December 12, 2024

www.tangischools.org


Be Respectful. Be Compassionate. Be Great.

"Accept the Challenge 2024-2025"

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Students of Roseland Montessori give it their all every day to make sure that they are showing growth in their intervention programs.

The Gift of Learning is a Wonderful Gift to Receive!


Our students have the opportunity to participate in programs which aim to target their individual needs for growth. Strengthening math skills and building a foundational understanding of number sense is at the core of our curriculum. Helping our students learn to read, write, and speak with confidence are all targets we aim to achieve.


By being consistent and purposeful in our planned activities, we are able to identify where our students need help the most and provide ample opportunity for them to receive instruction and guided practice on the important skills.


Ask your child to talk to you about the interventions they are participating in while in class. Intervention time is a positive time for our students. Everyone has the opportunity to show growth and become stronger each day. #AcceptTheChallenge

Students across the district in all grade levels are working hard to meet their goals.

Know the Lingo


If you hear your child talking about any of the following programs, know that these are our Core Interventions which are completed in class. Students participate in instructional activities online to increase their understanding and performance scores, while also working closely with their teachers to monitor progress and reinforce concepts.


Amira - Language Arts & Reading intervention for K-5

Amplify Boost - Language Arts & Reading intervention for grades K-3

Lexia Core 5 - Language Arts & Reading intervention for grades 3-5

Lexia PowerUp - Reading and Language Arts intervention for Grades 6-8 & High School

Zearn - Math intervention for grades K-8, and some High School courses

IXL - Math intervention for High School level courses


We celebrate the growth our students are showing and invite you to praise your children for their accomplishments in the programs as well. They are kind of a big deal!

Wrap up Your Class Assignments


As the holiday season draws near, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season and to begin thinking about the approaching time off, family, and fun. But before we all take a well-deserved break, it's important to remember that there’s still time to finish strong in school!


With just a week left before the holidays, here are a few tips to help you wrap up the semester successfully:


Complete your assignments on time.

Don’t let the holiday buzz distract you from finishing your work. Check your assignments, projects, and upcoming deadlines to make sure you’re staying on track. If you’re feeling behind, take a deep breath and break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. The sooner you start, the less stressful it will be!


Ask for help if you need it.

If you're struggling with certain subjects or assignments, now is the time to reach out to your teachers, classmates, family, or tutors for support. Getting help early can make all the difference and prevent any last-minute panic.


Stay consistent with study habits.

Even if you're tempted to slack off a little with the holidays approaching, keep up with your regular study schedule. Consistency is key, and a little daily effort goes a long way toward boosting your confidence and performance.


Do your best—You’ve got this!

The holidays are a time to celebrate your accomplishments, and putting in your best effort now will make that much sweeter. Remember that school is not just about grades; it's about growing, learning, and challenging yourself. Focus on doing your best, and the results will follow.


Balance work and play.

While it’s important to stay focused on school, make sure you’re also finding time to relax and recharge. After all, the holidays are about enjoying time with friends and family. Set aside time to unwind, but don’t let it interfere with your responsibilities.


The end of the semester is within reach! Keep pushing forward, finish up your assignments, and approach each task with confidence. You’ve come so far—let’s finish strong and look forward to celebrating all your hard work! #AcceptTheChallenge

Important Changes for the 2024 - 2025 School Year Which Will Impact Your Child and WHY We are Implementing Those Changes

Watch our latest Coffee Talk as Dr. Fussell and Superintendent Melissa Stilley discuss some changes implemented by the state which will make grading and promotion look a bit different this year.

Changes to the Grading Scale


You may have noticed that Louisiana has adopted a unified grading scale, as a way to show consistency across all districts. The passing of House Bill No. 424 provides for a uniform ten-point grading scale relative to grades assigned in all Louisiana public schools.


Grading Scale Information

New Law Affecting our 3rd Grade Students


Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, a new Louisiana law took effect requiring third-grade students who are significantly underperforming in reading to repeat the grade. This legislation aims to address literacy challenges by ensuring students have foundational reading skills before advancing to fourth grade. 

3rd Grade Literacy Proficiency

If you have a child in grades kindergarten - 3, be on the lookout for a report on your child's DIBLES Assessment scores for the middle of the school year to be sent home. The DIBELS assessment measures the reading fluency of each student individually, which helps parents and educators identify where the child needs help the most. By detecting the risks and monitoring development, we can work together with the child to ensure that he or she is on track to reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. If you do not receive this report, please reach out to your child's teacher.


Third grade students who are reading "well below level" as tested by the end-of-the-year DIBELS assessment in April will face retainment and must repeat third grade the following school year if unable to increase their DIBELS scores by June.


Now is the time to intervene with your child's reading abilities.

Reach out to your child's teacher for help and support.

