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Ascension Parish School System
Lakeside Primary
First Grade Teacher
Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies
2022-23 Milken Educator Award recipient
The school year is over, and next year is right around the corner! Summer is a time to rest and recharge. For those who work closely with students during the school year, summer is a wonderful time for reflection and goal-setting. I will share some of my summer tips to help prepare for the year ahead.
Each summer, I reflect on the previous school year. I think of my students’ growth as measured by test scores and the growth I have noticed. Their current level of mastery and instructional practices is what caused those results. Another challenging but necessary aspect of reflection is noting what areas need improvement in my instruction. I choose one focus area each year. Two years ago, I taught Kindergarten, where the importance of foundational skills cannot be overemphasized. My mission was to focus on proper letter formation and phonological awareness (awareness of individual sounds within spoken words). I intentionally planned for student practice with these two skills during each lesson and to weave in remediation for students who demonstrated a need. Last school year, I made it a point to focus on vocabulary development with my first graders. I created a vocabulary word wall and added content words throughout our curricular units. Students are expected to use the vocabulary in conversations and writing. This summer, I will use my student data, the grade level standards, and my reflections to give myself a focus for next year.
Summer is also a time for many professional development opportunities. There are many free or low-cost professional development options. Look for workshops, conferences, book studies, or online courses relevant to your subject area or teaching style. This development process can help you learn new strategies, techniques, and technologies to improve your teaching. I plan to attend a conference and join two book studies this summer: The Writing Rope and The Writing Revolution.
Take time for self-care. Think about what makes you feel rested and invigorated. Education can be a stressful profession, so make sure to set aside time for activities that recharge you. This could include exercise, reading, travel, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends. Being outdoors in nature makes me feel recharged. I get some of my best ideas when I’m going for a walk outdoors. I plan to spend lots of time at the pool, playing with my kids, trying new recipes, and working through my long list of book and Netflix recommendations from friends and family during my free time this summer.
Plan for next year. This could include creating new lesson plans, creating a classroom management plan, or organizing your resources. Think of what you can do now to make next year easier. I buy a pretty journal each summer and use it as my teacher’s notebook. I take notes and create reminders for myself in this journal. I keep my notebook in my teacher’s bag so that it goes to and from school with me every day. It helps keep me organized to have all my notes in one place. I use these notes to help me plan for the following school year. Planning makes for a smooth transition into the new school year and keeps me from becoming overwhelmed.
Summer is also an excellent time to connect with other educators. Take the opportunity to join online educator communities through social media. Try searching Facebook or an Instagram hashtag for your grade, subject, or education interest area. Need help finding what you’re looking for? Create one! Check out my Facebook group: Louisiana-Science of Reading- What I Should Have Learned in College and the parent page Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College. You could also join a professional organization or look for local educator meetups to attend.
Remember that taking a break and recharging is as important as setting goals and taking action. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
“It feels like being in prison without the bars. It feels like being a prisoner inside your own body.” These words were spoken to me as I conversed with a survivor of human trafficking. This beautiful young woman was trafficked as a child and teenager and transitioned into adult trafficking. I’ll never forget the first time I sat down with a victim of human trafficking and heard her story. The abuse she suffered. The trauma she suffered. The multiple times she was raped and drugged, and beaten. But what hit home was that she survived all of this, escaped her trafficker, and is living a full and productive life now. That is real bravery beyond anything I can comprehend. This bravery is where the real stories are. With the boys and girls. With the women and men who have suffered the abuse and exploitation that few of us can even imagine. It is unfathomable.
How do children, youth, and adults become victims of human trafficking? Is it a lengthy process, or does it happen very quickly? There is no one answer. Children can be trafficked easily as they have no knowledge of this evil beyond what they experience through the abuse. They are innocent and unaware of the evil in this world. Most of the children I have worked with that became victims were trafficked by a parent or guardian who used them to acquire drugs or money. Rent money. Drug money, or to avoid being trafficked themselves. They have trafficked their children to pay off a debt or to avoid abuse. Older children and teenagers sometimes become victims because of childhood abuse, being trafficked as young children, or out of necessity, called survival sex. They are runaways from home. They are being used to avoid eviction or to pay bills. They are being used to make money. Family members have sexually abused many of the teenagers I have worked with, or the family members have allowed the abuse. It then becomes a natural progression into the world of sex trafficking. Many young girls and boys are groomed over time, their traffickers taking advantage of their weaknesses or deprivation. The traffickers become, in a sense, their saviors and providers. The victims become dependent on their exploiters. Then there is no way out. It becomes a cycle of power and control and abuse.
