Earlier this past week, Lousiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards announced the state will dedicate $100 million in federal funds for 28 Design Support Program flood mitigation projects. Included is $1.57 million earmarked for the Village of Hodge for drainage improvements.
“As we continue working to reduce flood risks throughout Louisiana, the state is not only funding projects but assisting local and regional partners in project design and development to make sure we are funding high-impact flood mitigation efforts that don’t adversely affect surrounding communities,” Gov. Edwards said. “This work is central to the mission of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, improving the way we approach flood mitigation by working collaboratively to develop and fund projects best suited for investment in each watershed region.”
Funding for the Design Support Program and Round 2 is part of the state’s Action Plan to spend $1.2 billion in federal Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds. Funding is to be distributed in three rounds. The Hodge project has been classified as a Round 2 initiative.
Round 2 will make strategic project investments and address the need to enhance project development capacity and geographic dispersion of projects statewide. Round 2 will continue to elevate nature-based solutions and to ensure federal grant requirements are met. The focus is on projects that benefit HUD-identified most impacted and distressed areas and low- to moderate-income populations, as well as projects that incorporate nature-based solutions.
The wait is almost over. After a long hot summer a breath of fresh air will cascade throughout stadiums all over the state of Louisiana in a few days as the 2022 LHSAA prep football season will finally open. For Jonesboro-Hodge High School, the first official regular season game will find the Tigers on the road against fellow Class 2A foe General Trass out of Lake Providence on Friday, September 2nd. Game time is set for 7:00pm.
Even though a roughly 2 1/2 hour road trip to the northeast corner of the state is in store, JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship is eager to get the season 2022 started.
“This is the day we have been working towards all summer,” said Blankenship. “The coaching staff and players alike have had this date circled on the calender ever since the season ended last year.”
The matchup is one of the premier season openers in the state as it pits two of last years top Class 2A programs in northeast Louisiana against each other. Each is coming off district championships from the year before and have many of the same similarities heading into this season.
“When you look at one team you are basically looking at the other,” reflects Blankenship. “We mirror each other in a lot of ways, including both having to replace their top skill players from last year.”
Both Jonesboro-Hodge, who will compete in district 3-2A this season after several years in district 1-2A, and General Trass out of district 2-2A, is expected to employ “run-first” offensive attack, especially in the early part of the season while the new quarterbacks of each gain more seasoning.
“We will have a different look compared to what folks are used to seeing from us,” predicted Blankenship. “Instead of throwing the ball all over the field like the past couple of years, we will play to our strength, which is running behind our big line.”
2022 Jonesboro-Hodge Starting Lineup
OFFENSE Quarterback – Cameron Leonard Running back – Ed’Tavious Drayton H-Back – Chance Leonard Wide Receiver – Savantez Phillips Wide Receiver – Omarrion Jackson Wide Receiver – Zion Gray Right Tackle – Dominick Strickland Right Guard – Josh Tatum Center – Braylen Leonard Left Guard – Austin Knotts Left Tackle – Cartavious Waters DEFENSE Right End – Peyton Smith Right Tackle – Kehlin Boston Left Tackle – Cartavious Waters Left End – Dominick Stickland Inside Linebacker – Xavier Atkins Inside Linebacker – Karmakize Barber Cornerback – Cameron Leonard Cornerback – Omarrion Jackson Weak Safety – Jaylen Barnes Strong Safety – Ed’Tavious Drayton Free Safety Savantez Phillips Raynald Bolds
Got a riddle for you! What does three for three, times two twice, represent? No, this is not one of those “new” math posers. Congratulations is offered if you know the answer and for you that don’t here is a little hint. During the month of August one of the more remarkable success stories you would ever want to read about has taken place.
In summary the answer is what the Quitman Jr. High basketball program has acheived. To break it down, the three for three stands for the three straight games won at the Dodson Tourney. Times two, twice, represents the second straight tourney that both the boys and girls teams have won in undefeated fashion.
In regard to this being a remarkable feat……
Both junior programs are putting on performances that you rarely see at this level. It is not the perfect, 7-0 record that both had acheived to date but the way they are both winning, which is in two totally but very impressive different fashions.
The girls are winning through suffocating defensive pressure that now has improved their streak of not allowing an opponent to score over five points in a quarter to an incredible 28 straight frames. Only once this season has Quitman allowed a team to even reach double figures in points for the game.
