Summer Music Institute in Tangischools

 

General Music

(grades 4-6) 
June 9-13 to be held at Hammond Westside Montessori Upper 
THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO LOW ATTENDANCE

---

Band: Maintenance Workshop 

(for students already in Band; Beginning; Intermediate; and Advanced Levels) 
June 16-20 to be held at Ponchatoula HS
Register to Attend

---

Strike Up the Band  

(for new students; 25-26 beginners)
July 21 -24
Morning Session at Champ Cooper School; Afternoon Session at Amite HS.
Register to Attend

Back to School Parish Wide Bash 2025

Our Events will be hosted at 3 locations. Pick the one that's best for you!

NORTH END
July 18th
9am - 12pm
Campus of OW Dillon Leadership Academy
1459 Service Rd., Kentwood

 

CENTRAL
July 25th
9am - 12pm
Campus of Independence Leadership Academy
221 Tiger Ave., Independence

 

SOUTH END
Campus of Hammond Westside Montessori
2600 PFC Matthews Wildes St., Hammond

 

For More Information: (985) 662 - 5557
tangicrimestoppers@gmail.com

 

St. Vincent DePaul Uniforms for Kids Grades PK-8

You MUST bring these documents with you to both register your child AND pick up your uniforms on the same day:
Parent or guardian's valid picture ID with
EITHER Social Security card and Medicaid card for each child OR Food stamp letter with names of children

Unfortunately, if the above documents are not provided, uniforms will not be provided.

AVAILABLE DATES FOR PICK-UP:
Thursday. July 24th from 8am to 4pm
Friday, July 25th from 8am to 4pm
Saturday, July 26th from 8am to 12 noon 

--------------------

SOUTH END REGISTER/PICK-UP LOCATION:
Holy Ghost Parish Hall
511 N. Oak Street in Hammond.

SOUTH END SCHOOLS
- Champ Cooper
- Perrin
- Tucker
- DC Reeves
- Martha Vinyard
- Ponchatoula Jr. High
- Hammond Eastside
- Hammond Westside
- Woodland Park
- Greenville Park
- Midway
- Natalbany

--------------------

NORTH END REGISTER/PICK-UP LOCATION:

St. Helena Catholic Church Hall
122 S. 1st Street in Amite City

NORTH END SCHOOLS
- OW Dillon
- Kentwood High (grades 7 & 8)
- Chesbrough Elementary
- Spring Creek Elementary
- Sumner Middle
- Roseland Montessori
- Amite Elementary
- Amite Westside
- Independence Leadership
- Independence High (grades 7 & 8 )
- Loranger Elementary
- Loranger Middle
- Lucille Nesom

Remember: Bring your documents for registration at the time you plan to pick up your uniforms.

Dear Families,

We want to take a moment to share several important updates regarding our student transfer policies and magnet school selection process. These changes reflect recent legal developments, including our Unitary Status for Students Assignment, Presidential Executive Orders, and Supreme Court decisions.

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Judge Lemelle issued the following order:

"All previous injunctions and orders entered in this matter by this Court with respect to the areas of student assignments are hereby VACATED AND LIFTED. The Court’s supervision over Defendant TPSB in the area of student assignments is hereby TERMINATED, and this matter with respect to student assignments is DISMISSED with prejudice."

This means our district is no longer under federal court supervision for student assignments. Moving forward, we must ensure that all of our practices align with current state and federal law. One key change is the removal of race-based considerations in our student assignment processes. This is not a choice but a legal requirement, and we are committed to carrying out these changes with professionalism, transparency, and integrity.

Diversity Transfer Update

We understand that any transition of this nature can raise concerns, especially for families who were approved for Diversity Transfers. Please know:

• Students with existing, approved Diversity Transfers will remain at their current school for the 2025–2026 school year. These transfers will be honored for the 25-26 school year as long as the student remains within the approved school or feeder pattern.
• Effective immediately, we can not approve any additional Diversity Transfer requests based on race. The Diversity Option has been removed from our online registration portal to comply with the law.

Families still have several transfer options available, including:

• Magnet Programs
• Academic Transfers
• JROTC Transfers
• Extraordinary Circumstances
• Joint Custody
• Child of an Employee

Policy JBCC (Student Transfers) will be reviewed at an upcoming board meeting to ensure it reflects these changes and remains legally compliant.

