Ernest Rodrigue
April 16, 2007
Antoinette Rodrigue
April 18, 2007
Calling it an “investment in the future,” Lafourche businesses and citizens surpassed the goal of the parish’s education foundation n raising the most money ever in a single year.
Amidst a standing ovation, Lafourche Education Foundation Executive Director Christine D’Arcangelo announced last Tuesday night’s gala raised $100,000. The event was held at Nicholls State University.
Apache Louisiana Mineral, Inc., a local energy company, donated $50,000 of the six-digit total, D’Arcangelo said.
“We wanted to make an investment in the future of our children,” Apache General Manager Tim Allen said, urging other entrepreneurs to increase their contribution to the foundation. “I’d like to challenge all of us here tonight to step up for the cause to help support our school system.”
The foundation’s primary goal, the executive director said, is to enrich public education. The organization offers two sets of grants to benefit schools and teacher’s work in the classroom n above what the Lafourche Parish School Board provides.
“The fundraiser helps us support the work of the foundation. [With the funds raised] we award school grants, teacher grants, student impact grants and host teacher appreciation events,” said LEF board president Charlotte Bollinger.
In 2006, Bollinger said the foundation gave over $12,500 in student-impact grants, which are designed to supply individual teachers with educational items that the parish school board can’t afford.
This year, the total in student-impact grants awarded by the LEF increased by $3,000, she said. Fourteen schools received $5,000 grants. They include:
? East Thibodaux Middle School’s “If I Can See It, I Can Do It” program;
? After-school programs at Lockport Middle and South Lafourche High schools;†
? Playground equipment for St. Charles Elementary and Larose Lower Elementary schools;
? Thibodaux High School’s Accelerated Reader program;
? West Thibodaux Middle School’s fitness program;
? Lockport Upper Elementary School’s learning workstation facility;
? Larose Cut Off Middle School’s “Not Just Academics” program;
? Galliano Elementary School’s DIBELS program;
? Larose Upper Elementary School’s Voyage-Passport Reading Intervention program;
? Central Lafourche High School’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports programs;
? Raceland Middle School’s mobile writing lab; and
? Sixth Ward Middle School’s science lab work stations.
Founded in 1997, the foundation first made a community impact in 2003, D’Arcangelo said. That year, organizers began campaigning in the business community, raising over $45,000 to benefit Lafourche schools.
“This is a responsibility we all have,” said Louisiana State University Chancellor Sean O’Keefe, gala keynote speaker. “Right now, the United States is on the verge of losing its technological edge.
“We will not accept mediocrity. We need to motivate the students and get them excited about what they can accomplish in these fields,” he said.
With monies provided by the foundation, Lafourche teachers are better positioned to provide technical and vocational training, according to Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews.
“Our goal is to prepare the students for college or the real world. We are trying to get Lafourche Parish on the move,” she said. “We want to make sure the children have a career for the future was we continue to build Lafourche Parish.”
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