Back-to-school week continues with first day of class for Ascension Parish students

The week of August 9 marks an exciting time for K-12 students across south Louisiana as they take on the first day of a new school year.

On Tuesday, educators in Ascension Parish began welcoming students back to class after summer vacation.

Monday concluded with a successful first day for campuses in Pointe Coupee Parish, both Feliciana Parishes, Baker, and Zachary Community Schools. Now, Ascension Parish is looking forward to a similarly smooth start to the school year.

David Alexander, Superintendent of Ascension Public Schools, expressed confidence in local students in a recent post on the District's Facebook page.

He highlighted the results of their hard work throughout the pandemic, saying: "Ascension Public Schools, along with Central and Zachary, led the state in the percentage of students who achieved Mastery and Advanced in all grades and all subjects at 48%... While looking at high school performance metrics, we are happy to report that the graduation rate for Ascension Public Schools grew from 88.7% in 2019 to 91.1% in 2020, far surpassing the state average of 84%."

With these high standards in mind, Ascension's school officials are eager to see in-person classes begin.

So, in the early morning hours, crowds of students are making their way back to campus carrying brand new notebooks and wearing backpacks that have yet to be broken in.

The first thing an onlooker would note, however, is that the majority of these students are also wearing masks.

The face coverings serve as a reminder that the pandemic remains ongoing and caution is necessary as students, teachers, and staff move about their day on campus.

That's why local education leaders have implemented COVID-related safety policies for everyone on school grounds to follow.

Measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing are just two of a host of updated COVID-safety regulations that some schools have applied.

Despite the challenge of adjusting to virus-related safety regulations, the first day of school is still a happy time for many students and their families.

Along those lines, parents of K-12 students in the WBRZ viewing area are using the hashtag #Back2SchoolWBRZ to share first day of school pictures, videos, and memorable 'back to school' moments.

As the first week of the 2021-2022 school year kicks off, parents are welcome to share 'First Day of School' pictures, videos, and memorable moments with Channel 2 News via #Back2SchoolWBRZ
Use the hashtag to let WBRZ know how the first day back is going for your students! pic.twitter.com/EZgJq6KsLg
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) August 9, 2021

Happy 1st Day of School!??????

Students all across the WBRZ viewing arena are getting ready to head back to the classroom this morning… and we want to see your first day photos!

Tweet me using #Back2SchoolWBRZ and I’ll share them on Twitter & over on our website!@WBRZ pic.twitter.com/Cx5tBYZB9C
— Dana DiPiazza (@danawbrz) August 9, 2021

#back2schoolwbrz pic.twitter.com/jczGtoD5qA
— Rachael Young (@Tizywizy) August 9, 2021

#BACK2SCHOOLWBRZ It's going to be a hot and steamy start to the new school year. CLICK to watch the full video forecast: https://t.co/ukshz2pUgy
— WBRZ Weather (@WBRZweather) August 9, 2021

#back2schoolwbrz pic.twitter.com/uhHn74jaz7
— Bo (@titanbjs) August 9, 2021

????????

2une In to find out how Zachary schools are starting off this new semester & send us your first day of school photos using the hashtag #Back2SchoolWBRZ!

We’re reposting them on our website at https://t.co/d6MtPunA6P pic.twitter.com/F3ZjKYJ08S
— Dana DiPiazza (@danawbrz) August 9, 2021

Not ready for summer to end? Relatable! Thanks Richie Lu for the #back2schoolwbrz Fur-Cast!
Video Replay: https://t.co/7hqZK3WutP pic.twitter.com/Usq2es61kN
— Marisa Nuzzo WBRZ (@marisanuzzowx) August 9, 2021

BIG growth for my BIG boy. #FirstGrade #Back2SchoolWBRZ
???????? pic.twitter.com/FdhTP1RJZf
— Brandi B. Harris (@BrandiBHarrisTV) August 10, 2021

S/O @marisanuzzowx for sharing my lil guy’s first day pic.??

Use #Back2SchoolWBRZ to show us your first day pix. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/Hb5Wm98wzC
— Brandi B. Harris (@BrandiBHarrisTV) August 10, 2021

The #back2schoolwbrz forecast is hot and muggy! CLICK the link for the latest on the tropics: https://t.co/aQgcUjYDkq
— WBRZ Weather (@WBRZweather) August 10, 2021

Great First Fay of School - Kennedy and Kendall Payne - Copper Mill Elementary 5th Grade #Back2SchoolWBRZ pic.twitter.com/wXT7zutikR
— Keisha Payne (@KeishaPayne18) August 9, 2021

As the week continues, parents in school districts across south Louisiana will continue to relate first-day memories.

A list of return-to-school dates for various Parishes in the WBRZ viewing area can be found below:

Ascension Parish

First Day of School: Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Website: Ascension Public Schools

East Baton Rouge Parish

First Day of School: Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Website: http://www.ebrschools.org

East Feliciana Parish

First Day of School: Monday, August 9, 2021

Website: www.efschools.net

Livingston Parish