On Monday, November 9, 2020, the Natchitoches Parish School
Board was notified of positive Covid-19 cases at Goldonna Elementary and Junior High School. NPSB officials have contacted the Louisiana Office of Public Health and have issued a 14-day quarantine for all students at Goldonna.

Goldonna will be closing school as well as all extra-curricular activities until Monday, November 30, 2020.

During this quarantine period, students will be receiving virtual instruction via Google Classroom.

Goldonna will be sending iPads home with students.

The exposure to the positive cases occurred on the school bus. In order to ensure the safety of all students and faculty, the buses will be professionally cleaned during quarantine. Goldonna Principal, Cori Beth Manuel, along with NPSB officials, would like to ensure the public that this is the best course of action to prevent a further spread of Covid-19.

NPSB will be updating the public regularly concerning cases of Covid-19 in Natchitoches Parish.

A national powerhouse and back-loaded conference home slate highlight the 2020-21 Northwestern State women’s basketball schedule.

The Lady Demons begin their first year under head coach Anna Nimz with a pair of Power Five opponents. NSU takes on Ole Miss on opening day (Nov. 25) and then heads to perennial power Baylor the day after Thanksgiving.

“We have a tough start to the season, but we are anxious to get on the court,” Nimz said. “Overall, we play a very tough preseason. We will be challenged in every way, but we’re excited to take on that challenge.”

Following a quick trip to Grambling on Dec. 4, NSU plays three of its next four games inside Prather Coliseum, including former Southland Conference rival UL Monroe on Dec. 12. The final game in that stretch against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 20 ushers in a month-long road swing that rings in the new year and SLC play.

The Lady Demons finish 2020 at Texas A&M (Dec. 28) and start 2021 with four straight SLC road games, playing seven of their eight contests during the month of January away from home.

For the 20-21 season the SLC moved to a 16-game conference schedule with eight home-and-home series throughout the year.

In January alone, NSU travels to Houston Baptist (Jan. 2), Incarnate Word (Jan. 6), McNeese (Jan. 9), Nicholls (Jan. 13), Southeastern La. (Jan. 23), New Orleans (Jan. 27) and Central Arkansas (Jan. 30).

The sole home game during the month of January comes on the 20th with preseason SLC favorite Stephen F. Austin.

“With COVID-19 our conference schedule looks different than it has in years past, but as we all know 2020 is about being flexible,” Nimz said. “We play the majority of our early conferences games on the road but are fortunate to end the regular season at home.

“This season is bound to have its ups and downs, but our staff and players are excited to continue to grow together and create an environment of love, discipline and high standards.”

The flipped schedule gives NSU seven of their final eight games at home starting with a four-game stand Feb. 6 – 17 and a three-game set to end the regular season Feb. 27 through March 6.

During the final home-laden stretch, four dates correspond with the NSU men giving Demon fans ample opportunity to catch both teams in action. Doubleheader home games are set for Houston Baptist (Feb. 6), McNeese (Feb. 13), Southeastern La. (Feb. 27) and Central Arkansas (March 6).

The 2021 Southland Conference Tournament is set for March 11-14 at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

Live coverage of NSU women’s basketball can be heard all season on 92.3 FM The Fox in Natchitoches.

Individual game and season ticket packages are available now by visiting the NSU ticket office, calling 318-357-4268 or going to http://www.nsutickets.com.

The 2020-21 schedule is subject to change throughout the season. Dependent upon COVID testing and safety protocols, there are built-in open dates on Jan. 16, Feb. 3 and Feb. 20 in case of game postponements.

For the latest on Lady Demon basketball, follow @NSUDemonsWBB on Twitter or like Northwestern State women’s basketball on Facebook.

