NEW ORLEANS - (October 4, 2019) The New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission is partnering with NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) to enhance the sports and physical education programming of youth participants in Orleans Parish Schools.
The collaboration allows for NORD and NOLA-PS to form a collaborative sports league that will organize, facilitate and manage athletic games at NORD and NOLA-PS facilities.
The agreement includes all sports for girls and boys. Currently there are teams formed for the following sports: middle school tackle football, high school girl’s flag football, and middle school volleyball, and flag football.
“What this represents is a true partnership between NORD, NOLA Public Schools, and the Cantrell Administration. We are breaking down silos in order to build up our young people and help them to reach their full potential. Our NORD facilities and our schools are nexus centers of our communities. We are being more intentional and more holistic in our approach to providing services for our children by meeting them where they are. This is a step in the right direction, and there is much more to come,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
“We are thrilled to partner with OPSB, and Charter School Networks to offer a collaborative sports league for middle and high school students. The focus of the league is to ensure youth have an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and physical education programming throughout the school year,” said NORD CEO Larry Barabino, Jr.
“This partnership is another way NORD is increasing its services and offerings to support students and families within our community”. “As part of our commitment to athletics in public schools, NOLA Public Schools has proudly partnered with NORD to launch a collaborative athletic league for our middle and high school students. We look forward to the first year of the NORD/NOLA-PS Collaborative Athletic league supporting the tradition of strong athletic programming in our schools,” said NOLA-PS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.
The term of the agreement is for the 2019-2020 school year, and is renewable.
The next tackle football game in the league is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. between Einstein Charter and Goretti at Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd.
There are currently more than 600 students signed up to participate in tackle football, flag football and volleyball this fall.
NEW ORLEANS – (September 26, 2019) - The following is a statement that was delivered to the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) by Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr., Superintendent of NOLA Public Schools (NOLAPS), at the Board Business Meeting on Thursday. Sept. 26th. The remarks are in reference to the investigation into the New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF) grade changing issues that occurred at John F. Kennedy (JFK) High School:
“Tonight I would like to provide an update on John F. Kennedy High School, as I have prioritized monthly over the past several board meetings because I believe our community deserves to be informed about the status of the students who participated in the graduation at JFK for the 2018-2019 school year and our ongoing oversight of the work being done with current students.
Tonight I would like to share that a final report has been completed by NOLA public schools staff. The report summarizes our review of the incidents that occurred at JFK and subsequent actions taken by our administration in response. This report has also been shared with the state Office of Inspector General and the board president for New Beginnings Schools Foundation.
And while our review into this matter is complete given our authority and responsibilities, it should be mentioned the state inspector general is still in the process of conducting its own investigation.
In short, based upon information gathered and reviewed, our investigation into grade change allegations raised in February was ultimately inconclusive. However, a second grade change scheme was reported to OPSB in May. This second incident resulted in some students who participated in the 2018-2019 graduation at JFK not being certified.
These actions taken by JFK officials at the time resulted in:
1. Graduating seniors not being able to receive diplomas and transcripts in a timely manner,
2. Some students being required to take additional courses over the summer, and
3. Some students being required to take end of course exams during the summer, all in an effort to properly certify graduates.
Over the course of our review, the OPSB administration decided to seek revocation of new beginnings’ charter given the non-compliance uncovered. Almost simultaneously, the New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF) charter board voted to surrender the charters for both John F. Kennedy at Lake Area High School and Pierre A. Capdau Charter School at Avery Alexander effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
This outcome was an appropriate reaction and was accepted due to the fact that the staff who were involved in the non-compliance issues were no longer with the organization, and such a transition at the end of this school year would provide for a more stable, long-term transition for the students to a new operator. Additionally, this surrender allowed my team to focus our energies immediately upon the graduating class of 2019 and students returning for this school year.
Although this report summarizes the district’s review of facts and even though NBSF voted to surrender its charters, there is still an open notice of Non-compliance, Level 2 that is currently being monitored.
During the district’s review of grade changing allegations, OPSB also became aware of an allegation that the CEO for NBSF altered minutes from a NBSF board meeting which led to a transportation contract being awarded that may not have gone through the appropriate approval process. However, the allegation has not been confirmed to date.
In response to this concern, among other actions, our administration now monitors NBSF management and financial reports, we receive copies of all contracts issued and payments in excess of $10,000. And any outstanding compliance issues that are a part of the open notice of non-compliance will be addressed through our usual charter school accountability framework. Which includes assessing, tracking noncompliance notices, sharing those notices publicly at board meeting, and taking appropriate action.
At this time, our focus is twofold with regards to JFK: working to support students within the class of 2019 to resolve any outstanding academic issues and ensuring current JFK students are set up for success.
I’m happy to report that the new CEO of NBSF and current JFK staff have proven to be cooperative and committed to doing what is best for students through this transition, and I applaud their efforts. And I have also assigned my team members to schools, to offer support and be heavily engaged in daily operations at the school, including continued monitoring of student records for accuracy.
As for the class of 2019, I have a detailed update to share regarding those students specifically:
Of the 155 students who participated in the graduation at JFK for the 2018-2019 school year:
• Initially only 85 students were eligible to graduate in May
• Since then 52 more students were verified by LDOE including summer school completion and waivers approved for a total of 137 graduates.
