Four high schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) were honored by U.S. News & World Report recently when the news organization released its national rankings for the Best High Schools of 2016.

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, and Thomas Jefferson High School made the news organization’s national rankings. Riverdale High School is recognized nationally.

In the national rankings, Haynes Academy ranks No. 123, Patrick Taylor Academy ranks No. 169 and Thomas Jefferson High ranks No. 814. Click here to see the complete national rankings.

Haynes Academy and Patrick Taylor are each designated as gold medal schools, Thomas Jefferson High is designated as a silver medal school, and Riverdale High is designated as a bronze medal school. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments, their graduation rates, and how well they prepare students for college.

In the Louisiana rankings, three of the state’s top five schools reside in JPPSS. Haynes Academy ranks No. 2, Patrick Taylor Academy ranks No. 3, and Thomas Jefferson High ranks No. 5. Click here to see the complete Louisiana rankings.

In other categories ranked by this latest U.S. News and World Report list:

Haynes Academy is the top magnet school in Louisiana and No. 30 in the nation. Patrick Taylor Academy is the No. 2 magnet school in Louisiana and No. 41 in the nation. Patrick Taylor also ranks No. 113 among all STEM schools in the nation. Thomas Jefferson High is the No. 3 magnet school in the state and No. 114 nationally.

The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 21,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read the full methodology.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System television station offers more ways than ever to relive the commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2016.

As always, DVDs can be ordered of each ceremony and each graduation will be cablecast on JPS-TV (Comcast Cable channel 8 or AT&T U-verse channel 99). Each of the graduation ceremonies are also being uploaded to the district’s Vimeo channel.

To order a DVD, download an order form. To view the latest JPS-TV programming schedule, visit our JPS-TV department page. To watch a graduation on Vimeo, click one of the links below. For more information, contact JPS-TV at 504-349-7957 or email keith.paolini@jppss.k12.la.us.

Watch a JPPSS Graduation on Vimeo

• Bonnabel Magnet Academy High
• East Jefferson High
• Ehret High
• Fisher High
• Grace King High
• Grand Isle School
• Haynes Academy
• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High
• Patrick Taylor Academy
• Riverdale High
• Thomas Jefferson High
• West Jefferson High

Art students at three Jefferson Parish Public School System high schools will have more means to express their creativity next school year. Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, John Ehret High, and Thomas Jefferson High are three of seven area schools receiving Teacher’s Assistance Fund grants from the Rau for Art Foundation.

“These are all wonderful programs led by dedicated and enthusiastic art teachers,” says Skye Ross, this year’s head of the RFA Teacher’s Fund Committee. “The teachers have all expressed that they are thrilled to be starting out the next school year with a fresh allotment of art supplies, which we will deliver to them in early September.”

Following in the success of the 5th annual Rau for Art Scholarship Competition, M.S. Rau Antiques announced the seven New Orleans area high school art departments that will receive grants from its Teacher’s Assistance Fund for the 2016-2017 school year. The seven schools will receive grants which will be used by art teachers at that particular school to purchase art supplies and instructional materials.

The goal of the Rau for Art Teacher’s Assistance Fund is to help high school art educators in the New Orleans area to have more available resources to creatively enrich their students. Individual grant proposals were submitted for review to the foundation’s website for a chance to win up to $2,500 for each school. Proposals received this year covered a broad range of needs, from art supplies, instruction materials and class field trips.

The Rau for Art Foundation was founded by Bill Rau in commemoration of M.S. Rau Antiques’ 2012 Centennial. This program, along with the foundation’s yearly student Scholarship Competition, allows the RFA to have a greater impact on arts education in Greater New Orleans, benefiting both students and their schools. Employees of M.S. Rau Antiques comprise the RFA, contributing their time and professional skills to help these students reach their dreams.

Fifteen students in the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) have been named Semifinalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

“Congratulations to these remarkable students for achieving this national honor,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “Being named a Semifinalist is a tremendous accomplishment, and we wish them the best of luck as the selection process continues.”

Representing JPPSS are 13 students from Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies and two from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy.

