Author: Emily Gautreaux

Two Parishes to Pilot Debt-Free Opportunities for Students

Northwest and Southwest Louisiana school systems, colleges, and employers have collaborated to test alternative graduation models that allow certain students to take part in a fifth year of high school to earn career skills and credits towards a college degree, reports Louisiana Believes. The program aims to provide debt-free opportunities for students.

The Extension Academies are two new pilot programs and were approved recently by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana Board of Regents at a joint meeting. Each pilot will last three years and launch in the 2020-2021 school year. It will serve up to 25 students in the first year with hopes to offer debt-free options for students.

State Superintendent John White said about the pilot programs: “The question we used to ask ourselves was how high we could raise our graduation rate and how low we could push our dropout rate. Now we are compelled to ask what happens to our graduates and whether they risk dropping out of work and the economy even after they graduate from high school. If this is the case, even with a small number of students, we must rise to meet this new dropout challenge.”

Kim Hunter Reed, the Commissioner of Higher Education, said “We applaud our partners in education and business for joining together to embrace the opportunity to positively impact these young people at a critical point in their lives. We also look forward to monitoring the results of these pilots as we work collectively to increase talent development in our state.”

The pilot programs are specifically designed to aid students who have are set to graduate from high school but have yet to earn Taylor Opportunity Program for Students scholarships to pay for their post-secondary goals or to acquire post-secondary credentials. For example, in 2018 about 15,000 students who graduated with a TOPS University Diploma pathway weren’t eligible for TOPS scholarships to pay for higher education, and about 3,200 students who graduated on a Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma weren’t on the correct path to earning an advanced industry-based credential so they weren’t eligible for TOPS Tech scholarships.

Through their applications, the regional partners outlined how they plan to provide eligible students a debt-free one-year opportunity to achieve significant progress toward a state-recognized associate’s degree through accelerated dual enrollment college experiences, complete a registered pre-apprenticeship, or earn an advanced industry-based credential. They also detailed types of support and transitional coaching that will be available to participating students as they finish their high school diploma.

The Southwest Consortium is the Extension Academy pilot in the southwest region of Louisiana will bring together nine public schools in Calcasieu Parish and industry partners to supply students opportunities to develop and strengthen skills and training in automotive, HVAC, pharmacy, medicine, and cyber programs.

Director of Career and Technical Education and College Programs for the Calcasieu Parish School Board, Tony McCardle said, “Students will experience a deeper dive into courses and develop richer skill sets that will prepare them to propel beyond the high school experience. Early indications are showing that students are excited about this opportunity, as it will assist them in being fiercely competitive in the high-wage and high-demand workforce.  We are proud to be able to offer this opportunity to our students and community.”

The Northwest Consortium is the Extension Academy pilot in the northwest region of Louisiana will bring together 12 public schools in Caddo Parish and industry partners to supply students opportunities to develop and strengthen skills and training in automotive, HVAC, pharmacy, medicine, and cyber programs.

“What an exciting opportunity for graduating students in the Northwest Consortium that don’t meet TOPS or TOPS Tech to have an additional year toward an associate’s degree or a statewide industry-based credential (IBC). With no tuition cost to the student, eligible participants in the Extension Academy will be full-time students on either Bossier Parish Community College’s campus or Ayers Career College campus. Eligible students also have an opportunity to complete a statewide IBC at Caddo’s Career and Technology Center. This effort will not only enhance what we are able to provide students to assist them as they pursue their desired programs, but also support the work of our school system to ensure all students are prepared for the next step.” said Victor Mainiero, Executive Director of High School Performance for Caddo Parish Public Schools.

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The Best Christmas Getaways in Louisiana

Something about Christmas makes everything more magical, and Louisiana is no exception. The arrival of the holidays transforms Louisiana into bustling towns and communities filled with Christmas cheer. You can travel through Louisiana and see the Festival of Light displays and the Holiday Light Safaris. Thanks to Tripping, here’s a list of seven Christmas getaways in Louisiana you and the whole family will enjoy!

Pineville

This quaint town is packed with Christmas-themed activities during the holiday season. Enjoy the annual Christmas Parade at the beginning of December that features homemade floats and ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Afterward, you can tour the historic homes decked out for the holidays and view the annual Holiday Light Safariin neighboring Alexandria.

