Pearl River High School (Louisiana)

Pearl River High School
Address
39110 Rebel Lane
Pearl River, Louisiana
Coordinates 30°22′13″N 89°45′24″W / 30.37036°N 89.75663°W / 30.37036; -89.75663Coordinates: 30°22′13″N 89°45′24″W / 30.37036°N 89.75663°W / 30.37036; -89.75663
Information
Type Public
Established August 1968
Principal Michael E. Winkler
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 719
Schedule 7:30am - 2:41pm
Campus Rural
Color(s) Red, white
Mascot The Colonel
Website pearlriverhigh.stpsb.org

Pearl River High School is a high school in Pearl River, Louisiana, United States, operated by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.

History

Beginnings

Milton Craddock's first campaign for the St. Tammany Parish School Board, Ward 8, included his dream for a high school in this area. Students from as far away as Talisheek were dropping out of school because it was a hardship in time and resources to attend Slidell High. Craddock was elected, and within his first six-year term a one wing Pearl River High School was erected on Taylor Drive. The street was so named because in April 1966, Mr. Albert Taylor (1908 - 1982) and his wife, Mildred (1909 - 1989) sold 30.06 acres (121,600 m2) of land to the School Board for $60,120.00 as a site for the new school. Craddock was helped by Sixth Ward Board Member "Siggy" Halverson, and in 1968 the school was completed. The school began with tenth grade, and added a grade each year until the first class graduated in 1971. There were about 42 graduates. Sherry Fischer, now a retired 5th grade teacher at Riverside Elementary, was the first valedictorian. She retired after 33 years of teaching.

In addition to building a high school Craddock wanted more music in the schools. He was successful in getting band funded in the parish junior high schools, and the program grew to include elementary and high school bands. Another contribution he made was getting the School Board sponsored bus transportation to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. Many students were able to continue their education after high school because of this service. A few who rode the bus were Karen Walsh, who eventually taught special education at Pearl River High, Angel Mayfield, who teaches at Riverside, and John Rosche, who is an executive with Martin Marietta.

Taylor's and Craddock's legacies continue on at Pearl River High. Taylor's great granddaughter, Mindy Todd, and Craddock's granddaughter, Laura Rosche, both graduated in 1997.

Mr. Ledet, one of the first teachers hired at Pearl River High in 1968 retired in July 2012 after 44 years of teaching there. Mrs. Thornton was hired as a Math teacher in 1994, and retired in June 2011. Mrs.Schroder was hired in 1985 retired as an English III teacher in June 2012. Coach Bowman was the art teacher and once head football coach. He was hired at Pearl River High School in 1974 and retired in August 2013. Mr. Roderick Barber was hired as the ROTC leader in 1990 and transferred schools in 1999, but returned to PRHS in 2003. He retired from Pearl River High School on January 6, 2014.

Teachers that are known as "PRHS Famous" are Mrs. Russell-Anne Howard who was hired as the Home Ec. teacher in 1976. Mrs. Elaine Prewitt who was hired in 1973. Mrs. Carey Grush was hired as an English IV teacher in 1990 (she is also the only teacher in PRHS history to go by three different names, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Pease, & Mrs. Grush). Mrs. Medlock who was hired as the French teacher in the early 1980s. Mr. Jim Hobson, a Geometry teacher at the school since 1989, retired during the 2015-2016 school year. Mrs.Karen Maceira was hired as an English teacher in 1994. Mr. Michael Grush was hired as a History teacher at PRHS in July 1993.

The high school has begun the process of renovation by redesigning their two parking lots. During the upcoming school year, the renovation on the two oldest buildings will take place, as well as the addition of a mall-like hallway, spanning across the front of the school. They also intend to renovate the school's courtyard, as well as the school's cafetorium. The project should be completed in December 2017.

Administration and curriculum

From 1968 to 1982, Ewell L. Rowley was principal. Originally from Mississippi, he moved to Pearl River prior to the opening of the school. Before his appointment, he was principal of Pearl River Junior High School. A former agriculture teacher, he was charged with the difficult task of opening the school and guiding it during its formative years.

In summer 1982, Lawrence F. "Moose" Matulich, a former mathematics teacher and head football coach, was named the second principal. Matulich was known as a good disciplinarian and motivator. Through his leadership skills, the faculty and students united into a cohesive team. His daughter, Mary Lou Jordan, has been the principal of Riverside Elementary in Pearl River since 1993.

Louis Austin was appointed the third principal in 1987 and, like Rowley, he was a former agriculture teacher. Austin was highly regarded by the Pearl River community and was noted for strong interpersonal skills. His greatest asset was his ability to work with people in developing consensus on difficult issues.

Ronald "Ron" Styron became Pearl River's principal in 1992, having been assistant principal under Austin. He began a program incorporating principles of site-based management which included greater decision-making on the part of the faculty and staff. In 1993, he completed his doctoral degree in educational administration.

Karen M. DeVillier was named Pearl River's first female principal and stayed from 1998 to 2003.

PRHS has been under principal Michael E. Winkler since 2004, who has transformed the school into a great learning environment. In 2010, he was given the 'Principal of the Year' award for St. Tammany Parish.

Mr. Clark Hershey was hired as an assistant principal at the school during the summer of 2016. Ms. Linda Fussell is the second assistant principal, she was appointed in fall 2009, after leaving Operation Jumpstart Alternative School in Covington, Louisiana, as the assistant principal.

Pearl River's curriculum has been focused on meeting the needs of its community. Mrs. Russell-Anne Howard and Mrs. Carey Grush have been well known for their care and compassion to see their students graduate. Both teachers have worked at the school for over 25 years. A strong elective program, including vocational courses, complimented a full range of traditional academic subjects. In 1985, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education changed the diploma requirements, which triggered a curricular shift to one of a college preparatory nature. This change was felt not only at Pearl River High School, but throughout the entire state of Louisiana.

Because of the increase in the number of credits needed for a diploma and the type of academic requirements, it became necessary in 1988 to move from a six-period to a seven-period day. This extra credit per school year afforded students a greater chance of graduating within the usual four year time frame. It also stimulated curricular expansion which included classes such as speech, newspaper, yearbook, psychology, twentieth century American history, gifted and talented, AP calculus and a multitude of dual-enrollment courses.

As the population of at-risk students increased parish-wide, so did the number of programs aimed at meeting their needs. Career Opportunity Preparation Education (COPE), Focus on Youth (FOCUS), and Technical Instruction of Mainstreamed Students (TIMS), are some of the major initiatives to address the special concerns of this new student population.

Clubs and activities

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