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million offered next spring.

About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Veteran Jefferson Parish Public School System teacher Jeremy Lampo was honored by one of the nation’s elite universities recently. The Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies teacher has been recognized as a recipient of the 2016 Yale Educator Award by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Lampo was nominated for the award by his former student who is now a freshman at Yale, Christian Fernandez

“It’s really nice and I actually emailed him the same day and told him thank you,” said Lampo. “He’s a fantastic kid. If you can’t teach this kid, you’re in the wrong business.”

A National Board Certified Teacher and former JPPSS Teacher of the Year, Lampo is most certainly in the right business. He leads an individual study at Haynes Academy to coach students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. JPPSS had eleven students named 2016 National Merit Finalists, nine from Haynes Academy. Fifteen JPPSS students were recently named 2017 semifinalists, with 13 from Haynes. Lampo sees building relationships as the key to classroom success.

“The more that they know that you are in it for their benefit, the more that you care, the easier the sell,” said Lampo. “Christian was a really good example of that. He saw pretty clearly that I was out for his best benefit, and then the kid just ran with it.”

Lampo began his career in JPPSS at Grace King High in 1996. He’s been at Haynes Academy since 2009. He went into education based on the advice of his father, who noticed Lampo’s love of English and his command of a room.

“My dad was really excited about it. He was like, ‘What, wait, Yale?,'” said Lampo. “My brother and I were the first people to graduate from college in our family, so this is tickling as well.”

The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Of this year’s 326 nominees, who represent 33 states and 24 countries, 55 teachers and 28 counselors were selected to receive the award. Matriculating students are invited to nominate high school educators, and a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews each nomination individually and designates recipients. In September, the winners were sent engraved desk sets and congratulatory letters, and administrators of the high schools were notified of their achievement.

From left, West Jefferson High Principal Vanessa Brown-Lewis and West Jefferson High senior Sean Ly attended the Posse New Orleans Awards Ceremony on January 4. Ly is one of a record 15 JPPSS students named a Posse Scholar this year.

Fifteen students from the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) have been awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships from The Posse Foundation, including students from Bonnabel Magnet Academy High, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Helen Cox High, John Ehret High, L.W. Higgins High, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, Riverdale High, Thomas Jefferson High, and West Jefferson High. These 15 high school seniors mark the most JPPSS students ever awarded this prestigious honor.

“Being named a Posse Scholar is a remarkable accomplishment,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “We are proud to have these students represent Jefferson Parish. Thank you to these young leaders and to the educators and mentors in their lives.”

From left, Higgins High Posse Scholar Aalyiah Butler and JPPSS Chief of Staff Germaine Gilson.

The Posse Foundation gives extraordinary high school students who may be overlooked by the traditional college selection processes the resources and the support needed to complete a four-year degree at partner universities. Posse Scholars are nominated by their high schools in their senior year for their leadership in the school and the community, their academic commitment, and their overall motivation to succeed. The nominees undergo a rigorous selections process conducted by both Posse staff and their partner universities before being selected for the merit-based scholarship.

The newest Posse Scholars from JPPSS selected to attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio are:

• Oscar Garcia, Bonnabel Magnet Academy
• Olivia Hughes, John Ehret High
• Anthony Nunnery, Bonnabel Magnet Academy
• Fatima Rahman, John Ehret High

The Scholars attending the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana are:

• Liya Blitzer, Riverdale High
• Aishwarya Natarajan, Haynes Academy

The Scholars attending the Tulane University in New Orleans are:

• Aalyiah Butler, Higgins High
• Diana Palacios, Haynes Academy
• Miguel Solis, John Ehret High
• Emmette Sylve, Thomas Jefferson High

The Scholars attending Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois are:

• Shakira Cruz Gonzalez, Helen Cox High
• Sean Ly, West Jefferson High
• Shaela Phillips, John Ehret High
• Taylor Robinson, John Ehret High
• Dareana Roy, Patrick F. Taylor Academy

A student team from Haynes Academy has been named a 2016-2017 Best in State Winner and is in the running for a $15,000 national prize in the Verizon Innovative Learning app challenge. The winning students are Kevin Kim, Danial Abbas, Geoffrey Aji, Destiny David, and Jacob Zanca.