This is what the real stories look like. This is where the stories come from – the victims and survivors. They are brave and bold and can share their stories with us. To help us learn about this life that few have ever seen or experienced. Most of the time, victims do not want to talk about what is happening to them. They may not even realize they are being trafficked or exploited. They do not trust anyone outside of their circle or anyone not in their life. They have been threatened with their very lives if they speak to anyone about their circumstance. To have a victim who is currently in the life finally get to the point where they want to open up is very rare, but it is also such an opportunity to help that person get out of that life. To receive the help they need to move away from that life and learn to live a happy and productive life.
The best way to help children at risk, victims, and survivors is to educate our communities. Most people that work outside of the juvenile and criminal justice systems do not even know that human trafficking exists in our state. The mention of this topic raises eyebrows and brings expressions of disbelief. Every training about human trafficking I have been involved with involves several people who have never heard about human trafficking. They do not know what it is, how it looks, and that it exists. Those who have heard about it do not believe it exists in our state, much less in our communities. They may believe that this is something that happens in foreign countries, not here in Louisiana. Therefore, it has been the mission of The FREE Coalition to End Human Trafficking in Louisiana to bring that information to every corner of our state and to inform the public that human trafficking does exist, even in the smallest of communities. We have conducted training for law enforcement, medical schools, medical professionals, substance abuse clinics, courts, churches, counseling agencies, school personnel, civic groups, community groups, and even students of all ages. It is vital to provide this information to prevent more children, youth, and adults from falling victim to this evil.
This vital work is why the FREE Coalition plans and hosts the South-Central U.S. Human Trafficking Conference annually at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Thanks to generous sponsors, we can offer this conference free of charge and provide CEUs to the attendees. Past sponsors include Brentwood Hospital, Willis-Knighton Health System, The Pelican Center, The Caddo Parish Commission, The Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund, The Community Foundation, The Shreveport Mayor’s Women’s Commission, The YWCA of Northwest Louisiana and The United States Attorneys’ Office-Western District of Louisiana.
The 2023 Conference held on June 15 and 16 at LSU-S was among our best. Approximately 180 persons attended the conference, including persons from the Department of Children and Family Services, the Shreveport and Bossier City Police Departments, The Caddo and Bossier Sheriff’s Departments, The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department, Counselors, Teachers, and many other service providers. Dr. Dana Hunter provided the Opening Plenary for the conference and was a remarkable speaker. She told participants about all the Statewide anti-human trafficking efforts over Governor Joh Bel Edwards’ term and First Lady Donna Edwards’ commitment to ending trafficking in Louisiana and across the Nation by engaging other First Ladies in the efforts. One of our esteemed Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Allison Duncan, opened the conference on Friday morning with her presentation regarding the prosecution of the perpetrators, something we rarely hear about. We had a diverse group of presenters on Thursday and Friday who spoke about topics ranging from “What is Human Trafficking” to “Addressing the Demand” to “Cybersex and Social Media.” Our Closing Plenary was outstanding, with U.S. District Court Judge Maurice Hicks giving an informative presentation on the prosecution of the exploiters, traffickers and what is needed to convict an adult of human trafficking, child molestation, child endangerment, and pornography. He gave several examples of cases he presided over as a Judge. The evaluations of all the sessions presented were very positive, and several conference attendees stated they could not wait for next year’s conference.
The most widely attended breakout sessions were with the Survivors of trafficking. Two very strong and very brave young women shared their stories with us. They shared their heartbreak, their trauma, and their pain. They embraced each of us with strength, courage, and hope. They never gave up. They endured the unspeakable and the unimaginable and survived. They are now not just Survivors of human trafficking; they are working to eradicate it. They are who we learn the most from. They are the ones who inspire us to continue this work. They are thriving and living and loving life. They are beautiful. They are incredible.
In addition to this year’s conference, KTAL, a local television station in Shreveport, produced an incredible documentary that aired on June 19th on KTAL and Fox Network. The documentary was entitled “Beyond the Headline: Trafficking in Our Community. I and Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Campbell, The Gingerbread House Executive Director Jessica Milan Miller, and Care Coordinator Olivia Ferguson were interviewed for the documentary. Several local survivors of sex trafficking were also interviewed. The documentary was very well produced and directed, and was very informative and engaging. Our community also makes a significant effort to educate and inform the public about human trafficking. The more we can share these incredible stories of survival and hope, and bravery, the more we can educate and inform our community, and the more likely we are to eradicate human trafficking from our world. One Person At A Time.
