Time for teachers

Before holding the Evangeline Parish School Board meeting on Wednesday night, school board members, faculty, students, and individuals from the community gathered at Ville Platte High’s auditorium to recognize the district’s teachers (TOY) and principal of the year.
EPSB Supervisor Grace Sibley welcomed the crowd and then stated, “Evangeline Parish is lucky to have outstanding teachers who help students GLOW.” The acronym Sibley then explained stands for “Grow and Learn for Optimum Wisdom.”
Sibley then applauded all faculty in the district. She went on to compare what the faculty in Evangeline Parish’s school district does for students to the transformation of a butterfly from a caterpillar to a beautiful creature that spreads its wings and flies.
Sibley said, “Our educators stimulate students’ light to become butterflies. They give students the roots to grow, and the wings to fly.”
No one could doubt the impact these teachers have made on their students from the out poor of love and support that flowed through VPHS’s auditorium.
Elementary cheerleaders and high school cheerleaders from Pine Prairie High School and junior high cheerleaders from Vidrine Elementary performed cheers that they came up with for their school’s TOY at the celebration.
At the event Sibley recognized each TOY by presenting them with a desk clock beginning with district winners Yvonne Johnson, who is an elementary teacher at PPHS, and Lisa Jack, who is a junior high teacher at Vidrine Elementary. The high school TOY Alice Lejeune, who is a teacher at Ville Platte, was unable to attend the event, therefore VPHS Principal Kelly Lafleur accepted the clock on her behalf.
The remaining TOY’s that were chosen by their fellow teachers were then recognized and presented with a desk clock by Superintendent Toni Hamlin and Assistant Superintendent Darwan Lazard. Those educators in the elementary division were: Amy Andrus, Bayou Chicot Elementary; Sherelene Johnson, Chataignier Elementary; Kaitlin Meche, James Stephens Montessori; Anita Callaghan, Mamou Elementary; Katrina Ardoin, Vidrine Elementary; Jessica Reed, Ville Platte Elementary; and Donna Lavergne, W.W. Stewart.
For the Junior High division, teachers that were recognized were: Carmen Langley, Basile High; Gemma Miller, BCE; Timothy Comeaux, CES; James W. Shiver, Evangeline Central; Adrian Foret, Mamou High; and Yvette Jagneaux, Ville Platte High.
Teachers recognized in the high school division were: Richelle Frey, BHS; Laura Bertrand, MHS; and Tiffany Gotreaux, PPHS.
The final person recognized was W.W. Stewart Elementary Principal Christine Bacon, who is now a semi-finalist for the Louisiana State Principal of the Year award.
Following the celebration of Evangeline Parish’s TOYs and principal of the year, and before heading to the dinner that was prepared for these outstanding educators at the Cajun Catfish Steakhouse restaurant, the school board met for its regular meeting.
The following items were discussed and approved at the meeting:
-Permission to authorize the superintendent to discuss possible purchase of 6.524 acres of property located one-half block from PPHS campus.
-Approval of the 2016-2017 district school calender.
-Accept bid from Ross Bus & Equipment Sales of $45,000.00 for a used 2009 or newer model conventional school bus with rear mounted wheelchair lift using funds from LDOE opportunity grant prepared by Supervisor Roxane West.
-Accept bid from Welders Equipment Inc. of $41,481.50 for seven Lincoln Invertec V350-Pro Ready-Pak welding machines using Carl Perkins and Career Development funds.
-Enter into contract with Rogers Athletic Company for Ville Platte High School Athletics using school funds.
-Accept low bid from Butcher’s A-C of $11,292.00 for emergency replacement of central heating/cooling unit in Pine Prairie High Gymnasium using the parish-wide maintenance fund.