St. Bernard Parish Public Schools

After 55 years of dedicated service to the students, families, and community of St. Bernard Parish, Superintendent Doris Voitier has announced her plan to retire at the end of June.

Her leadership has shaped generations, guiding our schools through both challenges and triumphs with unwavering commitment, strength, and heart. The impact of her work will be felt for years to come - in our classrooms, our campuses, and in the lives of those she has touched.

We extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Voitier on an extraordinary career of service.

Thank you, Ms. Voitier, for everything you have given to our schools and our community.

A HUGE congratulations to Chalmette High’s Prostart Management Team for placing 2nd in the Nation at the National ProStart Invitational!!

𝐍𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧ç𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐋𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐁𝐏𝐒𝐁 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, François deLery Chapter, recently hosted a special ceremony in the Founders’ Room at Chalmette High School to honor Superintendent Doris Voitier as a recipient of the prestigious Women in American History Award.

Presented with a NSDAR certificate and medal as well as a customized lapel pin, Ms. Voitier was recognized for her extraordinary 55-year career in public education, spanning her roles as a teacher, department chair, administrator, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools. She was also honored for her steadfast leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when she helped guide the creation and success of the St. Bernard Unified School - an effort widely regarded as a cornerstone in the parish’s recovery.

The Women in American History Award is a nationally recognized honor presented by DAR chapters across the country. It celebrates women - past or present - who have made significant contributions to their communities through leadership, education, service, and innovation. This marks the first time the François deLery Chapter has identified a candidate who met the award’s rigorous criteria, underscoring the significance of Voitier’s impact.

François deLery Chapter Regent Christyn Elliott, who nominated Voitier for the honor, emphasized the depth of her contributions. In her remarks, Elliott reflected on Voitier’s decades of dedication and her unwavering resolve during the parish’s most challenging moments, noting that her leadership not only restored a school system but helped bring an entire community back home.

The ceremony featured tributes and personal reflections from several chapter members, including Historian Gayle Buckley, Vice Regent Faith Moran, and others, who shared stories highlighting Voitier’s influence, resilience, and lasting legacy in St. Bernard Parish. At the conclusion, Voitier was gifted with a vintage lead crystal pitcher from the Chapter filled with red roses from Cultural Arts Director Charles Cassar, who noted that the gift exemplified her love for the community as she poured herself out for its benefit.

As part of this recognition, Voitier’s achievements have been formally recorded in the DAR’s national archives, where she is now listed among notable women in American history.

Founded in 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Through programs like the Women in American History Award, the organization continues to honor individuals whose contributions shape and strengthen their communities.

Congratulations to these high flying Owls!

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

CHALMETTE, LA – Students at Chalmette High School recently had a unique opportunity to explore traditional Japanese art through a hands-on workshop led by visiting artist Yasuko Onishi.
The workshop brought together approximately 50 students from the Japanese Cultural Arts Club, Arts & Crafts Club, Asian Heritage Club, Fine Arts Survey class, and Japanese II classes. Students were introduced to the intricate art of Mizuhiki—a traditional Japanese craft that uses decorative cords to create symbolic knots.

Onishi, who travels internationally to share her work, guided students step-by-step through the process. Participants began by learning the foundational knot known as “Awaji Musubi,” practicing with a single Mizuhiki cord before advancing to more complex designs using two or three cords to create finished pieces.

The opportunity was made possible through Aina Kondo, who connected with Onishi through the Japan Society of New Orleans. Onishi generously offered to lead the workshop at no cost to the school before returning to Japan later that week.
“This was such a special opportunity for our students,” said CHS Arts and Crafts club coordinator and teacher Joyce Callais. “To learn a beautiful and meaningful artistic technique like Mizuhiki from such an accomplished artist is something they will remember for years to come.”

Chalmette High School Principal Mr. Schneider expressed his appreciation for those who made the experience possible. “We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Onishi for sharing her talent with our students, and to Ms. Kondo for coordinating this opportunity,” he said. “Experiences like this expand our students’ horizons and bring learning to life in meaningful ways.”

Through hands-on learning and cultural exchange, the workshop offered students not only a new artistic skill, but also a meaningful connection to a centuries-old tradition.

