Submitted by Jan Cobb, Central Bloomers Club Publicity Chairman

On November 19^th, 2010 Central Bloomers Garden Club sponsored Ms. Tara Thompson’s 2^nd grade class at Tanglewood Elementary with their Butterfly Garden Project.  Central Bloomer’s members Peggy Logan, Kathy McMillan, Diane Bezdek, Ollie Brown, Dot Easley, and Peggy Faulk helped the children plant winter herbs and vegetables in the garden. Plants were donated by Central Bloomers.  The Butterfly Garden provides an outdoor learning environment for the children at Tanglewood.  The herbs selected will become host plants for butterflies to lay their eggs.  Once the eggs hatch into caterpillars they will eat the leaves of the plants.  Butterflies only lay their eggs on plants that will be a food source to the newly hatched caterpillars.  The caterpillars will then develop their chrysalis which resembles a small cocoon, and then emerge as a butterfly.  The 2^nd graders will then replant the garden with blooming plants that will provide nectar as food to the butterflies.  For more information about butterflies, visit your local library or the internet.  One good site for children is: http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle.  Pictured with the children is Dot Easley and Kathy McMillan. 

Submitted by Central High DECA Advisor Cindy Dykes

CENTRAL, LA —For the third year in a row, the Central High School Marketing Program and teacher, Ms. Dykes, were recently awarded an educational grant from the Marketing Education Retail Alliance (MERA).  For the 2010-2011 school year, the grant received is in the amount of $6500. MERA was created in 2000 and is administered by the Louisiana Retailers Association.  MERA grants are funded through the Louisiana Department of Economic Development under the authority of LA R.S. 47:318.

The educational grant provided by MERA shall be used to purchase educational supplies to enhance Louisiana’s Marketing Education classrooms. Such items that may be purchased are: computer/technology equipment; computer software; classroom supplies; competition preparation materials; test vouchers for industry-based certifications; and other marketing education-related items that are necessary for students and the classroom. This year’s grant will also aid in the opening of a school-based enterprise which will be operated by students enrolled in business and marketing classes.

The MERA association has, in the past, provided grant funds to LA marketing teachers for materials and equipment to improve and enhance marketing programs throughout the state. Due to more state and local budget cuts, these funds are helping teachers provide rigorous and relevant curriculum in the classroom for which students can take with them upon graduation and into their chosen career field(s).

Programs and associations such as MERA make it possible to successfully teach and prepare our young individuals for tomorrow, and it is much appreciated within the city and schools of Central, LA.

Submitted by Central Private Parents' Club President Pam Leavines 

Central Private Parents’ Club is pleased to announce the first Annual 5K Rebel Run to be held Saturday, January 8, 2011.  Runners and walkers will participate in a 5K along a designated route starting and ending at Central Private School.  The 5k begins at 8:00 a.m.

Early Bird registration is underway until December 17, 2010.   The entry fee of $20 includes a free t-shirt.  After December 17^th, the registration fee is $25 and t-shirts are not guaranteed.  Registration packets will be available from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday (1/7/11) or the morning of the race.  Check-in begins the morning of the race at 7:00 a.m.

Make plans to participate in the first organized 5K run in the Central Community.  There will be food, entertainment, and prizes.  All proceeds will benefit Central Private Educational Programs.

For more information and a registration form contact:  Central Private School

                                                                                       Attn: 5K Rebel Run

                                                                                       12801 Centerra Court

                                                                                          Baker, LA  70714

                                                                                         Phone:  261-3341

January 8, 2011

First Annual 5K Rebel Run

Early registration $20; after December 17^{th -} $25

Hosted by Central Private Parents’ Club

All ages welcomed! Food, Entertainment & Prizes

All proceeds will benefit Central Private Education Programs

For more information or registration forms,

 call CPS at 261-3341 or email cp@centralprivate.org

Congratulations to the following students and employees of the month, who were recognized at the CCSS December School Board meeting:

BELLINGRATH

Teacher: Kelley Jones

Student: Brennan Tillery

Support Worker: Linda Primeaux

TANGLEWOOD

Teacher:  Ashley Nelson

Student:  Krystina Johnson

Support Worker: Elaine Hughes

CENTRAL INTERMEDIATE

Teacher: Karen Hill

Student: Tyler Wilson

Support Worker: Milton Nall

CENTRAL MIDDLE

Teacher: Kristen Besse

Student: Rachel Gonzales

Support worker:  Linda Sumrall

CENTRAL HIGH

Teacher: Scott Osborne

Student:  Emily Vicknair

Support Worker: Ethel Jenkins

Above: Wyndi Bonvillain, Russell and Jennifer Starns, Melissa and Marty Guilbeau, and Jon Simmons at the CCSS December School Board meeting

