I want to welcome everyone to a new and exciting school year in Plaquemines Parish Schools! This time of year always seems to bring a sense of hope and excitement for a fresh start and a new beginning to the school year. We plan to capitalize on this to help every student have a great start to school in hopes of ensuring success for each student we serve. Our hope is to be the best school system in the state of Louisiana that graduates productive and caring citizens who are prepared to succeed in life. To that end, our vision is simple – Plaquemines Parish Schools believes that all children will achieve at high levels in the presence of powerful teaching. This can be very challenging work because the needs of individual students can be so unique, requiring us to work in new ways to accomplish this important goal. There are four fundamental questions that drive our mission in our schools:
- What knowledge and skills should every student acquire as a result of a class, course, or grade level?
- How will we know each student has acquired the essential knowledge and skills?
- How will we respond when some students do not learn?
- How will we respond when some students have clearly achieved the intended outcome?
Our guiding questions show we value the following:
- Building positive relationships;
- Teaching to standards;
- Assessing student learning to guide instructional and learning decisions;
- Interventions for students who need extra support meeting the standards;
- Enrichments for students who meet or exceed the standards.
We will maintain a sharp focus on these guiding questions and values in our work throughout the 2011-2012 school year. In order to accomplish this vision/mission on behalf of our children, we must work together – students, staff, parents and community. We have the resources and ingredients for a great school system. First and foremost, we have many wonderful students with an array of talents and abilities. Our teachers, administrators and support personnel are top-notch people committed to students and their well-being. We have a school board that is dedicated to educating all students. We have so many supportive and involved parents who are our partners in the school system. We invite and encourage every parent to be involved and informed. Finally, we have the most supportive community and business partners who enhance and enrich the lives of our students in so many ways. FEMA has been a great partner in rebuilding our school system. Their generosity and support will provide us the opportunity to have first class schools.
We are continuously striving to improve our school system on behalf of our students and community. In order to make continuous progress, we need our community to be interested and engaged in our schools. Therefore, I am inviting you to join our mission of successfully educating every child in Plaquemines Parish Schools. I am so fortunate to lead this professional organization that always strives for excellence. Thanks to everyone who has made the Plaquemines Parish School System what it is today.
Denis Rousselle, Superintendent
LA Association of Fairs and Festivals Poster Contest Parish Winners, Americanism Essay Contest Winners, and Plaquemines Parish Teachers of the Year were recognized and presented with awards during the May 2012 School Board Meeting