𝐒𝐭. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞

St. Bernard Parish, LA — The creativity and talent of St. Bernard Parish’s 5th grade students took center stage recently during the annual Goat in the Road Showcase, held for the first time this year at the Chalmette Cultural Arts Center. The event marked the culmination of a year-long partnership between select 5th grade classes across the parish and Goat in the Road Productions, a professional ensemble theatre company known for bringing student-written plays from the page to the stage.

Throughout the school year, students worked closely with teaching artists from Goat in the Road to develop original scripts based on their ideas and imaginations. One outstanding play from each participating elementary school was selected to be performed live by professional actors, with one additional “wild card” play chosen for a total of eight student-created productions.

Featured student authors included:

Arianny Sanchez - Chalmette Elementary Connection
Thomas McMullin - Joseph J. Davies Elementary
Tevaun King - W. Smith, Jr. Elementary
Isabella Thiel - W. Smith, Jr. Elementary
Ryann Littles - Arlene Meraux Elementary School
Kelci Gardner - Lacoste Elementary School
Alyssa Franatovich - J. F. Gauthier Elementary School
Benjamin Reeks - Arabi Elementary

Each selected student playwright was honored on stage and given a front-row seat to see their story brought to life. From playful tales of moldy pizzas to a villainous alien turtle trying to conquer planet earth, the Showcase offered a remarkable glimpse into the creativity and storytelling talents of the parish’s young authors.

The St. Bernard Parish Public School System extends its deepest gratitude to the Meraux Foundation Docville Farm and Goat in the Road Productions for their continued commitment to arts education and creative expression. Special thanks also goes out to acting troupes Prescription Joy and Shine Productions, which included School Board Vice President Dr. Katherine Lemoine, for bringing these incredible stories to life onstage.

This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in fostering student growth, creativity, and confidence through the arts.

Tonight at the cultural arts center! 7pm!! Enjoy original plays written by 5th graders across the Parish and performed by professional acting troupes! Visit http://www.goatintheroadproductions.org/ to reserve your seats!

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

CHALMETTE, LA — In celebration of environmental stewardship and community pride, 5th grade students at Chalmette Elementary recently took learning beyond the classroom and into the soil, partnering with the Meraux Foundation to plant a variety of native ornamental and fruiting trees across their campus.

With guidance from Blaise Pezold of the Meraux Foundation and Rollin Black of the Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, students rolled up their sleeves and got to work, splitting into small teams of three to four to take ownership of individual planting sites. Together, they planted oak trees, Little Gem magnolia trees, Savannah holly trees, a pawpaw tree, Japanese magnolia, a peach tree, and two blueberry bushes - adding to the school’s existing flora.

Trees were thoughtfully placed throughout the campus, with shade trees lining the perimeter of the large play yard and fruiting trees enhancing the school’s inner courtyard - creating both beauty and purpose in shared student spaces.

The project, coordinated by 5th grade teacher Alecia Desselle, was designed to give students a hands-on role in shaping their environment while learning the value of sustainability and responsibility.

“Watching our students take ownership of this project has been incredibly rewarding,” said Desselle. “They weren’t just learning about the environment - they were in it, working together and investing in the future. These trees will grow and provide shade for generations, and one day, our students will drive past this campus as adults and be able to say, ‘I helped plant that.’ That’s a powerful and lasting connection.”

The initiative took place just ahead of Love the Boot Week, a statewide effort led by Keep Louisiana Beautiful that encourages communities to engage in litter removal, recycling, beautification, and sustainability projects.

Assistant Principal Megan Lancaster emphasized the value of community collaboration in making opportunities like this possible.

“We are so grateful for community partners like the Meraux Foundation, Plant the Parish, and dedicated individuals who donated trees and gave their time to help our students,” said Lancaster. “Providing hands-on learning experiences like this at such a young age helps our students understand how to care for native plants, which support local wildlife and enhance the quality of life here in St. Bernard Parish. This is an opportunity our students are truly lucky to have - and we can’t wait to watch these trees grow alongside them.”

Through teamwork, education, and a shared commitment to the environment, Chalmette Elementary’s 5th graders have quite literally planted the seeds for a greener future - one that will continue to grow for years to come.