Shreveport

On the first Saturday of every December, the town of Shreveport lights up their Earl Williamson Park with the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival. You can spend the evening trying out true southern cuisine made by local vendors, listen to live music, and browse arts and crafts from the crafts vendors. If you’re visiting in November, check out the Louisiana Boardwalk’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the banks of Red River.

Lafayette

The Noel Acadien au Village is a must-see during the holidays in Lafayette. The colorful light displayfeatures half-a-million lights, including the fully lit Chapel, new animations, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping in the Christmas Store and much more! Make sure to plan to see the Cajun and Creole Christmas Event, which has live music performances!

Opelousas

This historic town celebrates the holidays with the Lighting of the Village, where residents decorate their homes, businesses dress up their windows with holiday-themed displays, and city center comes to life with various holiday displays. This event is family-friendly and offers a variety of activities for children including a petting zoo, choir music, an obstacle course fun jump, a cupcake decorating station, and an ornament making station. Kids will be able to take their ornaments home and enjoy their specially made cupcakes.

This is one Christmas getaway you do not want to miss. Christmas celebrations in Natchitoches start in late November with the fireworks display on Cane River Lake. Next, you can participate in the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade with live music, holiday-themed floats, and a light show (and don’t forget Santa!) that happens on the first Saturday of December. Don’t forget to see the annual Christmas Festival of Lights, which brings visitors from all over, to see the 300,000 lights strung along the riverbank throughout November and December.

You can’t go wrong visiting New Orleans at any point during the year, but visiting during the holidaysbrings a whole new experience. Start out with a trip to the Celebration in the Oaks, where City Park becomes a winter wonderland of lights. Head to the French Quarter to listen to the Christmas concerts at the St. Louis Cathedral, then peruse the historic homes that are decorated for the holidays.

Located in the heart of Louisiana’s southern charm, Baton Rouge is transformed into Christmas central during the holidays, making it a Christmas getaway you should consider.  Head to the city’s center to see the lighting of their Christmas tree or cheer on the homemade floats and bands marching down the street during their Christmas parade. Make sure to check out the ZooLights Festival, where light displays take over the Brec’s Baton Rouge Zoo. If you still want to see more, visit the Festival of Lights exhibit at the Louisana Art and Science Museum.

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10 Insanely Easy Breakfast Casseroles

You know what they say – breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Make sure to start your day right with one of these super easy breakfast casserole recipes from Delish. They’re so yummy that the entire family will love them!

Everyone loves biscuits and gravy, so this is the perfect dish for the whole family (and extended family when they come into town- just double up the recipe!) The combination of the thick layer of black pepper gravy and fresh, buttery biscuits will have everyone going back for seconds (and thirds!).

This Christmas-morning-worthy bake will have everyone in a holly jolly mood! Even better? You can meal prep this recipe, stick in the fridge, and then pop in the oven while everyone is opening their presents. By the time everyone is done, this bake will be too! You’ll experience crispy, flaky edges meeting a very soft and cheesy middle – utter perfection.

You know slow cookers are amazing for cooking delicious dinners, but did you know they’re equally amazing at cooking breakfast too? Save time (and your sanity) by layering hash browns, bacon, and cheese, smother with whisked eggs, set your timer and you’re good to go. Not a huge fan of bacon? Just replace with chopped ham, cooked Italian sausage, or simply skip out on the protein!

The classic southern breakfast is the perfect comfort food! Turn it into a crowd favorite by using this casserole recipe. Want to save time in the morning? Prep the waffled and chicken the night before, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.

The best part about this recipe? The sweet Hawaiian rolls! Perfect for a potluck or a holiday party (don’t forget your ugly Christmas sweater!), these ham and cheese sliders turned dessert will have everyone begging you for the recipe.

Everyone loves pull-apart monkey bread, right? Well, now you can make the most of breakfast with this scrambled egg and cheese delicious recipe!

Tater tots for breakfast? Yes, please! This baked to perfection tater tot casserole will have everyone running to the table the minute it comes out of the oven. The whole family will love the crispiness of the tater tots topped with gooey cheese, delicious eggs, and crunchy bacon. And, you guessed it, it’s SUPER easy to make ahead of time. Prep up to two days before you’re going to cook it, then toss in the oven and enjoy!

Because who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls? This recipe has golden cinnamon rolls baked to the perfect crispiness and is then smothered with sweet icing that explodes in your mouth with every bite.

