Hello,
I trust this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share with you the latest news from Southern University Laboratory School following the release of the official 2022-2023 school and district performance scores by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). Our school has demonstrated significant progress, achieving a growth of 6.3 points and maintaining our “B” rating.
Southern University Laboratory School’s performance score is derived from the assessment index (LEAP 2025), Growth Index, Interests and Opportunities, ACT Index, Strength of Diploma, and Cohort Graduation Rate.
I extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations to our dedicated faculty and staff for their unwavering commitment to the Laboratory School. This accomplishment is a testament to their hard work and dedication. While we celebrate this growth, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done.
Next, to further enhance our educational approach, we are actively seeking to fill the position of a middle school Math and English teacher. This strategic move will allow us to implement an A/B block schedule for our middle school students, providing them with daily exposure to both math and English. This will also minimize the number of transitions during the day as well is provide more time to establish interventions and accelerate students when possible. We aim to implement this change in January, reinforcing our commitment to make adjustments for the academic benefit of our students.
In addition, for grades K-8, we are focusing on leveraging the Zearn math program to address the achievement gap and accelerate students in their respective math courses. Parents will soon receive information about Accelerated Reader, emphasizing the importance of daily reading for students. During afternoon carpool assistance, you may hear me encouraging students with a simple reminder: "Read tonight and be safe."
Recognizing that the ACT exam comprises 25% of our School Performance Score (SPS), we emphasize the significance of students participating in the national test days and continuously honing their skills in the key ACT areas.
Finally, I extend heartfelt congratulations to each one of you. Your tireless efforts and contributions have played a crucial role in making our district a model of educational excellence. As we celebrate this achievement, let us remain focused on our theme of "Under Construction," reinforcing our dedication to continuous improvement.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to Southern University Laboratory School. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students.
Together in Education,
Herman R. Brister
Thanksgiving and Winter Break
Thanksgiving Break:
November 20, 2023 - November 24, 2023 (Students will return November 27, 2023)
Winter Break:
December 12th: 7th Period Semester Exam
December 13th: 6th & 5th Period Exam (Early Release Day)
December 14th: 4th & 3rd Period Exam (Early Release Day)
December 15th: 2nd & 1st Period Exam (Early Release Day)
December 18th- January 4th (No School)
Teachers Report to School January 3 & 4 Professional Development Day
Students Report January 5
SULS Attendance Policy
I want to remind you that the bell to go to class will ring at 7:50 am. Students are tardy at 7:55 am. The breakfast line will close at 7:50 am.
Attendance Guidelines (State Law) In order to be successful academically, students must attend school regularly, be on time for classes, and be present for a full instructional day. There is a direct correlation between student achievement and consistent attendance at school. According to the Compulsory Attendance Law: “In accordance with state policy, elementary students shall be in attendance a minimum of 167 days a school year. Middle and high school students shall be in attendance a minimum of 81 days per semester or 162 days a school year, or the equivalent, for schools not operating on a semester basis.”
Note: The first-hour bell rings at 7:45 AM and the tardy bell at 7:50 AM. If a middle or high school student is more than 10 minutes late for a class, that student will be marked “absent” for that period and it could be marked as skipping/cutting class.
Tuition Information
Listed below are details regarding the seat deposits for the 2024-2025 school year. As a result of the positive experiences our children have been afforded, the demand for seats at Southern University Laboratory School has intensified; therefore, in order to continue to grow and plan for the future we must start the process of locking in our returning students for the next school year. We understand that parents have school choice whether it's local public schools, magnet programs, gifted & talented programs, private schools, parochial schools, charter schools, or homeschooling, parents have choices as it relates to how their child can be educated. It is not fiscally responsible to wait until July or August to start planning for the upcoming school year. This also includes accepting applications to ensure that our numbers are optimal (large enough to operate efficiently and small enough to meet the academic needs of our students).
As we progress throughout this school year, we start the process of planning for the next. This increases our ability to recruit and retain quality staff members, leverage additional resources, and maximize facility planning. Listed below is information relative to tuition payments for the second semester (Spring 24) as well as seat deposits for the 2024-2025 school year.
