South Larose Elementary—Then and Now
The year was 1952. Property was purchased in order to build a school to accommodate the
students of Larose. In 1954, Larose-Cut Off opened its doors for learning to students ranging
from first grade through twelfth grade. The first principal was Mr. Joe Defelice. Mr. George
Hebert became the principal two years later, and then, in 1959, Mr. Cliston Saucier would
become principal for the next twenty years.
During an interview, Mr. Saucier was asked to recall some of the biggest changes he could
remember during his administration. Mr. Saucier stated that in the mid-1960s, enrollment was
at its peak with a little over one thousand students from kindergarten through sixth grade. He
also noted that classrooms had no air conditioning and had the use of a single fan unit per room.
However, the biggest change of all had to be in the progression of technology. He remembers
that in the late 1960s, Larose Elementary (the name at that time) had only one electric
typewriter that was housed in the front office. Mr. Saucier eventually retired in 1979 and was
replaced by Mr. Renee LeBlanc.
Mr. LeBlanc became principal when Larose Elementary made the switch to be a middle
school. During an interview, Mr. LeBlanc spoke of his memorable changes and recalled mainly
the use of playground equipment. He explained that students had access to swings, seesaws,
and monkey bars, but as the equipment broke, it was never replaced. He said, “It was an
accident waiting to happen!” Mr. LeBlanc also remembered paying thirty-five cents for a roast
beef sandwich and five cents for a soda. Prices for food sure have changed today!
Several principals have come and gone from Larose Upper Elementary (another former
name), such as Mr. Jerry Ledet, Mr. Ray Bernard, Mrs. Dixie Brunet, Mrs. Tammy Shaw, and
Mrs. Terri Chiasson. All have played a significant role in South Larose Elementary’s success.
The year is now 2018. The future of South Larose Elementary continues to be very
promising. Our administration consists of Mrs. Holly Bouzigard, Principal. Ms. Dana Gros is
our Assistant Principal. Ms. Lynette Boudreaux is our Guidance Counselor, and Mrs. Mary
Alario is our Secretary.
With the effort of both administration and the staff working together, many wonderful
changes have taken place at South Larose Elementary. In May 2014, we said goodbye to our
Viking mascot and Larose Upper Elementary School. During that summer, LUES transitioned to
our new site at 154 West 25th Street, which is behind our original building’s location, to
accommodate Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Graders as SLES Bullpups. Students have the
luxury of a new school building. In our new facility, all classrooms are equipped with several
computers and interactive white boards to bring digital technology to lessons.
There is, however, one link that has not changed from the beginning of South Larose
Elementary’s history to now, and that is, “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.”