Assessment Calendar


Be ready to give it your all at the start of our new semester in January. As we plan to step into the new year, it’s a perfect time for families and students to reset, refocus, and set positive intentions for the months ahead. The early winter months give us time to work hard and set goals, working up to our state testing season in the Spring. Let's make sure our children step up to the plate ready by giving them the support they need to be successful.

View Assessment Calendar

LITERACY

Encourage Reading at Home


The holidays offer us time to slow down as a family, and with school being out, our children find that they have more idle time on their hands. Having a collection of books to explore will offer them a quiet activity to choose to keep their minds busy.

Promote Choice


Visit your local library together to check out books. Add literature to their holiday wish list. Plan time to sit down together and read.


Allow your child to choose books that interest them. This helps increase their engagement and spark their curiosity. The literature they choose could be a storybook, chapter book, magazine, comic book, or e-book. As long as they are captivated, curious, and engaged, we know that they are exercising their minds!


More Read-At-Home Activities

Visit TangiLibrary.com

Visit Your Local Library


The bells are ringing—holiday time is here! A great way to get little ones into the Christmas spirit is through books! Whether it’s timeless classics like The Polar Express or A Christmas Carol, or discovering new festive favorites, reading together not only builds holiday excitement but also improves literacy skills and sparks a love for the season.


Need a Library Card?

Tangipahoa Parish Library cards are available at any of our library branches. A library card is free to Tangipahoa parish residents. All you need to do is provide a picture ID. Children under the age of 18 can get a library card under their parent or legal guardian’s account.


Your library card can be used to:

  • Check out books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines and mobile hotspots.
  • Download eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music and magazines.
  • Do online research from home with our online databases.
  • Access your account online to request and renew materials.
  • Use a desktop computer in a library branch.
 

Need Help with Homework, Test Prep, or Understanding Class Work?


Homeworkla.org provides free online tutoring, test preparation, job search assistance, and more.  All services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, from your home computer, or from your mobile device.

Connect with a tutor, submit a paper for review, drop off a math question, take a practice quiz, and prep for SAT/ACT exams, all in one place.


Visit HomeworkLA.org

Free Tutoring? Yes Please!


ï»żThe Steve Carter Tutoring Program, sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education, provides $1,500 vouchers for eligible K-12 students to access high-quality tutoring in Literacy and Math. Purple Ruler, in partnership with the program, offers an opportunity to raise your child's grades.


REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions regarding the Louisiana Tutoring Initiative, please contact 877-390-0556 between 7am and 4pm Monday – Friday (CST)


Questions: tutoring@la.gov

Increase the Literacy Skills of Children in our Community. Become a Partner in Literacy.


If you are a local business owner who is interested in joining our literacy campaign, reach out to us!


Become a Partner in Literacy

We need your help to fund the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Southeast Louisiana.


The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children from birth to age five, free of charge, through funding shared by local community partners in Tangipahoa parish.


Through United Way, we are able to give back to create a better, stronger community with opportunity for all.

Make a Contribution

Please make sure to select Tangipahoa Parish as the receiving organization. Thank you for your Literacy Partnership!

MATH

Holiday Shopping Provides Opportunities for Money Practice


Doing some holiday shopping? Pull your children into the equation by allowing them to calculate, count, and consider the costs. Whether grocery shopping for a holiday meal, buying gifts for friends, or counting up gift card totals, the holiday season offers us ample opportunity to practice counting money.


Bring math into your daily routines and interactions. It will not only help to strengthen math skills, but will also help your child to consider real-world applications of math in their own lives.


Read More About this Activity

Building playful learning into everyday moments can help young children develop skills to solve hard problems, collaborate with others, and think critically.

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The Louisiana Department of Education has released a series of activities that families can do at home to build math skills. ï»ż

Family Math Engagement Activities

ATTENDANCE AWARENESS

Be Present!


It is easy to begin to slide out of routine as the holiday break approaches. Bedtime routines become more relaxed, colder weather makes it harder to get out of bed, and the thought of relaxing at home makes it difficult to focus on school work. Now is a crucial time for students academically. We are wrapping up mid-terms, assignments, and assessments. More now than ever, check in with your child to make sure they are studying for tests, turning in classwork, and giving it their all in class. We have come so far this year! Hang in there, show up, and stay engaged in your classes.


The end of the 1st semester is Friday, Dec. 20th.


#BePresentBePowerful

Check Grades in SPC

Log into the Student Progress Center to check on your child's graded assignments. If you have questions, reach out to your child's teachers. Make sure all work is submitted before leaving for break.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Second grade students in Ms. Anthony's class at Tucker Elementary participate in Social Emotional Learning activities.

Understanding Conflict Resolution

We all experience conflict in life. Whether we are frustrated with a friend or in an argument with a family member, we need tools to help us navigate conflict successfully and keep our relationships healthy. This month's focus for our elementary grades is on developing a sense empathy through understanding conflict resolution.