Laurie McGehee is a thirty-eight year veteran of the Juvenile Justice System and has served the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish in many different capacities. She is presently the Probation Department Manager for Caddo Parish Juvenile Services. She has served in this capacity for almost fifteen years. She is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer in Restorative and Evidence Based Probation, Human Trafficking, Trauma and Adolescent Development. She has been instrumental in developing many of the Court’s specialized programs such as Juvenile Drug Court and Mental Health Court. She developed the first Multi-disciplinary Team and Specialized Intensive Probation Unit (SIU) in the State of Louisiana to address human trafficking with Court involved youth. The Multi-disciplinary Team has been recognized by the National Association of County Officials (NACo) and by the Caddo Parish Commission for their preventative work in human trafficking. She also developed the first Specialized Court for victims of human trafficking called STAR Court. Laurie is a Certified Court Administrator and Trainer for Probation Officers through the National Juvenile Court Services Association and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. She serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors for Volunteers for Youth Justice and serves on Governor John Bel Edwards’ Human Trafficking Commission and Advisory Council. In 2008, she was the first recipient of the YWCA Women Who Mean Business Award and in 2014, she received the State of Louisiana Don E. Wydra Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. She was also just recently inducted into Bossier City’s Bossier High School Hall of Fame. Laurie lives and works in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is the proud Mom of one son, Corey, and daughter-in-law, Payton, the proud grandmother of grandson, Copper and granddaughter, Colette and grand dogs Roux and Gidget.
The 2023 Royal Family Kids Camps allowed 89 children in foster care across the state to swim, fish, and make new friends in a safe and caring environment.
The camp model is from the national faith-based nonprofit For the Children and serves children ages 6 to 12. The goal is to help children in foster care grow in resiliency, self-esteem, and hope while creating positive memories. The curriculum and activities use the Trust-Based Relational Intervention model to provide the camp counselors with a better understanding of the difficulties the children have faced.
There are currently four active camps across the state: Minden in the Northwest, Monroe in the Northeast, Pitkin in the Southwest, and Hammond in the Southeast. Camp directors work year-round, recruiting volunteers and donations to make each camp successful.
The Minden camp almost didn’t happen, as a storm came through and knocked out electricity before the first day. Just before the counselors loaded the campers back on the bus to go home, the lights came back on, and they could stay!
In Hammond, two previous campers served as support staff. Camp Directors John and Julie Wondergem noted that both “did an amazing job and were overjoyed to give back to these kids what had been given to them.”
No matter the ups or downs, the camps all turned out to be excellent for the children who attended, and the directors are all looking forward to planning for 2024.
The Need for Foster Caregivers Continues
The Royal Family Kids Camps are a great example of local nonprofit organizations partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services for the good of our state’s children, in this case our children in foster care.
The need for foster caregivers is ongoing. Foster parents play a special role in the life of a child who has had to leave their family. If you are considering becoming a foster parent, visit https://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/foster-parenting to learn more.
Malachi – 12
Malachi is a well-mannered young man who loves being around others. School is essential to him, and he also enjoys outside activities and video games. Malachi would love to belong to a family with other children, especially close to his age. He desires a family who participates in outdoor activities and does fun things. Malachi is looking for a forever family willing to help him reach his fullest potential.
Jadynn – 14
Jadynn enjoys working in the yard and working with his hands. He wants to be a mechanic when he grows up and likes taking things apart and putting them back together. Jadynn enjoys attending school and interacts well with others. He has a huge heart and is always willing to share. He would love to be adopted by someone who can help him assemble model cars and work outside in the yard. Jadynn has a loving relationship with his sister and desires to maintain their family connection.
If you are considering adopting or fostering a child, take that first step by attending a free virtual orientation session. For more information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent and the training available, visit our website. You can also call your regional office or email DCFS.HomeDevelopment@la.gov with your name and parish of residence for more information.
Cheers to summer, everyone! It may be unpleasantly hot, and if you’re anything like me, that electric bill continues to soar as we try to stay cool. However, this sweltering month is also a unique time that allows our young ones to rest, relax, and explore their personal interests without the stress of schoolwork and grades.
If you need ideas on nurturing your creative side, I am here at your service. Here are some fun art projects you or your children may want to try while you still have time. These are well-planned, range from really easy to moderately easy, and require minimal shopping. I hope you enjoy them as much as my students and I do!
