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Sunday Scoop with the Supe
October 29, 2023
News and Notes from the VPSS Central Office
From the desk of the Superintendent:
This past week, I got to see so many of our students, teachers, administrators, volunteers, and other stakeholders in such a way that it made me reflect on the number of positive things that happen in our school system each and every day.
It is so frustrating when the media, and some of our stakeholders, choose to focus so much of their time and attention on the negative things that happen in education. While I am not saying that mistakes need to be overlooked, I just wish an accurate depiction of the number of good things to the number of bad things was shown in direct proportion. All of us aim for perfection in many aspects of our lives and guess what, things don't always go right. But I am willing to say that way more things went right than wrong in the journey along the way.
Here is just a little sample of the week:
Monday - District Band Festival at Cajun Field where Vermilion Bands performed with great precision and sound.
Tuesday - Watched our high schools give practice ACT test and go over transcripts in an effort to set up a plan for our children's future.
Wednesday - Visited our College and Career Fair that attracted over 35 colleges, community colleges and work force agents as over 350 of our students got to visit with eyes on the future.
Thursday - Watched our students from four schools have an opportunity to sit in a real court proceeding that tried 4 appeals cases. A first for Vermilion Parish students.
Friday - Watching the Special Olympics meet that puts a smile on the faces of our athletes, teachers, volunteers and spectators. Pure joy and excitement at it's finest.
Saturday - Got pictures from students taking a college visit to Southern University, saw video clips of bands participating in marching competitions across the state, and first hand I was able to watch some of our finest young talent playing major roles in the CYT production of Matilda.
So many good things happening each and every day in our system and I just wish we could celebrate these accomplishments to the masses so the good outweighs the negative. We try our best to showcase these events, but I wish our stakeholders was spread these positive things for us as fast as the negative things that take off like wildfire. Vermilion is doing great things and I am proud of these things, as you should be.
As we move into November, the month of saying "thanks" I am asking for you to take a few minutes and share a thought or two about the people that make up our school system. We know we are not perfect, but a lot of folks try really hard each and every day to create an environment for our students.
Below in this newsletter you will see a button that takes you to a form to send out a shout out to an employee if you choose to do so. Hoping that some of you will take a few minutes to complete. I hope to have thoughts to share in the coming newsletters about some of our hard working folks.
Thank you and have a great week.
Your Partner in Education,
Superintendent Tommy Byler
District events for the week of September 29th
- Tuesday, October 31
- Happy Halloween
- Wednesday, November 1st
- Monthly Principal Meeting - Central Office
- Friday, November 3rd
- Regular Season Football - Week 10 - Final Games
- Saturday, November 4th
- Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands - Cajun Field
- Omelet Festival - Downtown Abbeville
- LOOKING AHEAD...
- November 6th - Parent Teacher Conference Day
- November 20-24 Thanksgiving Break
Parent-Teacher Conference - Here is a few tips...
Mark your Calendars!
On November 6th, our entire district will host Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parent participation is crucial, as it fosters a strong and productive partnership between educators and families. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for parents to gain insights into their child's academic progress, behavior, and classroom environment. In turn, teachers benefit from parents' unique insights into their child's home life and learning habits. This collaboration not only enhances the child's educational experience but also creates a supportive network for the child's overall well-being and success in school. Parent-Teacher conferences are a two-way conversation, so don't hesitate to ask any specific questions or express any concerns you may have. It's an opportunity to work collaboratively with the teacher to support your child's education.
Each school has a unique system for scheduling time with parents. Use this week ahead to reach out to your child's school or teacher to ensure you schedule time to meet and discuss the progress of your student(s).
Here are a few suggestions to ask your child’s teacher during conferences.
Academic Progress:
How is my child performing academically in your class?
Are there any specific areas where my child is excelling or struggling?
How does my child compare to their peers in terms of academic performance?
Homework and Study Habits:
How can I support my child's study habits at home?
Are there any concerns about my child's completion of homework assignments?
Behavior and Classroom Environment:
How does my child behave in the classroom?
Are there any behavioral or social concerns you've noticed?
Participation and Engagement:
How active is my child in class discussions and activities?
Do they ask questions when they need help or clarification?
Grading and Assessment:
Is my child taking the time he/she needs on the classroom assessments? Do they rush?
What can my child do to improve their grades if needed?
Learning Support:
Does my child receive any additional support, such as tutoring or interventions?
Are there resources available for students who may need extra help?
Communication and Updates:
What is the best way to stay in touch with you throughout the school year?
How often should I expect updates on my child's progress?
Concerns or Questions:
Do you have any concerns or observations about my child that we should address?
Is there anything else you think I should know about my child's experience in your class?
Are there any questions or suggestions you have for me as a parent?