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NEW ORLEANS – (Nov. 18, 2019) – On Friday, November 15, 2019, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) sent a formal letter to InspireNOLA Charter Schools notifying them of the siting of their approved charter to transform Pierre A. Capdau Charter School, which paves the way for the charter management organization to operate the school. The school serves Pre-K4 through 8th grade and is located in the Gentilly/Lakeview neighborhood.
“My goal has and continues to be to ensure that the students and families at Pierre A. Capdau are well served for generations to come,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “InspireNOLA has proven to be a high-quality operator and is in good standing with all compliance measures. They possess a strong willingness to engage all stakeholders to ensure a positive and smooth transformation of the school. I believe this transition is the best path forward and am excited to see all the great things to come for students and families at Capdau in the future.”
In July of 2019, New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF) voted to surrender the charters of John F. Kennedy High School and Pierre A. Capdau Charter School at the end of this academic year (June 2020). In light of that vote, NOLA-PS has spent the last four months conducting the transformation process of selecting new operators for both schools while consistently engaging with students, educators, alumni and families.
In August of 2019, NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. sited KIPP New Orleans Schools as the operator of John F. Kennedy High School starting in the 2020-2021 school year. Since then, NOLA-PS has been working closely with NBSF and KIPP New Orleans Schools to ensure a smooth transition of the management of the school, while keeping what is most important to students, families, and alumni top of mind throughout the process.
NOLA-PS has similar plans to work closely with InspireNOLA Charter Schools to monitor the transition process at Pierre A. Capdau Charter School.
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Gamache’s creativity and leadership help students soar at Paul Habans Charter School
Santa Monica, Calif., (November 13, 2019) — Steven Gamache is known for leading efforts to turn schools around, but he had no idea that his life would be transformed today with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
During a rousing all-school assembly at Paul Habans Charter School, Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken and State Superintendent of Education John White bestowed the honor upon the eighth grade lead English Language Arts teacher — along with the news that he can use the cash prize however he wishes.
Gamache is among up to 40 honorees nationwide to receive the recognition during the 2019-20 season.
“Steven Gamache’s commitment to rigor, high expectations, and critical thinking through real-life events is preparing students to chart their own paths,” said Lowell Milken. “In the process, he instills qualities of character with the potential to benefit not only young people but the future of our nation. Steven’s role guiding and supporting fellow educators multiplies his impact and creates a cohesive culture for all to thrive.”
Hailed by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the goal of the Milken Educator Awards is to celebrate, elevate and activate the American teaching profession and inspire young, capable people to join it. The Milken Educator Award is not a lifetime achievement honor. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the Award.
“Louisiana’s commitment to maximizing positive outcomes for every child, every day, requires the innovation, collaboration and passion of educators like Steven Gamache,” said State Superintendent John White. “We can all learn from his leadership.”
“Mr. Steven Gamache is an exceptional educator. We are so fortunate that he is a part of NOLA Public Schools and can serve as an example of excellence to his fellow teachers here and around the country. His impactful work as lead eighth grade ELA teacher at Paul Habans Charter School has helped so many students thrive and achieve at new heights,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis. “I am thrilled to see Mr. Gamache being honored in this way by the Milken Educator Awards and am thankful for his service to the students and families of New Orleans. I would also like to thank the Milken Family Foundation for taking the time to recognize teachers here in the Greater New Orleans area and across the country.”
Gamache’s rigorous reading and writing curriculum keeps the bar high for all students, many of whom arrived at Habans from underperforming elementary schools, are English learners or have special needs. Committed to moving all students forward, Gamache pushes students to develop comprehension on grade-level texts while he supports them at their independent reading levels. For English learners, he creates intervention lessons that front-load vocabulary, texts and difficult standards in advance of actual in-class lessons. Gamache is masterful at analyzing student data in the moment and making immediate instructional adjustments that help students grow. The numbers reflect Gamache’s dedication. Last year Habans had the highest academic growth of any open enrollment elementary school in New Orleans, and Gamache’s cohort went from 55% to 73% in achieving basic proficiency and above. Gamache’s highly effective instructional practices helped both Habans and his previous school move from an F to a C rating within just two years.
“Crescent City Schools is so proud of Steven Gamache for earning the Milken Award,” said Kate Mehok, founder and CEO of Crescent City Schools. “Steven has been an integral part of the staff at two of our charter schools in our network in New Orleans, preparing eighth graders for the rigors of high school and coaching other ELA teachers to excellence. We are honored to have him as a member of our teaching community.”