Make your mornings just a little easier with this pancake casserole. As the name states, this is the perfect recipe to make the night before. You just premake the pancakes and custard, pour the custard over the pancakes, cover and refrigerate until the morning. Now all you have left to do is add the streusel and cook!

This recipe has a secret ingredient – sweet Hawaiian bread! This recipe takes on a classic french toast recipe and morphs it into a completely baked (and delicious) version! Chocked full of blueberries and lemon zest and topped with a sweet crumb topping and powdered sugar, this will be a recipe your family will be begging you to make again and again.

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The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina is a quaint southern city known for its history and beautiful scenery.  It also recently earned one of the top spots in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Cities List. From the amazing architecture to the ever-growing restaurant scene, it’d be easy to spend a week perusing the cobblestone streets and finding secret gardens.

However, if you only have a weekend to get away, don’t worry! Travel + Leisure put together the perfect itinerary to make sure you hit all the sweet spots of Charleston.

Day One

Start off with a horse drawn carriage ride and get a tour of this classic city from a unique perspective. On this ride, you can pick out all of your must-see spots so you can make the most of the 72 hours you’re there.

Then, you can feel the warm ocean breeze at the City Market as you make your way to Rainbow Row, which is a cluster of brightly painted homes that date back to the 18th century. Want to make the most of your visit? Check out Lowcountry Walking Tours for a guided tour!

After seeing the sights of the second largest collection of historic buildings on the world (#1 is Rome, Italy), head downtown for a bite to eat and to rest your feet.

Day Two

Start out with a filling Southern breakfast of chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits before heading out to see more sights. Then head out to see the city’s collection of restored mansions like The Wentworth Mansion, Joseph Aiken Mansion, Nathaniel Russell House, and Calhoun Mansion. Each home will need about an hour to be toured, so make sure to split your day accordingly.

For a delicious mid-day meal, check out a restaurant with one of the best seafood dishes in town – 167 Raw in the French Quarter. They’re best known for their scallop po’boy, which is Travel + Leisure’s recommendation.

After you’ve worked up an appetite from your second round of mansion tours, unwind at the Charleston Grill– a restaurant located in the freshly renovated Belmond Charleston Place. Rest your feet and your mind as you find yourself serenaded with smooth jazz as you stuff your growling stomachs and reflect about the views you saw.

Day Three

This being the last day in Charleston, mix things up by getting your sea legs with a boat tour around the harbor. Enjoy the views from a unique perspective with Adventure Harbor Tours, who offer a variety of family-friendly tours.

Once you’ve made it back to land, make sure to check off any last shopping on King Street or just grab a coffee and a snack at any one of the small boutiques and coffee shops.

Before you hit the road back home, make the most of your last meal in Charleston by stopping at FIG for a southern classic meal, like suckling pig or egg duck tartine.

Next time you’re in Charleston, check out this complete guide to exploring every inch of the city and ideas to fill up your itinerary!

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15 Crockpot Recipes Perfect for Winter

Between Christmas parties, parades, and family get-togethers, the holiday season can be insanely busy. Making a dinner that is filling, warm, and something everyone will love can often be the last thing on your mind. That’s why a good crockpot recipe is perfect for this time of year.  Luckily for you, Taste of Home created a list of 97 Slow Cooker Recipes to Warm Your Winter and we’ve brought you our top 15 from this list!

“Easy and the entire family loves this. Makes a perfect meal with some crusty bread and a green salad. I use frozen meatballs when I’m in a hurry.” – Carrie Carney

“This Lasagna turned out excellent. It was actually the best lasagna that I have made. Nice change from the old traditional lasagna that everyone makes. I will definitely make this recipe again.” – Marcie Banes

“Loved the flavor of this soup! My family loves General Tso’s chicken, so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it. Super easy. The hoisin sauce really makes this dish. Served with potstickers and rice. Everyone loved it!” – Deb Glass

“Made this last night, turned out so yummy. Added potatoes, onions and garlic on bottom, and used chicken thighs – turned out tender and flavorful. Perfect leftovers for sandwiches, tacos, or pasta dishes….Hubby really liked this!” – mmm92627

“Excellent! This recipe couldn’t be easier and it is delicious! Leftovers freeze well for an encore quick dinner.” – Vinnie's Mom

“I have made this recipe for my family MANY times since I found it! It’s economical to make with the chicken thighs – I had never cooked with them before and thought I might not like them, I was sooo wrong! It’s delicious and my boys (13 & 16) get excited when they come home from school and find this dish in the crockpot. It’s also diet-friendly, low-calorie and satisfying. We love this crock-pot meal!” – mmbpat

