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Every Child. Every School. Every Day. | | |
The District Digest, a refreshed take on our district newsletter! This new name reflects our commitment to delivering timely updates, celebrating successes, and keeping our NOLA-PS community informed and engaged. Stay tuned for highlights, announcements, and stories that matter most to you!
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Mardi Gras Magic: Our Students Stole the Show!
Dear NOLA-PS Community,
This past Carnival season was truly special for me and our entire district.
The energy of Mardi Gras parades is always unmatched but watching our students' talent light up the streets made it even more magical. Our bands brought the energy, the sites, and the sounds that make our city come alive during this festive time of year. It's simply not Mardi Gras without our school marching bands, dance teams, walking groups, cheerleaders, etc. I’d like to thank all our amazing school marching units, band directors, and chaperones for showing up and showing out this past carnival season. Your enthusiasm was electric and our students really helped pump up the crowd and got everyone in Mardi Gras spirit.
I had the privilege of walking with five of our incredible schools: G.W. Carver, Warren Easton, Edna Karr, L.B. Landry, and McDonogh 35. Being right there alongside them, witnessing their talent first-hand, the precision, the rhythm, the pride, was nothing short of inspiring. These young people poured their hearts into every step, every note, and every performance, representing our schools and our city with such excellence.
Below you will see pictures showcasing just a few glimpses of the spirit our students brought to the parades.
Congratulations to all our schools who participated in the parades. You made NOLA-PS proud and reminded us why our students are the heartbeat of this city.
I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to our school leaders, educators, and the community for encouraging and supporting our students along the parade routes. Your cheers, your smiles, and your energy meant the world to them. It truly takes a village, and New Orleans showed up in full force.
Carnival may be over, but the pride and joy our students brought will carry us through the rest of this school year and beyond. Here's to our talented young people; keep shining.
Expect Excellence!
Dr. Fateama Fulmore
Superintendent, NOLA Public Schools
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Celebrating Herman Jones: A Pillar of New Orleans Music Education
Retired band director Herman Jones was honored during February's school board meeting for his decades-long impact on New Orleans music education.
From a clarinet in the Magnolia Projects, he progressed through Carter G. Woodson Junior High and Walter L. Cohen High, earning a full scholarship to Loyola University. Over 31 years he built standout bands at Alfred Lawless, Colton Junior High, and McDonough 35, leading routes like Endymion.
His approach produced stars including Julius McKee (Preservation Hall) and Kermit Ruffins. Mentees like Dr. Wilbert Rawlins Jr. (L.B. Landry High School) and Kenneth Collins (Southern University) continue his mantra: "Turn right and keep straight."
Jones says it best: "Mardi Gras wouldn't be without the bands; they produce that energy." NOLA-PS salutes him for preserving our city's African American musical traditions. His legacy lives in every note!
Click the video below to see his living legacy.
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Navigating Enrollment Changes: Building a Stronger Future for Our Students
Like many districts nationwide, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is experiencing enrollment declines driven by lower birth rates, family outmigration, and demographic shifts in our city. Data from our ongoing partnership with New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) shows K-8 enrollment down about 9% over the past five years, with high school incoming cohorts also beginning to reflect smaller classes.
These changes present both challenges and meaningful opportunities. By thoughtfully right-sizing our system, through strategic consolidations and closures where appropriate, we can concentrate resources where they have the greatest impact. Our schools continue to make strong academic progress, and optimizing enrollment will help us protect and accelerate those gains.
"While the data is stark and we have to adapt and adjust to a change in the enrollment landscape, we are pleased that more families are choosing us when they choose public education for their children," said Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore. "We are a district that cares about the whole child, and we aim to be the destination for education in New Orleans. We are moving in the right direction and that's something to celebrate."
NOLA-PS is committed to transparency, family choice, and putting students first every step of the way. Thank you for being part of the NOLA-PS community. We're stronger together and excited about the more sustainable, high-quality future we're creating for every child.
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Spring Reminder: Every Day Counts – Attendance Matters!
As we welcome the spring season and warmer days ahead, we want to gently remind you that every school day still counts. Consistent attendance is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s academic success, social growth, and overall well-being. When students are present and engaged every day, they build stronger relationships, stay on track with learning, and open doors to even greater opportunities.
In case you missed it, we’re shining a spotlight on our students’ great attendance efforts! Check out the perfect attendance and school attendance spotlights featured across our schools' websites, social media pages, and the district's digital platforms. These posts celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students who show up ready to learn. Join us in recognizing their achievements!
Let’s keep the momentum going together. Your partnership makes a real difference, and we’re grateful for everything you do to help our students grow, achieve, and thrive. Here’s to a strong finish to the school year!
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Preparing for Louisiana's Grow. Achieve. Thrive. Accountability System
This fall, Louisiana rolls out its new school accountability framework: Grow. Achieve. Thrive. It's more than a minor update; it's a deliberate raise in expectations to ensure every student graduates truly prepared for college, career, and life.
The system still measures schools across four core areas and assigns the familiar A–F letter grades, but the bar is meaningfully higher:
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Achieve (Proficiency) → Credit now requires Mastery or above in core subjects (no longer Basic).
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Grow (Growth) → Schools meet absolute progress targets rather than just outpacing similar peers. Mastery and Advanced students must continue advancing, while growth for the lowest 25% in English Language Arts (ELA) and math counts double, placing strong emphasis on accelerating students who need it most.
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Graduation → Remains steady and strong.
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Thrive (Readiness) → The biggest high-school change: Basic diplomas alone no longer earn points. Points now come from real indicators of post-secondary readiness (ex: 6+ dual enrollment credits, ACT ≥20 (up from 18), high-value industry credentials, qualifying AP/IB scores that earn college credit, strong career pathways, or military/service commitments.
