A meeting of Madisonville community leaders, including the city council members, the mayor and several organizations across the city, was held at Madisonville Elementary School to share ideas and projects in the community.

Principal Lauren Spencer and Madisonville Junior High Principal Fran Shea updated the audience on progress in the school system, including a demonstration by two students of how the Promethean board works and a demonstration of Blackboard software and capabilities.

Ways that scshools have changed in the past few years were introduced including the use of positive behavior support, technology and how students are engaged in the classroom. Important to the area is the new school, J. B. Lancaster Elementary, that broke ground in October and is being built west of the city off Louisiana Highway 22. Instead of dividing children into new school districts, students will be divided according to grade level for the new school.

The school is named for the first superintendent of St. Tammany Parish Schools, Joseph Lancaster.

The new school is needed because of growing populations in and around Madisonville. Madisonville Elementary alone received 100 new students this school year, many from private and parochial schools, said Spencer. This brings the student population at the school to 900 students kindergarten through third grade. New grade levels for the schools once Lancaster opens in 2011-2012 school year have not been finalized, but will consider the distribution of the student population at that time.

Factors that have contributed to the success of the schools in the area include the support of parents and their involvement, continued support from the school board, professional development programs and an active PTA that provides funding for technology to keep up with what is needed.

As part of the exchange, Dr. Jay Martin from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, thanked the community for their support in the endeavor to make the lighthouse “a source of pride” for the area. He said that plans are to finish renovations so the lighthouse can be open for tours next year.

Spencer said that the Maritime Museum “is now on the map” and instead of always going to the Southshore to museums and field trips, many schools from the Suthshore are now “coming over to our side.” She said it’s a proud feeling to know they are coming here.

Mayor Peter Gitz also thanked Martin for his work with the museum and the new library that will be built next to it. “It’s a real asset to Madisonville and we welcome all schools,” Gitz said.

The community and school personnel also exchanged information on how to help those in the community that may need assistance during the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, including adopting families for Christmas gift giving.

Spencer also informed members of the community about the upcoming H1N1 flu vaccinations for students and school board staff. She said that information from the schools will be sent home to parents before Thanksgiving so they can plan for the vaccinations, particularly for those under nine years of age who will need two vaccinations. The vaccinations are free.

For questions or concerns in the school community, parents are asked to contact the school. Spencer and Shea said that unless they are aware of a problem in the school, they can’t address it.

The community meetings are part of an outreach program to exchange ideas throughout the parish.