2019
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NBRS Badge for Bayou Black Elementary School

Bayou Black Elementary School - Houma, LA

Students utilize chromebooks to create, communicate, and collaborate on projects/classwork.

Students utilize chromebooks to create, communicate, and collaborate on projects/classwork.

Bayou Black Elementary is a small school located on a peaceful bayou serving approximately 180 students in grades prekindergarten through 6th grade. Instructional practices that we have found especially valuable for academic achievement include utilizing a creative schedule to ensure that highly-effective teachers instruct in their areas of expertise. This involves what we term "looping" in grades 2-6, which allows teachers to teach students consecutively for at least two years, building valuable relationships.

The most instrumental practice we have used is providing time in the schedule for job-embedded professional development. Teachers attend weekly 90-minute Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in which they review a variety of student data to make informed instructional decisions and determine individualized student interventions, peer-analyze teacher made tests, administer test-item analysis to determine remediation and enrichment, and conduct peer observations.

Our school has also been phasing into 21st century classrooms. All classrooms are equipped with interactive boards and document cameras. Students in grades 3-6 each have a Chromebook. The librarian has incorporated makerspaces into her curriculum.

Additionally, students are also held accountable by tracking their own data, participating in conferences with their teachers, and peer assessing their classmates' work. BBE strives to provide a positive social and emotional environment where high academic standards and expectations have made a significant impact in closing achievement gaps. The community supports us in our efforts to provide a high quality education for all students.

2019 Awardee

Bayou Black Elementary School

4449 Bayou Black Drive
Houma, LA, 70360-2999

(985) 872-2460

Principal at time of Nomination:
Mrs. Melynda Bertrand Rodrigue

Title I School

Terrebonne Parish School District

Rural or small city/town

School Website

School Facebook

Mission

Bayou Black Elementary empowers students to achieve high academic and social standards through high quality education in a safe, supportive environment resulting in successful, life-long learners.

Student Demographics

  • Black/African American: 22%
  • Hispanic: 3%
  • Native American: 2%
  • White: 57%
  • Two or more races: 16%
  • Application