Evangeline Parish School Board Meeting August 7, 2019 The Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday heard from Assistant Superintendent Mike Lombas recognize the newest French teachers who will be instructors in the expanding French Immersion program. The new instructors are Alice Renard of Paris , France and Ali Sarr of Canada. The teachers will teach students in the Third grade. The program is already being taught in K-2 grades at Mamou Elementary and Ville Platte Elementary. Lombas thanked the many people who donated furniture and other household items to furnish their living quarters while here. The two new French instructors will be special guests on KVPI's La Tasse de Café Friday morning at 8:00am. In a related matter, Lombas said the Evangeline Parish French Immersion program will be featured in am upcoming New York Times Story. Richard Fausse, a feature reporter for the Times, is preparing to do a story on the first few days of a new Immersion teacher in a rural school. He chose to "shadow" new teacher, Alice Renard who will be teaching class at Mamou Elementary. Fausse was the author of a feature with the New York Times on KVPI for its French language programming some five years ago. Special Education Director Kelli Lafleur recognized two J.A.G. teachers who were honored at a National Conference in Orlando, Florida for their efforts in the classroom. The Jobs for American Graduates instructors are Jaselyn Griffith and Diana F. Johnson.. Technology Coordinator John Deranger updated school board members on internet security. He reported that four school districts in the state were attacked recently using ransomware software. As a precaution, Evangeline as well as all other school districts are limiting internet usage to protect its data. Supervisor Grace Sibley recognized Lisa Jack who was honored by the State Department of Education as the state Middle School Teacher of the Year. Everyone in attendance gave her a standing ovation. Sibley said "Out of 69 school districts in the state "We're Number One". It was announced that Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard was honored on July 27 by United Way of St. Landry and Evangeline with the "Man with Heart" award for his service to the community. In other action the school board: --announced that the first day of classes for students for the new school year is August 13; --the annual Launch ceremony for school employees is planned for Friday at 9:00am at the Ville Platte High Gymnasium.