“I am so proud of the initiative and innovation these students have shown,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo. “Their work on this project required extensive time commitments in addition to their normal school work. It highlights the creativity, problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills we seek to develop in our students across the curriculum.”

The Verizon Innovative Learning app challenge is a nationwide contest that asks middle and high school students to solve a problem in their community by conceptualizing a mobile app. The apps that earn the most votes win state, regional, and national awards.

The statewide victory earned $5,000 for Haynes Academy that will be used to increase technology resources and instruction at the school. The victory also makes the students eligible for the national Fan Favorite award, which comes with a $15,000 prize for the school. The Fan Favorites will also receive training to develop their app concept from experts at MIT and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Technology Student Association Conference in June.

You can help the Haynes Academy students win the big prize by voting now through February 14, 2017. To vote, simply text EZPREP to 22333.

• Click here to view the students’ segment on the WGNO newscast.

EZPrep is the name of the app concept developed by these five Haynes Academy students. It helps students who are struggling in school by connecting them to other students who need help understanding similar subjects. These young developers envision an app that includes live, moderated forums, which would allow student to learn at their own pace and ask questions without the fear of being judged for not understanding.

“Haynes Academy really provided us the skills we need to think together as a group, brainstorm ideas, think innovatively, and best of all, we see students that struggle in our school get right back up with other students’ support,” the award winning students responded as a group. “That is a huge step for students to get used to their environment and open up and be more involved in the classroom.”

The Verizon Innovative Learning app challenge encourages critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and the use of skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Nearly 3,500 student teams and 24,000 students from across the nation have submitted app concepts since the contest was first launched in 2012.

Megan Marsalone wins Presidency at LASC.

The MLK long weekend was a time to relax, but Student Council members from several of our schools attended the Louisiana Association of Student Councils (LASC) state convention in Covington. The LASC convention was held at Archbishop Hannan High School, January 14-16, with the theme “Your Ticket to Leadership.” There they enhanced their leadership abilities and participated in several community service projects.

Upon arrival, all schools running for office set up a “Meet the Candidates” table where delegates from schools around the state learned about the schools that were running for office. Later that day, the schools performed a prepared skit connected to their campaign theme that emphasized their leadership skills and purpose for running for office.

The next afternoon, each candidate made a speech to the delegates expressing why they are running and why the delegate schools should vote for them. On the last general session, all delegates gathered in the auditorium with the president from each school seated in the House of Delegates section. Each school was called upon, in alphabetical order, by the Parliamentarian to vote for the school they chose for each office.

JPPSS students shine at state convention.

There were more than 1000 students from the state at the convention. Megan Marsalone from Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies was voted the LASC State President. Alex Edwards, also from Haynes Academy, was voted district I Vice President. Cassie Connors from Grace King High School was elected District I Secretary, and Abigail Shaw from Riverdale High School was elected District I Parliamentarian. The LASC Gold Honor Council was awarded to East Jefferson High School, Grace King High, Haynes Academy, and Riverdale High.

If any middle or high school is interested in becoming a part of the Greater New Orleans Association of Student Councils, please contact Dr. Melody Baham (melody.baham@jppss.k12.la.us) or Cindy Johnson (cjohnson@ccchristian.net).

The students of the Jefferson Parish Public School System will do more than simply celebrate along the parade routes during Carnival season. Many of our school’s performance groups will take center stage participating in parades all over our area. This schedule highlights where our student groups will be during the 2017 Mardi Gras parades.

Don’t see your school on the list? Please send parade name, date and time, as well as the school groups marching to Emma Nunez at emma.nunez@jppss.k12.la.us.

