Eighteen Allen Parish AHEC students, who traveled to New Orleans to participate in the program, Day with the Docs, were recognized at Monday’s school board meeting, January 13.
AHEC (Area Health Education Center) allows high school students to explore healthcare jobs by taking part in volunteer work at health care facilities in their community, and shadowing health care professionals. The program is designed to assist students in making informed decisions based on exploration.
Kim Rider and Clarice Papillion, supervisors, said students toured the facility with LSU students. They received hands-on, eye-opener information, and the organizers answered all questions. Rider said the next opportunity Allen Parish students will have to take this trip again will be in 2022.
Rider said the parish still offers AHEC training. She said there is no CNA training at this time in the parish, but they are working with Acadian Ambulance to bring an EMT course to interested students.
“If it works out, it will be an amazing opportunity for our students to participate in,” Rider said.
The Allen Parish School Board’s president for 2020 will remain in the capable hands of Cathy Farris, who was unanimously selected by her peers. Carolyn Manuel was named vice president for the board. The board will continue to meet on the second Monday at 5 p.m. of each month.
Members of the finance committee selected were Karen Reed, Carolyn Manuel and Gregory Monceaux, who will serve as chairman. The committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to and after the board meeting.
Sally Moreaux was named to the Allen Action Agency Board.
A change order increase of $24,659 was made to the Kinder High School Improvement Project. Superintendent Kent Reed explained while working and digging storm drainage areas, workers hit a 400 amp, three-phase wire that was not enclosed in conduit and was buried only 18 inches under the ground. He said this was not to code, so they had to run approximately 200 feet of new wire, which was moved to the roof above the building instead of underground.
On the two projects underway at Kinder schools, he said, “storm drains are being finished. Kinder Elementary’s gas lines have re-routed and completed while the prepping of all electrical service is also being done.”
In his comments, Reed said the second semester was underway. He said the staff is already preparing for the spring testing and are utilizing instruction time in the classroom to maximize their results. He outlined plans to review data and conduct visits with school leaders to assure instruction is taking place.
Reed said the district would recognize all Teacher of the Year candidates and their principals at the first annual Teacher of the Year Luncheon on January 24. He invited board members to attend.
