More than 5,000 people turned out at Cortana Mall Saturday, October 23, to visit booths, get information and sign up for programs during EBR Mania, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s (EBRPSS) expo for Innovative and Specialized Programs.  Parents and students picked up applications for the district’s 14 Magnet schools, as well as for Gifted & Talented programs.  School and programs representatives were on hand to answer questions and hand out packets.  For instance, Principal Susan Kornuta (center) helped man the Woodlawn Elementary School booth with teachers Kelly Stuckey (left) and Anna Catherine Ferguson.

The annual event is held to recruit students and launch the magnet school application period.  This time, applications are for the 2011-2012 school year at all EBRPSS elementary, middle and high schools with Magnet Programs.  It also promotes the School System’s Gifted and Talented school programs (17 schools total in EBRPSS).

Last year, about 3,000-plus people attended the Cortana Mall event.  Currently, about 5,600 students are enrolled in magnet schools in the public school district.  The Gifted & Talented Program has about 2,660 students.

At the event in October, each school provided a basic showcase of its program, ranging from academic magnets to programs offering specialized themes, such as medical and pre-engineering programs.  Parents and prospective students also participated in demonstrations and hands-on activities in science, math and technology.  Throughout the event, entertainment was provided by several elementary, middle and high magnet and Gifted and Talented schools. Performances ranged from musicals and skits to concerts by jazz ensembles.  There also was an engineering expo and art show.

The district’s period for accepting magnet school applications for the next school year is through January 10, 2011.  For more information, please contact the EBRPSS Office of Innovative and Specialized Programs at (225) 922-5443 or log on to www.ebrschools.org.