Naturally, such success can be attributed to great coaching. This should come as no surpise as the junior girls are under the tutelage of Kyle Leach, who has led the QHS vartisty girls to four straight district championships. In typical fashion, Leach refuses to take credit but instead gives praise to the 19 girls that are on the roster.
“We are blessed to have so many girls that wanted to be part of the team,” said Leach. “It has created a very competitive environment as only five can be on the floor at one time so they all work really hard in practice and when they get their chance to play.”
The boys are doing it by simply running away from everyone they have played. In the Dodson Tourney, Normally it is considered good when a junior high team reaches 30 points in a game. QJH has not scored less than 38 in any game played this season. In Dodson they really amped it up by totaling 148 points over the three games played. That equates to a 49.33 points per game average. WOW!
The recipe that head coach Mike Black has concocted that is giving the sweet taste of success is made up of the perfect ingredients. QJH has outstanding height that controls the paint and a bevy of playmakers and shooters. The deep and talented, 13 player roster, also allows for continued fresh bodies to apply the pressure throughout the game.
QJH Girls Results at Dodson Tourney
Quitman 26 Atlanta 8: Racing out to an 11-2 first quarter lead, QJH did all their damage in the first three frames. Anna Leach led with nine points in the first half, one more than Atlanta managed all game. Emma Walker also came up big with eight points followed by Taylor Borland with four and three from Hallie Kate Pullig. Brooklyn Brown also added a basket.
Quitman 47 Weston 6: The rematch of the contest played in the Weston Tourney between the two parish rivals was no contest. QJh took their most lopsided victory of the year but as head coach Kyle Leach said it really wasn’t a fair matchup due to roughly half of the Weston team and several starters missing due to a COVID outbreak.
“It really wasn’t fair to Jennifer (WJH head coach Jennifer Tolar) and her girls to have to play with what they were dealing with,” said Leach. “They gave it all they had but were just missing to many players.”
Through the utilization of a swarming full court pressure defense, Quitman stormed to a 17-2 first half lead and then doubled their total with a season best, 17 points in the third quarter alone. Leach graciously pulled his starters but the scoring parade continued as the deep bench tallied 13 in the fourth period.
A season best 11 players scored for Quitman led by 9 from Lanee Cheatwood. Additional contributors were: Anna Leach – 7, Nyesha Johnson – 6 (season high), Allie Robertson – 5 (season high), Emma Walker – 4, Hallie Kate Pullig – 4, Braelyn Patton – 4 (season high), Taylor Borland – 2, Brooklyn Brown – 2, Breelyn Boone – 2, Klea Blalock – 2. Brooklyn Johnson scored a season best five points to lead Weston, including her first three pointer of the year. Allison Morgan also made a free throw.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Quitman
8
9
17
13
47
Weston
2
0
0
4
6
QJH scoring: Cheatwood 9, Leach 7, Johnson 6, Robertson 5, Walker 4, Pullig 4, Patton 4, Borland 2, Brown 2, Boone 2, Blalock 2; WJH scoring: Johnson 5, Morgan 1
Quitman 28 Calvin 9: Hallie Kate Pullig scored all five of her points in the first quarter, Anna Leach added four and Taylor Borland pitched in a basket to pace QJH to an 11-2 lead, which was more then enough to subdue their Winn Parish foe. Leach finished with nine points followed by six from Emma Walker and Pullig’s five. Taylor Borland scored four and Brooklyn Brown hit a free throw to round out the scoring.
