It was a special moment at the Chalmette High School Natatorium recently when 2nd-grade teacher Paige Tortorich and her students from Arlene Meraux Elementary completed their swim lessons using brand-new life jackets that Tortorich herself helped provide.
Last year, Tortorich was surprised live on campus by the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show after being selected for its Classroom Giveback program, an initiative that selects deserving teachers to receive funding to enhance their classrooms with necessary supplies or materials. Instead of requesting supplies for her own classroom, she chose to use the $500 award to purchase 35 new life jackets for the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s 2nd Grade Swim Program, which teaches every second grader across the parish how to swim and practice water safety.
Now, at the start of the 2025–2026 school year, her own class was able to use the jackets during their lessons – a meaningful full-circle moment for both teacher and students.
Coach Millie Soroe, who coordinates the program, reflected on the milestone. “Our 2nd Grade Swim Program gives every child the chance to learn an essential life skill,” Soroe said. “Mrs. Tortorich’s generosity supports that mission and will continue to benefit students across our District.”
About the 2nd Grade Swim Program.
The St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s 2nd Grade Swim Program teaches every second grader how to swim and utilize water safety techniques. Held each year at the Chalmette High School Natatorium, the program is unique to the state and aims to ensure that every student leaves second grade with the knowledge and skills to be safe in the water. In addition to the school-year program, the district also offers summer swim lessons for 1st–5th graders at the Chalmette High School Swimming Pool.
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