Saturday, February 4

Krewe of Driftwood – 1 p.m. in Kenner

• Adams Middle
• Roosevelt Middle
• Schneckenburger Elementary “Schneckettes” dance team

Saturday, February 11

Krewe of Poseidon – 1 p.m. in Slidell

• Grace King High

Sunday, February 12

Krewe of Little Rascals – 12 p.m. in Metairie

• Alice Birney Elementary pep squad
• Meisler Middle

Friday, February 17

Krewe of Cleopatra – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High

Krewe of Excalibur – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Alice Birney Elementary pep squad
• Bonnabel High band
• Patrick Taylor Academy band, cheerleading squad, dance team
• Roosevelt Middle

Krewe of Athena – 7:30 p.m. in Metairie

• West Jefferson High

Saturday, February 18

The Mystic Knights of Adonis – 11:45 a.m. in the Westbank

• Lincoln Elementary 
• Truman Middle 

Krewe of Choctaw – 2 p.m. in Uptown

• Marrero Middle 

Krewe of Freret – 2:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Roosevelt Middle 

Krewe of Sparta – 6 p.m. in Uptown

• Worley Middle 

Krewe of Caesar – 6 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel High band
• East Jefferson High band, dance team, twirlers, and AFJROTC
• Grace King High 
• Haynes Academy band, dance team, cheerleaders

Sunday, February 19

Krewe of Femme Fatale – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Krewe of Carrollton – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Riverdale High band, flag team, dance team, cheerleaders, JROTC 

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin – 1 p.m. in Uptown

• Grace King High
• Lincoln Elementary
• Roosevelt Middle
• Truman Middle
• Worley Middle

Krewe of Alla – 2 p.m. in Uptown

• Higgins High
• John Ehret High
• Thomas Jefferson High
• West Jefferson High

Wednesday, February 22

Krewe of Druids – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• John Ehret High

Krewe of Nyx – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• Grace King High

Thursday, February 23

Krewe of Babylon – 5:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Worley Middle 

Krewe of Muses – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High
• West Jefferson High

Friday, February 24

Krewe of Centurions – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Riverdale Middle
• Roosevelt Middle 

Krewe of Morpheus – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Saturday, February 25

Krewe of NOMTOC – 10:45 a.m. in the Westbank

• Truman Middle

Krewe of Iris – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Bonnabel High band
• Roosevelt Middle

Krewe of Tucks – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• West Jefferson High

Krewe of Isis – 6:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Alice Birney Elemenatry pep squad
• Grace King

Sunday, February 26

Krewe of Okeanos – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Krewe of Thoth – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Roosevelt Middle 

Krewe of Bacchus – 5:15 p.m. in Uptown

• Higgins High
• West Jefferson High

Monday, February 27

Krewe of Proteus – 5:15 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Tuesday, February 28

Krewe of Argus – 10 a.m. in Metairie

• East Jefferson High band, dance team, and twirlers

Fifteen students in the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) have been named 2017 National Merit Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. All 15 of this year’s National Merit Semifinalists from JPPSS advanced as finalists.

“While we are extremely pleased to learn that all of the National Merit Semifinalists from Jefferson Parish have also been named finalists, it is certainly no surprise,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “All 15 of these students are deserving of this honor and the national recognition. They represent the very best of our parish, our state, and the nation.”

Representing JPPSS are 13 students from Haynes Academy  and two from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy.

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy

These high school seniors have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million offered in the spring. About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

Diensn Xing

Haynes Academy junior Diensn Xing scored a perfect 36 on the ACT recently. The accomplishment puts Xing in rare company, as less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score.

“I was pretty excited,” said Xing, who scored a 28 on the ACT when he last took it in seventh grade. “I was hoping to get a 36. I worked really hard for it. I wasn’t sure, because I was actually a little bit sick on the day of the test.”

Xing is active in the school’s academic games and numerous school bands. He’s the drum major, treasurer of the student council, and president of Mu Alpha Theta. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society.

“Diensn is ranked number one in his class and took calculus as a sophomore,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo. “As accomplished as he is in the classroom, I also appreciate how polite he is and that he is always willing to help his classmates.”

This driven young man wants to study medicine in college and is currently looking into Brown University. Xing views an education, especially one based in science, as a way to make positive changes in the world around him.