Quitman 47 Atlanta 21: Treating fans to the double feature of “Taden Time” and the “Best of Brayden” QJH raced out to 12 point first quarter lead that balloned to a 32-19 advantage by the half. Bouyed by a pair of three pointers, Thomas led the way with 12 of his 14 points on the night, both season bests for a quarter and game. Martin was almost just as effective, chipping in with nine of his 11 in the game, as the pair combined for all of Quitman’s 21 first quarter points. Rylan Reynolds added seven on the night, Caden Jackson had five and Kobie Williams finished with four. Matthew Odom added his first three pointer of the year. Jack Thomas and Hayden Seymore added a basket as did Aiden Rhodes, for his first points of the year.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Quitman
21
11
10
5
47
Atlanta
9
0
5
7
21
QJH scoring: T. Thomas 14, Martin 11, Reynolds 7, Jackson 5, Williams 4, Odom 3, J. Thomas 2, Seymore 2 Aiden Rhodes 2
Quitman 54 Weston 22: Much like the first time the two Jackson Parish rivals squared off, the first quarter was close with the Wolverines dominating the final three frames. After holding only a 9-7 lead after one, Quitman went into the half with a 24-12 advantage before exploding for 30 second half points to win going away. Shane Reed scored 17 and Brayden Martin added 14 to lead the offensive onslaught that set a new season game scoring total. Taden Thomas scored all eight of his points in the second quarter that included a pair of threes for the second straight game. Jack Thomas and Hayden Seymore chipped in with three each.Kobie Williams added a basket and Asher Rhodes tallied his first two of the year to round out the scoring. Brody Tidwell and Ty Henderson led Weston with nine and eight repectivelly with John Mchael Gandy and Ashad Harris pitching in with two each. Alex Lewis also scored a point.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Quitman
9
15
11
19
54
Weston
7
5
5
5
22
QJH scoring: Reed 17, Martin 14, T. Thomas 8, J. Thomas 3, Odom 3, Asher Rhodes 2, Williams 2; WJH scoring: Tidwell 9, Henderson 8, Gandy 2, Harris 2, Lewis 1
Quitman 47 Calvin 10: The Wolverines stole a page from the girls handbook while continuing to add to their own legacy. For the third straight game, Quitman didn’t allow double digits to be posted in any single quarter and scored 47 or more over the same time period. Jack Thomas and Hayden Seymore set new season scoring highs with eight apiece and once again, Shane Reed and Brayden Martin led the offense with 13 and 10 respectively. Taden Thomas pitched in with four and Aiden Rhodes and Caden Jackson had two each.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Quitman
16
11
14
6
47
Calvin
2
2
2
4
10
QJH scoring: Reed 13, Martin 10 J. Thomas 8, Seymore 8, T. Thomas 4, Aiden Rhodes 2, Caden Jackswon 2
This past Friday, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that the LA 505 bridge closure will be extended through September 2, 2022, due to weather delays and unforeseen circumstances.
The road that ties Hwy 167 to Hwy 4 has been closed since Monday, August 8, 2022, LA 505 beginning approximately 1.6 miles east of its intersection with US 167 in Jackson Parish, La. The original projection was for the road to be closed for only ten days while routine maintenance was done.
In partnership with Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School the Jackson Parish Library is proud to host a Coat Drive. Contributors are asked to drop off their gently used jackets and coats of any size at either the Jonesboro or Chatham branch during normal business hours. Your thoughtful and benevolent act will be of great help to needy children and families in the area this coming winter.
Jonesboro Branch address: 614 South Polk Avenue Phone number: (318) 259 5697
Chatham Branch address: 1500 Pine Street Phone number: (318) 249 – 2980
Local residents needing assistance with their Food Stamp application, understanding the report or filing for redetermination is invited to visit with Ms. Jerlissa Elzy at the Jonesboro and Chatham branches of the Jackson Parish Library on Friday, September 2nd.
Ms. Elzy will be available by appointment at the Chatham Branch from 9:00am – 11:30pm before coming to the Jonesboro branch from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Appointments can be made by either coming by either location prior to Friday or by calling (318) 259-5697 or (318) 249 – 2980.
The Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School administration is excited to have some new faces this school year. Pictured above are Rachelle Mason, School Counselor; Tristen Bergholtz, School Counselor; Danielle Copeland, Principal; Jacob Barron, Assistant Principal
Danielle Copeland, Principal, is new to Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary in the role as principal but is familiar with the school as she previously worked at J-HES while completing her student teaching requirements and as a first-year teacher. This is her 9th year in education and she is looking forward to helping students grow and achieve their academic goals.
Tristen Bergholtz, School Counselor, is joining the J-HES Tiger Family and helping facilitate the Wraparound Program. Students and their families can benefit from the weekend backpack meals, school uniform and supplies closet, Telemed health services, counseling supports, and family engagement events held throughout the year. The goals of the Wraparound Programs are to increase family involvement, academic achievement, student attendance, social-emotional wellness supports, and access to basic needs such as food and clothing.
Rachelle Mason, School Counselor, is entering her 19th year in education. She helps serve J-HES and J-HMS students.
Jacob Barron, Assistant Principal, is spearheading the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports program, as well as the Title I committee this school year.
Keyshawn Jones named Student of the Month
Keyshawn Jones has been named the Student of the Month for August at the Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School. Jones was selected for his exemplary behavior and attendance from the previous school year. He was presented with a Fortnite Nerf Blaster as a reward by the PBIS team.
