Week #117
This talk is a continuation of our ‘Education For All’ series with a focus on Back-To-School in EBR with updates from primary to post-secondary leaders including:
Dawn Chanet Collins (School Board Member, EBRPSS)
Dr. Brandy M. Tyson (Dean of Technical & Adult Education, BRCC)
As you all know, schools, families, and communities have been disrupted since March 2020. Families, especially children, rely upon schools not just as a place of learning, but also fellowship and community connection. We will discuss the impact of these past two years and share resources to continue to help our city’s bright minds shine even brighter.
Quick Links: Notes, Zoom Chat, Community Announcements
Speaker Notes
Dr. Brandy M. Tyson (Dean of Technical & Adult Education, BRCC)
We want to assist the whole individual. Whatever barriers they come with we seek to assist them in overcoming them. We currently offer online, hybrid and in person classes. All of our in person classes are picking up steam. For online we offer synchronous and asynchronous. We have a lot of great technology across our campus. There’s been a lot of funding attached. We have a college to church initiative. We are partnering with Shilo baptist church. The adult education program allows them to come in and test and see where they are to get them for the HISET. We’re going to have that at the church. You can get shorter embedded credentials. Think of the individual who wants to get reskilled and do it quickly. Two things that are happening is a food pantry at the main campus. We know that insecurity exists, so there has been a food pantry established. There are canned goods and hygiene products. There will also hopefully be packaged entrees as well. We, as the deans, have started trainings with the faculty and staff to develop missions, assignments, choose textbooks, anything related to instructions. We are registering now. We have money out there for training. If you think you can’t afford it, reach out to us.
Adonica Pelichet Duggan
As we start to think about Back To School, it’s important to think about wrap around supports. What are all the different supports around the feeding program. There are tons of supply giveaways everywhere. Make sure we stay connected throughout the year. We’re excited to wrap up the Baton Rouge Youth Voice initiative. We have the report coming out in the next couple weeks. Through that youth voice, school safety is a top concern. There are also a lot of new program offerings throughout the district and a lot of traditional schools are offering a lot new programs. The release of the state test scores earlier this week show that we have a lot of work to do to get back to where we were pre-pandemic. We are still struggling with literacy. Our Changemakers application closes on Monday. We have a lot of great applications already. We spend a day a month talking with community leaders about education in Baton Rouge.
Liz Smith
We’re still in COVID one way or another. They feel like the adults around them have moved on but they have not. They want to talk about the COVID impact on their mental health. This has been a big shock for them. As we head back into school those feelings are going to resurface.
Dawn Chanet Collins (School Board Member, EBRPSS)
It’s election season and everything is about the children, but we can’t pretend election season isn’t going to have an impact. People have qualified on the 2014 map, which is severely malapportioned. There are two lawsuits in play regarding redistricting. One issue is that the redistricting plan that the board voted on 5-4 is called Plan 22 - You cannot split precincts. That’s a state law and it originated in district court and it’s in appeals. The other is in appeals and it’s malapportiate. What that means moving forward is that things are up in the air. Expect a lot of change politically across the board. We have gotten some amount of transparency surrounding COVID dollars to give our teachers a stipend, which has happened around the country. Hopefully we will be able to retain more teachers. There is a labor crisis around the country. It appears to be a little bit exacerbated right now. Hopefully this will help our staff feel more excited about coming to work and to feel appreciated.
QUESTIONS
What is the "culturally responsive plan"? and do we have a similar plan for k-12?
Dr. Brandy M. Tyson - It’s been a very interesting training. Is that reaching all of our students? Can our Black students relate to that? We don’t want to remove history, we just want to make sure it is reflected accurately. Do we have any beliefs and value systems in us that allow us to not handle each other or our students with respect and if so, how do we address that? The instructors are actually making plans. Something as simple as how would you change your powerpoint slide. The trainer started his research in K-12. A student, faculty member and staff, they bring everything with them. If they see something they can relate to, it may give them more courage to learn more or seek more.
Adonica Pelichet Duggan - Those decisions are made at the school level. Annually we host our education as a civil right conference.
State Test results are down, and you mentioned school safety and mental health - what sort of programs are available to support students no matter what age they are.
