Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) statement in response to the New Beginnings School Foundation (NBSF) investigation: The Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) continues to monitor and oversee activities at John F. Kennedy High School to ensure the New Beginning Schools Foundation (NBSF) staff are meeting the requirements set forth by the state as eligibility is verified and keep students best interests front and center. We recognize this has been a very distressing time for all the students and families involved and one that none should have had to experience. While we are very pleased that students and families know now what final actions are needed to receive their diplomas, we remain deeply dissatisfied with the actions taken by JFK staff that lead to this unacceptable and troubling series of events.
NEW ORLEANS – (July 17, 2019) – Today the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) in partnership with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) hosted an active shooter simulation and training session for approximately 200 school leaders and staff representing 50 plus schools at McDonogh 35 High School. Following the training session Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Superintendent of Police Chief Shaun Ferguson held a press conference to discuss the training, school security plans across the parish along with a progress report for the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the NOPD and OPSB. Established back in March of 2018, the agreement enables additional active shooter trainings and drills to continue for school leaders and police.
New Orleans Public Schools Issues Statement regarding New Beginnings Schools Foundation Announcement
The following is a statement from Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr., Superintendent of NOLA Public Schools (NOLAPS), in response to the New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF) vote to surrender its charters for John F. Kennedy High School and Pierre A. Capdau Elementary School: Today the New Beginnings Schools Foundation board voted to surrender the charters for John F. Kennedy High School and Pierre Capdau Elementary School at the end of the 19-20 school year. In response to this decision, I would like to assure the students and families of JFK and Pierre Capdau of the following: First and foremost, both schools will remain open this coming school year and beyond.
Act 430 directs ~$10 million to academics, programming for students with special needs, and other citywide needs in Orleans Parish
NEW ORLEANS – (July 25, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLAPS) is proud to recognize KIPP East Community Primary (KECP) School Leader Jennifer Dennis Carey for her outstanding efforts as an educator and for being named the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE)’s 2020 Principal of the Year. “We are proud of Jennifer for achieving this high honor. She is an exemplary educator and leader who through her work is continuing to help students and her colleagues achieve great success,” said NOLAPS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “Her work has positively impacted hundreds of lives since first stepping into a classroom almost 15-years ago and we are grateful for her continued commitment to her students in New Orleans. Having the Louisiana Department of Education honor one of our own educators in this way is inspirational to us all. ”
NEW ORLEANS - (Aug. 1, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is communicating with local public schools to make sure they have measures in place to prevent a potential cyberattack and that each of our schools are following the critical action list set by the Governor’s Office. Late yesterday, July 31, 2019, NOLA-PS learned that Morris Jeff Community School experienced a cybersecurity breach. School officials confirmed to the NOLA-PS Administration that the school immediately shut down its network and has been following state recommendations moving forward.
NEW ORLEANS – (Aug. 2, 2019) – This week, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) Special Education Institute and All Schools Training hosted a dynamic two-day 2019 Summer Training Collaborative at Benjamin Franklin High School to encourage dialogue about the unique challenges public school students face, as well as how schools can best offer the necessary supports to students for long-term success. “It’s no secret that we’re competing with past traumas, life challenges, poverty, learning disabilities and other challenges that may impede a student’s progress,” said NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “We must be ready and equipped with the necessary tools to move our students beyond these types of situations and circumstances so that they can achieve success. This training provided our staff with the tools necessary so they are prepared for the upcoming school year.”
NEW ORLEANS – (Aug. 15, 2019) - NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) has partnered with Baptist Community Ministries’ (BCM) to launch, “Strive for Less Than 5,” a campaign to challenge families to strive for less than five absences and tardies throughout this new school year. In New Orleans, 25 percent of public school children from kindergarten to 12th grade were chronically absent during the 2017-2018 school year – meaning they missed more than 10 percent of the school year, or 15-18 days. Missing more than five days of school can impact learning and lowers test scores and can put students at risk of repeating a grade and/or dropping out of school.
NEW ORLEANS - (Aug. 19, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) has partnered with Children’s Hospital New Orleans to extend school health services for students via the School Telehealth Program in more than a dozen schools. Children’s Hospital New Orleans will provide school nurses from across the district with training and digital exam equipment, such as laptops and digital exam cameras, to assist students immediately with minor health conditions which would otherwise require a doctor’s visit. The digital exam equipment will connect school nurses with one of Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ primary care providers stationed in River Ridge. To view and download video about our telehealth partnership, click here. Please Courtesy: NOLA Public Schools
NEW ORLEANS – (August 22, 2019) – This evening, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. will announce that KIPP New Orleans Schools, a high quality charter operator in the school district, will be granted the authority to manage John F. Kennedy High School starting in the 20-21 school year. Dr. Lewis will make his announcement to the Orleans Parish School Board today, Thursday, August 22 at 5:30pm at the regular board business meeting.