By Dave Freneaux

    Marty Guilbeau & Russell Starns have worked for more than ten years to help create what is now the Central Community School System.  After being appointed by the Governor to serve on the original School Board, they were elected and remained on the School Board through 2010.  Monday night marked their final School Board meeting as elected Members, but they each expressed that they are still committed and available to do whatever is needed to serve the students of Central.  Both Guilbeau and Starns opted not to run for re-election to the School Board earlier this year.  During the meeting both Mr. Starns and Mr. Guilbeau were recognized by Superintendent Faulk for their contributions and service to the Central Community School System.  Russell Starns served as the President of the Board from its inception through 2008.

    Jon Simmons, who with his wife Kristy was amongst the original group pressing for Central to have its own school system, spoke and gave testimony to the dedication and passion of Marty Guilbeau and for the encouragement and support of his wife Melissa.  Wyndi Bonvillian, yet another of those who worked tirelessly from the beginning of the effort, spoke and gave tribute to Russell Starns for his unrelenting pursuit of Central's School System, which would not have been possible without the dedication of his wife Jennifer.

Submitted by Holly Hausse

    Sixty-one proud fifth grade students were inducted into Central Intermediate School’s Jr. BETA Club on December 2, 2010.  These students maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher as well as met the qualifications required of an inductee including:  outstanding character, superior attitude, leadership ability, and commitment of service to school and community.  Guest speaker, Superintendent of Central Community Schools Michael Faulk, spoke to inductees and guests emphasizing the importance of membership and the purpose of the club which is “to promote the ideals of honesty, service, morality, ethical conduct and leadership, to reward meritorious achievement and to encourage and assist students in continuing their education after high school.”  Jr. BETA members have embarked on their first service project and are presently collecting toys for the community Toy Drive sponsored by Ross Tire and Journey Church. 

 Submitted by Tracy Barnes

*This will be the final School Board meeting for outgoing Board Members Marty Guilbeau and Russell Starns.  They will be recognized at this meeting.*

AGENDA

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

December 6, 2010

6:00 PM

*Tanglewood Elementary School*

9352 Rustling Oaks Ave.
Central, LA   

1. Call to Order
2. Prayer
3. Pledge
4. Roll Call
5. Recognitions
6. To consider approval of the minutes of the November 8, 2010 Regular School Board Meeting and the November 17, 2010 Special School Board Meeting.
7. To consider approval of the Superintendent’s recommendations for administrative, instructional, and support staff positions. (Mr. Faulk)
8. To consider approval of the Superintendent’s recommendation of a 2 year administrative contract. (Mr. Faulk)
9. To consider renewing the contract with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office to provide a School Resource Officer for the Central Community School System and take appropriate action. (Mr. Faulk)

   10.   To consider extending the time for public input on revisions to Policy B-29 entitled Public Participation in School Board Meetings and to place consideration of revisions to Policy B-29 on the January 10, 2011 agenda. (Mr. Faulk)

   11.   To consider adoption of a resolution to open two new investment accounts and take appropriate action. (Mr. Faulk)

   12.   To consider and take appropriate action relative to recommendations from the Academic Excellence Advisory Committee. (Dr. Holmes)

   13.   To consider the staff’s recommendation to award a 3 year contract for Network Support Services and take appropriate action with respect to
           procuring Network Support Services. (Mr. Faulk)

   14.   To consider approval of the staff’s recommendation for the designation of the General Fund Balance and take appropriate action with respect to designation of the General Fund Balance. (Mr. Faulk)

   15.   To authorize the advertisement of a Request for Proposals for Financial Software and Support Services. (Mr. Faulk)

   16.   To consider approval of a Contract for Automatic Fire Sprinkler Water Connection and Private Fire Hydrant Installation with Parish Water
           Company, Inc. (Mr. Bogan)

   17.   To consider approval of Change Order No. 1 to the contract for the Central High School Football Stadium Restroom Additions and
           Improvements to incorporate a Request for Change Nos. 1 through 6. (Mr. Bogan)

   18.   To consider approval of Change Order No. 8 to the Three School Renovation Contract to incorporate Request for Change No. 23 for
           Central High School. (Mr. Bogan)

