NOLA-PS Provides Updates on School Re-opening Plan, Formation of Task Force
 
NEW ORLEANS – (May 7, 2020) - Per Gov. John Bel Edwards’ recent announcement, all NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) facilities will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. This necessary action is an effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 across our city and state. The District will issue updates to the public with developments every Thursday moving forward. Please note what is new and what has previously been shared below.   
   
WHAT’S NEW:   
 
NOLA-PS PLANNING FOR RE-OPENING OF SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR
Over the last several weeks the district has been in the assessment phase of the COVID-19 recovery, working with school leaders to determine what has worked and what will be needed to continue to support teachers and students in the next school year. As the district works through realigning plans and budgets for the next school year, NOLA-PS has announced it is creating a Reopening Task Force to advise district administration and the board on needs for school plans and protocols as students return, either in person or virtually, next year. The Task Force will focus on planning for every possible scenario and taking every precaution to ensure students, staff and faculty are safe while helping children grow and learn. The group will be comprised of school leaders, teachers, social workers, medical experts, parents and other key experts, that will focus on how to safely return to school.

Additionally, NOLA-PS is in the process of hiring a medical and public health advisor who will oversee reentry planning processes and who will be available to all schools in the district to advise on actions to take and how to keep our campuses safe. 

UNIFIED START DATE FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR ANNOUNCED
As the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close, NOLA-PS has been working closely with school leaders to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. For the first time, a majority of the K-12 institutions authorized by NOLA-PS will follow a citywide, unified calendar. Based on this unified calendar, which was announced after months of collaboration between charter schools, the 2020-2021 academic school year is scheduled to kick off between the common window of August 4-11, 2020. Schools have also agreed to common windows for fall, Mardi Gras and spring breaks and to align to the same dates for all single day holidays as well as Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
 
SUMMER SCHOOL WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA DISTANCE LEARNING
NOLA-PS has announced that students needing summer school will do so via distanced learning. This is being done in order to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff as the city continues to combat the virus. Any student needing to complete summer school coursework should coordinate with their school leader on accessing distance learning.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:  

NOLA-PS OFFERS SCHOOLS SUPPORT FOR GRADUATION 
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic wear on, graduation seniors are having to postpone celebrating the end of their high school careers. While some schools are doing virtual or socially-distanced celebrations on their own, many are planning for full graduations at later dates. NOLA-PS is currently working with schools to carry out a virtual celebration for graduates, through the NOLA-PS television channel. More details on timing of such celebrations will be released soon. NOLA-PS is also offering schools support in planning for virtual and in-person ceremonies as needed and is committed to ensuring all students are celebrated, when it is safe to do so. 

CHILD NUTRITION
Since Monday, March 16, approximately 976,103 meals and counting have been served to students in Orleans Parish.

Current Citywide Feeding Program Schedule:

• Every Monday, meals will be provided for two days.
• Every Wednesday, meals will be provided for three days.
• Community Feeding sites will NOT be open on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
• Service Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Families wishing to access information on child nutrition resources should visit the District’s webpage at https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition. This webpage has the most up-to-date listing of where food services are available.

Students over 18 that are enrolled in public K-12 schools, including students with disabilities through age 22, are also eligible for free meals at open sites. 

• Students do not need to be present to receive meals. Parents or caregivers may pick up meals on behalf of the students within their household.
• Child nutrition resources are available to those under 18 years of age and those who currently attend a public school.
• Students who are over 18 years of age and are currently enrolled in public schools will also be allowed to access the community feeding programming. Schools will be contacting those families directly to ensure they are aware of the services available to them.  

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER WEBPAGE:
The NOLA-PS website has been updated to share important information and resources related to COVID-19 for community members. The community resource center includes distance learning resources for families, as well as links to local agencies and non-profits that are providing critical services and updates on the coronavirus. There are also mental and behavioral health resources to support students, educators and community members through this difficult time. We will continue to update this page as we learn of resources that may be valuable to community members.

The page also serves as a way to connect with community members that are looking for ways to support students and schools. The District is coordinating the collection of resources for schools such as sanitation supplies, educational materials, and various technology needs. If you are looking for information on giving donations, please email donations@nolapublicschools.com or contact 504-430-5311.

To access the NOLA-PS community webpage, visit https://nolapublicschools.com/community
To access distance learning resources webpage, visit https://www.nolapublicschools.com/distance-learning-resources

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ABOUT NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS:  NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish, which includes the district’s elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board and the district’s administration led by NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 78 public schools. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.

   


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