Greetings,
I would like to welcome Lafayette Parish School System teachers, administrators, staff, and students and their families to the start of a new school year. I am excited about the work students and teachers are preparing to do this year. I am also working diligently with Central Office staff, school staff, and members of the community to establish a single shared vision for the Lafayette Parish School System as we position ourselves to become an "A" school district. It is crucial that the community and the school system have a shared vision of the path we must take in order to succeed.
In addition to the new focus on becoming an "A" school district, we have started a number of new initiatives. We have implemented Fast ForWord, a computer based learning tool scientifically proven to improve students' literacy skills. We have also adopted an assessment platform from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for students in grades K-10. The assessments are computer adaptive and will accurately identify skill deficits and strengths and predict growth targets for each student. This individualized data supports teachers in targeting their instruction to maximize student learning. Additionally, schools will begin a new process to reflect on data and make changes to instruction and curriculum on a quarterly basis called Quarterly Curriculum Alignment Review (QCAR). I have also charged administrators with spending 40% of their time in classrooms monitoring teaching and learning.
We have also embarked on the process of addressing the needs of overcrowded and aging schools. The board has engaged Mike Hefner, owner of Geographic Planning and Demographic Services, to conduct a rezoning study that will help guide us in relieving some of the overcrowding in our schools. CSRS, a Baton Rouge firm specializing in facility and infrastructure improvement, has been engaged to prioritize our facility needs, and we have initiated planning meetings for a new comprehensive high school in the South Lafayette area and will shortly identify an architectural firm to conduct a feasibility study to determine how best to address the facility needs of Lafayette High School. I have also initiated a technology study to identify revenue needed to bring the district's base technology infrastructure up to 21st century standards and plot a three-year strategy to achieve a one-to-one student-to-device ratio.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our website, www.lpssonline.com. contains a wealth of information for students, parents, and the community. Parents who have specific questions relative to the opening of school should contact one of our two helplines. For transportation questions, call 521-RIDE. For all other questions, call 291-HELP.
Please be reminded that Great things happen when...As a community, we have one vision, one mind, one voice. I wish you a happy and productive start for the school year.
Dr. Donald Aguillard
Superintendent