Traci Vincent - I worked with Big Buddy this summer and I got to take a look at the students in these programs. I can understand how the young person would think that the adults have moved on because they’ve gotten vaccinated. For them, it was just too much to wrap their minds around. I had students who were completely checked out. Behaviorally, I can see how that shows up as anxiety. When it rained they would get really upset when it rained, and that’s of course because of the flooding.
Where we are for the afterschool side.
Jan Ross - BRAYN (Baton Rouge Area Youth Network) - providers serving our students after school. It is really to lift up that sector. To provide professional development trainings, to engage families, to lift up the providers. It has been around for about 24 months. We have seen over 40 organizations come together and break down those hard siloed walls.
https://www.ourbrayn.org/
Is there a difference between what youth in the rural part of the state need vs. the urban parts?
Dr. Patrick Tuck - What we’ve noticed in 4-H and statewide is that the students weren’t used to being with each other. There was a steep resocialization curve. Summer camp, everybody was going into it as a first timer. The opportunity for the junior leaders to be a mentor was not there and harder to implement than it’s been. That’s our programs and competitions that happen at the local, regional and state level. We were bringing 1500 kids to campus, none of whom who had multiple years of experience. In everything that we do, character development is a central piece, so there was an increased need this year. As far as urban vs. rural - with two or three agents in a rural setting you can serve an entire population. So if you look at Acadia and Vermillion, the ratio for mentorship is very strong. In urban settings, three agents can’t do that. If we really want to do it the way we’re designed to do it, we should be in 6-7 schools and have more agents. There are a million kids in Louisiana and even in our best years we’re reaching about 200,000, which leaves 80% of people left out of the program. Something that should be on our radar is the board of elementary and secondary education they are having serious conversations about SEL (social and emotional learning) in classrooms.
Is there a line item for mental health?
Dawn Collins - We brought in CASTLE, It’s a national organization that has worked with different large districts across the nation to help create an infrastructure for SEL initiatives. So yes, we have started putting a huge focus on mental health.
Brandy Tyson - We need to focus on the relationship with employers and establish some funding streams as we partner with them. Just to make sure that they are invested in that.
I’m mostly K-12. WE have a whole team of people who are focused on the next level. We provide information for the kids. We just did a week-long program where they participated in everyday activities to get them interested in healthcare careers. We do have partnerships and programs with higher education folks to get students to that next level. There are lots of options from certifications and 2 year degrees.
Rev. Anderson - As somebody who created an apprenticeship, they are often born through the employment sector and not the education sector. As Louisiana starts trying to transition to future industries and to living wage economies, and a new workforce, we have to recognize that we have a huge formerly incarcerated population that the traditional lines do not work for them. Oftentimes if someone has gone through the carceral system they are locked out.
Adonica Pelichet Duggan - These elections are important. We have a half a billion dollar a year organization that is in charge of our youth. It’s important that we’re informed about this election cycle. It’s really important that we make sure our children have the leaders that they deserve.
Dawn Chanet Collins - Most meetings are streamed these days. Watch the meetings. Investigate it. Email the incumbent. Do you agree or disagree. It’s hard to make an informed decision if you don’t know what’s happening.
Why are the school board meetings so long?
Dawn Chanet Collins - We start at 5 and we just passed a policy to ensure that we stop at 9 p.m. Sometimes there are some important things that cause us to go to midnight. And just like all politics some people overstack the agenda.
Zoom Chat
08:30:01 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
Fun and fabulous
08:31:45 From Caitlyn Scales to Everyone:
good morning, everyone!
08:38:18 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Awesome initiative!
08:39:07 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Can we donate to the food pantry? If so - how can we go about that?
08:39:29 From Aimee Moles to Everyone:
I second that
08:39:57 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Super Saturday Registration Events BRCC Super Saturday & Super Wednesday Registration Event Dates | BRCC (mybrcc.edu)
08:40:09 From Caitlyn Scales to Everyone:
Very exciting!
08:40:10 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Register for the Upcoming Registration Events Events Calendar (lctcs.edu)
08:40:25 From One Rouge to Everyone:
BRCC Programs Programs and Courses | BRCC (mybrcc.edu)
08:40:44 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Short-Term Training Programs
MJ Foster Promise Project M.J. FOSTER PROMISE PROGRAM | BRCC (mybrcc.edu)
Workforce Solutions Workforce Solutions | BRCC (mybrcc.edu)
08:40:45 From hhowat@ochsner.org to Everyone:
My son is at BRCC in one of the industrial program and LOVES it!