2020-21 NSU Women’s Basketball Schedule

WED Nov. 25 at Ole Miss Oxford, Miss
FRI Nov. 27 at Baylor Waco, Texas
FRI Dec. 4 at Grambling Grambling, La.
WED Dec. 9 LeTourneau HOME
SAT Dec. 12 UL Monroe HOME
TUES Dec. 15 at UTSA San Antonio, Texas
SUN Dec. 20 Mississippi Valley State HOME
MON Dec. 28 at Texas A&M College Station, Texas
SAT Jan. 2 *at Houston Baptist Houston, Texas
WED Jan. 6 *at Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas
SAT Jan. 9 *at McNeese Lake Charles, La.
WED Jan. 13 *at Nicholls Thibodaux, La.
WED Jan. 20 *Stephen F. Austin HOME
SAT Jan. 23 *at Southeastern La. Hammond, La.
WED Jan. 27 *at New Orleans New Orleans, La.
SAT Jan. 30 *at Central Arkansas Conway, Ark.
SAT Feb. 6 *Houston Baptist HOME
WED Feb. 10 *Incarnate Word HOME
SAT Feb. 13 *McNeese HOME
WED Feb. 17 *Nicholls HOME
WED Feb. 24 *at Stephen F. Austin Nacogdoches, Texas
SAT Feb. 27 *Southeastern La. HOME
WED March 3 *New Orleans HOME
SAT March 6 *Central Arkansas HOME
March 10-14 SLC Tournament Katy, Texas

*Southland Conference game

POSITION: Receptionist / Assistant Clerk

DESCRIPTION: Responsible for providing a variety of routine and complex clerical and administrative skills, answering the telephone, meeting and greeting the public and assisting the public with any inquiries that they may have. The receptionist will be responsible for maintaining the City’s social media accounts, website and various files and records related to the operations at City Hall and will assist the City Clerk.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine St. or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second St. or you can download an application on line at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through: November 19, 2020

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

In an effort to help enhance the Jackson Square community, the Jackson Square Cemetery Committee and pastors Thomas Carter, Sr. and Brad Holden, have partnered for a fall clean-up activity at the historic cemetery located on North and Howell Streets.

“We have not had a major fellowship-clean up effort at the cemetery in years. This clean-up endeavor will bring a lot of synergy to the community for this and other projects to aide the “Square” area,” said District 3 city councilman and cemetery committee member, Chris Petite.

The activity is slated for Saturday, November 14, 8 am to 12 pm.

“We are asking everyone with a loved one buried in the cemetery and the community at-large, to assist with the neighborhood bonding project. Bring your rake, hedge clippers, boots, lawn/yard tools, gloves, garden hoe and lots of energy and fun for this project. We want to see our community meaningfully grow. A clean environment is always a good place to start,” the Rev. Thomas Carter, pastor, First Baptist Church-Amulet Street shared.

Water and energy snacks will be provided for all volunteers.

“It is our goal to help build solid communities together in Natchitoches Parish through our churches and community outreach projects like this one,” remarked the Rev. Brad Holden, pastor of First Baptist Church-North Street.

Following the state’s COVID-19 rules, everyone must wear a mask/face covering-as social distancing will be practiced.

The two churches serve as co-curators for the cemetery. Burials span from the late 1800’s to date at the cemetery. For more information, call 318-352-3314 or 318-332-8254.

Old Bethel Baptist Church will celebrate their 173rd Homecoming and Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. This event is usually celebrated on the first Sunday in October, but due to Covid the date was postponed. Rev. Glynn Howard will bring the message. Specials will be provided by Stephanie Cormane, Lanell Settle and Sandi Strickland. The men of the church will also sing a special number. Lunch will be served after the worship service. Come celebrate the GOLDEN YEARS.

NATCHITOCHES:
Paul Lee Foshee, Sr.
November 12, 1932 – November 08, 2020
Service: Saturday, November 14 at 2 pm at Fern Park Cemetery in Natchitoches

Nathaniel Brooks
November 4, 2020
Service: Friday, November 13 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel

WINN:
Brenda Diane Austin
September 24, 1950 – November 07, 2020
Service: Wednesday, November 11 at 2 pm at Jordan Hill Cemetery

Rev. Crawford Doyle Coon
December 20, 1940 – November 08, 2020
Service: Thursday, November 12 at 1 pm at the Christ Temple Pentecostal Church, located at Hwy 127 North in Jena

Georgia Roberson
September 14, 1944 – November 2, 2020
Arrangements TBA

RED RIVER:
Wendi Lee
February 23, 1972 – November 06, 2020
Service: Friday, November 13 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Northwestern State University’s Eta Mu chapter of Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for international scholars, will host a virtual language and culture series to raise scholarship dollars for students participating in international studies.

The upcoming virtual session, “Latin America – Intertwined Countries, Languages and Cultures,” will take place from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Registration is $5 for students and $20 for all other participants. Presenters will be Dr. Telba Espinoza-Contreras and Vivian Pedroza.

