2018 First Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 2
BY SENATOR PEACOCK AND REPRESENTATI VE CARMODY
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate the administration, faculty, students, and alumni of
University Elementary School on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary.
WHEREAS, located in the southeastern section of Shreveport, University Elementary
School (UES) opened its doors in the fall semester of 1967 when community leaders
addressed the ever-increasing educational needs of the region, which experienced
exponential growth during the 1960s; and
WHEREAS, governed by the Caddo Parish School Board, University Elementary
facilitates the academic requirements of a diverse population of over one thousand students
from prekindergarten through fifth grade; and
WHEREAS, University Elementary is an exceptional institution whose primary focus
is the preparation of its student body for continuous lifelong learning; it is a top-rated school
that promotes a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curricula
named "Project Lead the Way", and retains a cache of extraordinary teachers and counseling
staff; and
WHEREAS, University Elementary has been honored with copious awards in the
field of education for outstanding teaching and scholastic achievement; and
WHEREAS, some of these recognitions include Path to Excellence, School of
Academic Achievement, technology education grants, corporate grants from BellSouth,
Target, SWEPCO, Best Buy, Shreveport Green Clean Campus Award, State/District PTA
Outstanding Unit, Caddo Principal of the Year, Regional VII-Principal of the Year, Caddo
Student of the Year, Outstanding Website from District and State PTA, State PTA
Grandparent of the Year, State PTA Teachers of Distinction, and Walmart Teacher of the
Year; and
WHEREAS, six principals have guided the school since its beginning; the first
principal was Frank Tyler, followed by Lillian Mothershed, James Sanders, Charlotte
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Watson, Paula Nelson, and the current principal, Kasie Mainiero; and
WHEREAS, with improved scholastic outcomes as its synergy, Principal Mainiero,
the faculty, and staff incorporate the most up-to-date teaching methods and after-school
programs to address the academic needs of all students, including gifted and talented and
those with special needs; and
WHEREAS, teacher continuing education is an important segment in instructional
innovation; University Elementary is a pilot study school for "Discovery Education", a
subsidiary of The Discovery Channel, which provides teacher training, classroom
enrichment resources, and interactive lesson planning; teachers also train in a workshop
setting at the Ron Clark Academy to create a more positive classroom environment in which
students are eager to learn; and
WHEREAS, for academic development and social involvement University
Elementary offers a myriad of extracurricular activities such as football, cheerleading, soccer
club, running club, history club, 4-H, archery, Bricks4Kidz (architecture), acting, singing,
musical theater, art club, computer club, robotics, programming/coding club, and Green Club
(environment); and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2017, University Elementary set a new Guinness World
Record during the solar eclipse when students, faculty, parents, and community leaders
participated in the largest astronomy lesson ever recorded; the class was taught by University
Elementary science teacher, Charles Moser; and
WHEREAS, the University Elementary administration maintains a website to
facilitate lines of communication between teachers, parents, and the local community, and
also supports a public Facebook page; and
WHEREAS, at University Elementary, the use of social media applications provides
a nearly constant dialogue between teachers and parents and addresses student achievement,
curriculum choice, study infrastructure, and testing analysis, as well as the connectivity of
positive parental involvement in the social and academic ecology of this outstanding school;
and
WHEREAS, the 2017-2018 school year calendar is dotted with numerous activities
to celebrate this golden anniversary; the kickoff event occurred on September 26th with a
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50th anniversary potluck party; on February 24, 2018, the Celebration of Education: 50
Years 5K Fun Run celebrates the mutual golden anniversaries of University Elementary,
Captain Shreve High School, and Louisiana State University Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, the school will also commemorate its fiftieth anniversary with the
creation of a university memorial courtyard paved with bricks engraved with the names of
students, staff, teachers, principals, and alumni, both past and present; "Bricks For US", in
conjunction with other activities, will spotlight this prestigious occasion in Caddo Parish
history; and
WHEREAS, within the courtyard, a time capsule shall be buried with the intent that
it be opened, perhaps in another five decades, on the centennial anniversary of University
Elementary School by a future student body; its contents will include timely items such as
a yearbook, student drawings, popular toys, photos, and other items that reflect the trends
of the present and that hold a special connection to the citizenry of the Shreveport-Bossier
region; and
WHEREAS, University Elementary strengthens the bonds of family and school with
the support of the PTA and committees of volunteers who coordinate various activities
within the school year that include social events and fundraising activities; and
WHEREAS, these many effective interactions contribute to the overall positive
achievement of the individual student, accelerate academic improvement within University
Elementary School as a whole, and, in the long term, encourage strong connections within
the Shreveport community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate the administration, faculty, students, and alumni of University
Elementary School of Shreveport on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Kasie Mainiero, principal of University Elementary School of Shreveport.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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