High expectations set at ESJ Back to School Bash
Published 6:29 am Saturday, August 17, 2019
- Guest speaker Ashton Cage challenges East St. John High School cheerleaders and dancers to a toe-touch contest during the Back to School Bash.
RESERVE — High expectations were set for the 2019-20 school year as students, alumni and staff gathered for a Back to School Bash at East St. John High School.
Cheering alumni greeted students as they got off the bus before heading into an assembly that featured performances by the East St. John High School band and auxiliary units, inspirational guest speakers, information from school staff members and more on the first Friday of the new school year.
“I want to talk a little about the brain power in the room,” Principal Christopher Mayes told students. “The most powerful brains in the parish are the ones in this room that are being molded today. We have seen incredible growth at our school, and I’m going to let you know where that growth came from last year.”
Mayes said the Class of 2022 showed the third highest growth in English I and Algebra I, while the Class of 2021 posted the second highest in geometry. It was this year’s senior class, however, that set the standard last year.
East St. John High School students get fired up for the new school year at the Back to School Bash.
“This group of individuals had double digit gains,” Mayes said. “Almost 30 percent of the class moved their scores in English III up to mastery and advanced – the top two levels you can score – and that came from none other than the Class of 2020. So now that you have the scores, the expectation is that your work is going to be exemplary as seniors because your test scores have already proven that you can do it. Your secret is out. You are bright bulbs in the building, and I’m going to expect it every day. You all are incredibly intelligent. It’s the reason I took this job, because this is a group of children who want to change a nation.”
Assistant Principal Corey Lambert said the school would be taking a more restorative approach to discipline. Students who are tardy will be expected to make up that time during Saturday Credit Recovery Time and Student Support. Students serving in-school suspension will be given laptops to complete classwork and will be required to complete a vision board and to meet with counselors.
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board member Shawn Wallace, center, joins other East St. John High School alumni in greeting students prior to the start of the Back to School Bash.
“This is a golden opportunity for greatness, and I’m talking about East St. John,” Dean of Discipline Jackson Manuel said. “I’ve been in the education field for some 42 years and this school is as good as it gets and we’re going to keep it that way and we’re going to do everything in our power to make it better.”
Guest speakers at the event provided motivation for the students to do well this school year and beyond. Those speakers included Steven Perrilloux, Ashton Cage, hip-hop artist Shay Brigs, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre and District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut.
“I am proud of each and every one of you here today,” Dinvaut said. “It’s important for you to realize as you go through your classes hour after hour and day after day, it is important for you to realize you are here to gain tools. Tools to further your aspirations and your dreams. Go into your classrooms with a positive attitude and go into your classrooms saying I’m going to get a tool out of here and I’m going to put that tool in my toolbox because one day I may need that tool or one day that tool may help me to get another tool.”