What is Empathy?

Have you ever heard the expression “walking in someone else’s shoes?” Looking from other people's points of view is one way to describe the character trait of empathy.


Empathy is when we try to understand what someone else is feeling (and we might even feel it with them). Have you ever been with a friend who is sad or excited and you feel that feeling with them? That’s Empathy!



Share Your Story

Have your child share how empathy has impacted their life using any or all of the following prompts:

  • A time I (or someone else) showed Empathy was _____.
  • It changed / challenged me because _____.
  • It made me feel _____ because _____.


#CharacterDevelopment #ShowEmpathy



ï»żEmpathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.

Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships.

Emotions in Movies


Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you’d like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.

Catch a Movie at your Community Public Library!


Our Tangipahoa Parish Library branches are offering movie nights to our families as a way to relax, unwind, and enjoy time together for the holidays.


Thursday, Dec. 12 @ 7pm - Kentwood

Thursday, Dec. 19 @ 5:30pm - Amite

Thursday, Dec. 19 @ 5:30pm - Ponchatoula

Friday, Dec. 20 @ 5:45pm - Hammond


Schedule of Movies, Dates, and Locations

CHILD NUTRITION

2025 Calendar features work from Talented Art Students


How Sweet It Is! The 2025 Seeds to Success Calendar features art work from our very own Tangischools talented art students! Every month of the calendar features one winning student’s artwork alongside helpful, seasonal information for anyone who wants to deepen their connection between the food they eat and the farmers who produce it. 


Congratulations to our TPSS Winners!


  • Winner:  Addria McClendon  - Woodland Park Magnet School (Month: April)
  • Winner:  Kayla Kavanaugh - SLU Lab (Month: September)
  • Honorable Mention:  Lucy Fournet  - SLU Lab
  • Honorable Mention:  Islah Toney  - Midway Elementary


Artwork by Addria

Artwork by Kayla

Celebrate all things farm to school with the annual Seeds to Success calendar, designed to highlight Louisiana's plentiful harvests that we can eat and enjoy throughout the year.

2025 Calendar

TECHNOLOGY

Computer Science Education Week 

Dec. 9 - 15, 2024


CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the December 9, 1906 birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. 


As technology continues to shape nearly every aspect of our lives, understanding how to navigate, create, and innovate with technology is more essential than ever. Whether your child is passionate about coding, problem-solving, or simply curious about the world of technology, this week provides a great opportunity to inspire and support their learning.


Why Computer Science Matters

In today’s digital age, computer science is no longer just for future programmers or tech enthusiasts—it is a foundational skill that can open doors in nearly every career field. From healthcare to business, from entertainment to environmental science, computer science plays a critical role in solving complex problems and driving innovation. By developing skills like coding, computational thinking, and digital literacy, students can build the confidence to engage with technology in creative and meaningful ways.


Promote CS skills by Exploring Student Interests

One way that families can help introduce computer science skills into the lives of their children is to pursue and explore interests outside of the classroom. Look for community events to attend, such as STEM festivals or fun days planned at your local library. Join extra curricular activities and clubs. Robotics Teams, Scouts, Coding Clubs, and Summer Camps; there are lots of opportunities out there for your child to explore new topics of interest.


Our high school students have new opportunities to explore career choices by enrolling into special classes. Have your child talk to their school counselor to see all of the options that are available. Our new TPSS Advanced College and Career Center offers a variety of high-quality, engaging, and rigorous classes for students to take. Look for information in your rising junior and senior student's email to go out soon with details on how to apply.


Explore Computer Science through Coding


Create Device Free Zones for the Holidays


Time and attention is one of the best gifts that you can give and receive this holiday season.


Lose the distractions by putting the devices away and powering down the outside noise.




As the holiday season approaches, you may be looking forward to spending quality time with your loved ones, creating lasting memories, and sharing moments of joy. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, it's easy to get distracted by the many devices—phones, tablets, computers—that have become such a big part of our lives. However, we want to encourage everyone to take a step back and consider the value of creating device-free zones during this special time of year.


  1. Fostering Real Connections: The holidays are about being present with each other. By setting aside devices, we create opportunities for deeper conversations, laughter, and bonding. It’s easier to connect emotionally when we’re not distracted by notifications or screens.
  2. Encouraging Mindfulness: In a world that’s constantly buzzing with information, it’s important to slow down and be present in the moment. Device-free zones encourage mindfulness, allowing us to truly enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences of the season without distraction.
  3. Creating Lasting Memories: Whether it’s playing a board game, going for a walk, or cooking together, the memories made when we’re fully engaged in the moment are often the most cherished. Devices can pull our attention away from these moments, and we risk missing out on what really matters.
  4. Modeling Healthy Habits: By setting boundaries around screen time, we also teach our children and loved ones the importance of balancing technology with face-to-face connections. This helps foster healthier relationships with devices in the long term.


