Natchitoches Parish School Board

Look out Santa, you have some competition! 🎄🎁 Today, NPSB had the honor of following Mr. Shepherd around as he handed out goodie bags to our Cubs at LP Vaughn Elementary with the help of several volunteers. Mr. Shepherd has been giving gifts to all the students at L.P. Vaughn Elementary for over 8 years during the Christmas season. His generosity and love for the students was truly shown today and we are so happy we were able to be a part of this incredible act of kindness. Stay tuned next week for more on this wonderful story! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #AShepherd'sHeart

Today we would like to spotlight Mrs. Aleisa Hudlow for her work as a band director in Natchitoches Parish Schools. Mrs. Hudlow fosters a love for music in her students that is truly inspiring. If you ever have the opportunity to see her students leaving the band room, you will see nothing but smiling faces. Thank you to Mrs. Hudlow for the dedication, passion, and hard work she puts into her instruction each and every day! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #TeachNatchitochesThursday

UPDATE: This morning, the Natchitoches Parish School district received a bomb threat regarding LP Vaughn Elementary and Natchitoches Junior High-Frankie Ray Jackson School. The Natchitoches Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Fire Department searched the campus for any suspicious items. After a thorough search of the property, NPSB officials were notified that the school may resume normal operations. We messaged all parents as quickly as we could with the information that we had. We believe it is safe to have students in class and both NJH and L.P. Vaughn campuses will resume classes as normal tomorrow. Please know, that we take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously. It is unfortunate that these threats are being made in schools and school districts across the country. The Natchitoches Police Department is actively investigating this event and more details will be released as they become available. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP

This morning, the Natchitoches Parish School district received a bomb threat regarding Natchitoches Junior High-Frankie Ray Jackson School and LP Vaughn Elementary. All students, faculty and staff are safe. Both campuses have been evacuated and a thorough investigation is currently being conducted by law enforcement. Due to the ongoing threat assessment by law enforcement, NPSB will be conducting early dismissal for both schools. Parents who would like to pick up their child can do so beginning at 10:15am. All students who ride a bus will be transported home beginning at 10:30am. NPSB officials are working closely with law enforcement officers and will update parents once the investigation is concluded.

This week's spotlight is on Tara Sapp at Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center. She wears many hats in her role and always goes above and beyond for her students. Her commitment to her school community is unmatched. Thank you Mrs. Sapp for all you do to better Natchitoches Parish Schools!! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #TeachNatchitochesThursday

All Natchitoches Parish School Board phones are currently offline throughout the district. We are working closely with CP-TEL to get our phone system back up and operational. If you need to get in contact with a school or an employee, please contact them via email. You can also message us or your child's school on Facebook if you have any questions or need assistance. We apologize for the inconvenience and will update families once phones are operational. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP

The Air Force JROTC Cadets at Lakeview Jr./Senior High School recently started building their Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones. As part of the Aerospace Science component of the program, this year's JROTC curriculum is focused on the Science of Flight. During class they have learned how heavier-than-air flight is achieved and how the physics of flight works. Now, the cadets are applying some of their knowledge by building and eventually flying drones as part of their class. There are many good paying careers out there that do not require a four-year degree. Cadets with a strong desire to pursue this career path could graduate high school with an FAA Part 107 pilot license which would enable them to go work as a full time drone pilot for companies in many different industries. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBCTETuesday

All Natchitoches Parish Schools and facilities will be closed on Friday, December 1, 2023 due to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival weekend. We hope everyone enjoys the festivities! We will see all students and staff back on Monday, December 4th. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NatchitochesChristmasFestival2023

Today we shine our Employee Spotlight on Mrs. Amy Stepp at LP Vaughn Elementary. Her work as an Instructional Specialist never goes unnoticed. She is a vital part of making Natchitoches Parish Schools a positive and inspiring place to work. Thank you Mrs. Stepp for your commitment to our students and teachers! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #TeachNatchitochesThursday

We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving Break! Our culinary arts students at Natchitoches Central High School put their baking skills to the test by making homemade pecan pies this holiday season. Interested in participating in unique activities like these in the classroom? Talk to your school's counselor today about our CTE courses! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBCTETuesday

Before break, some of our students and educators were honored at LMEA's Annual Conference and All-State Concerts in Baton Rouge. This year Natchitoches Parish had four students selected to the All-State Orchestra. These students represent the top performers selected by an audition process of all students in the state. NPSB's Katrice LaCour was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame. Miles Schexnayder also received the Robert L. Wilhite Award of Excellence and Alesia Hudlow received the Tom D. Wafer Outstanding Administrator award on behalf of Dr. Eloi. Congratulations to all of the honorees! To read more, please visit https://www.npsb.la/article/1351942. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #LMEA2023

Dr. Eloi, Caron Coleman, and Sheila Warner are in Washington, D.C. today to accept the National Blue Ribbon on behalf of NSU Elementary Lab School! We are so proud that our teachers, students, and schools are being recognized all the way in our nation’s capital! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #nationalblueribbonschool

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 NPSB Students of the Year!! After a lengthy selection process, three finalists were chosen for the Student of the Year competition on Thursday, November 16th based on their academic success and dedication to school engagement. Rachel Key for 5th grade, Jasmyn Carpenter for 8th grade, and Molly Coleman for 12th Grade. Congratulations to the winners and finalists!! To see the full list of finalists and committee members, please visit https://www.npsb.la/article/1344812. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBSOTY2023

Check out our job openings available this week!! You can view current job openings and submit an application at https://www.npsb.la/page/job-openings. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #TeachNatchitoches

Congratulations to the 2023 LMEA Award Winners from Natchitoches Parish Schools! Katrice LaCour at NSU Middle Lab School was inducted into the LMEA Hall of Fame for his years of service as the NSU M-Lab Orchestra Director. Miles Schexnayder at Lakeview Jr./Senior High School received the Robert L. Wilhite Award of Excellence for his excellent instrumental music program. Dr. Grant Eloi also received the Tom D. Wafer Outstanding Administrator Award for his achievements as the NPSB Superintendent. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #LMEA2023

Today, we would like to spotlight Shequantna Sanders for everything she does to better Natchitoches Parish Schools. As the NPSB Special Education Secretary, Ms. Sanders works diligently each and every day to ensure our DESS educators are equipped with the resources they need to create a successful learning environment and that our students are receiving the education they deserve! Our support personnel are the backbones of our schools and we wouldn't be NPSB without them! Thank you Ms. Sanders!! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #TeachNatchitochesThursday

NPSB would like to congratulate our District Employees of the Year winners for the 2023-2024 school year!! Dr. Eloi, along with NPSB President Billy Benefield, surprised these incredible educators today with a gift basket on behalf of the Natchitoches Parish School Board. Congratulations and thank you for all you do to help better Natchitoches Parish Schools! #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBTOTY2023

Natchitoches Central High School's Foundation of Education class gives students the basics needed for a career in Education. Mrs. Walker's class gets hands on experience by participating in clinical observations with teachers from NSU Elementary Lab, NSU Middle Lab and NCHS. The students also get an academic foundation from a curriculum that delivers a structured way for students to prepare for their future profession. Students will also get an opportunity to compete at the regional, state and national level through EdRising. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBCTETuesday

Natchitoches Parish Schools have made history today!! LDOE has released the School Performance Scores for Natchitoches Parish Schools for the 2022-2023 school year. For the first time in history, the Natchitoches Parish School District has NO "F" ranked schools! This is an incredible achievement and a true testament to the hard work our students, teachers, staff, and stakeholders put in each and every day. To see the full SPS Data for NPSB, please visit https://www.npsb.la/article/1336753. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP #NPSBSPS2023

The Natchitoches Parish School Board is saddened to hear of the passing of William Hymes. Mr. Hymes was a valued member of the NPSB family and made a huge impact on everyone here in Natchitoches Parish Schools. He was a tremendous leader and a true testament to what an educator is supposed to look like. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts as they navigate through this hard time. #NPSB #TogetherWeCan #PPoP