In addition to supporting international study, the series also seeks to expand participants’ knowledge of Latin American countries, languages and cultures.

To Register contacting Becky Stephens at (318) 357-5162 or stephensb@nsula.edu.

The Natchitoches Parish Council will hold a Special Called meeting on Monday, Nov. 9 at 4 pm in the Council Board Room 211 on the second floor of the Courthouse.

Agenda item: Council to consider motion to rescind Council action to remove Ordinance 012-2020 from the table and its vote to approve Parish Ordinance 012-2020 from the Oct. 19, 2020 Parish Council meeting.

Northwestern State University’s School of Business will host a virtual Fall CLE event Friday, Nov. 20. The outreach effort assists attorneys in the region in obtaining their CLE hours in various content areas without having to travel far to get them.

Five speakers have donated their time for the event. Attendees may earn up to four credit hours, including one for Ethics, and one for Professionalism.

The schedule will begin at 8 a.m. with log-in and welcome. The first session, The Role of the Federal Magistrate Judge, will begin at 8:15 a.m., followed by Ethics at 9:30 a.m. and Cybersecurity Is a Team Sport at 10:45 a.m. After a lunch break, the 12:30 session on Professionalism will begin at 12:30 p.m.

The cost of the entire virtual event is $125. The cost for a single credit hour is $50. Funds raised for this event will benefit Northwestern State University’s School of Business’ Director’s Fund.

Please select the hours you would like and register accordingly on this site. Once registration is complete, we will send you the link information to you.

To get more information about this event, please contact Dr. Carmella Parker, Esq./MBA at parkerc@nsula.edu or call 318-357-5723.

A link to registration is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nsu-2020-virtual-fall-cle-tickets-127738951643.

Members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University spent the Halloween holiday walking neighborhoods, filling bags with trash, instead of candy.

Participating in a Community Cleanup event sponsored by the mayor and city council of Natchitoches, members collected more than 18 pounds of litter.

The fraternity’s manpower was coordinated by philanthropy chairman Andrew Dubriske.

Pi Kappa Phi is committed to beautification projects in other areas, sponsoring road clean-ups along their adopted stretches of University Parkway and along Chaplin’s Lake on the NSU campus.

The Northwestern State University Elementary Lab School invites all veterans to drive through the carline any time from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 to receive a Thank You treat from members of the 4-H Club.

Viewers are also invited to watch a virtual Veteran’s Day program beginning at 10:15 a.m. at https://www.nsula.edu/newmedia/livestream/.

The school’s 4-H Club annually hosts a Veteran’s Day program that is planned and presented by the students. More information is available by contacting Lisa Wiggins at lwiggins@nat.k12.la.us.

Third-year head coach Brad Laird wanted to see better execution from his Northwestern State football team in its second scrimmage of the fall Friday afternoon.

The Demons gave their leader all he wanted in an approximately 100-play scrimmage that covered numerous situations inside a sun-splashed Turpin Stadium.

“It was good to get 100-plus snaps, especially considering we didn’t know how many we were going to be able to get,” Laird said. “Right from the get-go, you saw offensively a (nine-)play drive, getting points right off the bat. That got the offense going, building on the momentum from the end of the first scrimmage.”

The Demon offense moved at a crisper pace than in the initial scrimmage of the fall on Oct. 25, tallying four touchdowns through the air and adding another on a 20-yard run by quarterback Kaleb Fletcher on the first play of a red zone sequence.

All three quarterbacks – Fletcher, Zach Clement and Bryce Rivers – were responsible for leading the Demons to touchdowns as Clement and Rivers each threw a pair of scoring passes.

Caleb Laboy (29 yards from Clement), Javon Antonio (30 yards from Rivers), Levar Gunms (37 yards from Clement) and Coby McGee (20 yards from Rivers) were on the receiving end of the scoring passes as the NSU receivers authored perhaps the biggest improvement from scrimmage one to scrimmage two.

“You saw our receivers step up and make plays throughout the scrimmage,” Laird said. “You saw them make big strides from fall game one to game two. They made the one-on-one plays you have to make. They got open and made plays in the open field. It was good to see the big jump in improvement from game one to game two.”

Antonio had perhaps the catch of the day, outjumping a defensive back to pull in his 30-yard scoring catch from Rivers along the far sideline.

