All District Schools to Remain Closed on Thursday, January 10

After consultation with Roger Erickson, National Weather Service, Dr. Aguillard has announced that all schools will remain closed on Thursday, January 10, 2013.  A very intense western line of thunderstorms will be impacting St. Mary Parish early Thursday morning.  This line of showers may produce 3-5 inches of additional rainfall.  

Note: All 12-month COC, MOC and OSS employees are asked to report to work on Thursday, January 10th.  The regular Thursday, January 10, 2013, school board meeting will take place as scheduled.  All schools will reopen on Friday, January 11, 2013.

St. Mary Parish Announces School Closures

At 5:45 PM today, Dr. Aguillard announced his decision to close all St. Mary Parish schools and offices on Wednesday, January 9, due to predictions of flash flooding from a slow-moving weather system that continues to dump rain over large portions south Louisiana.  Citing his concern for hazardous road conditions that might affect bus transportation, Dr. Aguillard did not rule out the possibility that the closures could be extended through Thursday. That decision will be made late Wednesday afternoon after weather conditions are reevaluated and will be reported here, on Twitter, via email, and on the St. Mary Parish Schools website.

Weather Map for South Louisiana

Calendar Changes due to Hurricane Isaac

The St. Mary Parish School Board has approved changes to the 2012-2013 School Calendar in order to replace instructional student contact days missed due to Hurricane Isaac.

The Fall Break on Friday, October 12^th and Monday, October 15^th has been reinstated.

In addition, the Teacher/Parent Conference – Middle and High School In-service Day will remain as scheduled on Tuesday, October 16^th.

 To replace instructional student contact days missed due to Hurricane Isaac:

• Faculty and students will return to school from the Winter Break on Monday, January 7^th.
• Friday, March 22^nd will be an instructional student contact day; therefore the spring Teacher/Parent Conference – Middle and High School In-service Day is cancelled.
• Wednesday, May 29^th will be a full day of school for faculty and students. Report Cards will be distributed at the end on the school day.

From Duval Arthur:  (updated Sept. 15)

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be Monday, Sept. 17, and will be located at the Morgan City Auditorium.

The Emergency Food Stamps program (D-SNAP) will be registering people at two location in St. Mary Parish

1) The Amelia Community Center beginnning Thursday, Sept. 13, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM based on last name.  Proof of residency and ID required.

Thursday, Sept. 13: letters “M, N, O, P, Q, R”

Friday, Sept. 14: letters  “S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z”

Saturday, Sept. 15: letters   “A, B, C”

Sunday, Sept. 16: letters    “D, E, F, G”

Monday, Sept. 17: letters    “H, I, J, K, L”

Tuesday, Sept. 18: letters     “A – Z” (Anybody)

Wednesday, Sept. 19: letters     “A –Z”  (Anybody)

2) Franklin Recreation Center in Franklin on Gum St. beginning Saturday, Sept. 15, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Proof of residency and ID required.

Saturday Sept. 15: letters   “A, B, C”

Sunday Sept.  16: letters    “D, E, F, G”

Monday Sept.  17: letters    “H, I, J, K, L”

Tuesday Sept.  18: letters     “A – M”

Wednesday Sept. 19:  letters     “N –Z” 

Thursday Sept.  20: letters “M, N, O, P, Q, R”

Friday Sept. 21: letters  “S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z”

Individual School Closures Announced

From Dr. Aguillard:  With the exception of two school sites, all St. Mary Parish Schools will be open on Friday, August 31.

Students attending J. S. Aucoin Elementary School in Amelia and the St. Mary Alternative Program in Verdunville will not report to school until Tuesday, Sept. 4, to allow additional time for repairs needed in the wake of Hurricane Isaac.

Faculty and staff should report to these schools on Friday morning to pick up their checks.

If any additional school closures are deemed necessary, that information will be shared on the St. Mary Parish website, on Twitter, and here on this blog.

District Web Services Restored

The district website, as well as other online services including email and Blackboard, is running on emergency power until electricity is restored to the Central Office Complex. However, we will continue to maintain communication through the blog and Twitter until everything is back to normal.

