Woodlawn Knights Insights
January 2026
Woodlawn High School
7340 Wyngate Boulevard
Shreveport, LA 71106
Dr. Grady Smith, Principal
Ms. Alice Morris, Assistant Principal
Ms. Rosalind Mosley, Assistant Principal
Mr. Patrick Dennis, Assistant Principal
Welcome to the 1st Edition of Our Digital Newsletter
On behalf of the Knights Insights staff, we would like to welcome you to our first edition of the Woodlawn Knights Insights digital newsletter. In this edition of the Knights Insight, you will find helpful information about events and people at WHS. We look forward to your feedback on this edition.
Knights Insights Newsletter Staff:
Makayla Bush
Aviana Cooley
Kamilya Jenkins
Chad Shaw
Erin Thompson
Ms. Kelicia Bryant, Newsletter Adviser
A Message from Dr. Smith
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
As we begin this semester, I’m excited about the learning, growth, and opportunities that lie ahead for our Knights community.
A few important reminders and highlights as we get started:
Academic focus: Students are encouraged to set clear goals for the semester — whether improving study habits, participating more in classes, completing college applications, or pursuing new opportunities. We have some growth to accomplish, and we need all minds focused on success.
Support systems: Our counselors and teachers are ready to help. Please reach out if students need academic or social‑emotional support.
Attendance & punctuality: Regular attendance and being on time to school and classes are essential for success. Let us work together to establish strong routines.
Winter activities: We have several events this month — basketball games and club and class meetings. Pay attention to announcements.
Health & safety: Please follow district guidance on health precautions. If students are unwell, keep them home and notify the attendance office.
Dress code: As the temperatures drop, keep in mind that hoodies and blankets are not allowed. Hats and beanies may be worn outside but not inside the buildings and classrooms.
Seniors, graduation is fast approaching. Make sure you are coming to school daily, passing your classes, and being successful on Work Keys, ACT, LEAP tests if needed, and certification tests. Let’s make this the best year you’ve ever had.
Thank you to our dedicated staff and families for your continued partnership. Together, we can make this semester meaningful and successful for every student. Let’s make these next few months a time of learning and achievement. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Warmly,
Dr. Grady Smith, Principal
Important Upcoming Events for January 2026
January 13-15: Work Keys Testing
January 19: MLK, Jr. Day - Schools closed
Morning Arrival / School Dismissal
Students are to arrive on campus no earlier than 7:30 am. At 8:00 am, students will be allowed in the building to report to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the auditorium. At 8:25 am, students will report to their 1st block class. Students will be dismissed at the end of the school day at 4:00 pm. Bus riders and walkers will report to the front of the school, and car riders will report to the north side of the campus near the band hall. Parents, please do not contact your child and tell him/her to leave class before 4:00 pm because you are in a hurry to pick him/her up. We must follow protocols for the safety of all our students.
Dress Code, ID's, and Hall Passes
All students must wear the appropriate color uniform shirt for their grade level (9th - black shirts; 10th - gray shirts; 11th - blue shirts; and 12th - red shirts) and khaki bottoms. Hoodies are NOT allowed. No student should have on a hat or cap inside the buildings/classrooms. All IDs, including temporary ID's, must be worn on the outside of the student's shirt and be visible at all times. Students must have a hall pass when leaving a classroom/instructional site during instructional time, even if called by the office.
Counselors' Corner
Your Counselors,
Ms. Mays - 9th and 10th grade
Ms. Anderson - 11th and 12th grade
PTSA Highlights
The Woodlawn PTSA invites you, the parents, staff, and students, to join our organization. PTSA's role is more important than ever in connecting parents, teachers, students, and administrators to support critical school needs. We want every family in our school to join PTSA, because we can do more together than apart. Membership dues are $10.00. See Mrs. Priest-Carter in G-101 to join.
Bell Schedule
1st Block: 8:30 am-10:10 am
2ndBlock:10:15 am-11:55 am
3rd block:
1st Lunch Shift: 11:55 am - 12:25 pm
1st Lunch Class: 12:30 - 2:15
2nd Lunch Class: 12:00-12:50
2nd Lunch Shift: 12:50 pm - 1:20 pm
2nd Lunch class resumes: 1:25 - 2:15
4th Block: 2:20 pm - 4:00 pm
Basketballl Schedules - January
Varsity Boys and Girls
Girls' games begin at 6:00 pm, and boys' games begin at 7:30 pm unless noted otherwise.
