New changes for students in Ascension Parish as they return to school
ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) – Major changes are happening for nearly 24,000 students across Ascension Parish. Three new high schools, state laws requiring new policies, and an update on last year’s air conditioner concerns on buses.
The clock is ticking until the first bell rings marking the start of the 2024-2025 school year in Ascension Parish. This time around, it’s out with the old and in with the new.
“We’re going have a lot of kids going to some new schools this coming year,” said Jackie Tisdell, Public Information Officer for Ascension Parish Schools.
Most recently, the district cut the ribbon on two new high schools: East Ascension and Prairieville. Ascension Parish will celebrate a third new building at the top of August.
“Now, I want to say our community supports change in public schools. And so when we call them out, they come,” said Edith Walker, Superintendent of Ascension Parish Schools.
All these new changes have led to a massive re-districting map, which means your child could be assigned to a new school or sophomores, juniors, and seniors have the option to transfer.
“We had to create a new feeder system so that impacted primary, middle, and high school. So we’re gonna have a lot of kids going to some new schools this coming year,” said Tisdell.
And new laws passed during this year’s state legislature include a new grading scale.
“A ten-point grading scale is making sure that an A is always going to be 90 to 100 A, B is always 80 to 89, and so on, so forth,” said Tisdell.
Along with a state-wide policy prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus during school hours.
“A student can bring a device to school, but during the first bell and the last bell, it must be stowed away and powered off completely. It can’t just be silenced,” said Tisdell.
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Meanwhile, the opening of a fifth high school in Ascension Parish includes a new sports complex at Prairieville High.
“And the start of some new inter-district arrival where you settle that will all be taking place the school year,” said Tisdell.
And with this new athletic facility comes a clear bag policy for middle and high school sporting events in the district.
“There will be, you know, allowable some small wallets and everything allowable. But, you know, purses and backpacks and bigger bags will have to be clear,” said Tisdell.
When it comes to transportation, air conditioners on buses are a big concern for families. That’s why APS has an answer.
“We are going to have every single school bus with AC and I can tell you I rode on one in the middle of June and the middle of the day and it was very comfortable,” said Tisdell.
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APS says although there are a lot of new things happening across the parish, don’t let the changes overwhelm you. The district is excited to welcome all that this next school year has to offer.
“It’s a culture of excitement here in Ascension Parish, and one of the reasons why we continue to grow as a district year after year is because people really are excited about our schools and they want to have their kids in our school system,” said Tisdell.
School starts August 8 for Ascension Parish. For more information on their new clear bag policy and school supply lists visit their website.
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