Because the thresholds are tougher, some schools may see lower scores this fall even when students and educators deliver the same strong effort and growth as before. This isn't a drop in performance; it's proof the system is now holding us to a more rigorous, meaningful standard.
The good news? We've already shown what we're capable of leading the nation in post-COVID recovery by staying nimble, innovative, and student-focused.
There may be some uneven results as everyone adjusts, but with time and continued partnership, our outstanding educators, leaders, students, families, and community will rise to meet—and exceed—the new bar.
Thank you for trusting us with this important work. Together, we're raising the quality of education for every child in New Orleans.
To learn more about the state's new letter grade system, click here.
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Celebrating Women's History Month: Honoring Leadership and Impact
March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions, strength, and leadership of women throughout history and in our communities today. This year's national theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”, highlights women who are driving progress in education, science, the environment, and beyond building brighter futures for all.
Within NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS), we see this leadership every day through our talented female teachers, principals, network leaders, support staff, and partners who inspire our students, foster academic excellence, and support the whole child. We also celebrate the young women in our schools who are growing into confident leaders ready to make a positive difference.
This month, our schools will take time to share stories of inspiring women with our students, both historical trailblazers and those making an impact right here in New Orleans. Encourage conversations about their achievements and the ways they continue to shape our world.
Thank you to every woman in the NOLA-PS family for your dedication, care, and commitment to our students' success. Your leadership truly makes a lasting impact.
| | Strategic Plan of Action Spotlight | |
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Supporting English Learners: NOLA-PS Advances Strategic Goals and Community Support
NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) continues its commitment to English Learners (EL) and immigrant families, aligning efforts with the district's strategic plan of action Goal 3.8 to develop and implement system-wide programming by June 2025 for ELs. This work focuses on strategic priorities, expected outcomes, school-specific needs, and positive impacts for students, staff, schools, and the broader New Orleans community.
In January, through the Title III Consortium, NOLA-PS partnered with Our Voice Nuestra Voz to deliver essential support directly to families. This ongoing collaboration leverages economies of scale and centralizes specialized EL services, including recent distributions of 150 bags of food, household supplies, and transportation assistance to schools, ensuring families receive the resources they need.
In response to ongoing challenges, NOLA-PS hosted its monthly EL Convening in-person this month. The session prioritized immediate needs by addressing concerns faced by EL families and educators. Partners from ISLA (Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy) provided critical updates on Louisiana detention centers and legal processes, while NOMIC (New Orleans Multicultural Institute of Counseling) offered a dedicated Spanish-language counseling session for Latino EL educators navigating these issues both professionally and personally. These partnerships strengthen support across the district.
Adding to the professional development momentum, NOLA-PS recently led Session #6 of the year's EL Cohort, engaging 92 principals and general education teachers from 19 schools. Participants showcased videos and photos of best practices in EL instruction, celebrated standout teachers, and explored additional language-aligned strategies to implement before the final session. This cohort not only builds skills but fosters a strong community of practitioners dedicated to improving education for New Orleans youth.
These initiatives reflect NOLA-PS' ongoing dedication to responsive, high-impact programming that supports EL students and their families while strengthening schools and the community.
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Sci High Student Spotlight
Big congratulations to two standout scholars at New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School!
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Sophomore Jerrhonda Smith earned full-scholarship acceptance into the prestigious Tulane Science Scholars Summer Program. It's a huge honor reflecting her academic excellence and passion for science.
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Senior Sanaa Glover recently took the Kaplan Practical Nursing Exam. She’s excelled in the Ochsner Pre-Nursing Apprenticeship Program (now LAUNCH) and is on track for a bright future in healthcare. We’re so proud!
Way to go, Jerrhonda and Sanaa! You inspire us all.
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Celebrating Mildred Osborne's Royal Court!
We’re beaming with pride for the students of Mildred Osborne Charter School (MOCS) and their Royal Court!
Selected for their compassion, curiosity, and excellence, these outstanding students brought joy, tradition, and leadership from the classroom to the Mardi Gras parade route.
This season was filled with celebration, heart, and well-deserved recognition. We’re so proud of their character and the way they represent their school with such spirit!
Congratulations to the MOCS Royal Court. Thank you for shining bright and embodying the best of NOLA-PS.
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Rooted School Students Win Big!
Huge congratulations to the students from Rooted School! They recently took first place at the Youth Economists Summit, presented by Wall Street, and were proudly recognized by the New Orleans City Council for their outstanding achievement.
We are incredibly proud of these talented students and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish next!
Way to go, Rooted School; keep shining!
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Black History Month Field Trip: Connecting Past & Present at Esperanza
This Black History Month, students from Esperanza Charter School visited the Cabildo and the Presbytère to explore the rich history that lives right here in New Orleans.
In a special moment, one of their 6th graders even spotted her great-grandfather’s name on a plaque in the museum!
It was a powerful reminder: history isn’t just something we read about; it’s something our families helped shape.
Thank you to Esperanza for bringing this meaningful experience to life!
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Important Upcoming Dates
March 2026: Women's History Month, Social Work Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month, National Nutrition Month
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March 6 - Employee Appreciation Day
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March 8 - International Women's Day
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March 8 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
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March 12 - 15 - New Orleans Book Festival
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March 14 - Pi Day
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March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
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March 20 - 1st Day of Spring
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March 24 - OPSB Committee Meeting
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March 26 - OPSB Business Meeting
- March 26 - 185 Year Anniversary of NOLA-PS
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