Community Events and Notifications

 Link to DIBELS:  video  

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will offer SUN Bucks also known as Summer EBT benefits to low-income families with school-aged (5-18 years old) children when schools are closed for the summer. SUN Bucks/Summer EBT is a permanent federal nutrition nationwide program beginning in the summer of 2024. Eligible students will receive a one-time benefit of $120 this summer.      

To help schools communicate with parents regarding SUN Bucks/Summer EBT, please reference the SUN Bucks Families flyer attachment provided by LDH and SUN Bucks/Summer EBT FAQ document. The attached flyer provides general information of what families need to know such as eligibility requirements, how to apply for SUN Bucks/Summer EBT, and information on the USDA’s SUN Meals summer program. The attached SUN Bucks/Summer EBT FAQ document provides schools and parents with answers to frequently asked questions. Another great source of information can be found on the LDH website: sunbucks.la.gov. Please direct parents to visit the LDH website to receive up-to-date information regarding SUN Bucks/Summer EBT.

If a parent contacts the school to update their student’s address to receive the SUN Bucks/Summer EBT card, the parent must first follow district policy for changing an address and provide the required documentation for proof of residency. Once the proof of residency has been confirmed, the school should update the student’s address in JCampus then submit the address change via the SIS Team Request form. The cards will take 3-6 weeks for LDH to process and mail out. All questions related to card activation and card replacements should be directed to Life in Check at 1-888-997-1117 or www.LifeInCheckEBT.com. For all other questions regarding SUN Bucks/Summer EBT please contact LDH at 1-833-323-7482 from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

 Who’s Eligible:

Students are automatically eligible for the program if:

• Your child was born between August 20, 2007 and July 1, 2020 and received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) or income-based Medicaid benefits (household income below 185% of the federal poverty level) anytime between July 1, 2025, and August 20, 2026.

• Your child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and was individually approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals.
  
  

Students may be eligible for SUN Bucks, but will need to apply to determine eligibility if:

• Your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students receive free or reduced-price lunch but did not complete an application for NSLP or School Breakfast Program.

• Most eligible children will receive SUN Bucks automatically and do not need to apply. Families of students without automatic eligibility can apply at louisiana.summerebtapp.com.

Issuance of Benefits Dates:

• For children enrolled automatically: Benefits start going out mid-May.

• For children whose applications are approved: Benefits will be issued on a rolling basis, usually within three weeks of being approved.

• For children newly qualifying for automatic enrollment: When a child’s family enrolls in SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, or income-based Medicaid benefits during the summer, the child will automatically receive SUN Bucks based on the time of enrollment.

We’re thrilled to launch the Gordon Gives Tan Cares Bulletin Board, a collaborative initiative between Gordon McKernan and broadcast superstar LaTangela Fay.

This project aims to celebrate the outstanding contributions of teachers and support staff who make a significant impact within and beyond the classroom.

At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we’re committed to supporting the Baton Rouge community.  Through Gordon Gives, we’ve given back to children, families, and neighborhoods.  Partnering with LaTangela in April 2022 has allowed us to expand our outreach efforts, as we are both dedicated to charity and community service.

The Gordon Gives Tan Cares Bulletin Board is our latest initiative to recognize the unsung heroes in our schools.  We believe that educators and school workers play a crucial role in shaping our community’s future.  The Bulletin Board will highlight those who go above and beyond.

We’re calling on all community members to nominate deserving teachers who embody the spirit of service and dedication. Visit https://www.getgordon.com/gordon-gives/225-bulletin-board/ to submit your nomination.  Each month, two individuals will be selected from the nominations received.

Nominate someone for the Gordon Gives Tan Cares Bulletin Board today and help us celebrate our local heroes!

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LADOE), is pleased to offer local school districts assistance in writing and implementing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans (High-Quality EOPs). This opportunity is provided by a grant - Grants to States for School Emergency Management Planning (SEMP) - from the U. S. Department of Education (DOE) through the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA). 

Seven schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System were selected and will receive $50,000 each.  The grant will be utilized to enhance fencing, visitor management, two-way radios, wayfinders, and cameras.  The following schools will benefit from the grant award:

• Claiborne Elementary

• LaBelle Aire Elementary

• Park Medical Academy

• McKinley Middle Magnet

• Southeast Middle Magnet

• Belaire Magnet High

• Glen Oaks Magnet High

BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member Emily Soule and Studyville CEO Amanda Martin visited 2une In on Tuesday to share more information on a fundraiser to buy uniforms for high school bands with outdated uniforms or without uniforms entirely. 

Martin started the donations with $25,000, calling the choice to donate a no-brainer.

"We have school students giving their heart and soul into marching bands, and they're wearing t-shirts," she said. 

Soule said the school board should do everything it can to allow student musicians to be in outfits that match their talent, saying that they want to get all 11 high schools new uniforms by the end of the fundraiser, starting with Liberty and Glenn Oaks high schools, which do not have uniforms.

"It takes about, roughly, $40,000 per school to outfit the full band," Soule said about the Foundation for EBR Schools' effort. To outfit all high school bands in the district, it would take $484,000. 

East Baton Rouge Parish Schools has an exciting new resource to share with our parents and community —the EBR Parent Participation Program! This weekly resource is designed to empower parents and community members with the tools they need to support student success on the LEAP 2025 assessment as well as DIBELs (K-2). Each week, families can visit the EBR Parent Participation Program site to receive a structured yet manageable way to engage with key academic content, featuring one LEAP-released item in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. With just 15-minute sessions, 3-4 times per week, this program provides an easy yet impactful way to reinforce essential skills at home. Spread the word and encourage your students' families to take advantage of this powerful learning tool! 

EBR ECCN UPDATES

The EBR Early Childhood Department is committed to being available for your questions and concerns.

•  Application updates will be emailed through PowerSchools. If you need assistance with accepting a seat electronically, please contact your first school of choice. 

For additional information, questions, or concerns regarding the PreK application, please call 225-960-1671 or 225-226-7675 or email earlychildhood@ebrschools.org. 

EBR Early Childhood Community Network  |  Phone:  (225)960.1671 or (225)226.7675  |  Fax:  (225)361.0293

Fathers, Father Figures and Men! Join us on Tuesdays at 1120 Government St. @ 12:15pm or 6:30pm for our weekly Responsible Fatherhood classes. FREE baby pampers, men and children's clothes, Men's suits, household items, and more!

Education and Employment opportunities.

Counseling and therapy available.

Refreshments provided

The DEMCO Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization, founded in 1997, to assist DEMCO members in times of need. Some of what we assist with includes:

• Rent/mortgage

• Repairs/maintenance on homes

• Pharmacy and medical supplies

• Special assistance in emergencies (natural disasters such as house fire, flooding, tornado, etc.)

• Other human needs

In addition to what is listed above, the Foundation also assist with school uniforms and college scholarships which may be beneficial to students and graduating seniors. The application portal for scholarships will be open from April 14th- June 15th. DEMCO members may apply for school uniforms anytime during the year . For more information, DEMCO members may visit our website https://www.demco.org/community/demco-foundation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Rhowanda Vessel, Community Relations Coordinator by email, rhowandav@demco.org or phone at (225)262-2141.