Keyshawn Jones has been named JHES Student of the Month. Alongside Jones is JHES Asst. Principal Jacob Barron
The Weston Junior High girls basketball team beat Castor 13-11 this past Monday to win their first of the year. The boys team also won by a 27-22 margin to give the Wolves/Lady Wolves a sweep. The victories improved the girls to 1-2 on the year while the boys moved past the .500 mark at 3-2.
For head coach Jennifer Tolar and her crew the victory was very sweet as her squad has suffered through more adversity in just a few weeks than most go through in a full year. Already this season, the junior girls squad has lost two players due to knee injuries and just last weekend had over half the team, including several starters unavailable for the Dodson Tourney due to the COVID pandemic.
“I am so proud of the girls for not making excuses and continuing to work hard,” said Tolar. “It is good to get this win as they deserve to taste some success after all they have gone through.”
A first quarter free throw by Baylee Brown was the only point scored by either team in the first quarter and gave Weston their first lead of the year. Brooklyn Johnson and Jazzmine Stuckey added baskets in the second and along with another free throw by Brown, Weston went into the half with a 6-2 lead. Brown added two baskets in the third to up the lead to 10-5 by the end of three. Carlynn Waters added three critical points in the final frame that stymied a late Castor charge and give Weston the two point win.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Weston
1
5
4
3
13
Castor
0
2
3
6
11
WJH Scoring: Brown 6, Waters 3, Suckey 2, Johnson 2
Tidwell leads boys to win
Brody Tidwell scored six in the second and five in the fourth on his way to a game high 14 points to lift the Wolves to their third win of the year. The outburst came at the right time also as his points helped Weston break ties after the first and third quarters. Ty Henderson also came up clutch by making six of eight free throws and Ashad Harris pitched in with five. Alex Lewis also made two free throws.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
TOTAL
Weston
5
12
2
8
27
Castor
5
6
8
3
22
WJH scoring: Tidwell 14, Henderson 6, Harris 5, Lewis 2
On August 21, 2022, James E. Bradford was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree by the United Theological Seminary and Bible College. The degree was conferred by Dr. Robby D. Williams, President of United Theological Seminary and Bible College. This degree is given to an individual who has made tangible, observable, and ocular contributions to their community, church, and city.
When conferring Mr. Bradford with the honorary degree during the Annual Homecoming Celebration at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Louisiana, Dr. Williams stated that Mr. Bradford is only the twelfth recipient of this distinction since the 63 years of the college’s existence. During Mr. Bradford’s acceptance remarks he stated, “You never know who is watching you and I am grateful. Thank you.”
Mr. Bradford has committed uninterrupted service to the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church for over seven decades. Additionally, he has diligently served his family, Grambling State University, the State of Louisiana, and numerous other civic and social organizations. He is the epitome of a servant-leader and has truly earned these letters through his service, volunteerism, and philanthropic contributions. The family and friends of Mr. Bradford are appreciative to Dr. Williams and the United Theological Seminary Bible College for “Giving him his flowers while he lives.”
The Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH) is pleased to announce that the winners of the inaugural 2022-23 Student Athlete of the Week has been selected. The ongoing program that the JPH has sponsored for the past several years, recognizes a student athlete from Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman and Weston High Schools as chosen by select faculty and staff from each school. The honorees are selected by best exemplifing what it means to be a true student athlete through academic acheivement and athletic accomplishment.
Student Athlete of the Week (August 29th – September 2nd)
Dominick Strickland (Senior) – Football player at Jonesboro-Hodge Anna Claire Leach (8th Grade) – Girls basketball player at Quitman Brody Tidwell (8th Grade) – Boys basketball player at Weston
The following is a Public Service Announcement from The Division of the Least of These Things to Worry About, Ever, My Brethren.
A guy created a website and, for a while there, had people believing he’d recruited well-meaning and caring atheists who’d care for the pets of Christians after their rapture.
In other words, “Send money. Rest easy.”
I’ll hang on a second while you read that again because me my own self had to ponder it too, the first time I heard it; I had never had the thought either. Ever. And it’s not because I don’t love my pets. I do. But … while I’ve heard bizarre things, this might be at the top of the heap.
Bizarro Mountain.
Bizarro Mountain Range, even.
NPR reported that a guy charged “hundreds of people more than $100 apiece, promising the business would care for their pets after the owners were carried up to Heaven. The self-described animal-loving atheist called his site Eternal Earth-Bound Pets. The New Hampshire Insurance Department thought some monkey business might be going on and decided to investigate”.
