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The Legal Communique
February 16, 2021 | Issue #7 | --------------"Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler" Edition
Upcoming Events

See what's happening this month.
About Us


Link to About Us.
Legal Spotlight

Genara D. Freeman-Morris

See Legal Spotlight below.
Helix Legal Academy offers unique pathways to opportunity that do not exist elsewhere in the city. The instructional vision of the legal academy is built around the five essential legal competencies: advocacy, argumentation, critical thinking, research, and negotiation. These competencies are reinforced throughout the school year in all subjects. This emphasis on legal competencies is in addition to, rather than in place of, the legal academy’s focus on STEAM education. While students develop key legal competencies, engage with legal professionals, and immerse themselves in all three branches of government prominent in downtown Baton Rouge, they will also have a chance to develop STEAM-related skills through an elective that follows the Project Lead The Way curriculum. 
Helix Legal Academy will open with a 6th-grade class in the 2021-22 school year in downtown Baton Rouge. The following year, the legal academy will add a 7th grade and will complete its expansion as a middle school in the 2023-24 school year. 
Principal's Message
Greetings Gladiators,

The past year will be one the history books do not forget. It was absolutely historic as it relates to the pandemic, the election, social unrest, and the shutdown and shifts of the world as we know it. Here in Louisiana, we have had to abandon many of the customs that make us unique. Festivals were canceled. Family gatherings were postponed. Zoom calls replaced gathering around the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

As the amazing and unconventional Mardi Gras holiday continues to progress, I cannot help but feel a twinge of sadness that we will not be able to enjoy the rich culture of the season. There will not be any parades to take our children to or late-night dinners with King Cake and crawfish. We are forced, as we have been for almost an entire year, to change the way we celebrate with those we love the most. This is for their safety and health. Because although we are saddened by the temporary loss of traditions we hold so dear, we must realize that preserving and protecting our loved ones is much more important.

One thing that we know how to do as a community is pivot. Although we won’t be catching coconuts at the Zulu parade or glittery shoes as Muses, a series of homes in the New Orleans area have come together to decorate their front lawns with Mardi Gras decor. It is innovative and safe. This act maintains our unique holiday while embodying the spirit of Louisiana as only we can. As we continue to plan for the 2021-22 school year with you and your families in mind, we are thinking of ways to continue to keep you safe. We are implementing many systems and protocols in the Fall in an effort to be proactive regarding the uncertainties of this pandemic. Just as our state and city embrace the importance of community, we do the same at Helix Legal Academy. You are already a valued member of our family, and we cannot wait to safely learn, grow, and celebrate with you.

Yours in service,
Chastity J. George
Our Vision and Mission
HELIX LEGAL ACADEMY TENETS
At Helix Legal Academy,
We Set the BAR!!
LEGAL SPOTLIGHT
Genara Freeman-Morris
Attorney Genara Freeman-Morris hails from Monroe, Louisiana by way of New Iberia, Louisiana. Upon graduating from Wossman High School, she attended and graduated from Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration. While a student at Grambling State University, Attorney Morris served as a legislative intern for Senator J. Bennett Johnston in Washington, D.C. She was also a foreign exchange student in Saltillo, Mexico.
Attorney Morris followed her passion for law and government to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she became an intern in the Louisiana State Capitol for the Jefferson Delegation. Prior to completion of the intern, she was offered a full-time position with BellSouth Telecommunications in customer service where she worked for five (5) years while pursuing a master’s in public administration at Southern A&M University.  
In 2002, she decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming an attorney and began law school at the prestigious Southern University Law Center, graduating in 2005. During her time in law school, Attorney Morris served as a juvenile attorney under the direction of Professor Jacqueline Nash. Upon graduation, Attorney Morris began her most important job of being a wife and mother. She is the wife of Attorney Daniel Morris. They have two beautiful children, Thomas and Danni Elise. 
Upon graduation, Attorney Morris, joined her husband’s family firm, Morris & Associates in Cleveland, MS. In Cleveland Mississippi, she also taught Paralegal Studies at Delta State University and worked as General Counsel for Delta Health Center and City Attorney for the town of Drew. She is a managing partner of Daniel E. Morris Law Firm, Pllc, where she handles personal injury, family law, worker’s compensation, and product liability cases for the firm. She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association and Mississippi Association for Justice. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Legal Writing, Wills & Trusts, Lawyering Process and Legal Research at her beloved alma mater, Southern University Law.
Enrollment is OPEN!
Phase II opens on enrollbr.org
February 12, 2021
We have limited seating for our first 6th grade class. They will be special because they will be our first graduating class in May of 2028 as we reach our full range of being the first 6 - 12 Legal Academy in the state. 

