With the first day of school now on the horizon for students at Bogalusa City Schools, teachers, school board members and other educators assembled on Thursday in the Bogalusa High School auditorium for a Back to School meeting, highlighted by remarks by Willie “Toni” Breaux, new acting superintendent, and an energetic show presented by the BHS band, cheerleaders, Paperdolls, flag team and majorettes, under the direction of Band Director Chad Harry, who is also the sponsor of the Paperdolls.

The two-hour program began with the presentation of colors by the BHSJROTC, followed by an invocation by Lesley McKinley, new BHS principal. Then introductions were the order of the day.

Members of the Bogalusa City School Board were introduced, as well as Acting Superintendent Breaux. Also introduced were new staff members, principals and others.

BCS Finance Director Deloris Walker spoke to the group, followed by Charlotte Champagne, director of the Washington Parish Regional Office of United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

After the introductions had been made and all the speakers had regained their seats, the music program, titled “We’re All in This Together,” took center stage — literally — as uniformed members of the BHS band, cheerleaders, Paperdolls, flag team and majorettes, under the direction of Harry, gave audience members a taste of what’s to come at Lumberjack football half-time shows in the near future. Harry has brought back a music program that was virtually extinct at BHS, and now, the band and the Paperdolls, cheerleaders, etc., are receiving favorable notice from around the area for the quality shows they present on the field at half-time.

After the last note had died down and the last pom pom shaken, Acting Supt. Breaux made her closing remarks, after which everyone was dismissed and made their way outside to the strains of “We Are Family.”

On Aug. 3, teachers will return to Denhamtown, Northside Tech, and Bogalusa High School and Middle School teachers will report to the BHS library. K-4 teachers and principals will report to Superior Avenue.

On Aug. 6, all teachers will be at their schools. Students will return to classes on Aug. 7.

Excerpts from Breaux’s remarks:

“Good Morning! And welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year. Today is a special day for me, for I have been given the distinct honor by the Bogalusa City School Board as your acting Superintendent. Is it an overwhelming responsibility? Yes! But I, Toni Breaux, welcome and accept the challenge because I believe in each of you. I believe that each of you hold the key to our children’s future.”

“We are a family that must come together and work together for the success of each of our children: from the bus drivers who safely deliver our children, our most valued commodity, to their designed learning center; to the custodians who will provide a safe and clean environment; to the cafeteria workers who are responsible for a tasty nutritious and well-balanced meal; to the teachers who are the nucleus, preparing and educating our children for the future;…”

“Teachers you are the students’ hope in time of despair. You are a levee in the storm, the bridge over troubled water. Yes, teachers you are the real winners. Winners who will bring our students up to the level of academic achievement that will create in each student a willing spirit, an enduring desire, and an unconditional opportunity to want to be a successful learner.”

“We are lucky enough today to decide that we are going all the way in the way that will successfully educate all of our students. If we are not for ourselves, then who will be for us? If each of us was alone, then who would we have? If not now, then when?

“These are the questions! What this means is that everything is up for grabs. That’s our challenge, to be a notable success in the education of our children.”