National Board Informational Meetings to Be Held

The Louisiana Department of Education is announcing the 2009-2010 National Board Certification for Teachers regional pre-candidacy informational meetings. These meetings will provide an opportunity for interested teachers to learn more about the National Board Certification process and the benefits of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. Interested teachers need only attend one of the meetings. Teachers interested in attending a pre-candidacy informational meeting must register through Coursewhere at http://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/main.asp.

If you have any questions, please contact Zachary Community Schools Personnel Director Yolanda Williams.

Nearest Meeting Sites:
February 3, 4, 25 and 26
March 10 and 11, 2009
4:00-5:30 P.M.
Division of Leadership and Technology Lab A and B
2758-D Brightside Drive
Baton Rouge, LA

February 3, 4, 25, 26, 2009
4:00-5:30 P.M.
Wedgewood Elementary School
2330 Aspenwood Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

3rd Grade Students tour Lane Regional Medical

Zachary Elementary third grade students recently visited Lane Regional Medical Center and had a chance to see the hospital's innerworkings. The students got to see blood drawn and then tested in the lab. They also viewed bacteria samples in the lab that they had swabbed at school themselves prior to the tripand then sent to the lab for incubation. Some students had the opportunity to get casts and bandages in the ER as they talked with the head nurse about the facilities and what takes place in an emergency room. Their tour of the hyperbarics chamber was complete with a visit inside. They viewed x-rays using the latest technology, visited the Cat Scan control room, had their oxygen levels checked, and were hooked up to a heart rate monitor on the patient table. They were also allowed to scrub in for an operation and handle tools in the operating room. Teacher Breigh Rainey said the students amazed the hospital employees with their knowledge thanks to a recent anatomy unit and they all left the trip inspired by what they saw and did.

ZHS Band raises funds for trip to National Independence Day Parade in D.C.

The Zachary High School Band of Blue has just been selected to represent the State of Louisiana in the 2009 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on July 4th. The marching band will be joining government officials, national military units, sponsored floats, helium balloons, and other specialty units in this major national event.
Jason Venable, the director, was informed of this honor based on the decision of the National Selection Committee, which considered and reviewed the band’s application materials and determined the band will be an excellent representative of Louisiana.
The parade route is on historical Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets. A street audience of hundreds of thousands of spectators is anticipated. The National Park Service and the National Independence Day ParadeTM are the co-sponsors of this event.
The traditional parade will be a reflection of many American patriotic themes, historical and present, but the major emphasis in 2009 will be Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial.
The band will be in Washington, D.C. from July 2 – 6, 2009 during which time a complete program of sightseeing and other cultural activities will be part of the experience. Following the parade on July 4th, they will join several hundred thousand tourists who enjoy the televised performance of the National Symphony in front of the U.S. Capitol Building and the spectacular fireworks display.
The directors of the Band of Blue are Jason Venable and Donny Alexander. Both directors are graduates of Louisiana State University, and are members of the Music Educators Association for Jazz Education. Jason Venable has been featured in SBO Magazine’s 50 directors that Make a Difference, and was also selected as the Zachary Community Schools 2006 High School Teacher of the Year.
Upon hearing of their selection, Venable said, “It is such an honor to represent the Great State of Louisiana, the Great City of Zachary, and the Zachary Community School Board at the most patriotic event in the country. Selection to the parade is a great honor, and will be a great learning experience for all of our students.”
Supporters of the Band are sponsoring a $1,000,000.00 Golf Shoot-Out at Copper Mill Golf Course to raise funds for the Band. On March 28th for $10 you can get three balls to qualify for the Shoot-Out on the 29th. Any Hole-In-One on the 28th will receive $500. The top 5 golfers closest to the hole will qualify for the Shoot-Out finals. You can buy as many balls as you like and the person making a hole-in-one in the finals on the 29th will get $1,000,000.00. Other than a hole-in-one, 1st place will receive $300, 2nd place will receive $200 and 3rd place $100. Food and drink will be available. Please contact Matt Jones at (225)505-0268 or MATTJONES1@cox.net, if you have questions. Please see the Copper Mill Golf Course www.coppermillgolf.com and Zachary High School http://www.zhsband.org/index.html web sites for details and early entry forms. All proceeds will go to support the Zachary High School Band of Blue’s attendance in Washington, D.C.

Governor's office rewards students for saying thanks

Hurricane Gustav is an event that many elementary students won’t soon forget. Besides being out a school for a week, many students experienced first hand the effects a natural disaster can have on their community.
Students at Zachary Elementary wanted to thank those who sacrificed their time from their homes and their families to assist our state and community during this disaster. Students composed thank you cards expressing their appreciation to all who helped with the recovery efforts. From the Governor to the electrical and cable linemen to the National Guardsmen, the students were appreciative to all. When the cards were completed, they were sent along with a letter expressing thanks for his wonderful leadership to Governor Bobby Jindal.
A month later, ZES teachers Brandie McNabb Bonnie Rader received a call from the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security inviting the students to visit their facilities. On December 4, students were able to sit in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, walk through the Mobile Command Unit, and crawl into a SWAT team vehicle. The highlight of the trip was a surprise visit from Louisiana’s First Lady Supriya Jindal. She took the time to ask the students questions and to answer their questions. She told the students that Governor Jindal loved every one of their cards. To show their appreciation, they sent coloring books for every student.