East St. John High to return full‑time March 14 under split‑site plan

District leaders presented a detailed timeline and logistics plan to return East St. John High School (ESJH) scholars to full‑day, in‑person learning on March 14, 2022.

Superintendent Dr. Lynett Hookfin and Mrs. Johnson described a phased approach: juniors, seniors, certain scheduled sophomores and alternate assessment scholars will attend daily at Leon Godchaux Junior High; freshmen and other sophomores will use ESJH spaces including the STEM building, the 400 building, and the Industrial Arts building. The district will operate an A/B asynchronous schedule through March 11, with teachers providing live instruction via TEAMS during asynchronous days, taking attendance each period and recording lessons for students who are absent.

Logistics and timeline: from Feb. 14–25 the district will adjust schedules, custodial assignments and transportation; Feb. 28–Mar. 1 are Mardi Gras holidays; Mar. 2–4 are asynchronous learning days; staff meetings and transitions are scheduled Mar. 3–4; the district expects to maintain ACT testing windows (Mar. 8–17) and seek required clearances from the Fire Marshal and Department of Health and Human Services before full occupancy.

Academic supports: to address unfinished learning, administrators outlined a district plan with daily 15‑minute writing workshops across the curriculum, embedded intervention in core classes, targeted after‑school and Saturday tutoring, and intentional grouping based on LEAP 2025 diagnostics (minutes cite 401 re‑testers and 587 initial testers). The district said teachers will remain logged in during embedded work time and award credit for valid absences consistent with district attendance policy.

Next steps: Board members requested the return‑to‑school schedule be emailed to the board and shared publicly; Mrs. Mitchell‑Williams urged rapid public communication. The plan depends on logistics (transportation, food service) and clearances; administration said it will continue preparing schedules and communicating updates to parents.