NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - Teachers and administrators with the Natchitoches Parish School Board gathered at Northwestern State University August 5, as part of their final preparations before students head back to class on August 10 and 11.Superintendent Grant Eloi outlined the district’s expectations with its administrators and stressed how the work they do affects the students.“We have high expectations. It starts at my level, it starts with the board, and it trickles down to the principal, it trickles down...
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - Teachers and administrators with the Natchitoches Parish School Board gathered at Northwestern State University August 5, as part of their final preparations before students head back to class on August 10 and 11.
Superintendent Grant Eloi outlined the district’s expectations with its administrators and stressed how the work they do affects the students.
“We have high expectations. It starts at my level, it starts with the board, and it trickles down to the principal, it trickles down to teachers, and then it trickles down to the students,” Eloi said. “We have created a culture where everyone just knows what’s expected of them, and what needs to happen to make the school year happen, and to be successful.”
Administrators say preparations for the 2026-27 school year actually started all the way back in January.
While teachers work for nine months throughout the year, NPSB says meetings like these over the summer help ensure activities run smoothly for both students and teachers.
Natchitoches Parish saw record gains last school year, as the district jumped from 46th to 16th in the state’s list of performance rankings, however, Superintendent Eloi says numbers do not matter nearly as much as tangible results.
“We don’t want to talk about, like, ‘hey they hit this… this data point or we have this percentage’. We want to talk about, ‘they now know how to read, or, they’re on grade-level or, they’re ready for high school, or they’re ready for college’," said Eloi.
This week, teachers across Natchitoches Parish Public schools are also gathering for professional development days.
Students in Kindergarten through 9th grade set to return to class on August 10, while classes start for students grades 10-12 on August 11.
For Back to School dates across Cenla, CLICK HERE.
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