Catches like that, along with a big catch and run from McGee in a shadow-of-the-goalpost situation, lent credence to the confidence the NSU offense felt it built in the final two-minute drill of the fall’s first scrimmage.

On that drive, Marquise Bridges made a key 30-yard catch to set up an Eddie Godina field goal. Despite the 12 days that passed between scrimmages, the momentum was there, beginning with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that ended with Godina’s 25-yard field goal to start Friday’s scrimmage.

“The biggest strides we made were being consistent catching the ball, being consistent running routes and being consistent making plays,” said Gumms, who hauled in four passes for 63 yards. “That first scrimmage, we were dropping balls. The defense kind of got in our heads. We’ve worked extra every day after practice.

“We definitely had the momentum coming in. When we make a play, everyone gets hyped up. That helps us get better.”

Fletcher had the offense’s lone score on the ground, but the Demons ran the ball well throughout the two-hour scrimmage, highlighted by a 64-yard run by Erik Hart, who finished the day with 85 yards on six carries.

Fletcher added a 35-yard scramble on the first drive of the scrimmage and totaled 62 yards on the ground in addition to his 120 passing yards.

“Our guys were physical up front, which led to being able to run the football, which opened things up for our receivers,” Laird said. “What we have to have is the explosive plays in the running game, and you saw that with Erik. When those things happen, things are going to open up in the passing game. It started up front, and it was good to see Erik break away on the back end.”

While the offense was more effective, the Purple Swarm defense notched a pair of takeaways, including a scoop-and-score fumble recovery by Landon King early in the scrimmage that came off a fumbled exchange.

Safety PJ Herrington recorded the other turnover, intercepting a Fletcher pass in the two-minute drill that short-circuited the Demon drive that reached the 25 with 10 seconds to play.

“We’re going to give up plays, even touchdowns, but it’s about how we bounce back,” said Herrington, who added a scrimmage-high 10 tackles. “We bounced back in two-minute. We gave up one or two touchdowns, but we stepped up when it counted and came up with a turnover. My D-line and linebackers ran to the ball and made my job easier. The interception was thrown straight at me because of what they did.”

SCORING PLAYS
Eddie Godina 25 FG
Landon King 18 fumble return (No try)
Daniel Justino 20 FG
Caleb Laboy 29 pass from Zach Clement (Justino kick)
Javon Antonio 30 pass from Bryce Rivers (Godina kick)
Levar Gumms 37 pass from Zach Clement (Justino kick)
Godina 33 FG
Kaleb Fletcher 20 run (Godina kick)
Justino 32 FG
McGee 20 pass from Rivers (No try)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing (37-255 1 TD) — Erik Hart 6-85 (1 fumble exchange), Kaleb Fletcher 4-62 TD, Trevor Morgan 12-52, Cayden Dunn 4-16, Scooter Adams 5-15, Bryce Rivers 1-11 (1 fumble exchange), Deus Desire 3-7, Zachary Clement 2-7.

Passing (22-51-2 366, 4 TDs) — Kaleb Fletcher 11-17 120 yards, 1 INT; Zachary Clement 6-18 109 yards, 2 TDs; Bryce Rivers 5-16 157 yards, 2 TDs 1 INT.

Receiving (22-366) — Marquise Bridges 5-89, Levar Gumms 4-63 TD, Coby McGee 3-75 TD, Gavin Landry 3-21, Javon Antonio 2-43 TD, Caleb Laboy 1-29 TD, Cayden Dunn 1-20, Gabriel Ernest 1-4, Aaron Howell 1-10, Erik Hart 1-12.

DEFENSIVE

PJ Herrington 10 tackles, 1 INT; Keldrick Ward Jr. 3 tackles, 1 PBU; Jomard Valsin Jr. 3 tackles, 1 QB hurry; Malik Carey 3 tackles; Adrion Robertson 3 tackles; Keenan Leachman 2 tackles, 1 PBU; Tobias Williams II 2 tackles, 1 PBU; Chandler Moncrief 2 tackles, QB hurry; Cedric Anderson 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, QB hurry; Dante Thomas 2 tackles; Landon King 2 tackles, 1 FR; Johnathan Hudson 2 tackles; Nic Allen 2 tackles, 1 TFL; Kyle Moore 1 tackle, TFL; Fred Lee 1 tackle, 1 INT, 1 PBU; Ray Johnson Jr. 1 tackle; Bishop Breaux 2 tackles; Malik Williams 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 QB hurry; Race Moser 1 tackle, 1 TFL, 1 QB hurry; Princeton Malbrue 1 tackle; Christopher Larry 1 tackle; Nathalohn Nanai 1 tackle; Isaiah Longino 1 tackle; JaBralen Yarber 1 tackle; John Alex-Perkins 2 QB hurries.