Props to the New Hampshire Insurance Department, which seldom gets props.
Life’s not fair.
Anyway, the New Hampshire Insurance Department guy in charge of Pre-Rapture Pets, Etc. guy said it was a hoax. Which it was, same as the After the Rapture Pet Care site inventor admitted.
I think they said this pre-rapture. Lord, I hope so.
But I’ll give both guys points for creativity.
For my pet’s future, I’d bet it on the After the Rapture Pet Care guy. He charged only a $10 registration fee, because those Left Behind were going to “care for the pets they rescue as their own, including being financially responsible for them,” the site claimed.
Indulge me for a sec, and if you’ve read this far, you already have. The After the Rapture Pet Care guy, or (ATRPCG), also typed this on his site, under the ingenious “Frequently Asked Questions” part, (which I thought was a nice touch):
Who are these Volunteer Pet Caretakers and how do I know they’ll take good care of my pets?
Most Volunteer Pet Caretakers fit this description:
They are atheists or another non-Christian religion; They love animals enough to register with us even though they do not believe there will be a Rapture (or are agnostic about it); (My words, because this bullet point was the part about how they’d treat your pets as their own — their still-alive-but-non-raptured own.) Another of the FAQ’s questions is, “Isn’t the world going to be totally collapsed after the Rapture?” It’s a long answer on the website, but the short answer from this bureau is, “Yes. That’s an affirm. Bet your hat. If you have gift cards, use them ASAP. If you have one from After the Rapture Pet Care, well … ”
Lord have mercy …
We conclude with a sobering thought, I think from Mark Twain, and it’s one of my favorite thoughts, at least one of my favorite sobering ones, and should ease the mind of all us pet lovers who are worried about how things might end up for animals we loved, as if God who created them isn’t aware:
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
(By: Gary McCoy) Hunting season will begin this Saturday, September 3, with opening day of dove season. ith that in mind, if you plan to spend the upcoming Fall and Winter hunting in Louisiana, time is short for a number of last-minute things you need to take care of.
Here is a reminder of what you need to take care of to help ensure a safe and fun outing.
Get Your Hunting License
Securing your Louisiana hunting license couldn’t be easier. While you can purchase all your needed licenses at many sports and retail stores, they can also be purchased online at wlf.louisiana.gov and all the info including your deer and turkey tags can be transferred directly to your LA Wallet on your cell phone
Knowing what and where you’ll hunt is iimportant. Should you plan to hunt doves or ducks in Louisiana, along with your basic hunting license, you’ll need your Federal and Louisiana State duck stamps and you’ll need the H.I.P. certification. (The HIP certification is FREE, but you MUST apply for it to hunt migratory game birds in Louisiana)
If you’re planning to hunt deer, you need your basic hunting license and your big game license.
If you’re only planning to hunt squirrel, BUT you’re planning to do that on one of our many Wildlife Management Areas, you’ll need your basic hunting license, but you’ll also need the WMA permit.
Secure Your Ammunition
Twenty years ago, this suggestion probably wouldn’t have even been a footnote on a checklist like this. However, this has become one of the biggest roadblocks for many hunters over the last several years.
If you haven’t got plenty of ammunition left over from last year, you’ll want to begin that search now. And don’t just limit yourself to an online search, get out and physically look at every ammunition dealer you can think of. From sporting goods stores to retail outlets or even pawn shops, someone should have it or can order for you, but don’t wait too long.
Sight In Your Deer Rifle/Shoot Your Bow/Shoot The Shotgun
Just because Old Bessie, your trusted 30-06, was dead on at the end of last season, doesn’t mean she’s still dead on this year. Spend the time to get her properly sighted in so that you can make that ethical, lethal shot when the time comes.
Archers should spend time every week between now and the opening of season shooting. Practice does make perfect, and the expectation a hunter should have of himself is perfect, ethical performance.
Bird hunters might want to spend some time skeet shooting to retrain the eye. Now is also a good time to experiment with different shell manufacturers, load sizes and such, to see if you’ve been missing out on a better product.
Check Your Accessories
Duck hunters will want to examine the blind for any needed repairs and begin to re-brush it. Check your waders and patch any holes. Do some of your decoys need to be tossed or given a fresh coat of paint? Do any of your call reeds need replacing? Is the shotgun ready for another long, wet season? If not, it’s time to send it to the gunsmith or consider purchasing a new one.