“The only way to improve society and to solve questions like the cure for diseases is to research and ask questions like, ‘What if I can cure cancer? What if I can help with old age? What if I can cure ALS?,'” said Xing. “All of those questions have to be asked and then answered.”

Xing is the son of Banghe Xing and Ning Guo. In a letter to Xing recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Marten Roorda stated, “Your achievement on the ACT is significant and rare. While test scores are just one of multiple criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.”

ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2016, only 2,235 out of nearly 2.1 million graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

Neel Mondal

Haynes Academy is known for academic success. This latest achievement, however, may set a new bar for this school that regularly ranks among the best public schools in the state and nation.

Haynes Academy sophomore Neelambar “Neel” Mondal scored a perfect 36 on the ACT earlier this school year. In addition to acing the ACT, Mondal also earned a perfect score on the PSAT.

“This is the first time I’m aware of that we’ve had a sophomore score a 36 on the ACT. I also don’t know that we’ve ever had a sophomore earn a perfect score on both of those tests,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo. “Neel excels in everything he does, whether it’s as an academic games champion or simply setting the example as a model student and leader.”

Mondal plans to study engineering in college. He participates in the school’s academic games, Mu Alpha Theta, and quiz bowl. This was the second time Mondal took the ACT. He managed a 33 in just the seventh grade.

“I was excited (to find out about the perfect ACT score),” said Mondal. “All the hard work I put in finally paid off.”

Mondal is the son of Debasis and Dipa Mondal. In a letter to Mondal recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Marten Roorda stated, “Your achievement on the ACT is significant and rare. While test scores are just one of multiple criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.”

On average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2016, only 2,235 out of nearly 2.1 million graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.

Ashton C. Edler

A Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) student was among the honorees today when the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) released the names of the first group of winners in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Haynes Academy senior Ashton C. Edler is a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner.

Edler, whose probable career field is astrophysics, won the National Merit Nelson F. Peterson Scholarship. This scholarship is sponsored by Genentech. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is based in South San Francisco and serves as headquarters for Roche pharmaceutical operations in the U.S. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

More than 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors.

Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

Fifteen Jefferson Parish Public School System students were named National Merit Finalists this school year. This is the first announcement of National Merit Scholars in 2017. The NMSC will name recipients of National Merit $2500 Scholarships on May 10, and winners of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards on June 7 and July 17. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

U.S. News & World Report released its 2017 Best High Schools rankings and four schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System made the national list. Those schools are:

• Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies: awarded a gold medal, ranked second in Louisiana and 114 nationally

• Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy: awarded a gold medal, ranked fourth in the state and 239 nationally

• Thomas Jefferson High: awarded a silver medal, ranked tenth in Louisiana and 2192 nationally

• Riverdale High: awarded a bronze medal, Nationally Recognized

“It’s an honor to see our schools receive this national recognition year after year ,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “Remarkable work is taking place at each of these schools to put our students on a path to success after graduation.”

The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 22,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System 2017 high school graduation schedule begins on Saturday, May 13 and concludes Sunday, May 28. A total of 13 JPPSS high schools will hold graduation ceremonies. Four graduations will be held at the Alario Center and eight will be held at the Pontchartrain Center. Grand Isle School will hold its graduation in the school’s gymnasium.

The schools, dates, times, and locations are listed below. All of the graduations are being recorded for replay by the district’s TV studio, JPS-TV. The replay schedule for Cox cable channel 8 and AT&T U-verse channel 99 will be posted to the district website.

Pictured from left, JPPSS students Stefan Suazo from Patrick Taylor Academy and Alaa Malik and Allie Sigur from Haynes Academy have been awarded National Merit $2500 Scholarships.

Three Jefferson Parish Public School System students have been named National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Alaa N. Malik and Allie Sigur from Haynes Academy and Stefan L. Suazo of Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy are three of the nation’s 2,500 Merit Scholar designees. They were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Fifteen JPPSS students were named 2017 National Merit Finalists. Today’s announcement makes four JPPSS students who have been named National Merit Scholars this year. In April, Haynes Academy’s Ashton C. Edler was named a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner.