We encourage you to consider creating device-free zones in your home during meals, family activities, or even just during quiet moments. Let this be an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with each other.

Visit our Social & Safe Page for Families

MAGNET SCHOOL

Become a Magnet Student


Applications are open now! TPSS Magnet School Programs offer specialized courses that align with student interests while meeting all academic goals. Our magnet schools promote diversity and provide unique opportunities for students to grow. Apply today and give your child the chance to explore their passions in a supportive environment!


Learn More

VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION

VLO is the Way to Go!


Have you heard about our Tangischools Virtual Learning Option?


We are now taking applications for the 2025-2026 school year! If you have considered trying a new approach to education, watch our recorded Coffee Talk to see if this could be a good fit for you and your family.

virtual.tangischools.org

LA MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM


LMEP Family Search Form

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In order to better serve your children's academic needs, our program wants to identify students who may qualify to receive FREE additional educational services.


Please go online to complete our form. We have an electronic form, or you can print the form to fill out on paper.


Complete the Form

STAY SAFE

TPSS Student Drivers and Families,


We continue to partner with the Sheriff's Department and CrimeStoppers to ensure the safety of our students on and off school campuses. Through this partnership, the Sheriff has provided safety tips for our student drivers who may encounter law enforcement. We are passing along this valuable information in hopes that all licensed drivers will adhere to these guidelines when pulled over by law enforcement. When we know better, we can do better! Stay safe in your community. #acceptthechallenge


Know What to do if Pulled Over by Law Enforcement


When pulled over by law enforcement:


  • pull over immediately in a safe location for all
  • stay in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise
  • keep hands visible and don't reach around the vehicle unless asked by the officer
  • be prepared to provide documents like a driver's license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration
  • be calm and cooperative
  • know your rights, but don't argue


Encourage your children to use the free anonymous P3 tip reporting system. This is a vital tool in keeping schools and students safe. Students can report about a wide range of concerns, from mental health issues to threats of violence through the P3 app or through the Crime Stoppers website. Tips are delivered to multiple school administrators and law enforcement making sure nothing slips through the cracks. The P3 mobile app can be downloaded to iPhone or android devices.


Speak to Crime Stoppers to make a report:

1 877 668 2421


Submit a tip online:

SUBMIT A TIP

SHOP LOCAL

The Gift of Shopping Local


The holiday shopping season is here! As you make your lists and check them twice, remember to shop local! By supporting our small businesses, you're also helping our schools. A portion of your purchases goes directly to funding our educational programs. Let’s make this holiday season merry and bright by supporting those who support our children.


In Tangipahoa Parish, a portion of every dollar spent at any local business contributes additional funding for our public schools and helps to secure competitive salaries and raises for TPSS educators. By supporting local businesses, you’re directly investing in the education of our children and the livelihood of our teachers. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR THE FAMILY

Winter Family Movie Night

Hammond Branch Library


Friday, November 20

5:45pm


Movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Snacks Provided


Bring your own pillows and blankets. The movie will be shown outdoors.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Make an Impact as a Tangi Substitute Teacher


Become a substitute teacher with TPSS! Not only will you make a difference in students' lives, but you'll also enjoy flexible workdays, the ability to choose your workplace, and bi-monthly pay.


Apply Now

School Bus Operator Training


If you are looking for a change, or maybe an additional source of income, driving a Tangischools Bus may be the perfect fit for you!


Plan to attend our next training at the start of the new year.


Jan. 6-9 and 13-16

5pm - 9pm

TPSS Technology Center

795 S. Morrison, Hammond 70422


Call for more information: (985) 748 - 2432


Find Out More about the Benefits of Driving for Tangischools

 

DATES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!



Dec. 20: End of 2nd 9 Weeks, End of 1st Semester


Dec. 20: Half Day of school for Students


Dec. 23 - Jan. 3: Christmas Holidays


Jan. 6 - 7 : PD Days for Teachers


Jan. 8: Students Return to School


Jan. 20: MLK Holiday - TPSS Schools & Offices Closed


Feb. 15: Save the Date: TPSS Krewe of Champions Parade

2024 - 2025 Academic Calendar
A/B Calendar for High School Students

SchoolCash Online


Create an account, connect your schools and students to the account, and search the catalogue for availble fees.

Student Progress Center


Register your account to track student grades, attendance, announcements, & test scores.


Resolve A Problem


Have a question or concern? Reach out directly to your school by filling out our Resolve a Problem form.



ï»żTANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
59656 PULESTON ROAD, AMITE, LA 70422
P: 985-748-7153 
F: 985-748-8587
 
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