Magnet Selection Process Update

Previously, race was Priority #3 in our magnet school selection criteria. In accordance with the latest legal guidance, this priority has been removed. Going forward, selections will be made through a computer-generated random lottery using the following updated priorities:

1a. Students living in the new magnet school's attendance zone (first year of operation)
1b. Students continuing in the same magnet program or feeder pattern
2. Siblings of currently enrolled students in the same magnet program
3. Students with IEPs or IAPs due to disabilities or exceptionalities

All other students will be placed into the general random-lottery pool.

Please rest assured that all magnet selections and offer letters issued before the April 23, 2025, court ruling will still be honored. These changes apply only to late applications and future magnet school cycles.

We recognize that these changes may bring up questions, emotions, and uncertainties. We are here to support our families and staff through this transition. Your continued compassion, dedication, and professionalism make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Thank you for standing with us as we move forward together TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE.

With appreciation,

TPSS Administration
 

 

On April 23, an evidentiary hearing was held in federal court in New Orleans to consider the consent motions. The Federal Judge granted the joint motions submitted by the school system and the plaintiffs that provides FINAL unitary status in student assignment, teacher assignment, and hiring practices for administrative positions. This order ends judicial supervision in these three areas.

The only remaining area in which the district holds provisional unitary status is Facilities. The Tangipahoa Parish School System is actively working to address this final “Green factor” in its effort to conclude the long-standing desegregation case that has placed the district under federal court supervision for six decades.

Superintendent Melissa Stilley emphasized the importance of this work, stating, “When becoming the Superintendent in 2018, it was a top priority for me to bring this case to a close. Our School Board members have been committed to doing the same. Our children, families, and community deserve a school system that is unified and focused fully on excellence for all.”

In 2021, the district entered into a consent agreement with the plaintiffs. Subsequently, Judge Lemelle granted provisional unitary status, launching a three-year probationary period. In 2024, the district filed motions for final unitary status in the areas addressed by the agreement. Judge Lemelle ordered mediation between the two parties with the goal of mutual consent.

This milestone reflects the dedication of many leaders over the years. “Over the course of 60 years, numerous superintendents, School Board members, and community stakeholders have worked tirelessly toward this goal,” Stilley said. “Their efforts have all contributed to the progress we are celebrating today.”

Special thanks are extended to the school system’s lead attorney, Ashley Bass with Coudrain, Cash and Bass, as well as Indigo Diekmann and Andre Coudrain, for their unwavering commitment and legal guidance throughout this process. Their work, alongside our district leadership and board, has been instrumental in achieving this progress.

School Board President Tom Tolar praised the achievement, stating, “This moment represents tremendous progress—not just legally, but financially and educationally. Our Board is proud to stand with our Superintendent, legal team, and community in this historic moment. We remain committed to completing the final step required to attain full unitary status and close this chapter in its history, focusing forward on building a future of opportunity and excellence for every student.”

 

 

 

Pre-K and Early Childhood Application Information

Visit us online at readystarttangi.com to schedule an application appointment or call the TPSS Early Childhood Department at (985) 748 - 2454.

Parents can apply for public Pre-K programs and receive information regarding Head Start or child care opportunities.

Applications will be complete by phone.

Documents Needed:

•  Child's Original Birth Certificate
• Proof of Income

Application Dates:

• Round 1: March 1 - April 11
• Round 2: April 28 - June 18
• Round 3: July 7 - August 8

 

More Information: https://linktr.ee/readystarttangi

Tangipahoa Parish School System is celebrating outstanding results in its latest independent financial audit, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in financial stewardship.

Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Melissa M. Stilley proudly announced that the district received an “unmodified audit” or a “clean opinion” for the 2024 fiscal year, highlighting its exemplary financial management and responsible use of resources.

The independent audit, conducted by Ericksen Krentel, a highly respected New Orleans-based certified public accounting firm, confirms the district’s dedication to strong fiscal responsibility and sound financial practices.

“This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our finance team and our entire administrative staff,” Stilley said. “Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal prudence ensures that every dollar is used to provide the best possible education for our students.”

The positive audit comes at a time when the district is managing not only local funding but also substantial state and federal grants, requiring stringent oversight and careful financial planning.