It is imperative that our current parents, and employees (SULS & SUBR) adhere to the admission guidelines set forth by the school. SULS and SUBR employees will have the initial opportunity to apply for student seats as they become available.
Application Questions: Contact Mrs. Square at Ashley_Square@sulabschool.com.
Registration (Tuition/Seat Deposit) Questions: Contact Mrs. Allen at Ebony_Allen@sulabschool.com
I want to extend thanks to all the parents who diligently adhere to our tuition guidelines. Your cooperation has significantly improved the efficiency of our school's operations, allowing us to collect tuition on time more consistently than ever before. Your trust in and support of our revamped tuition collection process is greatly appreciated. Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to the Lab School’s success! With that being said, billing statements for Spring 2024 have been sent out via QuickBooks as of Monday, October 16, 2023.
If your student has any outstanding balances or defaulted deferments, they won't receive their billing statements until those are settled.
Students with Fall 2023 deferments in good standing have received their Spring 2024 billing statements as of 10/16/24.
The deadline to pay Spring 2024 tuition in full or complete a deferment application is 12/14/23.
If you need to apply for the Spring 2024 Deferment, please complete the Inquiry form HERE. Deferment applications will be sent to inquiries via email. FYI: The Deferment Inquiry will close on 12/14/23 and deferments will not be accepted after that date.
Please note that if your FALL 2023 deferment is defaulted, your deferment inquiry will not be processed until the balance is paid in total.
Tuition Exemption for SUS/SULab Employees
Starting in Spring 2024, the Tuition Exemption process for SUS employees and SULab employees will be electronic and will align with the SUS board policy, requiring proof of dependent status through IRS Section 152 Proof of Qualified Dependent documentation for approval of the tuition waiver.
CLICK HERE to read more about the IRS Proof of Qualified Dependent
The Tuition Exemption Waiver form can be accessed HERE. You can also find the link with Quicklinks of the app.
Seat Deposits
We are excited to announce some important changes to our seat deposit process for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year due to the continuous growth of our student body.
As you may be aware, the increase in our student population has made securing seats a more valuable resource than ever before. To address this, we are committed to ensuring that each returning student has a seat accounted for well in advance of the new academic year.
To achieve this goal, we are pleased to inform you that the $100 seat deposits for PreK-12th grade for the 2024-2025 school year will open via EazyTicks on November 1st and will close on January 31st for returning students.
PTO Information
Spirit shirts are available in the Kitten Store in limited sizes and they may be ordered online which may take up to two weeks depending on availability.
The PTO dues link is $25/per family per year
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/GPYAA8YKWNAHZ/checkout/U64REEXF2SQ6RHBH4KQBDTB5
PTO Updates
Please complete the PTO information form to share your contact information and sign up for upcoming events. https://forms.gle/pN8TNsqFC7xzdvwQ9
We want to keep our snack cart stocked for our faculty, staff, and administration. Feel free to donate snacks to the cart. Snacks include individually wrapped/snack sized- kind bars, granola bars, belvita crackers, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, chips, assorted nuts, pretzels, water, mini sodas - coke, Coke Zero, sprite, and Fanta. If you want to donate something not on the list, feel free to reach out to us via email sulabinformation@gmail.com.
Promote your business link - SULS Family Business Directory; donation $5 https://forms.gle/wcG4oMedJxZZJHKN7
Development Information
Donate - Call to Action
Friends, Family, and Alumni, SULS Give Day has passed, but donations are still being accepted until December 31st to meet the fundraising goal of $200,000.To Donate to the Southern University Laboratory School Annual Fund, please scan the QR Code below, visit www.sulabschool.com, or call 225-771-3490.
Playground Plaques
The SU Lab state-of-the-art playground and fence with 8 connecting brick columns have been constructed. To finalize the vision the students and teachers need 4 playground benches. SU Lab alumni, fans, friends, and supporters are invited to be part of this project by sponsoring the naming rights of the playground, and reserving a commemorative brick column or a bench today. Please visit SU Lab Playground to be a sponsor or contact Ashley Sensley-Square at ashley_square@sulabschool.com.
