The District Digest

A Message from Interim Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore

Dear NOLA Public Schools Family and Community,

I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible milestones we celebrated this February and look ahead with a focus on student safety and success.

This month, NOLA-PS marked three significant occasions: Black History Month, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and a historic performance by our students at Super Bowl LIX. Each event showcased the talent, dedication, and spirit of our school community.

For Black History Month, we honored the rich heritage and extraordinary contributions of Black Americans, shining a spotlight on our scholars, educators, and community members. This annual celebration recognizes the essential role Black Americans play in shaping history and culture, inspiring future generations. At NOLA-PS, we remain committed to building an inclusive education system that amplifies all voices—not just in February, but year-round.

February also brought Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, themed "Celebrate Today. Own Tomorrow." Through our College and Career Success Hub at nolasuccess.com, we empowered students to explore diverse pathways and take charge of their futures, equipping them with the tools to succeed beyond the classroom.

A standout moment came on February 9, when the Greater New Orleans High School Choral Collective performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" alongside Ledisi at Super Bowl LIX in the Caesars Superdome. Arranged by Adam Blackstone, this historic performance highlighted our city’s musical legacy and the remarkable talent of our students. We couldn’t be prouder—congratulations to them!

As Mardi Gras festivities continue, I wish our entire school family a happy and safe celebration. I have no doubt our students will shine during the parades, making us all proud once again. Thank you to them, their educators, and our community for their hard work and for casting a brilliant light on New Orleans.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Dr. Fateama S. Fulmore

Interim Superintendent

NOLA Public Schools

Mardi Gras Safety

With Carnival season well underway, NOLA-PS is proud to see its students shine in the parades that make New Orleans unique, showcasing their talent and spirit. While we celebrate, student safety remains our top priority, especially as parade festivities continue through Mardi Gras day. The district urges everyone to keep safety first to ensure a magical and secure experience for all.

Key Safety Reminders for Mardi Gras:

• Keep Your Hands to Yourself: Cheer for our students, but don’t walk alongside or touch marching bands, dance teams, or walking groups.

• Step Back & Don’t Cross: Step back as bands approach and don't cross between school groups. Stay behind barricades to keep parade routes clear.

• Stay Vigilant: Face the parade route to avoid floats or flying beads.

• Follow Police Instructions: Respect NOPD and Sheriff’s Office guidance for everyone’s safety.

• See Something, Say Something: Report concerns to law enforcement along the route.

See the video below for more details!

Together, we can make Mardi Gras fun, safe, and unforgettable for our students, carrying this spirit of care and community into March and beyond.

Louisiana Leads Nation in Academic Recovery: Key Takeaways for NOLA-PS

Louisiana ranks 1st in reading recovery and 2nd in math recovery on the latest Education Recovery Scorecard from Harvard and Stanford. The state is the only one where the average student has fully recovered academically post-pandemic, and we're proud that our NOLA-PS family played a role in the state's achievement.

Key Highlights:

• Louisiana students made gains in reading and math, despite national declines.
• Targeted investments in summer learning and tutoring drove recovery.
• Chronic absenteeism remains a challenge, slowing progress in some schools.

“Louisiana’s progress shows our focus on fundamentals and educator support,” said Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “But too many students still struggle with reading, math, and attendance.”

How You Can Help:

• Parents: Ensure regular attendance and seek support if needed.
• Educators: Use available resources to help students catch up.
• Community: Support after-school and mentorship programs.

For more details, visit the full Education Recovery Scorecard online.

Super School Meals Initiative & Community Highlights

On February 6, 2025, NFL great Demario Davis, James “JB” Brown, Dr. Kendall McManus-Thomas (Principal of Ben Franklin High School), NOLA-PS Interim Superintendent Dr. Fatema Fulmore, and the New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee came together to celebrate the Super School Meals initiative.

This Super Bowl 59 effort equipped over 59 underserved Louisiana schools with Grab and Go meal equipment, providing 32,000 students access to 9 million meals. At the event, Dr. McManus-Thomas delivered a warm welcome, followed by remarks from Dr. Fulmore emphasizing the belief that every student can succeed—though hunger, affecting 1 in 4 Louisiana children, remains a significant obstacle to learning. She expressed gratitude for the Super School Meals initiative, which ensures students are nourished and ready to learn, dismantling a key barrier to success.