08:41:03 From One Rouge to Everyone:
College to Church Initiative BRCC building ties with area churches to bring educational opportunities to underserved individuals and communities | BRCC (mybrcc.edu)
08:41:34 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
Please email me at tysonb@mybrcc.edu if you would like to donate! I will connect you to the store manager. Thank you!
08:42:52 From Verna Bradley-Jackson to Everyone:
Great info Dr. Brandy Tyson
08:49:14 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Books are totally not accessible to college students! Shouldn't have to take out loans for them.
08:49:22 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
What was the question?
08:49:58 From One Rouge to Everyone:
what is the "culturally responsive plan"? and do we have a simiilar plan for k-12?
08:50:46 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
My colleagues and I have made it a point to keep class costs as low as possible, that includes keeping readings digital format through our libraries. My syllabus is also more than 50% BIPOC/women authors on my subject matter. I am also on the steering committee for ERJ curriculum review board to standardize Environmental and Racial Justice items across the university.
08:51:18 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Doing the work, Manny! Thank you
08:51:21 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
I would like to see more discussion of appropriate mental health resources and less on SROs. Everyone has been impacted by homelessness, COVID, job loss, food insecurity, domestic violence and school and community violence. Proactive activities like mindful meditation, de-escalation training, family inclusive activities seem like important focus topics.
08:52:32 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
There are small, easy steps to make things more culturally appropriate in the classroom. Even simple things like addressing everyone as non-gendered pronouns, like what Dr. Tyson mentioned with images that are more global in nature, and look at authors south of the equator or from other academic institutions beyond Harvard etc
08:53:33 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
I'm concerned that when sites are selected for community partnerships transportation and community resources aren't considered. Many families don't have internet resources or POVs and it's important to consider these resources.
08:56:32 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
EBR is ore rural than urban... dont forget that
08:58:21 From One Rouge to Everyone:
admittedly stupid question: do rural students (age notwithstanding) need different or more suppport than urban???
08:59:08 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Many families in Baton Rouge are headed by grandparents. Please speak to how educational facilities are working with inter-generational families that might have both technology challenges but also transportation and cultural differences.
08:59:29 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
https://www.ourbrayn.org/
09:00:59 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Can any of the speakers discuss how their institutions are incorporating the provisions of the McKinney-Veto law to make sure unsheltered students are being fully supported.
09:01:06 From Caitlyn Scales to Everyone:
@onerouge - depends on the region and proximity to resources. Typically, rural communities have less access and different funding needs/requirements than urban or suburban communities. That to say, lots of little details to unpack there based on the specific rural area.
09:02:49 From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone:
Baton Rouge Area Youth Network: https://www.ourbrayn.org/ Main contact: Jasmin Johnson - 225-288-9737
09:03:47 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Getting re-socialized is hard for adults as well.
09:05:01 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Dr. Tuck, can you share what 4-H looks like in Baton Rouge? Which school, etc.
09:05:52 From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone:
Dr. Tyson the food pantry is called a "Store". Is there a charge for the food?
09:08:25 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
BRCC offers professional Counseling Services to support crisis intervention and resources for students.
09:08:58 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
What was the plan called?
09:09:29 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Often school is a pay to stay proposition and lots of families are overwhelmed financially whether they are considered low wealth or not. Has there been a discussion about finding ways to bring excellent opportunities into the campus setting thereby not denying financially challenged students from being able to participate.
09:09:37 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Plan 22
09:09:48 From One Rouge to Everyone:
is the one that splits precincts
09:09:52 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
It's called "The Store". Its name is meant to be discrete and provide privacy to the students. There is no charge. There are some eligibility requirements that are confirmed by staff from the BRCC students.
09:13:19 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
In many countries they have apprenticeship opportunities which allow students to earn while they learn. Are we doing anything in this space at any level?
09:13:21 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
PreK funding? Any particularly movement or initiatives?
09:13:24 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
BRCC's Adult Education program is a free service, if individuals are seeking to reskill in mathematics, reading, and/or language or are seeking to obtain their HiSET.
09:13:50 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Thank you for that clarification @Brandy
09:13:57 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Do you guys have any flyers for that program?
