Dutchtown High School embraces diversity through Ascension Fund grant

After Ascension Parish Schools adopted an Embracing Diversity calendar for the 2023-2024 school year, teachers and students at Dutchtown High School embraced the initiative to celebrate diversity.

Funds from an Ascension Fund School Impact Grant were used to purchase resources such as books, posters and display items to aid in this celebration campaign.

Dutchtown High School is the largest public high school in the state, servicing 2,625 students in the ninth through 12th grades. The campus is truly a melting pot of diverse cultures, and the school’s library, or media center, is a hub of student engagement, a news release said.

Monthly book displays showcased everything from Irish American History to Disability Awareness. Bulletin board paper housed in the media center was used by students to celebrate Back to School, Hispanic Heritage, and various holidays.

Students made special morning announcements celebrating Black History month and Women’s History month. While the Griffins of Dutchtown High always have recognized different cultures, this year was special with the added resources provided by this generous grant.

The writers of the grant, teacher Tracy Hymel and librarian Sherry Guillot, asked other teachers and students to help compile the list of books. Talented and Gifted teacher Mandy Perret was one teacher who aided with the list.

“Providing resources for students to combat mental health issues is a great step forward to letting students know they are not alone,” she said of the book additions to the library.

Funds for this grant entitled Book it to the Library for Heritage Month were provided by the Roy Stern Memorial Grant through the Ascension Fund. The Ascension Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument for private sector leaders to invest directly in the work of individual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools.

Teacher Grants of $500 or $1,000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis. To date, the Ascension Fund has awarded approximately 1,500 grants representing over $1.8 million dollars in the school system. For more information, visit www.ascensionfund.com.