Jan.16: North Desoto (A)
Jan.20: New Living Word Academy (H) (Varsity Boys only at 6:00 pm)
Jan.23: Minden (H)
Jan.27: Northwood (A)
Jan.30: Southwood (H)
9th Grade and Junior Varsity (JV)
All games start at 5:30 pm unless noted otherwise.
Jan.17: Red River (A) at 12:00 pm
Jan.21: Captain Shreve (H)
Jan.26: 9th and JV Playoff Game - Time and location TBA
Jan.31: 9th and JV Playoff Game - Time and location TBA
Woodlawn High School names new head football coach
- Lavelle Wilson Jr. has been named the new head football coach at Woodlawn High School.
- Wilson previously served as the offensive coordinator at Richwood High School in Monroe.
- He replaces former coach Thedrick Harris, who will remain at the school as athletic director.
Article written by Jimmy Watson, Sports Reporter,
Shreveport Times
Originally posted online January 6, 2026
Lavelle Wilson Jr. paused for maybe a half-second before saying who is annually touted as Woodlawn’s most famous football player.
“Terry Bradshaw,” Wilson said with a grin. “So, hopefully he sees this so he can get us a donation.”
Announced Tuesday afternoon in front of a full auditorium at Woodlawn High School as the school’s football coach, Wilson vowed to make the Knights a relevant contender in District 1-4A in short order.
“I’ve studied my football, and I know there’s some good football down here,” he said. “But at the end of the day, that’s the same thing I’m trying to do over here at this school.”
Wilson comes to Woodlawn from Richwood in Monroe as a replacement for Thedrick Harris, who recently opted to take some time off from coaching. A graduate of Richwood (2005) and Grambling State University, Wilson has been serving as the offensive coordinator at Richwood, where he began his coaching career in 2008.
Harris, who was hired in 2021, saw his final Woodlawn team recently complete a 1-9 campaign, but his teams made the LHSAA playoffs the two previous seasons. The Louisiana Tech graduate was a defensive coordinator at Southwood and Huntington before serving as head coach at Marshall (Texas) High before coming to Woodlawn.
Harris will continue at the school as athletic director and administrative assistant in discipline to assist in building what he started.
About a dozen Woodlawn football players were on hand to greet Wilson, who said he will make sure his athletes are preparing themselves both on and off the field.
“Discipline. Most of the teams you see in the state championship are disciplined,” he said. “And they can run the ball, and they are physical teams. That’s what I’m trying to bring down here. We want to be a very tough, disciplined team.”
Wilson was the offensive coordinator at Wossman for three years (2022-25), leading the Wildcats to a trio of playoff appearances. He also spent three seasons as football and basketball coach at Richwood Middle School. He realizes the importance of keeping Woodlawn kids at Woodlawn instead of them showing up on the rosters at other Caddo Parish schools.
“Coach Wilson is coming to CMCT, Linwood and Ridgewood,” he said of the middle schools that feed Woodlawn. “Those three for a fact. I’m coming.”
Wilson and his wife, Chelsea, have five children, four boys and a girl.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
Staff Spotlight
Ms. Kayla Anderson is our 11th-12th grade counselor. She has been a counselor for four years. She says the best part about being a counselor is seeing students reach their goals. When asked what made her want to be a counselor, Ms. Anderson replied, " I worked as an office worker in the counselors' office when I was a student at Booker T. Washington High School. My high school counselor, Mrs. Patsey Solomon, inspired me." Some of Ms. Anderson's hobbies include shopping, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is the mother of one son, Kyran Anderson, and one fur baby, a Pomchi named Casper.
Staff Spotlight
Ms. Mays has been a counselor for 21 years. She says the most challenging part of being a school counselor involves juggling a wide range of responsibilities that go beyond academic and career guidance, and the most rewarding part of her job is the opportunity to directly support students through various challenges. If she could have any other job, she would be an autism advocate/specialist. Ms. Mays enjoys spending time with her family when she is not at work. She is the mother of one son, Ethan, who attends Evangel Christian Academy.