More About Steven Gamache
Innovation: In Steven Gamache’s classroom, eighth graders get a taste of what lies ahead after high school. Their whole-class book discussions function like college literature seminars, with students leading the conversations about themes, characters and plot development, and commenting on each other’s ideas. Gamache’s creative lessons inspire students to dig into real-world applications. He challenged students to retell the myth of Athena and Arachne by changing the setting from ancient Greece to one of their choosing; students normally shy to share their work came alive as they eagerly shared their often-humorous reimaginings of the classic tale. Using “Fast Food Nation” as a supporting text, Gamache asked students to gather evidence for a discussion about the food industry. In Gamache’s class, students see that learning goes beyond the classroom and relates directly to their futures as they grapple with real-world issues. Gamache is eager to try new teaching methods, always looking for simple solutions to even the most complex challenges.
Leadership: The school’s lead eighth grade ELA teacher, Gamache coaches sixth and seventh grade ELA interventionists. He guides the school’s literacy efforts and regularly observes other teachers, coaches colleagues and leads professional development on curriculum, behavior management, instructional techniques and school systems.
Lasting Impact: Most of the students at Habans live within a mile of the building, and many who visit after graduation thank Gamache for preparing them so well for high school.
Education: Gamache earned a bachelor’s in English in 2008 from Fordham University and a master’s in adolescent education in 2010 from the College of Saint Rose.
More information about Gamache, plus links to photos and video from today’s assembly, can be found on the Milken Educator Awards website.
More About the Milken Educator Awards: “The future belongs to the educated.”
The very first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education.
Along with the $25,000 financial prize, recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,800 top teachers, principals and specialists. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others dedicated to excellence in education.
The 2019-20 honorees will also attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Forum in Indianapolis March 26-28, 2020, where they will network with their new colleagues and exchange ideas with state and federal leaders on the future of education. In addition, the Milken Educator Awards’ “Why Not Us” program will pair each 2019 recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor to explore and prepare for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy.
To get regular updates on the surprise Milken Educator Award events, follow and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Everyone is encouraged to watch the tour at www.facebook.com/milkeneducatorawards, www.twitter.com/milken, www.youtube.com/milkenaward and www.instagram.com/milkenfamilyfdn.
For more information, visit www.MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call MFF at (310) 570-4772.
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The Travis Hill School educates pre-adjudication youth in the city’s juvenile and adult detention facilities .
NEW ORLEANS – (November 12, 2019) – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) recently released the 2018-2019 School Performance Scores (SPS), including scores for alternative schools under the state’s new alternative formula. The Travis Hill School, which operates inside both the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (JJIC) and Orleans Justice Center (OJC), is the fourth ranked alternative school in the state. The school earned a “C” letter grade overall and was one of only six alternative schools state-wide to receive a “B” Progress letter grade. Additionally, the Travis Hill School was the only alternative school in the state to be recognized as a 2019 Equity Honoree, which highlights the progress the school makes with historically disadvantaged students.
“I am extremely proud of the success of our local alternative schools, especially the tremendous work being accomplished at the Travis Hill School,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “Our students at the Travis Hill School are setting an example for Louisiana students as they make incredible and meaningful progress towards graduation despite the barrier of incarceration. These remarkable results are a testament to their determination, along with the tireless dedication of the Travis Hill schools’ educators, and the invaluable partnerships we hold with the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office which help make such progress possible.”
The City of New Orleans Office of Youth and Families, manages the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (JJIC), the city’s detention facility for youth, while the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office manages the Orleans Justice Center. Both entities support the work of the Travis Hill School on a daily basis, ensuring everything from adequate school space to daily attendance of students.
“One of my top priorities as Mayor is that all of our children receive and have access to quality education,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Through the Travis Hill School, we are not only providing our children with a solid education, we are ensuring that they will have a successful transition back to their communities. The improvement of the school’s ranking and letter grade reaffirms the changes and progress we are making at the school and Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. I want to thank NOLA Public Schools and the Office of Youth & Families for supporting the work of the Travis Hill School and its students. I’m not only a Mayor, I am a mother, and the education and wellbeing of ALL our children matters.”
“The Travis Hill School at the Orleans Justice Center is delivering a quality education to the youth in our custody,” said Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman. “Our students walk away from daily lessons with a more positive outlook and a sense that their goals are achievable, including receiving their high school diploma. The school performance score is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our educators and the Sheriff’s Office. We are committed to improving the lives of people in our custody and we are pleased to have the Travis Hill School as our partner in this endeavor.”
