Group Donates Items for Hurricane Victims

Tables full of donated items brought by members of the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association filled a truck bound for hurricane victims Thursday, following the group's first meeting of the school year at the Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. 

Supt. Folse Speaks At First Meeting of Year

    Superintendent W. L. "Trey" Folse spoke to members of the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association (STRSEA) on Thursday, September 14, about the new initiatives for the School Year and student statistics for 2017-2018. For its first meeting of the School Year, the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association met at the David C. Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. Ninety-three persons attended.

Superintendent Trey Folse

    Introducing a new event this year, the association held a special breakfast for all new School System retirees to congratulate them on their retirement, told them briefly the benefits of becoming a member of STRSEA and extended an invitation to join the association.  To view pictures from the meeting, CLICK HERE.

New Retirees Standing To Be Recognized

Click image above to see Channel 13 video of the event. 

    The Treen Technology Center is located at 2024 Livingston Street in Mandeville.  The STRSEA meets regularly throughout the year to provide opportunities for retirees from the school system to hear about the important issues impacting local and state retirees and to enjoy fun and fellowship with new and former colleagues.  Meetings are generally on the second Thursday of September, November, December, March and May, including an annual Christmas party and spring luncheon.

                For a once-only fee of $45, the STRSEA offers a life-time membership that entitles members to vote on association matters, furnishes an identification card that allows St. Tammany members free admission to all home games at school system athletic events and provides a St. Tammany Advantage Rewards (STAR) card for discounts at participating local businesses and restaurants.

               The STRSEA is looking forward to a great year.  For more information, call President Roxanne Lagarde at 985-966-6166.  If present members have a new email address, please send the update to stpretirees@gmail.com.  Retirees may join the STRSEA at any regularly scheduled meeting or may send a check for $45 payable to STRSEA in care of STRSEA at Post Office Box 2992; Covington, Louisiana 70434.

Photos from the September Meeting

Here is a link to the photographs that were taken at the September 14 meeting at Treen Instructional Technology Center. 

CLICK HERE.

Spotlight on Donna and Tom Lusignan

 By Rhonda Chambers

September, 2017

 

     Donna retired in 2006 after serving 32 yrs. in public education.  She began her career in Jefferson Parish teaching 4th grade, but also taught 2nd grade and was a Title One Reading Lab instructor.  After moving to St. Tammany in 1985, she spent 21 years in various positions including RHT at Bonne Ecole, Counselor at Mandeville Middle and Woodlake Elem., and her final 12 years were at Honey Island as an Assistant Principal and then Principal.

     Tom began his teaching career in 1972 at Riverdale High in Jefferson Parish.  While there he taught Driver’s Ed, Free Enterprise, Civics, Financial Math, and both elementary and high school PE.  He was also an Athletic Trainer and Coach.  In 1994 he was hired at Northshore High as a Psychology teacher, Health Education teacher, athletic trainer and coach.  Three years later he accepted a position as Counselor and also remained the school’s Athletic Trainer.  Tom retired in 2010 after 38 years in education.

     Donna has chosen to lead a fulfilling second half of her life by volunteering in the Slidell area and becoming more involved with her church.  She is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, which is a women’s organization that provides service projects to meet the needs of children, families and the elderly in the community.  As a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, she has assisted with the school supply and Thanksgiving food drives, Project Christmas, and providing meals for families in need.  She is also participating in a weekly Bible Study group.  The Krewe of Selene Carnival organization will be a new adventure for Donna this year, and she’s excited about riding on a float during their Mardi Gras parade in Slidell.
 
     Working part-time for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is something that Donna looks forward to.  She works 6-8 conventions yearly, usually as a computer operator/cashier at attendee registration.  It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk with people from all over the world.
 
     Tom has chosen to lead a fulfilling second half of his life by volunteering for charitable events in the New Orleans area with one of his daughters.  He and Donna also enjoy traveling together.  They spend time at their beach condo on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach and their family fishing camp in Chauvin.  They also love to visit Gatlinburg.  Both love cruises and usually plan at least one a year.
     
     A typical day for Donna begins slowly, if possible, since she is not a morning person.  She enjoys a cup of coffee with a light breakfast while she checks her emails and Facebook.  She motivates herself to exercise or attend yoga classes at her local gym a few mornings a week.  Afternoons are busy with household chores, errands, and/or lunch with friends. Donna loves to cook so she and Tom enjoy dinner together at home on most weeknights.  Evenings are spent planning their next trip, watching HGTV, and reading before bedtime.
 
     Tom’s typical day begins with walking his dog, then eating a bagel with his coffee.  He catches up with the news by reading the local paper or an online news source.  After checking his emails, he gets ready to go to the health club for a two hour workout then maybe run a few errands.  He returns home for lunch then reads for a while.  He loves to read and can usually read one or two novels a week.  He enjoys books by Clive Cussler, David Baldacci, James Patterson, Lee Child, Stuart Woods or Robert Parker.  If needed, he does a few chores around the house and yard.  After dinner, he reads a little more or watches TV.  Occasionally, he will surf the internet.
     
     When asked their favorite place for breakfast Tom said that he enjoyed several restaurants, but their favorite place for breakfast is at home for Saturday morning bacon, eggs, and toast.  Tom and Donna started this tradition when they married 44 years ago, and it continues today.

     If they could live in any other location besides St. Tammany, they could see themselves living together on a tropical island.  Perhaps Maui or St. John in the Virgin Islands would be nice places to spend their retirement years!

     I asked if there was something that they couldn’t live without and Tom said, “Being able to exercise.”  He has been involved with athletics his whole life.  Donna’s answer was, “Something I could not live without is my family and friends. They keep me active and involved. There's no time to feel bored!”