Racially unprejudiced Caddo EXCEL What does it mean? When asked why Captain Shreve was chosen as one of the pilot The purpose of the Caddo EXCEL program, already under way, schools, Danny Walker, assistant director of Caddo EXCEL, said that is to show the necessity of self-esteem by pushing for academic the Selections Committee felt that a predominately white school EXCEL at CS ... excellence and discipline. EXCEL, which was begun by the Rev. was needed to show that the program can work in various areas. Jesse Jackson, stresses the goal that "excellence is the way of life". He also added that Principal Stanley Powell wanted Captain Shreve The Caddo Parish School Board agreed to sponsor the program to continue EXCEL above and beyond ifs possible abilities. Dec. 6, after months of planning by a citizens' committee which now Some of the program goals include improving discipline, Academic supervises the program. It is the first EXCEL program in Louisiana ~otivating ~cademic achievement, involving the total community and has been funded $123,000 through a state grant. rn the commlttment for excellence in education and the improvement Schools chosen to participate in the program were Booker T. of personal relation skills between students, faculty and staff. Washington High School, J.S. Clark Junior High School, Ingersoll Each of the target schools have been" asked to strive for two excellence, Elementary School Captain Shreve High School Eden G d main objectives. V'{alker said that the two predominant ones Junior High Schooi, Eden Gardens Elementary School, an~r :~~ responded to so f~r _in. meetings with school" officials have been Park High School Bethune Junior High School and Queensborough / attendance and diSCiplrne. He also added that the attendance Elementary Schodl. problem has been named as one of the maj?r objecti~e. s for Captain discipline These schools were analyzed on the basis of average daily Shreve, but that _the_ n~m. ber one problem rn other Cities using the attendance, percent of students suspended, percent of dropouts, EXCEL program IS diSCiplrne. reading comprehension scores, ACT scores, students on probation a . Com~onents _of the prow~m. Will vary a~ each school' but ~he for delinquency and principal's interest in the program. b SICS of rnstructl?n, self~diSCiplrne , _education as a cooperative maior goals venture and recogn1zed achievement w1ll be the same at all schools. Each will have an EXCEC advisory committee consisting of teachers, community members and ministers; a teacher-advisor, an EXCEL Club and a community liason worker. Wynn, English liaisons Serving as teacher-advisor for Captain Shreve will be Mrs. Jo Amy Wynn; Floyd English as a liason worker; and Ms. Leslie Synan as the community-liason worker for the school area. Walker said that a community support system is being organized . He stated that businessmen have become interested in the EXCEL program and that Captain Shreve students and teachers as well as local college students have volunteered their services for afternoon tutorial programs. Walker also added that there are many people in the community who have nothing to do and would be happy to aid in the program if they could be reached. "EXCEL is trying to lay a foundation. We're going to make it more effective for the school system, not easier. Then the teachers will feel like they're accomplishing something," commented Walker EITIBPRISI when asked how he felt about the program. Walter said that he firmly believes that the parish is getting what it's paying for, but that if can only be effective if the students and parents sign the pledges. The students will be asked to sign pledges promising to strive Volume XI Shreveport, La., February 21, 1979 Number7 for excellence and setting strict study habits. Parents will be asked to sign pledges which includes the monitoring of their child's study hours and visiting their child's school. "Everybody doesn't need this pledge. You make it or you don't College make it," stated Walker. He says that each school is asked to come courses up their own pledges. available The college instructor also stated that he is Louisiana State University in his work and at least a "8" in quite aware that not every student will be able to fulfill what is of Shreveport is now enrolling each subject area for which asked of him when he signs a pledge. juniors for their Academic he applies, and (3) He must be Improvement Inevitable Excellence Program for this in the 75 percentile or above "There can't help but be improvement, one on one with positive summer, providing that the in standardized placement tests. attitudes. Those that criticize are usually the ones that no nothing application is in by May 1, 1979. ACT tests are preferred. about the program," commented Walker. This summer program allows Orientation will be held June "The little difference that separates people (attitudes) makes the academically superior high 5, and classwork begins June a big differenee," he added. · school student who is com­ 11 . For additional information Those students that are leaders need to step out and take pleting his junior year to take students may contact Stanley control ...a leader is going somewhere .. these are the people freshman classes at LSU-S. If Powell, your counselors or C. that are able to convince others to go with you," stated Walker. the student completes this R. McPherson. "We want the good ones to help others to get where good ones program successfully which are," he commented. Walker says that if there was competition at earns hours for degree require­ a lower level, students that never get recognition can get recognition. ments, the student may take one Prep schDDI After six months of a trial funding, Walker says that they will course during the fall and/or be able to see if there has been improvements made by the students spring semesters. and teachers respond to the question "Is EXCEL doing anything for Freshman courses are pDstpDned you?" available in the following area: Magnet School - a four year, Walker also stated that an altitude test would be given at each accounting, of the pilot schools astronomy, college preparatory, school for in the following weeks and that if would be biological sciences, English, selected senior high school administered again at the end of the nine weeks to see if any improve­ fine arts, ments will have been made. foreign language, students. geography, Though the history, This school, proposed by success of failure of the program greatly depends mathematics, office administr- Caddo School Superintendant, on Rev. Harry Blake, director and Danny Walker, assistant director, ations, philosophy, strong physical is intended to do just what the feelings have been displayed as to a definite success of the program. education, physical science, name implies, draw people to Senior Jan Rivet is being meas­ political science, ahd sociology. it. By eliminating ·extracurricular ured for cap and gown In the "Caddo Parish is not the only parish in trouble ... it's not the The fees for . this summer activities such as football, and auditorium. only parish that needs to excel. .. it's not a program just for blacks ... program are $120 for 6-8 hours, adding such classes as the per­ ev~rybody needs to excel. .every child can excel in some way," $100 for 4-5 hours, and $75 for forming arts, it is hoped that sa1d Walker. 1-3 hours. This does not include students from throughout the - textbooks. · Caddo Parish area would be Queen crowned Also, applicants must be drawn to the school. Janet Hill, daughter of Dr. Sixteen prepare approved by Stanley Powell, Though it sounds like an out- and Mrs. John W. Hill was CS principal. This application standing project, there are many crowned Miss Shreveport on for convention must have an up-to-date high drawbacks which concern area February 10, and will proceed school transcript attached to educators. Among them include, to the Miss Louisiana pageant Sixteen Captain Shreve it and it must be given to C.R. the fear that the school will later this year. journalism students will attend McPherson, assistant to the remove many of the out- The Shreveport Jaycees, who the Southern Interscholastic Vice Chancellor for academic standing teachers out of various sponsored the event, will provide Press Association (SIPA) Con­ affairs. schools, thus reducing the Miss Hill with a $650 cash Cynthia Phillips vention in Columbia, South In addition, the applicant schools' quality of instructions. scholarship to Centenary, several Carolina March 8-10. must meet these requirements: In addition, educators are also gift certificates, and various The students who will be (1) He must have completed afraid that the school will con- other prizes. The Northeast attending the journalism con­ three years of high school, centrate leadership in one Louisiana University sophomore Phillips chosen vention are Amy Brossette, (2) He must have earned an school. But then there are the also placed first in the talent Cynthia Phillips, a Captain Karen Coe, Layna Cook, Missy overall grade of "8" or better . favorable aspects of the school. competitil;m with a vocal solo of Shreve senior, has been selected Falbaum, Lucretia Gandy, For one thing, students would "Feelings" in both English and as the Student of the Month Shawn Grammar, Leechia be allowed to take classes for Spanish. for February, by the Captain Jacobs, Christy Jones, David Awards numerous college credit after regular First runner-up was Lisa Shreve Student Council. Hanington, LaDonna Morton, graduation requirements have Sanders, who also placed Cynthia was a freshman and Jan Rivet, Karen Rosengrant, According to Mike Raleigh, been met.