“Our 2024 audit confirms that our district operates with efficiency, integrity, and full compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations,” Stilley said. “This clean report reflects our unwavering commitment to responsible financial management.”

The audit, covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, highlights the district’s strong financial position, prudent budgeting, and effective resource allocation—all of which directly support student achievement.

Key highlights of the audit include:

• A clean audit opinion, confirming TPSS’s financial statements accurately represent the district’s financial health.

• Strong cash reserves and a balanced operating budget, demonstrating responsible financial planning.

• Effective management of federal, state, and local funds, ensuring resources are utilized where they are needed most.

• No significant deficiencies or concerns identified in internal controls or financial reporting.

Tangipahoa Parish School Board President Tom Tolar applauded the positive audit results, stating, “This outstanding report underscores our district’s dedication to maintaining the trust of our taxpayers, families, and students.”

Board Member Brett Duncan, who served as president of the board in 2024, emphasized that this latest audit is part of a long-standing tradition of financial excellence.

“Since 2010, TPSS has consistently earned clean audits and prestigious financial reporting awards,” Duncan said. “Our district’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency is truly extraordinary.”

Duncan further explained that TPSS prioritizes public accessibility to financial information. Each year, the district’s budget is published online, open for public review, and discussed in board meetings before adoption. Ongoing financial reports, including the full check register, are made available through public meetings, televised sessions, and online streaming.

“We go above and beyond in financial transparency,” Duncan said. “Our records from 2011 to now are accessible online, allowing anyone to see our budget history, audit reports, and financial standing.”

TPSS Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey McKneely echoed this sentiment, stating that the district takes a proactive approach to ensuring the community understands how funds are managed.

“This board can proudly demonstrate that our financial practices are sound, and this community’s investment is making a real impact on our students’ education,” McKneely said.

TPSS’s commitment to financial excellence has also been recognized on a national level. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the district the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2023 financial documents. This award is given to entities that meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and full disclosure in financial reporting.

“The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” said Michele Mark Levine, GFOA Director.

Superintendent Stilley expressed her gratitude to the district’s finance team for their exceptional work in managing the school system’s financial health.

“We sometimes take these achievements for granted, but these recognitions serve as solid proof that TPSS is in a strong financial position to continue providing a high-quality education while maintaining a financially sustainable future,” Stilley said.

For more information about the audit or to view the full audit report, visit https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1739201655/tangischoolsorg/y0svni3mrvkumofttdi5/TangipahoaParishSchoolSystem-FinancialStatements_06302024.pdf.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Melissa M. Stilley
 

On Friday, Hammond High Magnet School has been recognized with the highest merit award offered by the Magnet Schools of America, which has distinguished the school as a “Top Merit Award of Excellence” campus.

It is a first for both the school and the district, which relaunched HHMS as a magnet and International Baccalaureate school at the start of the 2010-11 school year. At the time, the school was in decline, boasting an enrollment of only several hundred students. Today, HHMS is the second-largest high school in the parish, receiving hundreds of magnet transfer applications each year for students to participate in a wealth of programs offered at the school.

Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Melissa Stilley was part of the leadership team who witnessed the transformation of Hammond High to a magnet campus nearly 15 years ago.

“This is a proud day, not only for our district, but so much more so for the families and businesses in Hammond who championed for the transformation of this campus to a dynamic school that would draw students from all over Tangipahoa Parish to achieve their academic goals,” Stilley said.

Michael Kyles, Jr., principal of HHMS, was a teacher at the campus when the school began its transformation more than a decade ago. “When I think about where we started and how Hammond High Magnet has grown in such a short time, I am so excited for the opportunities we can afford students not only in Hammond but all over Tangipahoa Parish. This recognition is a powerful reminder that HHMS is on the move, making positive gains for students in our community and gaining national attention for the opportunities we are providing for our students,” Kyles said.

Among those opportunities are the Northshore’s only IB high school diploma program and a sports medicine magnet program which draws students from across the parish to attend HHMS. The magnet specialty programs have been so well-received the campus has had to complete several additions, including a ProStart culinary kitchen and most recently a 14-classroom wing to accommodate the influx of students.

The “Top Magnet Schools of Excellence” award from Magnet Schools of America recognizes schools that were designated as National Certified Demonstration Schools in the fall of 2024 or schools that achieved the highest score threshold or ranked at the top of their reader group.” It is the highest merit award the organization offers to magnet schools across the country.

