The Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School and the Jackson Parish School Board have garnered the attention of parents and guardians of students attending the school with the introduction of the new Reimagine Grant this school year.
The grant is in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Education and its focus is on providing Wrap Around School Services for students attending the school. Mrs. Bonnie Buckelew, JPSB Supervisor, is the brains behind the Wrap Around Services grant and worked with the Louisiana Department of Education to secure the funding for the grant.
She received permission from the JPSB members to request the funding from the LDOE and to initiate the Wrap Around services for J-HES. A few of the services the school is now offering include weekend meals, a new counselor specific to JHES for social and emotional support, 4-H curriculum, and the creation of a clothing closet (In memory of Tucker, Corey, and Lexi).
We also have Telemed Health for students who become sick at school; Telemed is a video visit with a physician at the Jackson Parish Hospital. This is a very popular item with our parents. We also are now offering One TeleMed for mental health, as well. We also have added a music teacher and all students receive music instruction beginning this school year. With the addition of new faculty, we will better serve our students.
Our new counselor, Mrs. Tristen Bergholtz, will specifically work with students to support them in the areas of academics, social emotional, and career and college development. She also helps facilitate the Tiger Closet which contains the clothing and supplies, as well as the weekend backpack meals. She is collaborating with teachers, families and community stakeholders to provide any additional support systems that will help lead students to success. The expansion of staff at the school opens the doors for students to receive more support services in hopes of helping students reach their full potential.
On Friday, September 30, 2022, Ms. Rebecca Womack, Reimagine Grant Project Coordinator, was pleased to present clothing items to the J-HES administration for the Tiger Closet. The items were purchased through the Reimagine Grant for J-HES. The clothing items included uniform shirts, uniform pants, socks, and under garments. Members of the community have also donated to the clothing closet.
JHES families that have a student who is in need of clothing items should contact Mrs. Bergholtz to determine if a student qualifies for the service. Ms. Womack, project coordinator and Reimagine Advisory Board Member, stated that she is pleased that the Wrap Around Grant was approved by the board to help the students at J-HES. She feels that the grant’s Wrap Around Services allows the students to be better equipped for school and will help our students to be able to focus and progress in their academics.
Mr. Jacob Barron, J-HES Assistant Principal, Mrs Rachelle Mason, J-HES Counselor and Reimagine Advisory Board Member, and Mrs. Amy Privitor, J-HES Teacher and Reimagine Advisory Board Member, were also on hand for the presentation of the clothing for the Tiger Closet. Mr. Barron, Mrs. Mason, and Mrs. Privitor see first hand everyday the impact the grant has on the students and their families. The Tiger Closet has currently helped 22 students at JHES and this is only for August and September!
We are in need of larger sized uniform clothing for our students. We ask that our community donate their new or used uniform clothing to JHES so that we may bless a needy child with school clothing. We also accept new toothbrushes and toothpaste, new underwear and new socks, as well as new hygiene supplies.
If you are interested in donating funds or clothing items to the Tiger Closet at JHES, please contact Ms. Copeland or Mrs. Bergholtz. All donations are greatly appreciated. All sizes and items are needed as the closet will need to be restocked monthly. Please drop off donations or funds by the JHES office.
For more information on the JHES Wrap Around Services, contact Ms. Danielle Copeland, Principal, or Mrs. Tristen Bergholtz, Wrap Around Service Counselor, at 318-259-4489. They can also be reached via email at Danielle.Copeland@JPSBschools.us or Tristen.Bergholtz@JPSB.schools.us
To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE
