By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

ST. JOHN – It’s back to school time in St. John Parish with teachers and principals alike making their last minute adjustments and preparing for another upcoming school year.

Schools begin regular session on Thursday for Lorita Peterson, a 16-year veteran of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary who teachers kindergarten inclusion and is very excited about returning for another year.

&#8220This school has improved a lot,” Peterson said. &#8220We have a wonderful principal, dedicated teachers, and I think we’ll have a great year.”

Located across the hall from Peterson’s classroom is Kindergarten teacher Marsha Brown who was setting up

her classroom for her first teaching experience in Louisiana. Brown and her three small daughters were all smiles as they helped set up the rest of her classroom for Thursday.

&#8220I taught for three years in Texas and this is my first year in Louisiana,” Brown said. &#8220This is a new experience for me, and I’m excited for it.”

Parents were invited to visit Lake Pontchartrain Monday to learn what research based strategies teachers will use in the classrooms, according to LPE principal Patricia Triche. Other things covered in depth for parents included the money for school improvement fund, the possibility of the school receiving accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the schools goal to read 100,000 books.

Teachers at LPE had in-service sessions Tuesday where they worked in whole faculty study groups to ensure policies are understood and help teachers at the school stay on the same page.

East St. John High held a similar in-service session Monday for teachers and faculty preparing for the first week of school.

LPE will be having a first day celebration Thursday with donuts and juice, Triche noted, where parents are invited on campus to check out the school or help their children find their classes, Triche said.

&#8220Basically we want the school to look nice and friendly,” Triche said. &#8220I think it looks great.”