Evangeline Parish Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard wants to welcome students to the new school year and shared his thoughts on some key issues being faced this coming school year.
Question: The French Immersion teachers were having difficulty coming to the U.S. because of the president’s travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Have you had any success getting the French Immersion teachers to the U.S.? If not, how do you plan to have the language program available to students this year?
Answer: For a time, we were very concerned that our French Immersion program would be decimated by a lack of French teachers caused by the President’s Travel Restrictions/J-1 Visa Program suspension. The French Immersion Program is very special to me, since it is the first program I embraced when I became Superintendent of Schools in 2017. With the outstanding support of community proponents, such as Retired Evangeline Parish Teacher Wanda Verrette and Evangeline Parish Police Juror Eric Soileau, we approached Congressman Mike Johnson for assistance. At the urging of Congressman Johnson, I wrote a letter to President Trump asking him to grant an exception to the J-1 visa restriction for Foreign Language teachers, not only for Evangeline Parish, but all of Louisiana. Congressman Johnson pledged to hand deliver my letter to the President and on 7-15-2020, we were notified the exception had been granted. School Board Members and I are super grateful to Congressman Johnson and his staff for supporting our efforts to keep bilingual education and French culture in the Evangeline Parish School District.
Question: Can you give an update on EVA enrollment numbers and the general public reception to the virtual school?
Answer: As of noon on Tuesday, July 16, over 770 students have registered for Evangeline Virtual Academy (EVA). My administration and I felt it was very important to offer this expanded option to parents/legal guardians, who may have concerns about COVID-19. Parents have been very positive and receptive.
Question: Will students receive meals if they are learning from home?
Answer: Our EPSB Child Nutrition Program, under the capable leadership of Director Karen Soileau, has obtained permission from USDA to provide meals to EVA students using the “grab-n-go” format, similar to our on-going non-congregant summer feeding program.
Question: How prepared are the schools as far as cleaning and sanitizing should the schools reopen next month?
Answer: Our campuses are prepared to clean and sanitize our facilities. We have acquired supplies to properly disinfect surfaces and provided additional training for our custodial personnel.
Question: Are there enough Chromebooks to loan to all students?
Answer: By the time schools open for the 2020-2021 school year, we anticipate all students in the Evangeline Parish School District will have access to a Chromebook or appropriate technology device. If you recall, our school board members approved my five-year proposal in February 2017 to provide every student with a Chromebook. I am so pleased to report that our Board, my supervisory staff & principals, and I have braided funds to accomplish this in only three and a half years.
Question: Have you solved the issue of connectivity so that every student has the opportunity to learn virtually?
Answer: To date, this is still a great concern for my administration and our school board. We are continuing to explore solutions, which could benefits all students in Evangeline Parish, even those not in our school district. Through the efforts of School Board President, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, my administrative team and I have met with Chairman Mike Francis of the LA Public Service Commission & staff, a Vice-President of Century Link, and other technology providers in an effort to seek out ways to establish reliable Internet services for the residents and businesses of Evangeline Parish.
Question: Is there anything else you would like to say about the new school year?
Answer: Despite the challenges of the times, students, parents/families, community members and school employees should know that we are carefully preparing for the upcoming school year. It is our plan to follow the guidance of national and state health officials, the state school board (BESE) and the LA Department of Education, as we endeavor to keep everyone safe and healthy, to the extent practicable.