The sight of students benefiting from these meals proved inspiring, with confidence voiced in the initiative’s ongoing impact. Sincere thanks were extended to all sponsors and supporters for championing Louisiana’s youth. Thank you!

Public Schools Week!

NOLA-PS is thrilled to celebrate Public Schools Week 2025, happening this week, February 24–28, 2025, to honor the vital work of public schools, educators, staff, parents, and school board members.

Led by the Learning First Alliance (LFA), a coalition of 12 national education groups representing over 10 million members, this annual event highlights the role of public education in our communities.

This year’s theme, Community Engagement, emphasizes collaboration to boost student success and address ongoing challenges, including post-pandemic recovery.

For NOLA Public Schools, this celebration aligns with our commitment to fostering strong community partnerships that enhance student achievement and showcase the innovative efforts in our schools.

Research shows strong community support for local public schools, and Public Schools Week is a chance to share inspiring stories and recognize educators’ impact. Check out our social media pages, by clicking on the social media icons at the bottom of the newsletter, to see how we've been highlighting the week!

February is Louisiana Early Education Month!

Investing in high-quality early childhood education is one of the smartest ways to invest in our future.

It's the reason why NOLA Public Schools and Agenda for Children are excited to announce all 1,000 early education network city seats in New Orleans are officially 100% filled—a remarkable milestone for our community. Even more impressive, the overall fill rate across all funding sources has reached 99%, showcasing both the strong demand for early education and the power of effective outreach efforts across our city.

Let’s keep pushing forward! Giving our children a strong start isn’t just an act of love—it’s a foundation for lifelong learning, a lifeline for working parents, and a boost for our local economy. Together, we’re building a brighter tomorrow, one child at a time. 

NOLA Public Schools and NSNO Launch Data Dashboard and Sustainability Analysis

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) have jointly introduced the NOLA-PS Data Dashboard and the NSNO School Sustainability Analysis.

These new tools aim to enhance decision-making and long-term planning by providing insights into academic outcomes, enrollment trends, teacher retention, and financial sustainability across New Orleans' public schools.

The dashboard offers a transparent, data-driven approach to support NOLA-PS's Five-Year Portfolio Plan, focusing on access to quality education. Meanwhile, the Sustainability Analysis addresses the impact of changing student demographics on school operations and resource allocation.

Both initiatives are crucial for maintaining the academic progress made in recent years, ensuring equity and excellence in education.

These tools are now accessible to the public via the NOLA Public Schools website or by visiting: data.nolapublicschools.com

Success at Thurgood Marshall School Visit

A recent visit to Success at Thurgood Marshall proved to be a special occasion. One highlight was the opportunity for school leader Christy Ivie to have a one-on-one discussion with NOLA-PS' interim superintendent. This time offered a meaningful chance for connection, serving as a thought partnership to explore ideas and plans. Not every visit needs to focus on classroom observations—sometimes it’s about providing support and perspective to someone leading incredible work.

During the visit, a few classrooms were observed, showcasing the amazing efforts unfolding at Success at Thurgood Marshall. The dedication of the staff and students stood out, leaving a lasting impression of gratitude for the warm welcome extended by all. Moments like these highlight the value of such experiences! Thank you, TM team!

Important Upcoming Dates

March - Women's History Month, National Nutrition Month, Social Worker Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month

• March 2 - Read Across America Day
• March 2-8 School Social Work Week
• March 3 - Lundi Gras
• March 3-7 National School Breakfast Week
• March 4 - Mardi Gras Day
• March 5 - Ash Wednesday
• March 7 - Employee Appreciation Day
• March 7 - Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day
• March 8 - International Women's Day
• March 9 - Daylight Savings Time Starts
• March 14 - Pi Day
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
• March 18 - OPSB Committee of the Whole
• March 20 - First Day of Spring
• March 20 - OPSB Business Board Meeting
• March 26 - 184 Year Anniversary of NOLA-PS
• March 27-29 New Orleans Book Festival
• March 29 - Autism Acceptance Month Event for NOLA-PS Families