, Jan. 13. Season will run through March 6.
• Parishwide playoff and championship in March 2027.

Dyslexia Awareness Summit
02
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Computers 
for Louisiana Families
03
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4th-Grade Success Tips for Parents
04
Help your child have a great fourth-grade year. These 10 tips are sure to put your child on the path to success this year and for years to come!
1. Make attendance a priority. Attendance is the No. 1 school success factor.  Make sure your child is in school on time every day.
2. Read together. Choose a book series to work through together (e.g., “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Magic Tree House”). Take turns reading to each other.
3. Encourage writing. Have your child write thank-you notes, letters to friends and relatives, or a poem or short story to share.
4. Model problem-solving. If your child asks for help with math homework, verbalize your thinking as you determine how to work out a math problem.
5. Help your child get organized. Provide your student with folders, binders and/or a planner. Help your child create a simple system for organizing papers and recording homework assignments.
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6. Help your child deal with stress. Teach your child some simple calming strategies, such as deep breathing (inhale, count to four, exhale, repeat).
7. Encourage physical activity. Students this age need a physical outlet for all of their energy. Explore various options and help your child find activities he/she enjoys.
8. Explain rules and limits. Fourth-graders often have lots of questions (and opinions) about rules. Take the time to explain the “why” behind school and home rules.
9. Talk about friends. Peers are important to fourth-graders, and they like being part of a group. Talk about how things are going at school and with friends, and look for group activities your child will enjoy.
10. Provide support. Spend one-on-one time with your child, provide a loving, stable home environment, and let your child know that you are proud of them.
Helping your child have a successful year doesn't require doing extraordinary things. It's the little things you do each day that provide the guidance and support your child needs.

Support Homework Efforts
05

SUPPLY STATION
Make sure your child has what they need to do the assignments in all classes. Check with their teachers if you are unsure what to get. Usual supplies include:
  • *paper, pencils,and pens
  • *colored pencils or crayons
  • *highligters
  • *scissors and tape
  • *a ruler
  • *a dictionary
  • *a calculator
COMPUTER/INTERNET ACCESS
It is likely your child will need to use a computer to do homework from time to time. If you do not have a computer at home, your local library may have some available for people to use.
 
STUDY SPACE
Decide on a place where your child can do homework.
It should be:
*well-lit and well-organized
*clean
*quiet (If music or TV is distracting, turn it off).
 
If your child is just getting used to doing homework, stay nearby, so they don't have to go far to ask questions. An older child will want to choose (and clear off, if necessary) and organize the space for themselves.
 
A REGULAR ROUTINE
Set up some routines for doing homework. This will help your child get into the habit of doing their work.
*Encourage your child to always use the same area for doing homework.
*Have regular “homework time."  It could be at the same time every night, or at different times depending on the day of the week.  Your child will likely need some time to relax right after school.
*Help him develop a system — easier work first, harder work last or vice versa. Maybe reading comes after dinner. Maybe math is always first. But don't force a system on your child.

 Weave Reading into Your Family's Daily Life
06
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Establishing a consistent daily reading time is a powerful way to support your child’s reading development. Make it a routine now, and it will effortlessly become a part of your family’s day! 
 
Then, look for even more ways to weave reading into your child’s everyday life: 
• Bring books anywhere your child may need some entertainment (in the car, on the bus, in line at the post office, etc.). 
• Read favorite books together at the breakfast table before school. 
• Check out new books from the library regularly. Keep them in a special place. 
• Celebrate what you read. 
 
Have themed book dinners. Hang a paper “reading tree” on the wall and add a leaf for each book your child reads. Or, create a paper chain — each link represents a finished book.

Connect 2 Succeed 
& Educator Career Awareness
07
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Join us for a two-in-one event!
 
Connect 2 Succeed is perfect for anyone ready to apply. Receive assistance completing your application, review required documents and next steps, get interview prep and guidance and connect with the EBRPSS HR team.
 
Educator Career Awareness is perfect for anyone exploring a career in education. Learn about careers throughout EBRPSS, discover instructional and support opportunities, explore pathways into the education profession, and learn how your skills can make a difference.
 
This event will be held from 3 PM – 5 PM, and will take place at a different location each month.
Oct. 8, 2026 | Scotlandville Library
Nov. 12, 2026 | Bluebonnet Library
Dec. 9, 2026 | Fairwood Library
 
COME WITH QUESTIONS, LEAVE WITH A PLAN! We look forward to meeting you.

Checklists Can 
Help Your Teen 
Stay Organized
08
Before an airplane takes off, the pilot runs through a checklist to make sure everything is ready. Even pilots who have flown thousands of flights still go through their checklists every time they fly. Encourage your teen to run through these mental checklists throughout the day: 
 
• In the morning. What do I need for school? Book bag, assignment, lunch, gym shoes and a signed note. 
 
• Before class. What do I need for my first class? Textbook, assignment, pencil, paper. 
 
• In class. What are the assignments for tomorrow? Do I understand them? Are there long-term projects? When are they due? 
 
• Before leaving school. What materials do I need to bring home to complete all of my assignments? 
 
• At home. What are my schoolwork priorities? Which tasks are most important? Due first? 
 
• Before bed. What do I need for school tomorrow? Have I placed all items by the door?
Red Ribbon Week
09
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Have a Question?  We're Listening
10

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October is Bullying Prevention Month
11
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Información para los Padres
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12
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OCTOBER 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 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
 
Twahna Harris, Community Liaison
tharris5@ebrschools.org
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Baton Rouge, LA 70806, USA