Chalmette, LA

August 28, 2009

Day of Remembrance

St. Bernard Parish School System staff, students, local leaders and residents gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. They also celebrated the opening of Chalmette High School���s 9th Grade Academy.

500 of our community members gathered together to do a remembrance of what happened to us with Hurricane Katrina, but also to celebrate the good things about St. Bernard and our recovery and our new school buildings, and our wonderful, wonderful students.

When it���s completed, we���ll second line everyone across our elevated walkway across Judge Perez and into our new 9th grade academy, so we���re extremely excited.

Lacoste Elementary School had to be torn down and rebuilt. During the hurricane it was severely damaged. I saw the roof torn off myself.

And as a result of some really good vision, Ms. Voitier our superintendent, decided we should make a 9th grade academy out of that, which is a new concept in high school education and we really have felt that it was a need in St. Bernard Parish for our 9th grade students.

For our first time 9th grade students, the research says that if any children are going to drop out, they���ll do that at the 9th grade level. So what we have formed is a special building and a curriculum built around the students, with much more personal interaction and parent interaction and the mantra of ���failure is not an option���. So our students will get individualized attention, special tutoring, and a great deal of help to be successful.

In my mind, the whole goal of what we do is for these kids. These kids who are one day going to be the doctors, the lawyers, the senators, even the presidents. Okay. That���s what we���re here for, that���s what we do, and that���s what I pledge to you every single day.

We have a wonderful relationship with FEMA. We are, I think, true partners in the rebuilding process. They have helped us tremendously, especially over the last several months to fund the projects that are necessary for our children to succeed.