As the school year draws to a close, students and staff prepare for the state mandated LEAP test. Here is the opportunity for students to show what they know. All students in grades 3-8 will spend a week testing according to the state of Louisiana’s directives.

Since state testing began in the ’90s, students and faculty have found it stressful. To put our scholars at ease, we always use the Friday before testing begins for our Academic Pep Rally.

The entire student body and staff takes part in attempting to put the test takers at ease. A “can do spirit” is promoted. We’ve got teachers dancing and singing, our youngest students encouraging. This year had parents taking part in encouraging achievement (thanks Super Dad and Mom for your words of encouragement).

A celebration of the year’s lessons and a proclamation of “how we do school” is expressed. Each homeroom is judged on their spirit, participation, and creativity. As the judges tally the final scores, the last performance of the 8th girls of the auxiliary units and the awesome band from Warrior Land takes place. The judges confer and make their final decision. The competition was especially intense this year for the coveted “Spirit Stick.” Where would it end up?

Since its inception, it has always remained on the first floor. But not this year! Ms. Simmons’s 8th Grade homeroom presented the most spirited presentation of the afternoon, bringing the stick upstairs to middle school. Awesome!

Now let’s slay that test!

If there is ever a day not to miss school it is Spring Bling Day.

The early morning hours may be spent in the classroom but come 11 am the PA system comes on with Mrs. Batiste’s announcement that the festival has begun! Three hours of food, fun, and friends.

What a great way to begin the Spring Break!

Our annual celebration that brings fathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers and other father figures to school was held on Friday, March 23rd.

The Dads poured in, some in work uniforms, apparently taking off an hour or two to “show up” for their little ones. What a fantastic sight to see so many fathers on campus.

As always, the committee crammed a lot into their hour-long presentation. Mr. Lloyd Dennis, of the Silverback Society (a mentoring group for 8th grade boys) was on hand to give the keynote. Former Warrior teacher, Mr. Joseph Saulsbury, provided live jazz music with his trio. No program is complete without the Voices of FCW (under the direction of Stephanie Jordan) and the Warrior Band (under the direction of Dedric Jones). To close out, the father-daughter dance on stage, guaranteed to always bring a tear or two to your eyes.

Great presentation Mr. Britt and committee. This 9th Annual Donuts with Dad was one for the record book.

The last book fair of the year has ended, a rousing success! Thanks to all who came and patronized our bi-annual book fair. Parents, staff, community neighbors all saw the signs on Bullard and came in to browse the showcases and tables for just the right book or two (or three) for their scholar. Special thanks to the dads attending Donuts with Dad activities on the last day. You took us over the top!

As always, Mrs. LeBlanc, the decorations were awesome. Thanks to the staff members who assisted her with creating just the right canine environment to get the customers/students in to shop. Good job, good job.

The opening weeks of school are spent developing our school culture–the 4 Ps. Anyone who has attended FCWCS knows that we believe all students should follow the 4 Ps. Warriors are expected to be PROMPT, POLITE, PREPARED, and PRODUCTIVE. These four basic rules were put into place in 2007 to ensure that students understand what is expected of them.

All that we do–athletics, clubs, art, music, etc.–are done with the expectation that it will make a better student and a better person. We make every attempt to stimulate our pupils to become excited about learning. Enthusiastic learners are always easier to teach.

Our job is to prepare every student on campus for the next phase of their educational journey–be it the next grade or on to high school. It’s always all about the classroom.

February once again culminated with our Annual Black History Program. The production was written and staged by 4th grade teacher Ms. R. Robinson. This is Ms. Robinson’s second production for the yearly program.

This year’s production told the story of the mid 20th century Civil Rights Movement–Freedom ‘Ain’t Free was this year’s theme. The production brought us back to the ’60s through the musical icons of Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, and James Brown. We witnessed the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, and the voting woes of Black Americans in the South.

Behind the scenes was a beehive of activity with in house artists LeBlanc and Britt (also known as our art teachers) handling the sets. A team of middle school students served as stage hands. There was Ms. Watts (Instructional Coach) on the curtains and Ms. T. Batiste (Middle School Para) and friend Jared handling sound and lighting. Even Principal Batiste and Band Director Jones had a bit part in a scene depicting family life in 1960’s America.

The time and effort that was put into this production was well-worth it and quite apparent. A full-house–students, parents and grandparents–were on hand to witness our live theatre “Fannie C.” style.

Once again Librarian LeBlanc secured the New Orleans Pelicans to conduct a mini-training camp on our campus.

The camp consisted of several “stations” to improve the basketball skills of students in grades 3-8. Dribbling, jump shots, passing, and measuring of their “wing span” were all part of the hour-long activity. About 200 students took part in the camp on Friday, March 2nd.

Students were given a card with their name, wing span, and a link to complete an online survey. Those completing the survey are entitled to two tickets to a Pelicans home game. Just the thing to win during their winning stretch before the playoffs!

You don’t leave FCWCS without hearing about life after high school. Will your future include college or post-secondary vocational training?

Thinking college will be your way into the future? Will it include a HBCU–Historical Black College or University? Think Xavier, Southern, Grambling, Dillard, Spelman, Morehouse, Bennett, Clark-Atlanta, Lincoln . . . Students of FCW learn the merits of HBCUs and the Divine 9. The Divine 9? That’s Greek Life–fraternities and sororities. The yearly Black History Celebration always includes lessons on college life–academics and the social aspects. Can’t talk about the Divine 9 without a step show!

The Deltas of Dillard University were on hand to show us how it’s done! We had middle school guests to perform also. Of course, the afternoon wouldn’t be complete without our own Warrior Step Team showing their stuff! Thanks to Mr. Avery and Ms. Gardner, two of our own members of the Divine 9 for coordinating this year’s efforts.