The Travis Hill School is operated by contract by the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings (CEEAS). The Travis Hill School in JJIC opened in the fall of 2016, while its counterpart in the OJC opened in the fall of 2017. Students attend the Travis Hill School during their pre-trial incarceration, preventing the disruption of their education during detention. In fact, over twenty (20) students have graduated from Travis Hill School since its inception, with some graduates going on to seek job training and post-secondary education upon release. There are currently over ninety (90) students enrolled in the Travis Hill School.
ABOUT NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish, which includes the district’s elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board and the district’s administration led by NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 78 public schools. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
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NEW ORLEANS – (Nov. 13, 2019) – As public schools in Orleans Parish experience an uptick in student and staff absences from school due to cold and flu season, NOLA Public Schools would like to offer tips to prevent the flu, as well as, remind families when it is best to keep their students at home.
Students should STAY home if he or she:
Families should call the doctor if their student:
Students can be sent to school if he or she:
For more information and additional healthy tips, you can visit attendanceworks.org.
The Louisiana Department of Health also offers these tips to minimize spreading the flu:
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ABOUT NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish, which includes the district’s elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board and the district’s administration led by NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 78 public schools. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools
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NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT PERFORMANCE SCORE SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
The District School Performance Score improved and nearly three out of four NOLA Public Schools received a progress index score of “A” or “B” .
NEW ORLEANS – (November 6, 2019) – Today, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released the 2019 School Performance Scores (SPS), revealing an increase in NOLA Public School’s district performance score. Additionally, 74 percent of NOLA Public Schools continued to receive a high letter grade for academic growth, of either “A” or “B”, for the 2018-2019 school year. These accomplishments result in the school system maintaining a “C” letter grade for performance overall.
"While there is work to be done and continued progress that must be made, these school performance results indicate our school system is growing stronger every year,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “The improvement in our district performance comes just after one year under local control and is a testament to the hard work of our local educators, and most importantly our students who are striving for success beyond high school graduation every day. I am also extremely proud of our local alternative schools that are ranked among the highest performing in the state this year under a new rating system which now helps draw attention to the growth and achievement of all our students citywide.”
The 2019 SPS results shared by the LDOE summarize the cumulative impact of our local schools and data released over the summer months, specifically showing:
| School | 2019 Letter Grade New Alternative Formula | 2019 SPS New Alternative Formula | 2019 State Rank | 2018 Letter Grade Traditional Formula | 2018 SPS Traditional Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The NET Charter High School | C | 70.5 | 2 | F | 29 |
| Youth Study Center | C | 69.9 | 4 | F | 24 |
| The NET 2 Charter High School | C | 63.7 | 7 | F | 22 |
| ReNEW Accelerated High School | C | 62 | 9 | F | 18.6 |
| 2019 NOLA Public Schools Top Gains Honorees | 2019 NOLA Public Schools Equity Honorees |
|---|---|
| Edward Hynes Charter School | Warren Easton Charter School |
| Esperanza Charter School | Edward Hynes Charter School |
| KIPP Renaissance | Abramson Sci Academy |
| Benjamin Franklin High School | Benjamin Franklin High School |
| Alice M. Harte Elementary Charter School | Alice M. Harte Elementary Charter School |
| Lusher Charter School | Edna Karr High School |
| Lake Forest Elementary Charter School | Lusher Charter School |
| McDonogh 42 | Lake Forest Elementary Charter School | Rosenwald Collegiate Academy | New Orleans Charter Science at Mathematics HS | Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School | Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School | The Travis Hill School at the Youth Study Center |
While the district’s overall school performance did increase, the newly released data underscores the need for local schools to improve their impact, especially among K-8 schools, where some schools did experience decline. Specifically, six schools dropped to a letter grade of “F” between the 2018 and 2019 school years. Schools that are rated “F” have already been visited by the administration, and district staff
will continue to monitor progress and assess what supports may be needed to help improve performance. Two schools previously rated “F” in 2018, Landry-Walker High School and Robert Russa Moton Charter School, did improve in 2019 to receive letter grades of “C” and “D” respectively.
“As a district, we must focus on retaining great teachers and supporting them in using high-quality instructional materials designed to help students meet the rigor of new state assessments and standards,” said Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “My administration met with school leaders this fall to discuss how they can move forward given the testing results received this summer. Our joint goal is to improve academic achievement and together we are focused on ensuring our educators have the resources they need to help students thrive.”
Every year, schools and school systems in Louisiana receive report cards with school performance scores and corresponding A-F letter grades. The report cards, which can be viewed on the online Louisiana School Finder, communicate how well schools are preparing students for the next grade level by examining student performance measures, like how students score on state assessments, how many students are graduating each year or how many students are earning early college credit.
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ABOUT NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish, which includes the district’s elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board and the district’s administration led by NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 78 public schools. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
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