[StBernard] Two Schools to Reopen Aug 14

[Westley Annis]

Chalmette High reverts to its old school name and Andrew Jackson in
Chalmette, a former high school, returns as an elementary school, when St.
Bernard public schools reopen Aug. 14, with a total of about 3,000 students
expected - more than one-third of pre-Katrina level of 8,800 in school
system.
 
"We're planning for 3,000,'' said Superintendent of Schools Doris Voitier
who said she is believes there will be about 1,400 students in grades 7-12
at Chalmette High, which was called St. Bernard Unified School after it
reopened in mid-November, 11 weeks after the hurricane and containing
students from all public schools.
 
She expects about 1,550 at Andrew Jackson, which will house pre-kindergarten
through sixth grades. Only classes for grades1-6 will start on Aug. 14, she
said. 
 
Kindergarten students start class Aug. 21 and 3-and-4-year-olds in
pre-kindergarten start classes Aug. 28. There will also be after school
programs at Andrew Jackson.
One highlight of the fall semester will be the return of football for the
Chalmette High Owls. Voitier said no date has been chosen but admission for
the first home night game will be free to the public as part of a
celebration. Andrew Jackson will again be known as the Colonels, she said.
 
School uniforms will also return this year. Khaki or Navy-colored slacks or
skirts can be worn and would require belts if they have loops, Voitier said.
White collared shirts can be worn or a collared shirt in a school's color,
such as maroon at Chalmette High or blue at AJ, she said. Socks must be worn
as well as a closed shoe such as a tennis or dress shoe, but not allowed are
flip flops or sandals, she said.
 
There is a possibility during the year that a third school will be opened,
N.P. Trist in Meraux, a former middle school, if enrollment continues to
grow in the school system, Voitier said. "A lot depends on repopulation of
the community,'' she said.
If Trist isn't needed during the upcoming year it is anticipated to reopen
for the fall of 2007, she said. Bids for work on Trist are expected soon.
 
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