Deer hunters who hunt on private land will want to begin bush hogging access roads and preparing food plots. Bush hog, disc and plant. Check deer stands for safety issues. Replace anything that could lead to injury; ladders, steps, floor. Also want to make sure they are wasp and snake free. Put fresh batteries in your corn feeder and check for any needed repairs. Fill them up and keep an eye on them for issues that pop up. Put out game cameras and monitor for pre-season movement.
All hunters should stock up on Thermacell supplies. Early season mosquitoes can ruin a trip quicker than anything. Might also want to make sure your heater is still in good condition and that you have plenty of propane bottles on hand for those cold winter mornings. Check all of your boots and clothing; especially cold and rain gear. Nothing ends a trip quicker than cold and wet.
While there are plenty of other suggestions that could have made this list, this should pretty well have you prepared. Just be safe and hopefully you’ll take a child with you so that you can pass on the love of the outdoors.
Louisiana has adopted the state’s first accountability system for kindergarten through second grade. The Louisiana Department of Education’s (LDOE) literacy-focused plan was recently approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
This landmark action closes a glaring gap in our accountability system and embraces a fundamental shift in how we’re teaching children to read,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “Not only has our state rallied behind this commitment to our early learners, but we’re continuing to see momentum build behind Louisiana’s reading revival.”
While Louisiana has a nationally recognized early childhood quality rating system and a robust 3-12 accountability system, the state lacked a strong measure of how students in grades K-2 were performing prior to Wednesday’s vote.
Accountability systems identify what student success looks like and measure progress towards those outcomes. When student goals are clearly defined, educators can drive change by aligning resources to priorities. This K-2 accountability plan will encourage educators to embrace this fundamental shift in literacy instruction.
Louisiana’s new K-2 accountability is part of a comprehensive literacy strategy that emphasizes the Science of Reading. Students in grades K-2 will take a literacy indicator that measures early literacy skills, ensuring they are making adequate progress. Those results will be reflected in annual School Performance Scores and District Performance Scores. Students will begin taking the literacy indicator during the 2024-25 school year.
Also, schools will be incentivized to utilize research-based instructional rubrics in early education focusing on best practices in teaching and learning.
“This long-awaited enhancement to Louisiana’s accountability system will be an important tool in improving early literacy in our state,” said BESE President Jim Garvey. “Accurately measuring and reporting the progress of basic skills development in grades K-2 is critical in helping system leaders and parents identify obstacles to reading, and ensuring that our youngest learners are on track for academic success.”
Wednesday’s vote comes after more than two years of stakeholder engagement, research, and planning by LDOE. While K-2 accountability currently focuses on early literacy, LDOE will also begin exploring the possibility of adding a math component in the future.
“We took an important step to include age appropriate K-2 assessments in how we communicate school performance,” said Assistant Superintendent of Assessments, Accountability & Analytics Thomas Lambert. “Reliable and consistent data will help ensure our students are ready to master 3rd grade skills. Literacy matters–we must know how our students are doing in order to provide support and help Louisiana’s kids grow.”
Defending Class 2A state semi-finalist, Jonesboro-Hodge High School, received just four votes in the 2022 preseason poll submitted by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The Tigers were one of seven schools from north Louisiana that was listed among the top 20 schools among “select” and “non-select” schools.
At the top of the list was 2021 state runner-up Many, who is the odds on favorite to win Jonesboro-Hodge’s new district, 3-2A. Other schools from north Louisiana were Oak Grove of district 2-2A and Calvary Baptist, new to district 1-2A, both who moved up from Class A, at #5 and #8 respectively. Mangham also out of district 2-2A and who the Tigers beat in the second round of the playoffs last year is at #9 followed by North Caddo, who hails from JH’s former district, 1-2A at #10. JH’s season opening opponent, General Trass was also in the receiving votes category with ten.
Class 2A Preseason Poll (first place votes in parenthesis)
Many (9) 0-0 119 St. Charles Catholic (1) 0-0 109 Newman 0-0 89 Notre Dame 0-0 86 Oak Grove 0-0 77 Dunham 0-0 56 Avoyelles 0-0 53 Calvary Baptist 0-0 37 Mangham 0-0 32 North Caddo 0-0 30 Others receiving votes: Loreauville 24, Rosepine 17, Episcopal-Baton Rouge 13, Ascension Episcopal 11, General Trass 10, East Feliciana 7, Franklin 5, Jonesboro-Hodge 4, Welsh 2.
