Holy Cross starts Thursday, Central Catholic Aug. 11

When Holy Cross Elementary students return to school Thursday, they will see a new face in the principal’s office.
Amanda Talbot replaces Mamie Bergeron who retired in May after 50 years of service.
Talbot is a graduate of Morgan City High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s of education degree plus 30 hours in administration and supervision from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.
She taught kindergarten and has been a curriculum facilitator for all core subject areas in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the St. Mary Parish public school system.
Meanwhile, Central Catholic students return Aug. 11 with new iPads for every student.
Principal Vic Bonnaffee said to support learning, Central Catholic is holding iPad workshops this week for students. The school will have a 1:1 ratio of iPads to students this school year.
“They are owned by the school, but usage is 24/7 by student,” Bonnaffee said.
Bonnaffee said he made the decision to delay the start of the school year because he doesn’t like starting in the middle of a week. Also, he noted, the schools are not taking a fall break (Oct. 10 and 13) like the public schools.
Talbot, Holy Cross principal, said that while school starts for grades 1 through 6 on Thursday, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten begin Aug. 18 with small group orientations the week of Aug. 11.
Meanwhile, pre-k and kindergarten orientations for parents will be held Friday. Times are pre-k3, 9 a.m.; pre-k4, 10 a.m.; and kindergarten, noon.
Students are to bring all their school supplies on the first day, Talbot said.
According to Louisiana policy, elementary and junior high students are allowed only 11 absences during the school year. High school students must be present 94 percent of the required instructional time to receive Carnegie credit. This means students in grades 9 to 12 are allowed only six absences per semester.
Bonnaffee noted that because private schools are accredited through the state Department of Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, they are required to follow the same rules for number of days, ACT testing and many other guidelines set out by state law.
One difference he noted is that high school students are not required to take end-of-course tests because the mission and philosophy of the private school’s curriculum is different.
The measurement for achievement for these students, who follow college-readiness standards defined by the National Councils of each core subject, is the ACT, Bonnaffee said.
Orientation is scheduled as part of the first day for Central Catholic students. No fees are due unless a specific class requires one. An optional parking permit may be purchased now through Aug. 15 at a cost of $25 per year for a reserved spot.
Bus transportation will continue utilizing the St. Mary Parish public school system’s buses. For pickups, contact the transportation department at 337-836-9661. Bus routes have been published by The Daily Review and are available on the district website at stmary.k12.la.us.
Uniforms for both schools can be purchased through Alumni Shop for Him and Her, Bonnaffee said.
New student and new parent ice cream socials will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. Students will meet in the Siracusa Gym, while parents will be in the school mall.
CCHS parents also are invited to a back-to-school night Aug. 19.
Open house for grades 1 through 6 at Holy Cross is at 6 p.m. Aug. 21.