09:14:04 From Patrick Tuck to Everyone:
@Rev Anderson. After years of consistent leadership from a strong Parish Chair and 4-H Agent, our lead agent is moving away for family opportunities. The programs that I have been engaged with locally focus on school and community gardens. In those programs we have been serving over 850 youth with over 100 volunteers annually. I do not have specifics in our other settings.
09:14:07 From SK Groll to Everyone:
We’ve got to do many things at one time, but while we’re talking about back to school educational support for some young people, the state is planning to move youth from the City Center to Angola. Students are concerned about school safety and mental health, but we are still showing the young people of this state that they are disposable.
09:14:44 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
Students may also apply for financial aid. They may be able to receive Pell funds or the MJ Foster Promise funding. There are also various scholarships to support the cost of tuition.
09:14:59 From Brandy Tyson to Everyone:
You're welcome Alexis
09:15:12 From SK Groll to Everyone:
There’s a town hall today at 10a hosted by Family and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children https://www.fflic.org/events/
09:17:29 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
I am very concerned about taxpayer dollars being treated as the private funds of certain interest. I would like to see all governmental agencies including educational facilities go to the community and do the hard work of engaging the communities.
09:17:38 From One Rouge to Everyone:
https://www.mybrcc.edu/mj_foster_promise/index.php
09:20:11 From hhowat@ochsner.org to Everyone:
I put the flyer in the chat also.
09:20:17 From hhowat@ochsner.org to Everyone:
We are excited to announce new virtual therapy services available to our Birth – Grade 12
employees, including up to four free mental health virtual visits through Ochsner Anywhere
Care. Sign up at ldoe.ochsneranywherecare.com and enter Service Key LDOE
First four visits free using coupon code TEACH
09:24:30 From Caitlyn Scales to Everyone:
I need to jump off to get to a 9:30. Thank you to everyone for the awesome updates, insights, and time today. Look forward to following up on some of these items! Happy Friday :)
09:25:43 From One Rouge to Everyone:
speak it into existence, rev!
09:28:54 From One Rouge to Everyone:
ALL elections are IMPORTANT. VOTE! Vote early. Vote often. Vote on the issues!
09:29:19 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Judges are on the ballot 🗳️
09:29:41 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Listen to the episode of Walls Plus One featuring the fabulous Adonica Pelichet Duggan: https://www.thewallsproject.org/podcastwallsplusone/episode/79ea76d3/adonica-pelichet-duggan-takes-focus-on-education
09:29:48 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
Also, need to organize elections so not having them once a month... Any way to coordinate that?
09:30:18 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
PREACH and other organizations will be hosting judicial forums.
09:30:19 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Y'ALL! Judges have SOOOOOO much impact on our day to day lives. Be sure they are making decisions (civil and criminal)that reflect the society you want o see
09:30:25 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Baton_Rouge,_Louisiana_(2022)
09:30:47 From One Rouge to Everyone:
WATCH the meetings!!!
09:30:52 From Dr. Pamela Ravare-Jones to Everyone:
Have a wonderful weekend everyone
09:30:59 From Adonica Pelichet Duggan to Everyone:
All of the meeting archives are on YouTube
09:31:00 From One Rouge to Everyone:
👋🏾
09:31:04 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/candidateinquiry
09:31:27 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Are these meetings shared with students as part of the learning process?
09:31:33 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
if folks have not realized the power the judicial branch can have, see the slow play with SCOTUS since 2004
09:31:56 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
^^
09:31:57 From One Rouge to Everyone:
The elections *can* be consolidated. It seems as if there is a larger strategy to create voter fatigue by having them every other month.
09:31:59 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
We have to educate young people on civic engagement.
09:32:20 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Watch it on 1.5x speed lol
09:32:25 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
People like to hear themselves speak....
09:32:34 From One Rouge to Everyone:
^^^true
09:32:40 From hhowat@ochsner.org to Everyone:
Here is an example of Healthcare Career Path options from high school certifications to doctorate level.
09:32:48 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
That's funny Alexis 😂
09:33:05 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
I started listening to everything on faster speed. Changed my life lol
09:33:10 From Manny Patole to Everyone:
All, great convo… Keep grinding
09:33:25 From Patrick Tuck to Everyone:
Consent agenda? :-)
09:33:27 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Always expect a good comeback from an Alexis👏
09:33:45 From One Rouge to Everyone:
@pat tuck, a FINE idea!
09:34:15 From Adonica Pelichet Duggan to Everyone:
Have a great day everyone!
