NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans Public Schools leaders are making sure their students who participate in the parades stay safe this Mardi Gras season.
The focus of NOLA Public Schools’ safety plan is keeping their marching bands, cheerleaders and dance teams safe while they march in the parades.
Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams wants to reiterate that no paradegoers should walk in front of, touch, dance with or throw beads at any of their scholars taking part in the parades.
Parents march alongside the students to create a barrier for a reason. Still, some paradegoers don’t always respect the bands and cheerleaders as they pass by.
Taylor Blevins, a senior and cheerleader at Sophie B. Wright Charter School said, “People will march across the street while we are marching forward. You have to march in place and then wait for them to move and that messes up our lines. It is better for people to stay on the sides while we are marching, and then after we march by and there’s an opening, that’s when you can cross the street.”
School leaders said a safe distance also will provide safety for the paradegoers, so they don’t get hit in the face with musical instruments or moving arms from band members.
Williams also said the best thing you can do is cheer on the students because they obviously work extra hard to put on a great show for everyone.
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