Stilley said this the first time one of the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s magnet schools has been recognized by an outside magnet organization for their excellence.

“This is a moment to be celebrated, not only in Hammond but parish wide,” Stilley said. 

Tangipahoa Parish School Board member Brett Duncan, who has championed the magnet program since its inception, called the recognition well-deserved.

“I am so glad that our educators, students, and this community will receive the recognition they deserve,” Duncan said, adding that “the work that has been done to improve Hammond High Magnet over the last 12 years has been a yeoman’s job, and the result has been remarkable.”

Duncan said this transformation would not have been possible without the support of the entire community, and he applauded Hammond’s investment in the dedicated magnet tax which has benefited not only HHMS, but all of Hammond’s magnet, Montessori, and IB programs.

“The people of Hammond supported this program when it was just a dream. I am beyond excited for these stakeholders to see the rewards of their commitment and their investment in our schools,” Duncan said.

Stilley visited the campus on Friday to join Principal Kyles and the entire Hammond High Magnet community in celebrating this outstanding achievement.

Pictured: TPSS Superintendent Melissa Stilley, HHMS Principal Michael Kyles Jr., Coordinator of Magnet School Programs DeShea Johnson.

 

 

 

We are excited to announce that Tangipahoa Parish School System now has a mobile App! Getting information, announcements, and important dates has never been easier! The App is available for Apple devices in the App Store and on Android devices in the Google Play store.

Search Tangipahoa Parish Schools and download the App today, Use the filter option at the top right under News and Events so that you only see the news and events for the school(s) your student attends. 

Under the More menu, tap Notifications at the top and turn on TPSS Announcements. Any announcements sent by the district will be delivered to your mobile device and shown under Notifications in the App. 

The App is easy to navigate and has all of the news and events you need. Plus it has links that will take you directly to the Family Toolkit and more! Get connected today then show your friends!

Preview the App

Transportation Department

Read More About our Core Values in our TPSS Handbook.

Apply for a teaching position today!

Student Enrollment

Resolve a Problem

Learn More

SchoolCash Online will roll out as our online payment platform for the 2023-2024 school year. Get ahead of the game by creating your guardian account today! Once established, we will use this platform to manage the posting and payment of your child's school-related fees.

Note:

-cafeteria fees will still be paid through MySchoolBucks

-students have not yet rolled over into their 2023-24 classes. That usually happens more toward the start of the new school year.

Create Account: https://www.tangischools.org/district/school-cash-online

The School Board gave final approval for the district to offer a one time $15,000 recruitment stipend for NEW teachers to Tangipahoa Parish School System.

New Teachers to the Tangipahoa Parish who receive the recruitment bonus will be placed at specific schools based on their certification with the goal of creating a more diverse workplace at every school. This stipend will be paid over two years, which would provide an additional $625 per month for 24 months ($7,500 more annually) on top of the teacher salary schedule. Teachers transferring from other districts to Tangipahoa will have their numbers of years teaching credited to them on the salary schedule.

New teachers in TANGI with no teaching experience start at $47,300 plus the $15,000 recruitment stipend. New teachers coming into TANGI with five years experience with a bachelors' degree start at $49,636 plus the $15,000 recruitment stipend. New teachers coming into TANGI with 10 years experience with a bachelor's degree start at $52,016 plus the $15,000 recruitment stipend.

The Superintendent and Board will continue to utilize all available revenues to ensure that the very best teachers are in the classroom. The new 2023-2024 Salary Schedule will be released in July 2023 and may reflect higher teacher salaries. Our goal is to continue to offer competitive salaries for all our employees. 

If you are interested and want to know more click the banner below and submit our form. A representative from Human Resources will contact you. 

2022-2023 SALARY SCHEDULE

 

https://tangischoolsorg.finalsite.com/departments/human-resources

The P3 platform enables the public to share information anonymously with Crime Stoppers programs, law enforcement entities, schools, and large corporations around the world.  If you have crime or safety-related information that may be deemed useful in your community, submit a tip via the P3 web page – or download the P3 Tips App for iPhone or android devices. 

SUBMIT A TIP

 

Visit Tangischools.org for more information.