Photo: Wide receiver Javon Antonio (right) hauls in a 30-yard touchdown catch during Friday’s scrimmage. Credit: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES:
Helen Hall Starnes
February 15, 1941 – November 06, 2020Service: Monday November 9 at 12 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Nathaniel Brooks
November 4, 2020
Service: Friday, November 13 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel

WINN:
Georgia Roberson
September 14, 1944 – November 2, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Central 7
Parkway 30

St. Mary’s Catholic School
St Mary’s  46
Logansport 45

Lakeview High School
Lakeview 20
Red River 50

Please see all the pictures of last nights game between Lakeview vs Red River in Kevin’s Gallery.  Just click the link below:

Kevin’s Gallery

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee is pleased to announce their proposed event plan to host the Natchitoches Christmas Season (November 21st, 2020 – January 6th, 2021) has been approved by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and Louisiana Department of
Health.

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee appreciates the public’s support and patience during the planning process of our 94th Annual Christmas Festival and Season. As we quickly approach the Season, the following details and guidelines are part of the plan approved by the
Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and Louisiana Department of Health: 

Armbands will be pre-sold ONLY on our website (www.natchitocheschristmas.com) beginning Monday, November 9th, 2020 at 8:00am. A limited amount of 3000 armbands will be sold for each Saturday from November 21st – December 26th, 2020.

Armbands are REQUIRED to enter the Riverbank area on Saturdays ONLY. Adults and children will be required to have an armband regardless of age. This year all armbands will be $10.

On Saturdays during the Season, Front Street will be closed to vehicular traffic but Armbands are NOT required to enter shops and restaurants on Front Street. Fireworks and live music will take place each Saturday during the Season.

Food vendors will be available on the Riverbank 7 days a week.  Masks and social distancing will be highly encouraged throughout the Season.

Kevin’s Gallery

The NCHS Ladies Volleyball team played with their customary class, grit and determination Thursday, November 5 at their first playoff match vs. The Southside Lady Sharks of Lafayette. Unfortunately, the Chiefs fell to the Sharks, 3 sets to two, in a hotly contested match that saw neither team achieve a commanding lead as the score of each set alternated back and forth, finally requiring a fifth set to decide the match.

While the playoff results were not as we would have hoped, Lady Chief Volleyball has set an enviable record of excellence on and off the court this year. The team was undefeated in district play and easily cinched the District Championship. The girls are a fixture on the NCHS Honor Roll and exemplify everything that a student-athlete should be on the court and in the classroom.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the evening’s photography. The players and their families are welcome to download any photos they wish.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal would also like to commend the NCHS Student section. In every match I have attended, the student section filled the bleachers and kept up a vociferous level of support akin to an erupting volcano.

By Reba Phelps

Before I had children of my own, I vividly remember my Uncle Mickey telling all of his nieces not to let a television raise their children. That stern warning still echoes in the “should have listened” part of my mind to this very day. It was probably the best advise that I never took. I sincerely tried as long as I could not to introduce them to the amazing black entertainment box in the living room. The exact moment I gave in escapes me. If I had to pinpoint it I would assume it was around the terrible twos of the first child, not the second one.

Before I knew it, both girls had their very own black box in their bedrooms. My youngest child could not even go to sleep at night without the soothing bright lights of a television. Trying to outwit her addiction I told her she could have her TV but I chose the channel. I always chose the Jewelry or Home and Garden channel.

What six year old could stay awake for either of these? I soon ate those words.

Once my daughter began to give me decorating advice and insisting that we buy a house to flip… I quickly discovered she outwitted her mother. This girl was wide awake for Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop and enjoyed every minute of it. Not only was she enjoying the shows she was gleaning tips to share with her family and friends.

