LAPLACE – The day parents have been eagerly awaiting since the beginning of summer has finally arrived. It’s not an optical illusion or a summer sporting event, the buses on the road mean the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year starting tomorrow for St. John the Baptist and St. James Parish.

The Aug. 7 start for St. John schools marks one of the earliest in recent memory – it’s three days earlier than Aug. 10 start last year – which means an earlier last day of school on May 21. Officials say an earlier start allows more instruction time leading up to the LEAP te st, the assessment administered to all fourth- and eighth-graders attending Louisiana public schools.

St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace also begins classes tomorrow. Ascension of Our Lord in LaPlace and Sacred Heart in Norco will follow with their first day of classes on Friday. St. Charles Borromeo in Destrehan and Our Lady of Grace in Reserve start Monday.