September 2021
Dear AfterCLASS Community,

We hope that you are safe and sound in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, and we send you all love and light during this chaotic time. We are relieved to report that our AfterCLASS team is safe and that our space has not sustained any damage. We are open with wifi, air conditioning, snacks, coffee, and books. If you need a quiet place to meditate, read, nap, or escape, just let us know. In this month's newsletter, we have provided some other resources and tips for you, including where to find assistance, where to donate, and how to take care of ourselves during these stressful times.

We would also like to share some great news: AfterCLASS has been selected for the 2021-2022 Teaching for Black Lives Study Groups, as part of the Zinn Education Project’s Teaching for Black Lives campaign. That's our good news in these tough times. What's yours? Tell us something good. We'd love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
The AfterCLASS Team
Hurricane Ida Resources
for those in need of support and for those who want to help others

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners. This is where you can find FEMA assistance.

Crisis Clean-Up Hotline: 1-844-965-1386

The Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. They have worked tirelessly in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. They welcome donations of bottled water and cleaning supplies. Volunteers can apply to help, but donating money is the most efficient way to assist the aid effort.

Culture Aid NOLA organizes twice-weekly distributions of free, fresh food open to all community members on both a walk-up and drive-up basis. They are committed to no-barrier, no-stigma aid and will never request paperwork or ID. They are now busy providing meals to those affected by Hurricane Ida.

NOLA Ready: The City of New Orleans
This link provides you with local organizations who have worked tirelessly to help those in need in our community. They could certainly use our donations.
We want to feature teachers for their dedication. Send us the name of a teacher to spotlight. Tell us in a few sentences why you're nominating this teacher and we will contact them for an interview that will be featured in our newsletter and on our website.
Are you a new teacher?
Know a new teacher?

It's not too late to join us! AfterCLASS provides a yearlong support and encouragement experience for new teachers in the greater New Orleans area. We understand that teachers who have a circle of support last longer in the profession and are better equipped to serve their students. If you are embarking on your first or second year of teaching this fall, this is the circle of support for you. We will start this summer and then meet throughout the year to provide resources on a wide variety of topics that new teachers encounter, including: 
  • Setting up your classroom and building a learning community 
  • Understanding your and your students’ rights
  • Financial literacy and navigating your paycheck 
  • Meeting the needs of all learners
  • The science behind learning
  • Teacher wellness and the work/life balance 
  • Other topics will be tailored to participants’ needs.