She wanted shiplap all over the house and even wrote fan letters to the stars of the show asking them to fix up our boring house. She even tried to plan her own field trip to the Magnolia Silos in Texas. Every single time we would pass a dilapidated home she would acknowledge that it would be a good candidate for the show. She was now trying to recruit talent for her favorite TV duo.

This beloved show soon became something we watched together. If you can’t beat them, join them. It was simply astounding to watch people work with their bare hands and morph a junked out, old, left for ruins home into a mini showcase that would soon be the envy of the entire neighborhood or even town. The pure talent of someone using their craft to rescue property from despair will always be a magnificent sight to behold.

There was nothing they could not turn into a masterpiece. I would be telling a lie if I told you I never day dreamed about someone remodeling our boring house.

Some people just have a true talent for fixing every single thing that crosses their path. Whether it be a home project or even people, they can fix it all. Some people are just fixers at heart and will carry your burdens until there is a solution. It is so easy to get caught up in the fixing of other’s problems that you forget it is not our place to fix anyone. One the hardest things for me to realize was that somethings merely cannot be fixed with human hands. Sometimes, even people can become so broken and beyond repair that only there is truly only place to turn with a project of this magnitude.

This doesn’t stop my stubborn self from trying though….With guidance from above, I am slowly but surely learning my limits.

This is exactly why we need a Savior. We are not meant to carry burdens beyond the cross. Even when someone is remodeling a home it is natural for the owners to check the project often for progress. When we assign a project to him we should not check on progress because it is being handled in God’s timing.

He will never leave us, never forsake us, and is capable of way more than we think is humanly possible. He is the one true, “Fixer Upper” and never makes mistakes with his handy work.

“And looking upon them Jesus said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” –  Mathew 19:26

The Natchitoches Parish School Board approved modifying the current pay structure for Long Term Subs at its board meeting Thursday evening, Nov. 5. The modification is to eliminate the 30 day trial period after the first year.

The approving vote came after Superintendent Grant Eloi said there’s little the district can do to show how much it appreciates the amazing job its teachers and staff are doing, throughout any year, but especially the 2020-2021 school year as it’s been especially challenging so far.

“They are the backbone of this district,” he said. “It could not be run without the teachers. I can’t say enough about the job they’re doing.”

There was a noteworthy announcement made at the committee meeting. Eloi recently defended his dissertation successfully and will graduate with his doctoral degree in December. The board required that the person they hired as the new superintendent needed to have a doctoral degree and Eloi promised the board he would earn his.

This announcement was made on the same night that the board entered into an executive session to discuss the Superintendent’s six-month evaluation. According to President Billy Benefield, the evaluation went extremely well. Benefield said the board has been very pleased with Eloi’s progress and the progress of the school system since hiring him.

“He’s been able to change the culture of our school system in a relatively short period of time,” said Benefield, who added that Eloi has made some key hires that will benefit the system for many years to come. These include new Business Manager Lee Waskom and restructuring the Central Office staff with the additions of newly titled Director of Academics Ben LaGrone and newly titled Director of Operations Felicia Pinkney.

During his Superintendent’s Report, Eloi said he held a meeting earlier in the month with area doctors to address a disconnect between the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDH) and local clinicians. While the district is making decisions based on the large amount of information on what’s supposed to be done and what has to be done, this information isn’t trickling down to clinicians. Eloi said they were able to open a dialogue to continue expanding lines of communication so they can better understand where everyone is at.

Another recent meeting focused on what needs to happen to get the district to an A ranking. A strategic plan was formed, which consists of examining data, determining goals, and developing a plan. Eloi said the bulk of the plan is coming to fruition and he should have a draft completed in December with a final version ready the first of the year to present to the board.

Eloi also addressed ACT scores. According to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana’s Class of 2020 earned an average ACT Composite score of 18.7. That’s based on the Louisiana Department of Education’s annual release of ACT data today for the 2020 high school graduating class. Louisiana’s score is at an all-time low since the state granted all students access to the test in 2013.

While Natchitoches’ score is a 17.3, Eloi said that’s not where anyone in the district wants it to be. It should be at an 18 at least and it really needs to be in the 20-21 range.

This is the third consecutive year Louisiana’s ACT Composite score has decreased. The state earned a 19.6 in 2016-2017 before seeing declines to 19.3 in 2017-2018 and 18.9 in 2018-2019.

