DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / January 28, 2000

ROMEVILLE – St. James Superintendent P. Edward Cancienne brought animpressive education program before the School board Tuesday. Theproposal outlines extensive education opportunities, not just for the children of the parish but for the parents as well.

Project Learning Community – Crib to Career consists of two set goals. Thefirst goal is to provide resources and education to undereducated and underskilled families.

The second goal is to provide an environment for children from birth to 4 years of age which will help guide their developmental process in preparation for school.

“I think Romeville is the place to start with this program,” Cancienne said to the Romeville audience. The school would have a free day care facility andwould assist adults in acquiring education skills, Cancienne explained.

General Equivalency Diploma classes would be one way the program would help parents seeking education advancement. They would also be tutored inresume building and given help with job placement.

Cancienne said there are no funds currently set aside for such a program, but he stressed money needed to be found so the Crib to Career program could be implemented.

George Nasser, District 4 representative, said he is excited about this program and hopes the Romeville faculty and parents will support it.

Cancienne also spoke of corporate sponsorship from the surrounding community. He said the local industries are interested in partneringthemselves with Romeville, and he feels the combination of these two programs would greatly improve the school.

In another matter, a review of the school system’s transportation department was brought before the board. George Horne, of the PupilTransportation Safety Institute, Inc., was on hand to propose the company’sconsultation services.

Horne explained that if hired the PTSI would audit three particular areas – the school’s vehicles, personnel and daily operations.

By the end of June, PTSI would be prepared to give its report to the school board on what problems or areas would need improvement.

Fifth District Representative Willis Octave asked what prompted the need for this evaluation. Cancienne explained the school system’s books are selfaudited every year, and with $1 million spent on transportation every year the review should be done.

Also, Melissa Williams was on hand from Agape Complete Services to propose a parent-teacher telephone hotline program. Williams explained the programwould improve communication between parents and teachers by allowing daily contact.

“This will add leverage to sick students” by allowing them to keep track of homework, said Williams. She also said the hotline would be open 24 hours,and has in the past “led to better relationships between parents and teachers.”

Return To News Stories