 

“This is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes! My family loves it! So glad I discovered this dish! Thank you!” – Lourena

“I’ve made this a number of times. I like to use leftover dark turkey meat and I add a can of corn (or a cup of frozen corn). I use just “chili beans” instead of turkey with beans. My whole family – including my 7 year old daughter – LOVES it.” – Sarah Newman

“These were so easy and delicious! I used venison instead of flank steak. After it was done cooking in the crock I shredded it and added some taco flavored rice (I pre-cooked it by Lipton) then graded some pepper-jack cheese in them before rolling them up. My husband takes them to work and warms them up for lunch. Thanks for the great recipe!” – AngelRyan75

“Loved this recipe, and I will definitely make it again. It lends itself well to substitutions; I didn’t have orange marmalade, so I used a sweet-hot onion relish, squeezed two oranges and threw in the pulp. I should have backed off on the crushed red pepper, due to the heat of the relish, but my bad. I might try throwing in some pineapple chunks and onion next time. This is a keeper.” – Hayseed39

“I have made this a few times and find it quick and easy. I add diced onion, dry mustard, and pepper. I also decrease the processed cheese while adding another kind of shredded cheese, whatever I have on hand. Making it again today!” – lisadritchie

“I have been making this dish just as the recipe states for years and it is one of my family’s favorites!” – KellyR007

“Very easy to make. It was also very tasty! The cream cheese made it so creamy and delicious! It would also be delicious to add chopped ham if you wanted to instead of topping with the bacon.” – gunslinger

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A Guide to Louisiana’s Holiday Trail of Lights

Louisiana is known for its originality, so it only makes sense that the state would find ways to stand out even more during the holidays. Louisiana’s Holiday Trail of Lights is nothing short of a festive way for everyone to get into the holiday spirit.

The Holiday Trail of Lights spans across eight cities, where you can find parades, visits from Santa, theatre performances, and live music from November to January. Embarking on this journey is sure to find you plenty of Christmas cheer and is filled with holiday fun for the whole family.

Follow Louisiana Travel’s guide to making the most of the Holiday Trail of Lights by following the guide below!

First, you’ll start in Alexandria and Pineville. Located in the “Heart of Louisiana”, you can get into the Christmas Spirit during the three day long Alex Winterfete, which is a winter festival filled with local choirs, performance groups, the arrival of Santa, cookie-decorating, ice-skating, music, food, and so much more! Then, head to the Alexandria Zoo for the Holiday Light safari to see thousands of twinkling lights in a winter wonderland. Alexandria and Pineville both have parade extravaganzas in early December, so make sure to keep that in mind!

Next, head to the sweet town of Minden and join the celebration at the Minden Christmas Parade. This parade features the lighting of the Christmas tree, life-size Nutcrackers, and fireworks. For some holiday shopping, make sure to head downtown for their Downtown Takeover, where their historic shops offer amazing holiday deals (and get that Christmas shopping out of the way!)

Then, make your way to Monroe and West Monroe. Once you’re here, make sure to check out Santa’s Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum, where there is make-and-take Christmas decorations, ice skating, and the Peppermint Post Office. Afterwards, drive through the mile-long lights display at Candy Cane Lane in Calhoun, and keep on driving to Christmas Evenings at the Biedenharn Museum, where you can see gorgeous Christmas decor, take a photo with Santa, and listen to local musicians.

Natchitoches is the second to last stop on the Holiday Trail of Lights. Here, you can take a Christmas Tour of Homes to see the deckedhalls of the historic homes and then head to the Annual Christmas Festival. There, you’ll be mesmerized by 300,000 lights that illuminate the town and 100 lighter set pieces on the Cane River. Natchitoches makes the perfect background for awe inducing fireworks, live music, arts, crafts, delicious southern food, and so much more. Love Christmas music? Head to the Northwestern Christmas Gala to hear carols and other performances by the NSU students.

And for your last stop, visit Shreveport-Bossier. You’ll find Christmas cheer a-plenty at the Christmas on Caddo Lake Fireworks Festival with pictures with Santa, fireworks, and awesome rock music. Christmas in Roseland has a lights display that transforms the gardens into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa’s Candy Shop. Afterwards, you can visit the KCS Holiday Express train!

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