Did you know aluminum foil is one of the most diverse materials ever? I use this magical substance as an introduction to sculpture, and what’s so great about it is that the artist can make their work of art as simple or complex as they desire. It’s also VERY easy to perform “surgery” on aluminum foil sculptures if they fall apart, as you grab a small strip and use it to reinforce or reattach any parts as needed.
Ojo de Dios (oh-ho-day-DEE-ohs) is Spanish for “Eye of God.” This piece of art is a hanging tapestry woven onto crisscrossing sticks, joining in the center. Traditionally, the center eye represents the sun and stands for the power of seeing and understanding things we usually cannot see. I have made these with artists of all ages, using popsicle sticks, sticks from nature walks, or thin wooden dowels.
The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. I LOVE it because it promotes concentration and creativity and, at the same time, increases personal well-being as it serves as a form of meditation.
This project is inspired by the Japanese Contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. It teaches color theory but ends in a precious and very trendy flower design.
I cannot stress enough how much I have learned about drawing and painting just from staring at different leaves. There are many ways to use actual leaves to create marker or ink prints. Here is also an instructional video on how to paint a leaf from observation.
This project requires access to a computer and printer. There is an amazing website that allows you to upload ANY picture and blow it up into individual puzzle pieces to enlarge the image. I then use the cardstock printouts as a template for artists to color, paint, or collage on top. This is a great project to promote collaboration.
Some of these videos will feature yours truly. Others are great resources that I have used to teach these lessons. I sincerely hope that you and yours are able to find an outlet and explore your creative side before school begins. It will be here before we know it! Bask in your free time, and my very best wishes to you all.
Carolyn Lenora Scalfano is the Visual Arts teacher at Pineville Elementary in Rapides Parish. She also serves as the school’s representative for the Good Food Project of Central Louisiana, in which the school’s gardens provide fresh produce distributed to Food Bank clients or local non-profits that serve food to the needy.
Carolyn’s passion for aesthetics led her to study architecture at Louisiana State University’s College of Art and Design. After professional insight and mentorship by college faculty, she was encouraged to pursue a studio art degree. Inspired by the arts community in Lafayette, LA, she transferred to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to earn her Bachelors of Fine Art with a concentration in painting.
After graduating from the UL program, Carolyn worked as an illustrator and landscape designer for LAND Architecture in Lafayette, LA.
As a professional working artist, Carolyn was represented in 2008 by Ariodante Gallery in New Orleans, LA. She showcased a solo exhibition and was featured on their website, selling multiple works to buyers nationwide. In 2010 her paintings were featured in a two-person show, Another Time, at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. More recently, she participated in the 2019 exhibition, Pace 20: Twenty Years of Teaching Artists, in the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ main gallery with works by the seventy Primary Artistic Creative Experiences (PACE) teaching artists.
As a PACE teaching artist, her role was to design arts integration lessons for students grades PK-3 in the Title 1 Schools of Lafayette Parish. Having spent years collaborating in the classroom, she eventually pursued and received her teaching certification in Elementary Education from Louisiana.
Currently, Carolyn is Pineville Elementary’s resident Visual Arts Teacher. She designs her art lessons around individual conversations she has with each of the teachers she works with at Pineville Elementary. They collaborate to develop relevant projects to the students and integrate art into the other subjects to present the curriculum in a new and exciting way.
Carolyn is on the Pineville Elementary Lighthouse Team for the Leader in Me, which is rooted in teaching the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Being in charge of the Leadership Environment includes managing the physical look of the school (what people see), the common language (what people hear), and the emotional environment (what people feel). This planning includes organizing numerous collaborative art installations where all PES members, including faculty, staff, and students alike, create original art pieces displayed throughout the campus. The underlying goal is that the students feel ownership of the building by seeing their artwork displayed throughout the school.
Her collaboration with the Good Food Project entails creating organic school gardens in which students do all maintenance. By working in the garden, the children learn hands-on about developing agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
As women, we are busy caring for our children, spouses or significant other, and or aging parents. This article is a “Sister to Sister” reminder to add regular health screenings to your “To Do” List. We should all visit our physician regularly for a wellness check even if you are feeling great. The US Preventive Services Task Force publishes a list of recommended screenings as a guide. Listed below are screening recommendations for women based on age.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Ages 18 to 39
Your blood pressure should be checked at least once every 3 to 5 years if:
Your blood pressure should be checked every year if any of the following are true:
Age 40-64
If the top number is 130 mm Hg or greater or the bottom number is 80 mm Hg or greater, this is considered stage 1 hypertension. Schedule an appointment with your provider to learn how you can reduce your blood pressure.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Ages 18 to 39
Your provider may discuss and recommend mammograms, MRI scans, or ultrasounds if you have an increased risk for breast cancer, such as:
Ages 40 to 64
Screening mammogram is recommended for:
If you have other risk factors for breast cancer, your provider may recommend a MRI scan for screening.
