The District Digest

A Season of Gratitude and New Beginnings: A Message from Interim Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore

Dear NOLA Public Schools Family and Community,

As the holiday season approaches, I hope you find time to reflect on what you’re grateful for and enjoy moments with loved ones. This year, I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to serve as Interim Superintendent for NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS).

I am deeply honored by the trust the Orleans Parish School Board has placed in me. With over two decades in education—most recently serving as Deputy Superintendent for NOLA-PS for the past two and half years—I bring a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to advancing education for all children. I am humbled by the opportunity to continue the work in this new role and assure you that I am prepared to lead effectively and provide continuity of support for our schools.

I am driven by a deep passion for fostering educational environments of excellence. The power of an education has personally transformed my life; therefore, I have been committed to being the educator and leader children deserve.

As I step into this role, my focus during this interim period will be guided by the goals listed below.

Goals:

1. Establish a positive and productive relationship with the School Board to sustain a strong governance team committed to the success of every child, every school, every day.
2. Engage, cultivate close relationships, and work collaboratively with school leaders to identify collective impact areas and better understand how we can improve our work and support for schools.
3. Establish public trust and forge stronger relationships with stakeholders and partners within and outside of NOLA-PS for the betterment of our schools and to meet the needs of students, staff, and families.
4. Continue implementing our Strategic Plan of Action NOLA-PS Evolve through the four commitments: Effective and Connected Communication, High Quality Schools, Student, Staff, and Community Well-Being, and Operational Excellence.
5. Assess and establish interim focus areas and actions that will address high need areas, opportunities for improvement, and continuity of core work.

I look forward to working alongside our remarkable district staff, CMO Leaders, educators, families, and community partners to build on our strengths and address challenges. Together, we will create brighter futures for every NOLA-PS student.

Thank you for welcoming me into this role. I am ready to lead with transparency, determination, and heart.

With gratitude,

Dr. Fateama S. Fulmore

Interim Superintendent

NOLA Public Schools

Celebrating Academic Growth and Progress!

Let's keep the celebration going! We should continue to celebrate our School Performance Score (SPS) wins. Our district's significant strides in academic performance can't be denied:

• District Growth: Our School Performance Score rose by over 4 points, keeping us a "C" district but just one point from a "B".
• High Progress Marks: 90% of schools received an "A" or "B" for progress, showing our students are advancing well.
• School Improvements: 75% of our schools improved their scores, with some gaining up to 27 points!
• Honors and Achievements: 20 schools earned Top Gains, and 6 were named Opportunity Honorees for supporting disadvantaged students.
• No "F" Grades: We have no schools with an "F" grade, reflecting our commitment to quality education.

We acknowledge there's still a lot of work to do to ensure all our schools achieve academic excellence, and we will continue to support our educators and enrich our students' experiences with a focus on arts and extracurriculars.

Thank you to everyone for your hard work. Let's keep this momentum going!

Celebrating the Arts: The Nutcracker's Enchantment

The holiday season began with a magical outing for more than 2,000 NOLA-PS students from across 20 different schools who attended performances of The Nutcracker Ballet. The delight and amazement visible on the faces of these young viewers beautifully illustrated the profound influence that the arts can have.

The ballet introduced many of these kids to a world of dance, music, and storytelling for the first time, sparking their imaginations and fostering a love for cultural expression. The experience wasn't just about watching a performance; it was about coming together as a community, sharing in a moment that transcends everyday learning, and celebrating the transformative power of the arts.

The Nutcracker Ballet provided not only entertainment but also an educational opportunity, highlighting how the arts can inspire, unite, and enrich our lives. It reminded us of the importance of cultural experiences in shaping well-rounded individuals who appreciate the beauty and joy that arts can bring into our lives and community.

This shared experience has left an indelible mark on both the students and all who witnessed their delight, reinforcing the value of such cultural exposures in our educational initiatives.

NOLA Public Schools 2025-2026 Main Round Enrollment Ends Jan. 24

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is 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.

Early Childhood Application opens Jan. 6!

The early childhood application opens January 6, 2025. Enrollment is FREE for eligible families. Pregnant moms and families with children ages birth through four years are welcome to apply. We encourage families to review the application guide to learn more about the important documents needed to enroll.

Visit www.enrollnolaps.com for more information.

Season's Greetings: A Message of Gratitude and Hope

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

As we approach the holiday season, NOLA Public Schools extends our warmest wishes to each of you. It has been a year filled with challenges and triumphs, and through it all, your dedication to our students and the mission of NOLA Public Schools has shone brightly.

This holiday season, let's celebrate not just the festive cheer but also the incredible resilience and spirit of our school community. Your hard work, your passion, and your commitment have made a significant difference in the lives of our children.

As we enjoy this time with our loved ones, let us carry forward the values of care, community, and education into the new year. Here's to a 2025 filled with growth, unity, and continued excellence in education.

Thank you for all that you do. Looking forward to what we can achieve together in the coming year.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

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.

Important Upcoming Dates

January - School Board Recognition Month

• Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
• Jan. 6 - NOLA-PS 1st Day Back from Winter Break
• Jan. 6 - Early Childhood Application opens
• Jan. 9- OPSB Swearing-In Ceremony
• Jan. 14 - OPSB Committee of the Whole Meeting
• Jan. 16 - OPSB Business Meeting
• Jan. 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Jan. 21 - Thank Your Mentor Day
• Jan. 24 - K-12 Main Round Enrollment Closes