National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. This is the second announcement of National Merit Scholars in 2017. The NMSC will name winners of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards on June 7 and July 17. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System television station offers more ways than ever to relive the commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2017.

As always, DVDs can be ordered of each ceremony and each graduation will be cablecast on JPS-TV (Comcast Cable channel 8 or AT&T U-verse channel 99). Each of the graduation ceremonies are also being uploaded to the district’s Vimeo channel.

To order a DVD, download an order form. To view the latest JPS-TV programming schedule, visit our JPS-TV department page. To watch a graduation on Vimeo, click one of the links below. For more information, contact JPS-TV at 504-349-7957 or email keith.paolini@jppss.k12.la.us.

Watch a JPPSS Graduation on Vimeo.

• Bonnabel Magnet Academy High
• East Jefferson High
• Ehret High
• Fisher High
• Grace King High
• Grand Isle School
• Haynes Academy
• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High
• Patrick Taylor Academy
• Riverdale High
• Thomas Jefferson High
• West Jefferson High

The number of 2017 National Merit Scholars from the Jefferson Parish Public School System continues to grow following the latest announcement of winners from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Five JPPSS students have been named college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients.

Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy student Henry M. Hazlett and Haynes Academy students Parker N. Byers, Scott K. Ng, Abbas Al-Hassani, and Lindsey Rose Falgoust are among the 3,200 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. These awards range between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the financing institution.

Henry M. Hazlett of Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy won the National Merit University of Texas at Dallas Scholarship. Hazlett’s probable career field is video game design.

Parker N. Byers of Haynes Academy won the National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship. Byers’ probable career field is mathematics.

Scott K. Ng of Haynes Academy won the National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship. Ng’s probable career field is neuroscience.

Abbas Al-Hassani of Haynes Academy won the National Merit Louisiana State University Scholarship. Hassani’s probable career field is engineering.

Lindsey Rose Falgoust of Haynes Academy won the National Merit Belmont University Scholarship. Falgoust’s probable career field is journalism.

This announcement makes nine JPPSS students who have been named National Merit Scholars this year. In May, Stefan Suazo from Patrick Taylor Academy and Alaa Malik and Allie Sigur from Haynes Academy were awarded National Merit $2500 Scholarships. In April, Haynes Academy’s Ashton C. Edler was named a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner. In all this school year, fifteen JPPSS students were named 2017 National Merit Finalists.

This is the third announcement of scholarship winners this year by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Additional college-sponsored scholarship recipients will announced on July 17. By the end of this year’s competition, about $7,500 students will have won more than $32 million in National Merit Scholarships.

The Superintendent’s Large Ensemble Assessment Program Band Festival is an annual event featuring student bands from Jefferson Parish Public School System middle and high schools. Students perform in a festival environment that allows them to be scored by experienced judges. Along with the opportunity to play in front of an audience that includes many of their peers from across JPPSS, students benefit from the judges’ valuable insight.

The 2017 “Band Fest” was held at Bonnabel Magnet Academy High. It included performances from bands at Adams Middle, Bonnabel Magnet Academy High, Ehret High, Ford Middle, Grace King High, Haynes Academy, Matas Elementary, Meisler Middle, Riverdale High, Roosevelt Middle, and West Jefferson High. For more information about our band programs, click here.

The Jefferson Parish Public School System recognized excellence in education during its annual Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony Luncheon May 18 at The Four Columns in Harvey. The Teacher of the Year from every JPPSS school was honored during this event that was attended by Jefferson Parish School Board members, business and community stakeholders, and school and district leaders.

Melissa Sallinger, second from left, received the Lucien Gunter Excellence in Teaching Award from the Jefferson Business Council. She’s pictured with, from left, JPPSS teachers Doha Mosrie and LaDonna Smith, JBC Chairman Mickal Adler and Executive Director Tony Ligi, and JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph.