   19.   To consider approval of Change Order No. 9 to the Three School Renovation Contract to incorporate Request for Change No. 25
           for Central High School. (Mr. Bogan)

   20.   To consider approval of Change Order No. 2 to the Three School Renovation Contract to incorporate Request for Change Nos. 7, 10, 11
           and 13 through 20 for Bellingrath Hills Elementary School. (Mr. Bogan)

   21.   To consider approval of Change Order No. 3 to the Three School Renovation Contract to incorporate Request for Change Nos. 10 and 11
           for Tanglewood Elementary School. (Mr. Bogan)

   22.   To consider awarding the contract for the New Intermediate & New Middle School Site Development Package to the low bidder. (Mr. Bogan)

   23.   Construction Coordinator’s Report

   24.   Superintendent’s Report

   25.   Legal Adviser’s Report

   26.   Announcements

   27.  Adjourn

Submitted by Coach Palubinskas

CPS hoopster Rebel-ution rumbles over Chef Academy by a score of 111-68. Chef is a surprisingly good team that could contend for our district championship.  It was a game filled with highlights, literally speaking and pun intended, when you count 20 dunks in this game alone, and all by CPS players.  Four starters scored in the 20's.  Dave Jackson had 20, Simpson anderson -25, Jake Flaggert-21 and Taylor Fletcher scored 29. Chef had 3 players scoring 12 and another with 10, showing a balanced scoring effort.  The game was up-tempo and exciting to say the least.

CPS Rebels continued to bend the rims and shake the backboards by crushing a very athletic and solid Trinity Episcopal team.  Possibly the best all-around team the Rebels have played to date.  In spite of the hype of the state rankings where the Trinity Saints are ranked 3rd in the state, the CPS Rebel-ution continued to roll by, scoring over 100 for the 2nd consecutive night, beating the Saints by a score of 110-68.  Trinity had just won back to back state titles in football, and some of their players were still in football mode.  Better luck next time.  A great game, just like a diving submarine, full speed ahead.
Leading scorers in this game were Taylor Fletcher with 30, Dave Jackson with 24, Lance Wicker with 15, Simpson Anderson with 28, and Jake Flaggert with 8, who had to rest an injured knee.  Again there was some great basketball including rim rattling rebounds and high flying dunks, as well as great 3 point shooting.  If you have not had a chance to experience the Rebel-ution, then come see the Rebels in action.

Another exciting game was the jv boys against the Trinity jv boys.  Being down most of the game, the CPS Rebs were down 12 in the 3rd quarter. The Rebels tied the game at 43 with no time left.  Scoring first, the rebs put the Saints in a tailspin, forcing shots and becoming discombobulated in their effort to tie.  Another exciting game and great win for the very shorthanded jv team of only 6 players.
Next on the agenda is 4 home games this week for Central Private.

     Central High School PTO Needs YOUR Help! It’s that time of year again, when we take the time to give back. We are VERY short of our goal of collecting over 100 gifts for our CHS teachers. Gifts should be wrapped, marked for a male, female, or either, and turned in to the front office. If you prefer to give a monetary donation to be used to purchase gift cards, etc., please make checks payable to “CHS PTO” and send them to the office in an envelope marked “PTO Christmas”. The PTO really tries to take this time of year to celebrate those that touch the lives of our children every day. Thank you for all you do, for all you give, and for helping make this a great Christmas for our Central High School family. May you and yours be blessed this Christmas.

Submitted by Tracy Barnes

    Open to the Public. Please join us! The Central Community School System will sponsor a Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee meeting on December 2 at 6:00 PM in the Central High School Library.

Vocational-technical advisory committees advise, assist, and provide support and advocacy for quality programs. The time and energy devoted by the advisory committee helps increase Committee members' knowledge about the vocational program and the instructor's knowledge about the job market, employers' needs, and community opportunities. Vocational-technical advisory committees perform five major roles which include:

1.         Providing information which will update, modify, expand and improve the quality of program(s).

2.         Supporting and strengthening the partnership between business, labor, the community, and education.

3.         Making recommendations that will strengthen and expand the vocational curriculum, and providing assistance in implementing their recommendations.

4.         Identifying and validating academic and occupational competencies, determining priorities, reviewing and evaluating programs.

5.         Articulating long-term goals and objectives of the vocational-technical program to students, parents, employers and the community.

In fulfilling these roles, members provide valuable services in areas such as curriculum development, facilities and equipment, student recruitment and placement, staff development, public relations, community needs, legislative and financial support, and vocational student organization support.