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Louisiana Department of Education Re-Vamped Report Card System

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, “On November 7, 2017, the Louisiana Department of Education released the Louisiana School Finder, an interactive online tool designed to help families more easily locate and evaluate schools and child care centers across the state.”

This unique system is truly one of a kind as no other state in the nation on performance spanning from birth to 12^th grade in this type of easily accessible online format that is so well organized.

“In the first week alone, more than 25,000 unique visitors explored the Louisiana School Finder.” This included visitors from out of state as well.

For more information on this new system and to see some of the amazing feedback it has received, click here.

Baked Mac N Cheese

Mac N Cheese- the universal dish that is enjoyed by all. It is also often a staple recipe for your family Thanksgiving. This baked mac n cheese recipe is unlike any you have ever indulged in before- so don’t miss out on the magic it will bring to the table for your family this year.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper

Topping:

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it’s free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail Now Open

The Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail is a self-guided driving trail that has been attracting both locals and tourists as it educates and explains the 14 parish Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA).

This area is one of the most culturally rich and ecologically varied regions in the U.S – which is why this interactive and informative experience was created. The variety of experience this trail offers ranges from water related sites to nature walks, paddling trails and a beautiful cultural experience.

For more information on the Atchafalaya Water Heritage trail, please visit their website here.

Could Private Money be the Answer to Saving Louisiana Coast?

The American Wetland Foundation, a Wetlands advocacy group, has recently stated the need and importance of private funds to save the Louisiana Coast. The state recently learned that it will receive less than half the $175 million it had expected in federal offshore oil money next year. Louisiana officials are required by law to use money from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, referred to as GOMESA, for coastal restoration, with about 10 percent dedicated to roads and other coastal infrastructure – as stated in a recent article in the Houma times that you can find here.

If you are a company or a nonprofit organization that is planning a restoration project or would want to add a project to the registry – you can call the American Wetland Foundation in Baton Rouge at 504-293-2610.

Seven Literary Events in New Orleans in November

A recent article was composed in the latest edition of ‘Best of New Orleans’ featuring seven local New Orleans literary events all around town. These events range from individual authors discussing their new books to an entire New Orleans book festival which is suitable for the whole family.

These educational events and fundraisers are a great way to engage non book lovers as well as a change of pace for those who can’t keep their noses out of a book.

You can find the list of events by clicking here as well as more information on the upcoming book festival by clicking here.

Sweet Potato Casserole

As promised, we will be featuring a Thanksgiving recipe weekly until the day is here! This week we will be featuring a delicious sweet potato casserole that will be enjoyed by all – even those who swear off sweet potatoes.
This recipe can also be altered by adding extra sweet potatoes and/or baking them for one and a halt to two hours to bring out their full flavor instead of boiling them.
Try out our tips and let us know if you have any of your own!
Ingredients

• 4 cups sweet potato, cubed
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Add all ingredients to list

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.