BATON ROUGE - Students at Istrouma High head back to class Wednesday and they begin the new school year with a few old traditions.

It started Tuesday afternoon at Krispy Kreme on Plank Road. East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent Warren Drake bought a box of donuts and rang the bell to commemorate another year before heading to campus to welcome students back with the beating of a bass drum.

"We're getting ready to ring the bell not only for Istrouma High School's rebirth but the new year in East Baton Rouge parish schools," Drake said.

After last August's flood, the original Istrouma drum was nowhere to be found, but they were able to make do without it.

"I've done it a few times," Istrouma Alumnus Woody Jenkins said. "It's an honor to do it on a Glen Oaks drum of all things."

Students and staff members were on hand for the event.

"This is very personal for me being that I'm the first of four children to graduate from Istrouma High School," volleyball coach, Ebony Noah-Williams said. "Being part of the 70805 community, this is very important for the community to service the children of this area."