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LaVont Suggs was nervous when he was in the car, but once the high school sophomore walked inside of the building, and saw and felt all the excitement, his anxious feelings gave way to good ones. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) enthusiastically welcomed scholars back to the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 14 with its annual “Red Carpet Day” that included fanfare, introductions and orientations. 

“It was overwhelming. I felt the love,” said CHS junior Jaden Jones of her walk down the red carpet inside of Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. “I felt like they missed me and was glad to have me back.” 

“We are excited and thrilled to have our scholars back on campus,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “We have a year planned where our scholars can reach new heights of academic success. This is also a history making school year in that today was the first time that our students were picked up by yellow buses.” 

CHS has contracted with the Illinois Central Bus Co. to pick up students and have them at school by 7:05 a.m. for breakfast each school day and before their first period of the day that begins at 7:45 a.m. 

“With our new bus service, our attendance will go up,” added Jeffries. “We will also have less safety concerns, as many of our scholars had to take public transportation and then walk to campus.” 

Another new feature for the year is that CHS is now a “phone-free zone.” CHS Assistant Director Liza Cummings, PhD, explained the new system and guidelines to the students. Each student will receive a Yondr pouch for their cell phone. The phones will be turned off or put on airplane mode before placing it in the bag.

Cummings detailed the benefits of being “present” and “uninterrupted” by phones throughout the day and how it could lead to greater learning and academic achievement. 

Students were divided into groups, toured the school and heard briefing about other facets of CHS that included The Peace Room, technology, Smart Passes and security check in. 

Students heard from SIUE sophomore Jaymz Young, who graduated from CHS in 2022. 

“My experience at Charter High School was great,” said Young. “Take advantage of everything the school has to offer. Make your days count.” 

Kenard Alverson, CHS sophomore, is looking forward to getting better grades this year. “This school is realty unique compared to others,” said Alverson. “They celebrate the students and support us in a big way.” 

CHS senior Dannica Davis is also excited about the current school year. “I’m expecting to do a lot educationally wise,” said Davis, who earned a 4.0 GPA in her junior year. “Oh, I will get a 4.0 again this year. I will be the valedictorian.” Davis has plans to become an anesthesiologist. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century.  

Photos:
SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School administrators, teachers and staff eagerly greeted students to the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 14. CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, welcomes sophomores Lamillion Dorsey (left) and Jamie Spiller (right).  

CHS staff welcomes back former CHS student and SIUE sophomore Jaymz Young. (L-R): Jeffries, Young, CHS social worker and athletic director Shawn Roundtree and CHS math instructor Greg Laktzian.