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Ages 18 to 64
Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21 years.
After the first test:
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
Cholesterol screening should begin at:
Repeat cholesterol screening should take place:
DIABETES SCREENING
You should be screened for diabetes starting at age 35 and then repeated every 3 years if you have no risk factors for diabetes.
Screening may need to start earlier and be repeated more often if you have other risk factors for diabetes such as:
Screening for diabetes should be done if you are planning to become pregnant and you are overweight and have other risk factors such as high blood pressure.
These recommendations and additional screening guidelines are from the sources listed below.
Be intentional and Informed in your journey to wellness and good health my sisters.
“Self-love is Healthy Living.”
Sources: 1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007462.htm
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007467.htm
Kimiyo Harris Williams, MD, FAAP is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine at LSU School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Williams worked in the academic environment and General Pediatrics Private Practices. As a Physician Consultant, she serves as an expert medical and administrative resource for a large NIH research grant titled All of Us. The research program invites one million people across the U.S. to help build one of the most diverse health databases in history. Dr. Williams practices at the Tiger Care Academic Clinic at the Lakeside LCMC location in Metairie, Louisiana.
Happy Summer, Louisiana. The heat index in my area was 113 degrees every day last week. As my little one wiggles around in my bed before sunrise, my brain begins to flicker on: “What on earth are we going to do all day?” Some say that freedom is both a blessing and a curse. Summer is the time to slow down and take in the world around you, but for some of us, both young and old, the lack of routine can lead to fear of the unknown, overthinking, and overlooking life’s little joys.
I want to follow that personal anecdote with some advice I rely on frequently. Some may agree or disagree with its accuracy, but reflecting on these assertions has helped me relax in the last few weeks. I listened to a woman speak about the concept called “Let it Happen.” It’s like Elsa’s concept of “Let it Go.” But on a serious note, the view of “Letting it Happen” is rooted in a belief system centered around acceptance.
“Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.” -Bill W.
When we go into situations with expectations, and things don’t turn out as planned, it can cause disappointment, the judgment of ourselves or others, and even anger and resentment. A relatable example of this is the one and only “family vacation.” The anticipation for sun and fun is sometimes quickly outshined by agitation and stress and often ended in discord. A personal example of acceptance in action would be my son and I trying to make it to school on time. No matter how early I rose, there were days last year when my son and I missed his preschool drop-off time. Why is that, you ask? Well… it could be that I didn’t have the right shirt ready for him, he had misplaced his folder, or maybe his shoes didn’t feel right that morning. These are the days I just had to “Let it Happen.” If we missed his drop-off time, I would have to bring him to school, which created a ripple effect, causing me to be late to my school as well. As much as my internal impulse was to panic and immediately envision the worst (people talking about my tardiness, professional repercussions, etc.), I had the opportunity to choose acceptance. I just let it happen, and everything was fine. In fact, the few mornings that I dropped my son in the car rider line at his school were a rare opportunity to make fond memories that we shared during his first year in school.
If you are wondering how to get your kids through the mid-summer hump and prepare them for school to start in the fall, may I suggest a few things to try and remember during our last weeks of vacation? Allow yourself and your loved ones to be comfortable. Stick to a simple schedule. Don’t pressure yourself or your loved ones to do it all today. Make fun your priority. Reflect on your progress. Take time to slow down. You and any little people in your home find ways to ride the waves of your feelings. And most of all, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Here are a few ideas to help your days flow, incorporate routine, and encourage fun and imaginative play into your daily routine.
This is an opportunity to reminisce about good memories and also talk through any traumatic events of the past school year.
Join your local library summer reading program, tackle that summer reading list for next year, or just read with your kid whenever! Dinner time, bath time, and bedtime are three great opportunities to squeeze in some reading just for fun.
We are lucky enough to have neighbors and cousins that we make it a point to spend time with. Social emotional growth and awareness is critical for healthy developmental skills in children, and you will not and cannot find this type of interaction on a screen.
I hung a dry erase calendar in my son’s room on which we write past and future activities. He crosses out the days as they pass. A calendar helps young children learn the basics of the days of the week and the months of the year, but even more, for my son, it helps him to feel secure when he wakes up daily because he knows what to expect. He can also mentally review past activities, which promotes a sense of accomplishment.