Application Dates for 2024-2025 School Year
Do you know someone who is interested in attending Southern University Laboratory School?
Open enrollment (New Students/Families) for the 2024-2025 school year started Monday, October 30, 2023, through Sunday, November 12, 2023, for current SU Lab families and SUBR employees. General open enrollment will begin on Monday, November 13, 2023, through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please visit sulabschool.com to complete an application. To schedule a campus tour, email Ashley Sensley-Square at ashley_square@sulabschool.com.
Elementary Information
The Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success! We sold $6448.00 in books and other merchandise and based on that amount, the school earned $2958.00 Scholastic Dollars. We will be able to buy more books, educational resources, furniture, and other items for our classrooms from Scholastic. Thank you for supporting our annual Scholastic Book Fair.
Reading
Space, unique creature features, the wilderness, and farm animals are what our elementary students are reading and writing about. Keep reading to find out what individual grade levels are exploring.
Kindergarten - Students are learning about what makes a good story. They read a variety of fictional and informational texts as they travel to the farm. Some of the texts they are reading include Three Little Pigs, The Year at Maple Hill Farm, and The Little Red Hen.
First Grade - What can we discover about animals’ unique features? Students will learn the answer to these questions as they read Seven Blind Mice, Me…Jane, Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea and What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
Second Grade - Have you ever wondered what life was like in the West for early Americans? Students will discover how buffalo roamed the American West and explore the environmental and social changes during this period in history. Some of the texts they will be reading and writing about include The Buffalo are Back, Plains Indians and Johnny Appleseed. Students will also analyze the painting Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.
Third Grade - Space! People have long been fascinated by space travel. Our young astronomers are exploring how people learn about space by reading Moonshot, One Giant Leap, and Zathura.
Fourth Grade - Sometimes the relationship between nature and humans can be challenging. How does a challenging setting or physical environment change a person? Students explore the texts Hatchet, All Summer in a Day, and SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere to answer the question.
Fifth Grade - Students are preparing to discover their sense of humor and how authors play with words to grab readers’ attention. Students will go on adventures with a boy named Milo in The Phantom Tollbooth and analyze the paintings The Persistence of Memory and Time Transfixed.
Literacy Family Engagement
Families are a child’s first educators and can serve as valuable partners throughout a child’s literacy development. Providing families with quick, easy-to-use activities and strategies to use at home strengthens school-home connections and deepens learning. Below are a few examples of activities that you can do at home with your child.
Building Literacy Skills at Home - Upper Elementary
Building Literacy Skills at Home - PreK and Lower Elementary
Math
Eureka Math
Our elementary students are using Eureka Math to develop their grade-level understanding of math. Click the links below to see what our students are learning and how you can help at home.
In addition to Eureka Math, our grades 3-8 students are using Zearn Math to make the most of their math learning this year. Please click the link below for additional information on how you can support our child in using Zearn Math.
Math Family Engagement
Families, caregivers, and communities play an essential role in the math development of children at all ages and stages. Below are a few activities that families can participate in at home to support your child’s math learning.
Naming Numbers - Lower Elementary
Writing and Representing Numbers - Lower Elementary
Multiplication Practice - Upper Elementary
Middle/High School Information
Seniors
Seniors who need a transcript or a letter of recommendation from the counselor’s office must fill out a form. All other requested information must be submitted within the designated deadline.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sherrard via email at renita_sherrard@sulabschool.com.
Request a letter of recommendation form
Student of the Year
Any student in grades 5, 8, and 12, who is interested in being Southern Lab’s Student of the Year, must complete a portfolio and submit it by Tuesday, November 28, 2023. If you need assistance or have any questions or concerns, please email or call Mrs. Sherrard.
Student of the Year packet guidelines
Boys State
Louisiana Boys State (LABS) is the premier leadership development program for young men in the state of Louisiana. Sponsored by the Louisiana Department of the American Legion, LABS is dedicated to providing a hands-on learning environment in which participants (termed “Citizens”) not only learn the ins and outs of the Louisiana political system but also learn how to transform themselves into effective leaders in their school, community, state, and country.