Individual School Closures a Possibility

From Dr. Aguillard:  All St. Mary Parish schools that have electrical power will be open for classes on Friday, August 31. District maintenance crews and school administrators are currently assessing all school sites for power and water issues.  A list of any schools that will not be able to open tomorrow will be posted on the St. Mary Parish website (http://www.stmary.k12.la.us) and on this blog by 6:00 PM.

St. Mary Parish schools set to reopen on Friday, August 31

From Dr. Aguillard: Maintenance personnel are set to venture out Thursday, August 30, 2012, to assess possible damage to schools.  Initial efforts will be directed toward removing debris that might impede the safe opening of schools.  Buildings will be checked for possible roof leaks and/or water intrusion.  Principals are requested to make every effort to conduct a walk-thru of their campuses when weather conditions permit.  The district will be closely monitoring the restoration of electrical service to all our our schools and communities.  The public is reminded that schools are set to reopen on Friday, August 31, 2012.  Please continue monitoring our district webpage and blog site for up to date information.

Hurricane Isaac Update

KATC-TV is reporting 6500 people are without power in St. Mary Parish. It also appears that the St. Mary Parish Central Office Complex, which hosts the district website, is without power. We are therefore using this blog to provide information for the community.

You can also follow our Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/stmaryschools) without having a Twitter account.  To receive the Twitter feed as a text message, text Follow stmaryschools to 40404.

A shelter has been opened at the Berwick Civic Center on Hwy. 182, and evacuees are expected to bring food and supplies if they take refuge at the shelter. KATC is also reporting a 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM curfew in Morgan City tonight.

For a great interactive radar, try http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/. The options on the right can be used to add layers to the radar, which is showing that Morgan City is experiencing heavy winds from the edge of the weak eye wall as Isaac continues a slow west-northwest movement.

Please feel free to update the rest of us on conditions in your area by Commenting on this post. You can send photos to su.dupre@gmail.com, and I will combine them into a slideshow and post the link. Please specify where and when the photo was taken.

Hurricane Isaac School Closures Continue

Dr. Aguillard has just announced the closure of St. Mary Parish Schools will continue through Thursday, August 30.  Please use this blog to communicate with us and to report on damage. You can also send photos that you'd like to share to sdupre@stmary.k12.la.us. 

A slow-moving Category 1 hurricane, Isaac intensified just before making landfall, taking a westward jog that is causing it to move directly over St. Mary Parish.

TS Isaac: Message from Dr. Aguillard

The St. Mary Parish School Board is closely monitoring the projected point of impact for Tropical Storm Isaac.  Current 3-day computer tracking models clearly suggest that St. Mary Parish will be impacted to some degree regarding landfall of Isaac.  In light of the need to afford adequate time to plan evacuation protocols, the potential increase in vehicular traffic on Highway 90 as this roadway may become a contraflow evacuation route, and the need of our residents to have sufficient opportunity to secure and protect personal property, the St. Mary Parish School Board has canceled all classes and school activities on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 through Wednesday, August 29, 2012.  The district will utilize local media outlets to announce the reopening of schools.   

Residents are reminded that hurricane/tropical storm evacuation routes are available at the following Internet link: www.louisianatravel.com.

Additionally, Governor Jindal urges all citizens to Get a Game Plan.  The main supplies needed in case of a hurricane emergency are listed at www.GetAGamePlan.org and are also included below:

A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil.

One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.

A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.

Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.

Sanitation supplies.

Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

An extra pair of glasses.

Important family documents in a portable, waterproof container.

Mess kit, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

Paper and pencil
\Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

Infant formula and diapers

Pet food and extra water

The St. Mary Parish School Board will utilize the district homepage www.stmary.k12.la.us/ and local media outlets to provide contact with the community in emergency situations.  St. Mary Parish Schools also maintains an alternative site for providing up-to-date information during emergency situations. Please add the following site to your Favorites list: http://stmaryparishschools.blogspot.com/. Also, follow us on Twitter: @stmaryschools.