We have several spots in our home where my son knows that it is ok for him to “make a mess.” An art desk, a box of sand in our garage, and a calm corner are just three examples of spaces that promote independence and the opportunity for imaginative play.
Having a visual to help little minds understand the concept of time is the gift that keeps on giving. It works for dinner, cleanup, bath, bed, and ESPECIALLY screen time.
I hope these are some helpful tips for the remaining weeks of summer. Best of luck for our new school year!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Scalfano
BLOG OF FIRST LADY OF LOUISIANA DONNA EDWARDS
July Is a Blind Date with Summer
Royal Family Kids Camps
The FREE Coalition to End Human Trafficking in Louisiana
It’s Christmas in July at the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation!
Buy any ornament and get 10% off your total purchase for the whole month of July. Your discount is automatically applied at checkout. Get ahead of your Christmas shopping now and order the 2023 ornament! For information or questions about store items, contact PreserveLAGovernorsmansion@gmail.com
by Kimiyo Harris Williams, MD, FAAP
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine at LSU School of Medicine
As women, we are busy caring for our children, spouses or significant other, and or aging parents. This article is a “Sister to Sister” reminder to add regular health screenings to your “To Do” List. We should all visit our physician regularly for a wellness check even if you are feeling great. The US Preventive Services Task Force publishes a list of recommended screenings as a guide. Listed below are screening recommendations for women based on age.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Ages 18 to 39
Your blood pressure should be checked at least once every 3 to 5 years if:
Your blood pressure should be checked every year if any of the following are true:
Age 40-64
If the top number is 130 mm Hg or greater or the bottom number is 80 mm Hg or greater, this is considered stage 1 hypertension. Schedule an appointment with your provider to learn how you can reduce your blood pressure.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Ages 18 to 39
Your provider may discuss and recommend mammograms, MRI scans, or ultrasounds if you have an increased risk for breast cancer, such as:
Ages 40 to 64
Screening mammogram is recommended for:
If you have other risk factors for breast cancer, your provider may recommend a MRI scan for screening.
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Ages 18 to 64
Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21 years.
After the first test:
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
Cholesterol screening should begin at:
Repeat cholesterol screening should take place:
DIABETES SCREENING
You should be screened for diabetes starting at age 35 and then repeated every 3 years if you have no risk factors for diabetes.
Screening may need to start earlier and be repeated more often if you have other risk factors for diabetes such as:
Screening for diabetes should be done if you are planning to become pregnant and you are overweight and have other risk factors such as high blood pressure.
These recommendations and additional screening guidelines are from the sources listed below.
Be intentional and Informed in your journey to wellness and good health my sisters.
“Self-love is Healthy Living.”
Sources: 1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007462.htm
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007467.htm
from the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion
Sweeten up your summer with this refreshing recipe – perfect for Louisiana pool days!
July 2023
It’s a slippery slope for Molly and Bandit!
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.
Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She completed a fellowship at Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Politics, and currently attends Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.
Uplifting Every Voice, Seeing Every Journey
Unsung heroes are those who contribute remarkable work ethic to our state but often go unnoticed or uncelebrated. They often perform acts of courage, sacrifice, or service without seeking recognition or expecting rewards. Their dedication, courage, and resiliency provide a blueprint for champions of change across our communities. Louisiana is home to countless unsung heroes who continuously serve our state without hesitation or notoriety. The power of their collective contributions creates a future of sustainability and hope for our most vulnerable populations. The Office of Women’s Policy recognizes champions across our state through the Unsung Heroes Campaign of 2023.
The Unsung Heroes Campaign honors and uplifts the valuable work of everyday leaders across diverse sectors. The mission is to Inspire Others, Challenge Stereotypes, and Encourage Civic Engagement. By celebrating unsung heroes, we provide well-deserved recognition to phenomenal community members while inspiring others to emulate positive actions and participate in worthy causes. These champions have defied all odds to ensure protection, growth, and love continue within their communities. They span all walks of life, representing a diverse array of ages, races, geographic locations, and socioeconomic levels. The seeds of hope they plant today will ensure the growth of possibilities for future generations. Their efforts demonstrate that all acts of kindness and service can lead to a significant impact.
