By SUE ELLEN ROSS – Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Yevette Scioneaux believes in closeness with her children. This encompasses all types – emotional, spiritual and physical.

To that end, the mother of five volunteers at both Glade Elementary School, where her children, Alvin Jr. and Ariel, attend; and also at East St. John High School, where her daughter Ashley is a senior this year. Five-year-old Ashton and 4-year-old Austin attend preschool classes.

Scioneaux had worked as a secretary for 15 years before she decided to quit her job in order to spend quality time with her children. She felt that showing a physical presence at their schools on a regular basis would be a means to this end.

“They spend so much of their time in school,” she said. “I wanted to devote more time here.”

Since that decision two years ago, the LaPlace mother divides her weekdays between the two schools. She helps wherever she is needed at Glade School, and is currently filling in for the principal’s secretary at East St. John High School while she is on leave.

Although Scioneaux had been an administrative assistant in a different setting (secretary for a plant manager), she still uses many of the skills she has learned in the past on her current secretarial job. And each of the positions contained some of the same concerns. “Both of the jobs are not complex, but they can get overwhelming at times,” she said.

She cited the continual activity in the high school office, with many scenarios going on at once. But the former secretary said she has no problem setting a calm atmosphere with both her coworkers, students and parents. She attributes that to a natural ability to be able to ‘read’ people. “I try to get them to understand I am a parent too. I can see both sides.”

Some of the high school teachers know Scioneaux from her days as a student at the school, and they are now teaching her daughter, Ashley. “When they see me here, they look at me as a concerned parent,” she said. “It gives both of us the opportunity to discuss what is going on with my daughter’s education. I am right here to talk about it.”

Many skills learned on her previous job have come in handy for this mother. “I am dealing with public relations here,” she said, referring to the many parents and visitors that walk through the schools’ doors each morning. Helping others to relax goes a long way in resolving conflicts and concerns, according to the volunteer. Keeping an upbeat attitude also is important, she added. “Being an empathetic person is a natural part of my personality,” she said. “It has always been this way.”

The extent to which Scioneaux is valued for her volunteer work is evidenced by a recent nomination at East St. John High School. “I have been nominated for Employee of the Year, and I’m not even an employee,” she laughed.

She looks upon her volunteer work as beneficial in many ways. “It’s an advantage and a blessing because a lot of mothers and fathers wish they could spend quality time with their children,” she said. “I am always encouraging parents to join the PTO and volunteer in other areas.” “You really do get more of an insight. You’ll know first hand what’s going on in the schools.”