Allemands Elementary turning 100, welcoming back former staff for celebration

Allemands Elementary is turning 100, and the celebration is on.

Nov. 6 will officially commemorate the milestone at the school as it welcomes back its former teachers, principals and other staff members for the celebratory event, which will begin at 2:15 p.m.

The event will begin with an assembly outside. A few students will speak about what Allemands means to them, and ditto for some of the school’s past principals. Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling will attend and address the group as well.

After the assembly, there will be a special parade/walkaround for the returning members of the Allemands family, with students cheering them on.

As a para-educator at Allemands Elementary for more than 20 years, Tanya Tastet knows as well as anyone the special bond the school seems to inspire among its members.

“It’s going to be a great chance for them to socialize and talk with one another, among people who in many cases haven’t seen each other in years,” Tastet said. “I know that, to me, this school is always … the feeling I get is that it’s a family. There’s a closeness. Everyone cares for one another and everyone helps out one another in any way they can. It’s a happy place to be. And I hear parents talk about how much they love Allemands. It’s a special place.”

Tastet said that all former employees of Allemands Elementary are welcome to attend and can reach out to the school to RSVP.

In 1923, plans went into motion to construct an elementary school that would serve the communities of Des Allemands, Paradis and Bayou Gauche – the St. Charles Parish School Board purchased a lot from Earnest Dufrene, less than 4,000 feet from Bayou Des Allemands, and that idea became a reality. It became the second public school house in Des Allemands.

Jeanne Peyregne was the very first principal of Des Allemands Elementary, followed by Lutie Sommis and Doris Candies. In all, there have been 15 principals over those 100 years, including current principal Lisa Perrin, who took the helm of the school in 2017.

Tastet said the hope is to get the word out to as many former members of the AES staff as possible before the event in order to make it as memorable as possible.

“We’ve sent out fliers, invitations, we’ve put it on Facebook … we’re trying to reach as many as we can get in touch with,” she said.

She added the feedback from those that organizers have been able to touch base with has been very positive, and hopes are high for a strong turnout.

 

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