You can now enroll on our website.
Just Click Below . . .
Upcoming Events
Helix Community Schools STEAM Saturdays
Saturday, February 27, 2021
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
HLA Downtown Playground School Tour
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
We will have hands-on activities and stations for students of all ages.
We can also answer any questions you may have about our school and programs.
Would you like to know more about our
STEAM Saturday?

Click the video below.
Let's Have Fun!!!
AFFIDAVIT

An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, swearing to the truth of the contents of a document. Affidavits are used to confirm truths in trial proceedings. In most cases, affidavits are used when witnesses are not able to attend a trial in person. Affidavits are used most often in estate matters and family law conflicts. Being dishonest in an affidavit is just like lying under oath on the stand and is considered illegal. Untrue affidavits can result in fines or imprisonment.
MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE SUGAR COOKIES
(from Bakelovegive.com)

Yields: approximately 36 cookies
Ingredients:

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
colored sanding sugar and metallic sugar pearls to decorate


Preparation:

  1. Line baking sheets with either parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together baking powder, salt, and flour. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
  4. Gradually mix in dry mixture until dough forms. Form dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap for at least an hour before rolling.
  5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of freezer paper to ¼ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
  7. Sprinkle with colored sanding sugars and adorn with sugar pearls if desired. Bake 5-8 minutes until lightly golden on the edges.
  8. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

ENJOY!!!
"Evident"-ly Funny
(Legal Cartoons and Quotes)
Legal Briefs
(A new game, mini activity, or mini lesson in Law each newsletter)
Ever tried to win a disagreement? In Argument Wars, you will try out your persuasive abilities by arguing a real Supreme Court case. The other lawyer is your competition. Whoever uses the strongest arguments wins! 

Cases include:
  • Bond v. the United States
  • Brown v. Board of Education
  • Gideon v. Wainwright
  • Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
  • In Re Gault
  • Miranda v. Arizona
  • New Jersey v. T.L.O.
  • Snyder v. Phelps 
  • Texas v. Johnson

Play and Enjoy! See you in the Fall!
Attorney Healthy Lifestyle Habits
King Cake Season!
It’s in full swing here in Louisiana. 
Stacks of those colorful, tell-tale boxes are front and center in every grocery store and bakery across our great state, and they show up in office break rooms on a near-daily basis. No doubt about it, king cake is an indulgence that Louisianians love and one that is also hard to avoid. It’s just one of the factors that make this time of year particularly difficult for those attempting to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.

So, how can you enjoy this holiday season without getting too far off track from your commitment to health? Click "Read More" for a few tips to help you through!
Virtual Learning Parental Tip/Strategy
Going into the second Spring Semester of distance learning, parents, teachers, and students are learning to be more successful and supportive during the pandemic.

With this knowledge, here are some tips and tricks to allow parents and caregivers to keep students focused, interested, and balanced while learning from a distance.
Virtual Teaching Tips/Strategy for Educators

Amidst today’s virtual and hybrid learning models, one may become overwhelmed with good practices that make online learning better. 
Here are 14 quick tips to help the busy teacher streamline the process and provide aid to students in your class and their parents.
Tips for a Safe and Healthy Mardi Gras Season
COVID-19 Information 

There have been over 9,000 deaths from COVID-19 in Louisiana. Although Mardi Gras is normally the time we let the good times roll, let’s be safe by staying away from people who do not live in our household whether they are family or otherwise. If you do choose to gather, wear a mask at all times and remain six feet apart. According to the Washington Post, it is better to DOUBLE MASK in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will also better protect against the variant that is continuing to spread in the United States. A fun and safe alternative to Mardi Gras is traveling by car with your immediate family to New Orleans to check out the Krewe of House Floats, homes decorated all over the city in the Mardi Gras spirit. Maps of participating homes can be found on the WDSU website and Facebook
Helix Legal Academy Upcoming Events
  • February 15 - 19, 2021 | Mardi Gras Break
  • Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Helix Legal Academy Downtown Playground School Tour
  • Saturday, February 27, 2021 | STEAM Saturday at Helix Community Schools
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We hope you enjoyed this issue and look forward to seeing you with our next newsletter on February 9th.

As always, you will receive updates straight to your inbox, but you can also check out our previous issues below.
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We look forward to hearing from you!
Feel Free learn more about our school by visiting any of these sites. If necessary, you can also reach out to us at anytime with questions or concerns.
See You Soon!
(225) 346-5180