Student of the Year - Chelsey Shaw (interviewed by Kamilya Jenkins)
What are some clubs/organizations or sports you’re involved in?
“I am involved in the Anime Club, National Honor Society Club, Travel Club, Volleyball, 4-H Club, Teen Institute, and so many more organizations and clubs.”
What is your favorite high school memory?
“My favorite high school memory is during my sophomore year when my friends and I had a free day off from Early College classes, and we played Uno all day. It was fun and stress-free.”
Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you, and why?
“I don’t think that I can pick just one teacher because there are a few of them that have had an impact on my life. Mr. Rossum, Ms. Billingsley, Ms. Peoples, Ms. Fitch, and so many other staff members, too. They are always encouraging me when I am feeling down or unmotivated. They make me want to continue to do better and be successful.”
What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
“The most challenging part of this year for me is keeping up with due dates for college and high school at the same time.“
What extracurricular activity are you most proud of participating in?
“I think that I am most proud of participating in volleyball this year. I'm not a player, but as their manager, it was fun to also be involved and watch them play.”
If you could do one thing differently about your high school experience, what would it be?
“If I could do one thing differently about my high school experience, it would be not getting involved in things earlier.”
How have you changed from your freshman year to now?
“I have changed a lot from my freshman year because the first day of freshman year, I was very nervous and I even cried on my first day. I have changed a lot because I am not afraid to be outgoing and achieve great things.”
What does it mean to be a good leader in your opinion?
“In my opinion, to be a good leader means that you are someone who is brave and not afraid to make mistakes. You are respectful and listen to others when someone tells you something.”
What advice would you give to students starting high school?
“If I could give advice to students starting high school, I would say to always be in class and do your work. Make sure you aren’t playing games and overall, just try to do well.”
VOA News
Volunteers of America North Louisiana is dedicated to reach and uplift every person in need. Operating as a church without walls, our team of dedicated and professional staff provide quality, supportive services across 40 programs helping the most vulnerable in our communities, including children and families, veterans, senior adults, and those living with disabilities.
Currently, VOA is offering an attendance challenge. From January 6 through January 30, students can be entered into a raffle to win one of two gift baskets. Students must be present daily, and on time to school by 8:30 am. There will also be a discipline raffle on January 27. All students with no referrals for the entire month of January will be automatically entered to win lunch provided by the administrators. See Miss Darby or Ms. Woods, our VOA Site Coordinators, in Room 307 if you have any questions.
David Raines School-Based Health Center
School-Based Heath Centers (SBHC) provide comprehensive, acute care and preventive physical and behavioral health services for enrolled students on the school site. SBHC is a doctor's office inside of your child's school. These service help to shorten students' time away from instructional time and decrease absences at school. The center is staffed with board-certified pediatricians and/or nurse practitioners, nurses, licensed behavioral health providers, and patient service representatives. School-Based Services Include:
Primary and preventative care
Comprehensive physical exams
Sports physicals
Health screenings
Laboratory/diagnostic testing
Acute care for minor illnesses
Management of chronic diseases
Referral and follow up for emergencies
Referral to specialty care
Telehealth
Behavioral health assessments
Individual counseling
Group counseling
School-Based Centers are closed to the public. Students enrolled at one of our SBHC sites must have a medical consent to be treated. Get a form from your homeroom teacher. Sites are open during school hours. Students MUST have a hall pass to enter the health center.
Students in Ms. Maiden's class on the first day back after the Christmas break
Mrs. Thomas circulates around her classroom on the first day back after break as her juniors participate in the ice breaker Two Truths and a Lie
Academics
Leadership
Mariah Braodway, Zackarya Ellis, and Tre'von Brown are studying key words in JROTC with Mrs. Pennywell.
Integrity
Mrs. Tucker is our illustrious bookkeeper. She makes sure that all financial transactions are handled properly.
Have some information you want to submit? Contact me today!
Kelicia Bryant
Email: ktbryant@caddoschools.org
Location: Woodlawn High School, Room G-103
7340 Wyngate Blvd., Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
Phone: 318-686-3161 or Ext. 37574