Patrick Mackin, assistant principal of Carolyn Park Middle School, has been named the new principal of Slidell Junior High School. He replaces Brendan McCurley, who has assumed the principalship of the parish’s new high school. The St. Tammany Parish School Board unanimously confirmed his appointment at its meeting Thursday night.

Mackin brings 10 years of experience in St. Tammany schools to the position, along with a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University.

“As a resident of the district, I understand the opportunities and responsibilities the position offers. Thank you,” Mackin said. In a related matter, the administrative team of the new and still unnamed high school was introduced. McCurley was re-introduced to the board by Superintendent Gayle Sloan, who also introduced assistant principal Steven Swallow and Ilene LeBlanc, a curriculum specialist who will also act as an assistant principal.

McCurley said he has met with a number of students who will attend the school, and they are excited. He said he has already been to the site in preparation for the spring.

“It is truly awesome,” he said.

In another matter, as part of the Wear Your Cap to School Day, the school system raised $17,754 this year and $52,430 for the past three years to support the group Caps for Kids. There was 100 percent school participation for the program that helps students nationwide with cancer receive a cap signed by their hero or favorite celebrity.

Nathan Barattini, a Slidell-area student with lymphoma, was at the meeting and presented with a cap signed by his hero, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, and other members of the team.

He also received two tickets to a Hornets game and will act as a team assistant, meeting the players and coaches.

Accomplishments and awards:

• Gayle Sloan as state Superintendent of the Year.

• The school system and Brett Stoltz, director of business affairs, for receiving a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from both the Government Finance Officers Association of Louisiana and from the American School Board Officials International, each award given to the board for the past 20 years.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Elsie Burkhalter also congratulated Sloan on her award, adding that Sloan had been named “A Friend of Education by the LFT. She also announced that Fifth Ward student Brandy McGowen was named the winner of the LFT Christmas card art contest. McGowen’s card was used as the Christmas card for the union this year.