09:34:21 From One Rouge to Everyone:
👋🏾
09:34:31 From Dawn Chanet Collins to Everyone:
LOL @ Alexis Jones EXCELLENT idea about speeding up the playback
09:35:10 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Please put the address for the expungement event in the chat
09:35:39 From SK Groll to Everyone:
Baton roots is hosting Sow Good Saturday tomorrow at the farm! https://healthybr.givepulse.com/event/287784-Sow-Good-Saturday-Baton-Roots
Chef traci is cooking grilled lemon garlic chicken and okra! Antonia Harris is hosting a free yoga class!
09:36:16 From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone:
Wilson Foundation has its fall grant cycle with grant applications due Aug 25. https://www.hawilsonfoundation.org/grant-application/ Please contact me if you have any questions. janross@hwilson.org
09:36:39 From Mary Bergeron to Everyone:
Baton Rouge is so lucky to have Judy in town!!!
09:37:01 From hhowat@ochsner.org to Everyone:
The EBRPSS Back to School Bash is tomorrow at the River Center 11am to 2pm
09:37:12 From Judy Touzin to Everyone:
Thank you all for having me. I'm grateful to be here!
09:37:53 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
You can park at the walls project headquarters if you want to go to the metro council meeting.
09:38:23 From Patrick Tuck to Everyone:
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from ARPA You can find the official allocations for other cities in Louisiana on the Treasury’s website or using this pdf: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/fiscalrecoveryfunds-metrocitiesfunding1-508A.pdf
09:39:50 From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone:
Pennington Foundation grants are typically due August 15th.
09:40:11 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
I'll be taking a pre-event COVID test, and as long as that's negative - I will be there with yall!
09:40:31 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Want to keep safety #1 with these reoccurences
09:41:18 From Patrick Tuck to Everyone:
Happy 10th!
Community Announcements
Louisiana Center for Children's Rights is hiring a social worker for a supervisory position in their BR office. For more information see: https://lakidsrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Social-Work-Supervisor-Job-Posting-1.pdf or email me at kmosby@vera.org
Baton Roots is hosting Sow Good Saturday tomorrow at the farm! https://healthybr.givepulse.com/event/287784-Sow-Good-Saturday-Baton-Roots
Chef traci is cooking grilled lemon garlic chicken and okra! Antonia Harris is hosting a free yoga class!
Wilson Foundation has its fall grant cycle with grant applications due Aug 25. https://www.hawilsonfoundation.org/grant-application/ Please contact me if you have any questions. janross@hwilson.org
Rev Anderson - There are a multitude of back to school events this weekend. Wed. 10th, there’s a metro council meeting with a budget on the agenda. We need to be in the room and we need to ask what these budgets mean to us.
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from ARPA You can find the official allocations for other cities in Louisiana on the Treasury’s website or using this pdf: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/fiscalrecoveryfunds-metrocitiesfunding1-508A.pdf
Flitcher Bell - Next Thursday at 12 p.m. we’re continuing our webinar series wrapping up the legislative session. Also, on the 19th, there’s going to be another expungement event on Blunt Road.
August 11, 2022-12:00 – 1:30 p.m. -- Part III:Economic Development/Stability, Quality Affordable Ethical Healthcare, Housing Stability & The Continuing Impact of COVID
Rep. Randal Gaines, Esq., District 57; Rep. Mandie Landry, District 91; Darryl Gissel, Office of Mayor Sharon Weston Broome (INVITED); Laura Tuggle, Esq., Exec. Director, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services; Alma Stewart, President, Louisiana Center for Health Equity
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__3A6sVOsT229nyR4YgJBTQ
August 25, 2022- 12:00 – 2:00– Part IV:Where Do We Go From Here- Post Pandemic Health Emergency (Infrastructure, Voting Rights, Education, Healthcare, Housing Insecurity)
Rep. Edmond Jordan, Esq., District 29 (INVITED); Senator Regina Ashford Barrow, District 15 (INVITED); Dr. Melissa Flournoy, Board Chair, Louisiana Progress; Tara LeBlanc, Medicaid Director, LDH; Danny Mintz, Ph.D., Dir. Of Safety Net Policy, The Budget Project (INVITED)
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UnjrfnCkT4y07uoD4b-5BQS
The Registration Link is as follows:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nfN4GiwEQhGMBaR8RAfPlQ
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