Jefferson Business Council Executive Director Tony Ligi and Chairman Mickal Adler presented the Lucien Gunter Excellence in Teaching Award to Bonnabel Magnet Academy High Teacher of the Year Melissa Sallinger. Sallinger is also the JPPSS High School Teacher of the Year.

You can watch the entire ceremony above or click here to view the photo gallery. Below is a list of all our Teachers of the Year.

Adams Middle: Danita Brown
Airline Park Academy: Ann C. Heath
Alexander Elementary: Howard Hayes
Allen Ellender School: William Sayles Jr.
Audubon Elementary: Stephanie Melan
Birney Elementary: Deborah Poche
Bissonet Plaza Elementary: Elisa Western
Bonnabel Connections: Jane Russo
Bonnabel Magnet Academy High: Melissa Sallinger
Boudreaux Elementary: Faith Chauvin
Bridgedale Elementary: Joan Albarado
Butler Elementary: Rikki Templet
Chateau Estates School: Renee Hall
Cherbonnier-Rilleux Elementary: Faith Michot
Clancy-Maggiore School for the Arts: Pamela Simoneaux
Collins Montessori School: Crystal Marshall
Cox Elementary: Persephonie Foster
Cuillier Career Center: Michael Taylor
Dolhonde Elementary: Molly Huggins
Douglass Elementary: Coretta Brown
East Jefferson High: Kristi Christian
Ehret Connections: Paula Johnson
Ellis Elementary: Jennifer Hazelwood
Estelle School: Jenea Hatty
Fisher Middle-High: Paige Falcon
Ford Middle: Kristie Wortham
Grace King High: Katharine Da Silva
Grand Isle School: Racheal Vaughn
Greenlawn Terrace Elementary: Jessica Sanchez
Green Park Elementary: Chandrika Furtick
Gretna Middle: Rene Smith
Gretna No. 2 Academy: Melissa Comeaux
Harris Elementary: Lori Pittman
Harris Middle: Karon Oldham
Hart Elementary: Trudy Allen
Harahan Elementary: Sarah Aucoin
Haynes Academy: Roxane Coron
Hazel Park/Hilda Knoff Elementary: Katherine Smart
Hearst Elementary: Robyn Gentinetta
Helen Cox High: Bonita Hall
Higgins High: Kathy Pechon
Janet Elementary: Gilda Grana
Jefferson Elementary: Sherry Barcia
John Ehret High: Daniel Baker
John Martyn Community School: Kenneth Jackson
Johnson Gretna Park Elementary: Kelly McCoy
Keller Elementary: Doha Mosrie
Kerner Elementary: Melanie Morales-Poche’
Lincoln School for the Arts: Shawn Hampton
Livaudais Middle: Reginald Joseph
Live Oak Manor Elementary: Joy Bridges
Marrero Academy: Julie Kleppner
Marrero Middle: Alexia Thompson
Matas Elementary: Edwin Dorvin IV
McDonogh 26 Elementary: Keia Jones
Meisler Middle: Gina Lagarrigue
Metairie Academy: Kim Bourgeois
Miller Wall Elementary: Linda Toncrey
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy: Margaret Grindstaff
Pitre Elementary: Danielle Lewis
Pittman Elementary: Melanie Lemonier
Riverdale High: Nicholas Sonnier
Riverdale Middle: Stacey Miller
Riviere Elementary: Adrienne Arrillaga
Roosevelt Middle: Annette Hagan
Ruppel Academy: Bridgette Bangs
Schneckenburger Elementary: Valerie Touchet
Solis Elementary: Terri Johnson
Strehle Elementary: Kristen Burke
St. Ville Elementary: Ava Samuel
Terrytown Elementary: Dusty Harrison
Thibodeaux Elementary: Kacey Albert
Thomas Jefferson High: Katherine Gaumond
Truman Middle: Kazanna Mancuso
Washington Montessori School: Daquana Williams
West Bank Community School: Donya Bazile
West Jefferson High: Kim Conner-Davis
Woodland West Elementary: Kimbrelle Payne
Woods Elementary: Shirlanda Joseph
Worley Middle: LaDonna Smith