That leaves 18 students. 14 of these students are in various stages:
• Some students are eligible for a waiver that needs to be submitted by NBSF
• Some are enrolled in high school
• A few students only need EOC exam
• Some students were previously enrolled in credit recovery, but the LDOE has identified issues that shall be reviewed and remedied
• While a few students are simply still enrolled in credit recovery
As for the remaining students - we are urgently and consistently reaching out to them. Our focus is these 18 students and ensuring that they can move forward in their journeys. And, I remain committed to supporting the current students at JFK as well as the staff to achieve great things this school year. Working together on behalf of our children is what NOLA Public Schools is truly about.
Moving forward, I fully expect to hear and report positive things about what students and staff will accomplish at JFK this year and beyond. Additionally, I want to share that our accountability team has been engaging with other high schools across the city and report that what happened at JFK is not, I repeat not, a widespread problem.
We are proud of our high schools and the work they are doing to help prepare our children for college, careers, and beyond. “
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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, including 75 charter schools, three direct-operated schools and a school with two educational programs for students in secure-care facilities. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
NEW ORLEANS – (Sept. 17, 2019) – On Saturday, September 14, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and the Audubon Nature Institute held their second annual Back to School Fest at the Audubon Zoo to provide families with the chance to access back-to-school resources, learn about the upcoming school year and meet fellow members of the NOLA-PS community. The event had more than 1,500 attendees and student performers who also received free admission to the zoo for the day.
“As an educator and as a Superintendent, it’s important we recognize that education exists both inside and outside of the classroom. Education is a commitment that we can look forward to and celebrate at the start of every school year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “Learning can and should be fun. Thanks to partners like the Audubon Nature Institute, we can foster an enthusiasm for school.”
In addition to the numerous resources the Back to School Fest provided to families through 21 on-site vendors (such as the New Orleans Public Library, the Urban League of New Orleans and more), participants also enjoyed performances from Einstein Choir, Rosenwald Collegiate Band, Alice M. Harte Charter School and Booker T. Washington High School Marching Bands.
Students were also able to receive free health services and consultations from the Daughters of Charity and participated in a giveaway for an XBOX 360 thanks to a generous donation made by CORE Construction Company. Throughout the event, Back to School Fest host Kelder Summers kept families entertained and excited to kick off the new school year. Several Orleans Parish School Board members were also present for the festivities, including President John A. Brown, Sr., Vice President Leslie Ellison, Ethan Ashley and Nolan Marshall, Jr.
"Investing in our children is an investment in the future,” said Rebecca Dietz, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and General Counsel. “At Audubon we strongly believe that and are proud to partner on initiatives like this Back to School Fest to showcase the wonders of nature to the city’s future conservationists, arborists and animal care experts."
Audubon Nature Institute offers a wide variety of educational programs ranging from field trips to summer camps. The Zoo, Aquarium and the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium are world-class attractions that offer unique experiences for students of all ages to learn about wildlife and conservation. Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature.
Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park.
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
NEW ORLEANS – (Sept. 25, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) came together today at Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School to remind the public about the importance of safety at our schools during the school year.
NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr., Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) Members John A. Brown and Leslie Ellison along with New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson spoke at the event.
“You cannot grow, live, and learn as a child, without feeling and being safe in your community,” said NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “As an educator and as your superintendent, I will continue to work with the city’s key partners to ensure the students of Orleans Parish are safe coming and going from school.”
School zone hours are between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 2:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Motorists are advised to carefully observe posted speed limits, and to exercise caution in school zones.
“The next time you are in the driver’s seat, remember that driving is more than just getting to and from another place,” said OPSB President John A. Brown. “As hectic as school hours may be, it does not exempt us from being careful on the roads. We must be courteous, attentive and alert of our surroundings as drivers, even when the youngest of our students may not be.”
“New Orleans – don’t forget to slow down and get off the cell phone during those busy mornings and evenings. When you drive near schools, remember that you are driving for others, not only yourself,” said OPSB Vice President Leslie Ellison. “We must drive intentionally and cautiously – it’s our responsibility to keep our children protected as they learn and play at school. Our children are the future of our city and our greatest treasure.”
About 50 school zones across the city are covered by the traffic cameras, and the City of New Orleans is in the process of adding four more. The new cameras will cover the streets near Lake Forest Charter, Einstein Charter, KIPP Morial and Fannie C. Williams Charter schools. NOLA-PS is committed to providing a safe environment for all of its students to grow and learn.
This is the second year that the NOPD and NOLA-PS have partnered to remind the public of the importance of safety on the road.
NEW ORLEANS - (Aug. 30, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) will be rescheduling a public hearing that was slated for Thursday, September 26, 2019 to consider levying additional or increased millage rates. In the interim and leading up to the new date NOLA-PS and OPSB will to continue to engage with all stakeholders. As is customary when considering changes to a millage, the NOLA-PS and OPSB provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback ahead of any action taken. The public hearing will be rescheduled to a later meeting this fall. A public notice for the later hearing will be mailed and posted when the hearing date has been determined. # # # 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, including 75 charter schools, three direct-operated schools and a school with two educational programs for students in secure-care facilities. 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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