Eloi said he’s also instituting three superintendent advisory councils: one for students (open to 7th graders and above), one for teachers and one for parents. Each school will have a representative to speak to Eloi on a quarterly basis. Eloi is looking for collaboration and input from each of these groups.

In other news, free meals for all students was extended for the rest of the school year. The district’s average lunch attendance for September of last school year was 6,300. This past September was 2,461. Attendance for breakfast last year was 2,758 in September of last year and only 1,579 this year. This is an obvious decrease in the number of students who are eating school meals, however 24% of students are learning from home. Virtual students are able to sign up to pick up meals from school but there hasn’t been heavy participation, which is a statewide issue.

Other agenda items included:

Recognize the Natchitoches Central High School Volleyball ladies who are the undefeated champs as they played their next game at the same time as the board meeting.

Deferred to December: Proclamation to the State of Louisiana to provide funding to repair the roads in Natchitoches Parish.

Approve Memorandum of Understanding between Career Compass of Louisiana and Natchitoches Parish School Board.

Approve grading policy section of the 2020-2021 Pupil Progression Plan.

On Thursday, November 5, 2020, the Natchitoches Parish School Board was notified of postitive Covid-19 cases at Natchitoches Junior High-Frankie Ray Jackson School.

NPSB officials have contacted the Louisiana Office of Public Health and have issued a 14 day quarantine for all students and faculty at NJH.

NJH will be closing school as well as all extra-curricular activities until Monday, November 30, 2020.

During this quarantine period, students will be receiving virtual instruction via Google Classroom. NJH will be holding isolated, scheduled iPad pickups for students who do not have a device. Parents will be notified of this schedule via robo-calls, email and social media updates.

“This was a developing situation and was acted on immediately,” says NPSB Superintendent, Dr. Grant Eloi. “Due to four positive cases and an abundance of caution, it was determined that the most responsible course of action was to quarantine the entire school.”

To ensure the safety of all students and faculty, NJH will be professionally cleaned by an outside cleaning company during quarantine. NJH Principal, Dr. LaFollette, along with NPSB officials, would like to ensure the public that this is the best course of action to prevent a further spread of Covid-19.

NPSB will be updating the public regularly concerning cases of Covid-19 in Natchitoches Parish on their website and social media.

By Tommy Rush

On this weekend before Veteran’s Day, in honor of all our veteran’s, I would like to share an essay written a few weeks ago by my 10 year old grandson, JW. He attends the NSU Elementary Lab School and he’s a student in Mrs. Lisa Wiggins class. Mrs. Wiggins has put together a Virtual Veteran’s Day Program that will be available online to the public next Wednesday. I’m very grateful for teachers like Mrs. Wiggins who have an awesome passion for teaching their students to love and appreciate their country. I’m grateful today for our local schools, the many dedicated teachers and the support of our community. I hope we all take the time this Veteran’s Day to say thank you to a veteran for the sacrifices made which provide us with these many great blessings!

My Veteran’s Day Essay by James Wilkerson

This is my veteran’s day essay, my way to say thank you to all those great people who have given me the opportunity to write this essay, go to school, live in a free country, and so much more! Veterans have played such a huge role in my life, even though I’m in 5th grade, my great-grandfather was a veteran in Korea, and he was one of the many soldiers who protected our great country. My other great-grandfather landed in Normandy as an admiral in the navy, his flag is encased in my room. Throughout the years I’ve thought about all those people who served. Colonists in the revolutionary war, American soldiers in WW1 and WW2, the veterans who fought Osama Bin Laden and terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more. I believe a veteran deserves this essay because veterans risk their lives protecting the United States, its people, and the leaders of our Country. Veterans are special because they go through so much to protect us, because no veterans, no freedom, and I do say I like this freedom. There are so many veterans out there, navy sailors and midshipmen who protect the waters, along with the coast guard, the army soldiers who protect the land, the air force who fly into the thick of battle to protect us from bombs and missiles and things that can damage us from the air. And the marines, who are willing to go anywhere to fight enemies. And many other people like secret service agents, who protect the POTUS and the FLOTUS, cyber protection agents, who protect people from cyber-hackers and mobile attackers and many more. Finally, a veteran is special because of all they go through, from training, fighting, risking their lives, and protecting the American land, people, ways, and laws. And this concludes my veteran’s day essay. Thank you for your service.