Martha has served in education for ten years, beginning as a teacher’s assistant caring for children. Migrant Head Start programs are specifically designed to support the educational and developmental needs of children from migrant and seasonal farmworker families. These programs aim to provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support services to migrant children in Louisiana. Migrant Head Start centers bring with them the richness of diverse cultures, the courage to seek a better future, and the determination to succeed against all odds. Learn more to help advance the mission: Head Start
Through music and arts educational training, JaVon provides enrichment opportunities to underserved youth who are at risk for adverse outcomes in Louisiana. Performing arts is a gateway for children to express creativity, build confidence, and develop lifelong leadership skills. By nurturing the artistic abilities and passions of children, Louisiana cultivates a vibrant arts scene, preserves its cultural traditions, and contributes to the future career paths of all youth.
Learn more to help advance the mission: SeLah Productions
Cherisse continuously advocates to provide effective and comprehensive services for those who are victims of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. She leads efforts across the state to create education and awareness of the needs of families seeking refuge. Within their walls, shattered lives are rebuilt, hope is rekindled, and a brighter future takes root.
Learn more to help advance the mission: Chez Hope
Jayme takes pride in providing a safe haven for children during emergencies and assisting families in becoming self-sufficient. She continuously seeks to educate and expand foster care services for vulnerable families across the state. Foster Care dedication lies in the key to building a state that thrives on empathy, protection, and the unwavering belief that every life deserves dignity and peace. Learn more to help advance the mission: Louisiana Fosters
Everyone can contribute to a meaningful mission.
Learn more ways to support or partner with the missions of Louisiana Unsung Heroes by visiting:
Renee Antoine is a public health policy advocate and national maternal child health consultant. She has served in a variety of positions advocating for women, children and families across the state of Louisiana and nationally. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Governor’s Office of Women’s Policy in Louisiana. She works collaboratively with all Louisiana stakeholders who serve women across the lifespan. Her recent accolades include serving as State Director for Maternal Child Health and Government Affairs for March of Dimes. Renee is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University. Her graduate research continued to the University of Iowa in epigenetics and culminated at the University of Virginia in Developmental Psychology where she published studies on and child cognition and intellectual development.
I remember the first time I felt like I had really made a difference in a student’s life. I was an English teacher for years before moving into administration, and it wasn’t when an honors student wrote a killer essay or when a student made Mastery on an EOC or LEAP test. I had been really wracking my brain on how to engage some of my students whose minds, for whatever reason, seemed more difficult to captivate than usual. I’d tried all of my tricks! Group discussions, think pair share, real-world applications, brain breaks – you name it, I had tried it. As an English teacher, I tended to feel a little isolated from the “fun” stuff. It wasn’t until I went to our biology teacher down the hall and said, “How do I get them to really sink their teeth into Henrietta Lacks?” The unit alone was incredibly rich and interesting, but somehow it wasn’t connecting with each of my students. I was lucky enough to have a phenomenal Biology teacher on my floor who happened to be teaching a unit on cellular growth, and she had the brilliant idea of having her (our!) kids test samples of yeast for growth and replication. Our amazing Civics teacher jumped in and connected his unit on Politics and the Citizen to civil rights in the time period Henrietta was alive. Our Home Economics teacher followed suit and used the idea of growing active yeast to help create masterpieces in the kitchen. So our students were able to connect the powerful story of Henrietta Lacks to almost every discipline, and seeing the connection class after class cemented the idea that not only can we reach every student, but sometimes all we need is a little outside help to do it.
I’ve since moved into administration as the Education Coordinator for the Louisiana National Guard Education Programs (LANG EP), but I can tell you – that idea is even more impactful here. Our programs work with communities to engage at-risk youth across the state to reach every child – we are the “little help” schools and families call in to connect some of the most at-risk students to success.
A great example of this is our STARBASE program. LANG EP has three in the state – one in Pineville at Training Camp Pineville (formerly Camp Beauregard), one in Rosedale, and one at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. Primarily serving the surrounding area’s 5th-grade students, STARBASE is a one-of-a-kind educational program that fuels young minds with boundless potential, igniting a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To see STARBASE in action is to witness, first hand, lightbulbs going off in students’ eyes and those lightbulbs staying lit! Through captivating lessons, students dive deep into the worlds of robotics, coding, aerospace engineering, and more, developing a deep understanding of these disciplines and their applications. Whether they’re designing and building rockets, programming intricate algorithms, or collaborating on team projects, STARBASE cultivates an environment that nurtures curiosity, fosters teamwork, and instills a sense of wonder about the world around them. Another bonus to the program is that teachers visiting with their students for the week also gain unique STEM professional development at no cost to their schools or districts. The partnerships between STARBASE and their surrounding districts are invaluable and will help shape a future where all Louisiana students have a chance to contribute to the scientific and technological world around us.