During the program Citizens are surrounded by similar young men, those who – like them – have distinguished themselves as leaders. They join an organization that has existed in Louisiana for more than 80 years and are among an elite group of men who have gone on to become business leaders, doctors, legislators, governors, and presidents.
Girls State
ALA Louisiana Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which the American Legion Auxiliary guides young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotism. At Girls State, participants are called “citizens" who establish their own city, parish, and state government. They are assigned to a political party – “Nationalists” or “Federalists” – these parties are nonpartisan with the goal of educating through experience.
Also known as LAGS, it's a one-week leadership and citizenship training program created to educate outstanding high school students about state and local government. Delegates attending Louisiana Girls State experience governmental procedure by simulating political campaigns, elections, and the political process. They also learn about the principles of citizenship and public service from guest speakers, elected officials, expert panels, and experienced counselors
Louisiana Girls State will take place from June 16-22, 2024 at Northwestern State University. Program registration will be open from Feb. 1 - May 1. For more information regarding Louisiana Girls State, visit www.lagirlsstate.com or email lagirlsstate@gmail.com.
ACT 8/9
Southern University Laboratory School will offer the Pre-ACT 8/9 on March 13, 2024. The Pre ACT 8/9 is a multiple-choice assessment that provides 8th and 9th-grade students an early measure of College and Career Readiness while serving as a practice opportunity for the ACT test. The Pre ACT 8/9 covers English, math reading, and science - just as the ACT does although the rigor is more aligned with what students should know in 8th and 9th grade. The Pre-ACT 8/9 is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Following the test, students, parents, and teachers will receive a detailed report that will help everyone get a better sense of the skills, interests, plans, and goals of students. The score report along with the retained test booklet will help students and parents understand how they are doing in terms of progress toward work readiness and preparation and identify areas of strength and weakness. Students will also receive a projected ACT score.
The cost of the Pre ACT 8/9 is $16. Although the test is designed for 8th and 9th grade students, 6th and 7th-grade students are welcome. The deadline to register for the exam is January 31, 2024.
Click here to register and pay for the Pre-ACT 8/9.
Scholarship Information
It is never too early to begin preparing for college. Students can begin applying for some scholarships as soon as they enter high school. Click on the link for a list of scholarships with upcoming deadlines.
November/December Scholarships
Athletic Information
SULS WEIGHT ROOM CAMPAIGN
Friends, family, and alumni join us in supporting SULS Weight Room Fundraising Campaign to raise $60,000. We aim to provide the necessary equipment and facilities to help our student-athletes excel in their athletic pursuits and reach their full potential. To donate, scan the QR Code below.
Football
LHSAA Playoffs
1st Round (Bi - Bi-District) Bye
2nd Round (Regional) Friday, November 17, 2023
Boys Basketball
11/9 - @ Port Allen Jamboree
11/16 - Live Oak
11/20 - 11/21 - @ Dunham Tournament
11/28 - Central
11/29 - 12/2 Cecilia Bulldog Classic
12/6 - 12/9 Central Tournament
12/16 - @ Evangel Christian Showcase
12/21 -12/23 - @ Walker Holiday Classic
12/26 - 12/29 = @ EBR Tournament
Lady Kitten Basketball
11/10 - @ - Madison Prep Jamboree JV
11/11 - @ - Madison Prep Varsity
11/14 - @ - Walker JV/V 5p.m
11/16 - Scotlanville JV/V 5p.m
11/19 - @ - Red Stick Tourney
11/20 - Mt. Carmel JV/V 5p.m
11/21 - @ - Natchez JV/V 5p.m
11/27 - Amite JV/V 5p.m
11/30 - Quachita JV/V 5p.m
12/1 - Leflore Varsity Only 6p.m
12/2 - Madison Prep JV/V 2p.m
12/6 - @ - Opelousas JV/V 5p.m
12/12 - Woodlawn JV/V 5p.m
12/14 - Madison Prep JV/V 5p.m
12/18 - @ - Zachary JV/V 5p.m
12/20 - @ - Brusly Tourney
12/22 - St. Louis JV/V 5p.m
12/28 - John Curtis JV/V 5p.m
12/29 - 12/31 EBR Tourney
