Celebrating National Principals Month

NOLA Public Schools proudly joins the nation in celebrating National Principals Month. Our school principals are dedicated leaders who work tirelessly to create safe and nurturing environments where our scholars can thrive. Their commitment to our students, staff, and the entire school community is unmatched, and we are deeply grateful for their hard work every day.

Please take a moment this month to show your appreciation to the principals who inspire and lead our schools to success. Together, let’s recognize their invaluable contributions to our district. 

2024-2025 Renewal Process Update

Thank you to all who attended the Virtual Renewal Process Community meeting, earlier this month.

This, and other in-person meetings held last month, offered families and community members a clearer understanding of the evaluation process that determines whether a charter school will be renewed for future operations.

Here's a timeline of what happens next in the process:

• November 8: Parent, Student and Staff participation in online survey due (Tier II Potential Comprehensive Evaluation Schools)

• November: If School Performance Scores (SPS) results are released by late November from the Louisiana Department of Education, the administration anticipates that recommendations to the Orleans Parish School Board will be made during a meeting in December

To learn more about the process and to see the list of schools up for renewal click here.

The Voices of Future Leaders (VOFL) Voting Rally: Your Voice, Your Vote!

NOLA Students Cast Their First Votes

Scholars from across our district came together at City Hall to cast their first vote ever! The energy in the room was electric, as our young leaders took this significant step toward civic engagement.

One of our students, Charles from John F. Kennedy High School, shared, "Voting is my way of leaving a mark on the political landscape. It’s not just about today—it’s about the future I want to help shape for my community." His words reflect the passion and purpose driving our scholars, who are embracing their roles as tomorrow’s leaders today.

The Voices of Future Leaders Voting Rally would not have been possible without the support of our partners, including the Lower 9th Ward Voters Coalition, Councilman Eugene Green, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and so many others. Together, we ensured that our students not only understood the importance of voting but had the opportunity to make their voices heard.

As we continue to empower our scholars, I am proud to witness their growth into informed, active citizens. Their dedication to creating positive change is a beacon of hope for the future of New Orleans.

Tackling Food Insecurity: Launching the Super School Meals Initiative to Support Louisiana Students

This week, I had the privilege of joining New Orleans Saints’ Cam Jordan, along with NOLA-PS' Executive Director of Child Nutrition Rosie Jackson and community leaders, at the launch of the Super School Meals initiative at Benjamin Franklin High School.

This exciting program will equip more than 59 high-need Louisiana schools with Grab and Go meal stations, giving nearly 32,000 students access to more than 8.5 million nutritious meals.

With 1 in 4 children in Louisiana facing food insecurity—one of the highest rates in the nation—this initiative is a game-changer. By ensuring more scholars have access to healthy meals, we’re helping to create a stronger foundation for their learning and overall well-being. I’m proud to be part of such a meaningful effort that will make a real difference in the lives of our students.

🎃 First JOYful Educator Connection of the Year Enchants with Halloween Fun

Tuesday night was not just any night; it was a night when the spirits of joy and the ghoul of fun collided at our first JOYful Educator Connection of the 2024-2025 school year!

It was an amazing evening where NOLA-PS Educators gathered under one roof for a celebration that would make even the most stoic witch crack a smile.

👻 Spooktacular Highlight - Halloween Trivia - Educators battled it out in a trivia contest so chilling, it could make the dead rise to find out who knew their spooky history best!

We extend our deepest appreciation to every ghoul, ghost, and educator who joined us, making it an evening where memories were made. Your presence turned this event into a spellbinding success.

Help us keep the celebration going & join us next month - Nov. 19 for our next JOYful Educator Connection from 5-7 PM at Junior Achievement.

Catch Up on Education Elevation

Last week, we aired our October episode of Education Elevation featuring special guests:

• Byron Goodwin, Director of School Operations at Travis Hill School
• Dr. Melanie Askew Clark, Founder and Head of School at Elan Academy

If you missed it, the episode is available on NOLA Public Schools' YouTube Channel.

To Listen:

• Click the video below to hear our insightful conversation.

Stay Tuned:

• Don't miss the next Education Elevation on WBOK 1230am Wednesday, Nov. 27, where we'll continue to elevate education in our community.

NOLA Public Schools 2025-2026 Main Round Enrollment Opens Nov. 4

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) will be accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year through the NOLA-PS Common Application Process (NCAP), which runs until January 24, 2025.