While STARBASE may be a starting point for some Louisiana students, other students may first benefit from LANG Education Programs by way of the Youth Challenge Program. Louisiana was one of the pilot states for the residential program in 1993 (preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary!) and has led the way in reclaiming the lives of at-risk youth since then. Focused on 16-18-year-olds, students from across the state gather at one of our three locations – Camp Minden (Minden, La.), Training Center – Pineville (formerly Camp Beauregard), and Gillis W. Long (Carville, La.). Just like Louisiana’s classrooms, YCP participants are equally diverse, hailing from all parts of the state and representing all demographics of students. The 22-week residential phase of the program focuses on its 8 Core Components – Academic Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Responsible Citizenship, Leadership/Followership, Health & Hygiene, Service to the Community, and Physical Fitness. During the residential phase, Cadets have access to two academic pathways – HiSET and Course Choice Credit Recovery (CCCR). HiSET has, historically, been a great fit for those students who may struggle in the traditional school setting, want to complete their High School Equivalency Diploma, and are ready to make their way in the world. CCCR is a more recent addition, having over 300 Cadets graduate through that pathway since its inception in 2017. This pathway is an excellent fit for students who may simply need the structure of YCP to get back on track and, while doing so, work on their high school courses with the plan of returning to high school and completing their High School Diploma.
The Post Residential (PR) Phase lasts for 12 months and begins once the Cadet graduates from the 22-week residential program. It is during this time that their PR caseworker and community mentor help graduates find and maintain placement in the communities they are returning to. Success for each of these graduates may look slightly different, but in most cases, YCP has been the “little help” that communities needed to call in to show students what success can look like. And what does that look like? Since LA YCP began, it has had almost 27,000 graduates to date. That’s 27,000 students contributing to their neighborhoods, their employers, and their state that may not have otherwise! To further break down that success, 58% of graduates go straight into employment, 29.5% immediately continue their education, 4.5% enlist in the military, and 8% enter into some combination of these. Additionally, with a HiSET pass rate of 83%, YCP is not only Louisiana’s partner in education but a premier program at that!
The final step in completing the LANG Education Programs experience is the Job Challenge Program (JCP). Only eligible to YCP graduates aged 17-21, this comprehensive program offers a unique combination of academic instruction, hands-on training, and professional development opportunities, providing participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the workforce. While its own program, JCP’s structure and programming make it the logical next step (or even an extension) to YCP. Conveniently located at Gillis W. Long, the Job Challenge program focuses on enhancing participants’ academic foundation while honing their practical skills. Through vocational training and industry certifications, participants gain practical skills in areas like construction, healthcare, and information technology, setting them up for success in specific career pathways such as Culinary, EMT, Phlebotomy, Welding, and Heavy Equipment Operation. While JCP is also a residential program and structurally styled after YCP, JCP leans a bit more toward a college experience for Trainees, and the residential stay depends on the length of time each credentialing program lasts. For example, one pathway’s IBC may take 12 weeks while another takes 20 weeks. In both cases, Trainees are working towards valuable industry-based credentials while still benefitting from the structure and programming of yet another premier LANG EP program.
Moreover, the Job Challenge Program places a strong emphasis on personal growth and character development, and ultimately, JCP prepares young individuals for meaningful employment and lifelong success, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive job market.
The Louisiana National Guard Education Programs hold a wealth of opportunities for Louisiana’s students. Whether exploring the mysteries of today’s world with hands-on activities at STARBASE, focusing on personal growth through the structured, supportive environment of YCP, to taking their first step into the working world and earning industry credentials at JCP, LANG Education Programs is proud to be a vital “helping” partner in Louisiana students’ success and, regardless of which program or location they’re at, it’s a place where our children can flourish and make a positive impact on the world around them.
Timberly Deville, an accomplished educator and advocate for underserved populations, has almost 15 years of experience in education and administration. She has received numerous awards such as District Teacher of the Year and the LA Military Department Exceptional Performance Award.
In her current role as Education Coordinator for seven LA National Guard programs and Lead Instructor Chair for the NGB Youth Challenge National Training Committee, she forms partnerships with organizations like LDOE and LCTCS and provides both state and national professional development for educators. Additionally, as part of the National Guard’s Joint Diversity Executive Committee, she helps create and deliver NGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Plans.
Timberly is a 2021 and 2022 STAND Lead Fellow, President of the Alpha Pi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and holds a BLS in English, an MS.EdL in Educational Leadership, and will graduate next year with an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
