THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 24, 2024
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10TH YEAR, NO. 41
School Board passes on adding uniform color options BY OLIVIA McCLURE Contributing writer
Despite a lengthy discussion of the topic, Zachary School Board members couldn’t come to an agreement July 16 on whether students should be allowed to wear navy blue bottoms to school, deciding instead to table the matter until a later meeting. The board did approve, however, adding the option of Columbia blue shirts in the student handbook — expanding the district’s current dress code, which consists of white and navy blue po-
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Lane seeks donors
los and khaki pants, shorts, skirts and jumpers. The issue of navy blue bottoms came up during the board’s final gathering before the Aug. 8 start of the 2024-25 school year as members took up a slate of policy revisions, most of them generating little discussion. Board member Crystal London said constituents have contacted her asking for the option of navy blue bottoms. She touted the benefits of adding the new color choice to the dress code, such as hiding stains better than the currently required khaki bottoms.
London encouraged her colleagues to take a vote, saying parents have only a couple of weeks left for uniform shopping before school begins. Board member Elecia Lathon, however, urged the item to be tabled — which the board ultimately did. Lathon noted that only six of the board’s nine members were present at the meeting. Also at the meeting, the board heard about: n Increases in school meal prices: Student lunches will go up by 10 cents, costing $2.35 at elementary schools and $2.60 at middle
and high schools. The price of breakfast for employees also will increase to $2.75. n New colors for Copper Mill Elementary School, the only school in Zachary that does not use red and blue: The school’s current colors are green and gold; it will gradually transition to colors that match the rest of the district. n A five-year strategic plan for the district being developed by Empower Schools, a nonprofit organization: Rebecca ArmstrongEnglish, a senior manager with the group, outlined the process
ALL HANDS ON SUMMER FUN
The Blood Center donation bus will be in front of Lane Regional Medical Center, 6300 Main St., Zachary, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, July 29. A news release said the area has a severe blood shortage and is facing a critical need of all blood types. Donors should eat before donating, bring a picture ID, be 17 or older (16 with parental consent) and bring reading glasses if needed. The process takes about 45 minutes; the actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes. For information, call (225) 765-8843.
Back to school activities n Capital Area CASA has a school supply wish list on Amazon. The group seeks supplies to help foster children start the school year. Visit www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/IJ82GW0A4Y0K?ref_=wl_ share to purchase. n Verizon authorized retailer Round Room, 5635 Main St., Suite D, Zachary, is hosting its 12th Annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 28. n The fourth annual Zachary Back to School Family Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at The Rock Church and World Ministries, 20810 Plank Road. Activities will include a basketball tournament and a volleyball tournament, as well as a jambalaya cook-off. Free food and drinks, giveaways, a dunking booth, talent show, prizes and more are planned. Call (430) 342-2022 or write zacharyfamilyday@gmail.com for information. n The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Zachary is planning its Back to School Giveaway at the Zachary High School Gymnasium on Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. until supplies run out. For information or to be a vendor, call Johnnie Evans at (225) 933-6431 or Tina Clark at (225) 202-1076. n A Back 2 School Block Party will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 22911 Reames Road, Zachary. Free school supplies will be given out while they last.
Quinn McCaan, 4, plays with molding dough during a recent summer camp.
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Children played with molding dough and yarn during a recent BREC Beginnings Summer Camp at the Church Street BREC Center in Zachary. ä More summer camp photos. PAGE 3G
ä See AROUND, page 4G
Rebecca Reeves shows the 3- and 4-year-old campers how to make colorful molding dough.
she and her team will follow in the next several months to draw up the plan. n Updated teacher observation rules and other changes being made under the Louisiana Educator Advancement and Development System, or LEADS: It is Louisiana’s new evaluation system for teachers. n Upcoming events: Orientation sessions will begin in late July, and several events are scheduled for Aug. 6, including convocation for teachers, a new employee meet-and-greet and a school board meeting.
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
The road back to New Orleans As the heat picks up in July and August, the ZHS football team is preparing for the 2024 season. The 2023 Broncos added to the ZHS football legacy with a state runner-up finish that may not match the four 5-A State Championships but will go down as quite memorable. This week we look at the 2024 schedule, which has changed substantially in the preseason and nondistrict opponents. Next week we dig a little into who is back, who will be expected to contribute and where the strengths are anticipated. The Broncos will scrimmage former District 4-5A member Denham Springs at Denham Springs on Aug. 22. The Yellow Jackets did not advance to the playoffs in 2023. The jamboree will feature a familiar foe in the West Feliciana Saints and the Broncos and Saints freshmen, junior varsity and varsity will compete Aug. 30. The Saints advanced to the second round of the 4-A nonselect playoffs in 2023 before falling (14-0) to Opelousas. More on Opelousas to follow. The season opener will be home against the Plaquemine Green Devils. Though not a district opponent, the Green Devils have played the Broncos in recent years and were in the same district many years ago. Plaquemine is in the same district as West Feliciana and also advanced to the second round (regional) of the 4-A nonselect playoffs in 2023 before falling to Iowa (36-19). The Broncos will take to the road for week two of the nondistrict schedule to take on powerhouse Acadiana in Scott. There have been some true battles between these programs that started one-sided with the Rams scoring tons of points with their “veer machine” but since Brewerton has taken over the reins in Zachary the Broncos have led the series. In 2023 the Rams were the State runner-up in select Division 1 falling to the District 4-5A Catholic Bears in the finals (55-31). Week three brings another team from Acadiana — Carencro — travels to the Bronco Corral to face the Broncos. Carencro is another famed football program that made it to the regional round of the 2023 Select Division 1 playoffs. On Oct. 4, the Broncos will close out the predistrict
ä See BRADY, page 3G