This process allows families to apply online to any of NOLA-PS' 67 schools, plus six additional public schools authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Education.

Families should apply if their child is entering Kindergarten (must be 5 by September 30, 2025), new to the area or public schools, wishes to transfer, or is in a grade needing school selection.

Applicants can explore schools via nolapublicschools.com and enroll via enrollnolaps.com, where you can also check for special admissions requirements.

Result notifications will be sent by March 31, 2025, but further application rounds will be available if missed.

VOTE - TUES., NOV. 5!

If you didn't have a chance to vote early, I encourage you to vote on election day! It's your opportunity to influence who will shape our nation, our community, and ultimately our schools' future—affecting policy, funding, and educational quality.

Your vote ensures that our educational resources are managed effectively and that we foster a positive environment for our scholars' growth. Your participation not only empowers you but also benefits our community's long-term educational landscape.

See you at the polls!

Announcing the Next Episode of Voices of Future Leaders with Elan Academy – Nov.12 , 2024

We are thrilled to announce the next episode of Voices of Future Leaders (VOFL), airing Tuesday, November 12, 2024. This episode features the incredible scholars of Elan Academy, where we continue to highlight the voices of our future leaders.

Each episode of VOFL gives our students a platform to share their unique perspectives on life, leadership, and the changes they hope to bring to their communities.

At NOLA-PS, we believe in empowering our youth by amplifying their voices. As these future leaders take the stage, their ideas remind us of all of the potential that exists within our classrooms today.

Mark your calendars for Nov. 12 and tune in to Voices of Future Leaders to hear their insights and dreams for a brighter tomorrow! Watch it on YouTube starting Nov. 12th.

Leona Tate Foundation Gala to Feature '18 Steps' Play and Student Art Contest

The Leona Tate Foundation for Change, Inc. is hosting its annual gala on November 15, 2024, at the TEP Center to commemorate the 64th anniversary of New Orleans Public School Desegregation. For more info, click here.

The event will feature a stage production of "18 Steps: A Journey to Freedom," which focuses on the historical fight for educational equality, and includes a student art contest where participants designed the gala's program cover.

Winners will be announced November 10th at TEP Fest Community Day. The winning student's art will be featured in the playbill, they'll receive a signed book by Dr. Tate, and their class will have donuts with her on November 14, 2024.

Good Luck to all scholars who entered the contest!

ICYMI: RTA's Opportunity Pass!

Opportunity Pass Summary:

Purpose: Provides free rides on RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries for youths aged 16-24 in Orleans Parish to reduce transportation barriers.

Community Engagement:

• Representatives from various youth-focused organizations participated in an event.
• Feedback will be collected via focus groups to refine the program.
• Ridership data will be analyzed to advocate for permanent funding.

Sign-Up Information:

• Available for Orleans Parish residents aged 16-24 at any library.
• Organizations can arrange group sign-ups by emailing opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org.

Learn more, click here.details.

Important Upcoming Dates

• November - Family Literacy Month, Youth Homeless Awareness Month, National Parent & Family Engagement Month, American Indian & Alaska Native American Month, Diabetes Awareness Month, National Gratitude Month

• Nov. 2 - NSNO's NOETA Gala
• Nov. 3 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
• Nov. 4 - NOLA-PS K-12 Main Round Enrollment Opens
• Nov. 5 - Election Day (Schools & District Offices Closed)
• Nov. 6 - National Stress Awareness Day
• Nov. 8 - Parent, Student, Staff participation in online survey due (Tier II Potential Comprehensive Evals)
• Nov. 8 - National Stem Day
• Nov. 9 - LSU vs. Alabama
• Nov. 12 - OPSB Committee of the Whole and Public Hearing: Charter Request for Application
• Nov. 13 - World Kindness Day
• Nov. 14 - OPSB Business Meeting
• Nov. 14 - 64th Anniversary of Desegregation in Schools
• Nov. 14 - World Diabetes Day
• Nov. 17 - International Students' Day
• Nov. 17-23 - Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week
• Nov. 18-22 - National Education Week
• Nov. 19 - JOYful Educator Connection
• Nov. 20 - Education Support Professionals Day
• Nov. 21 - National Parental Involvement Day
• Nov. 22 - Substitute Educators Day
• Nov. 25-29 - National Family Week
• Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day