Chalk it up: Iberville Parish School System holds first day of class, meetings for laptop roll-outs scheduled

PLAQUEMINE - Iberville Parish Schools opened August 8, enrolling nearly 4,600 students, slightly more than attended last year.

"We expect our enrollment numbers to increase as new students continue to enroll through Labor Day," said Iberville Parish School System Superintendent P. Edward Cancienne, Jr.

Official enrollment is not provided to the state until October 1.

Most principals return for this school year, but a few were new appointments.

"All of our principals and administrators have worked hard this summer preparing for the days ahead," Cancienne said.

Cancienne welcomed two new co-principals to East Iberville School, both of which have taught in the system before.

"We are continuing to enroll students into all of our schools including the new MSA Virtual Academy-North, which is housed in a unique computer center at North Iberville," Cancienne said.

He said four T-buildings were added at MSA-East as school enrollment has added new classes at specific grade levels.

Teachers and administrators received computers, updated with new technology last week and student roll-outs will be held according to the schedule below.

"We have re-imaged and updated software on all of the student machines and hope to get them into the hands of a parent/guardian and students at mandatory meetings," technology director Richard Ellis said.

The learning landscape has changed radically in Iberville Parish, thanks to new computer technology and at the urging of the School System, teachers, administrators, students and parents have embraced the MacBook laptops with vigor.

Through support from the community and funds from broadband funding through the government for schools and libraries, Iberville Parish has been a leader in the state for computer to student ratios.

This year is no different with an upcoming roll-out planned for all computers to be provided to students in 7-12th grades.

Orientation and computer pick-ups will be held at each school, except on the eastbank, where the roll out for MSA-East and East Iberville parent/student sessions will be held at East Iberville School.

Iberville Parish School System's technology team met with Apple representatives who have assisted with re-imaging the computers and updating software, as well as making sure all are ready for a full year's use.

At the end of each school year, students are required to turn in their computers and daily fines are implemented from that point. Computers are re-issued each year, after the start of school.

Orientation and roll-out sessions are mandatory requirements for issuance of a computer. A $40 rental fee per student is required. Students and parents/guardians are responsible for damaged or lost computers.

This year, personal checks and credit cards will be accepted at the roll-out session for the rental fee, said Jolain Landry, chief operating officer of the school district.

"This year we will distribute more than 2,500 Apple computers," Ellis said.

Parents and students must also attend an orientation session about the use of the computer and its rules of care, Ellis said.

"This is mandatory, the orientation, and the roll-out/pick up obligation meetings," said Ellis.

This year, because of the My Math Lab software programming and the need for student work in that software, sixth grade students will be allowed to take computers home for the first time.

In addition to math programming, students are using their computers in daily use in many classes for internet research and writing reports.

"We are thrilled with our progress in learning with computers," Cancienne said. "We want the public to know that the students are tech savvy, responsible, and gaining new skills each year."

For computer questions, call the school in your area or go to the district website is www.ipsb.net.

The mandatory meetings will be held on the following dates and times:

-MSA-East/East Iberville, Aug. 20 from 2 – 6 p.m. and Aug. 21 from 3 – 7 p.m.

-MSA-West, Aug. 22 from 3 – 7 p.m., Aug. 23 from 2 – 6 p.m. and Aug. 26 from 3 – 7 p.m.

-WCHS, Aug. 27 from 3 – 7 p.m. and Aug. 28 from 2 - 4 p.m.

-PHS, Aug. 29 from 3 – 7 p.m., Aug. 30 from 1 – 4 p.m. and Sept. 4 from 3 – 7 p.m.

-Makeup at Opt. Center, Sept 17 from 9 a.m. – noon.

For information on Iberville Parish Public Schools, contact 687-4341 or the school nearest your home.