Plessy to remain in McKenna Building
(New Orleans – February 27, 2024) — Homer Plessy Community Schools (Plessy Schools) and NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) are pleased to jointly announce a significant decision regarding the permanent site for Homer Plessy Community School's elementary program. After careful consideration and community engagement, the CEO of Plessy Schools, Meghan Raychaudhuri, and the schools' Board President, Marcus DeLarge, formally requested that the elementary school be permanently sited to the McKenna building located at 1651 N. Tonti Street. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams welcomed the school leaders' decision via the letter attached below and approved the request.
"Over the past six months, Homer Plessy Community Schools has immersed itself in the McKenna building and its surrounding neighborhood, recognizing the numerous benefits the location offers to our staff, students, families, and community," said Raychaudhuri. "The McKenna campus has proven to be a nurturing environment for our diverse educational needs. We are appreciative of the ongoing support of NOLA-PS and the border community as we embark on the exciting chapter for our elementary school at the McKenna campus."
Plessy Schools leaders said inclusivity has been a cornerstone of the school leaders' decision-making process, as evidenced by their engagement with the community through surveys and public meetings. Raychaudhuri and her team also expressed that the footprint of the McKenna campus has allowed Plessy Schools to integrate its Pre-K program with its elementary school and to host events yielding increased family participation overall. As a community school with diversity at its core, the heightened engagement aligns with the school's mission and vision.
Another key factor in the school leaders' decision was to also accommodate expansion for self-contained special education classrooms. "This growth has necessitated changes in the staffing model," said Judge DeLarge. "At McKenna, we now have utilized additional space to meet the diverse needs and provide essential services."
While acknowledging the historical significance of the French Quarter and the enriching experiences gained during Homer Plessy Community Schools' time there, Raychaudhuri and Judge DeLarge's letter stated they recognized the constraints in creating additional space to accommodate their program's growth, to expand their offerings, and to provide dedicated spaces to serve all scholars. They said returning to the French Quarter would limit their ability to provide essential services due to the lack of available space.
"I wholeheartedly support the decision of Homer Plessy Community Schools to permanently site their elementary program at the McKenna building. This decision reflects a thoughtful consideration of the diverse needs of their scholars, families, and staff, and aligns with the commitment to providing a nurturing, healthy and inclusive learning environment," said Dr. Williams. "NOLA Public Schools values the collaborative engagement that has shaped this decision and stands behind Homer Plessy Community Schools as they continue to enhance the educational experience for all students in their care."
Plessy Schools leaders expressed that their staff, students, and families have greatly benefited from their time in the French Quarter. While acknowledging the significant loss of no longer being in the heart of history, they are dedicated to maintaining a strong relationship with the French Quarter community and allocating resources to ensure their students continue to benefit from the area's unique offerings.
PLESSY SCHOOLS' LETTER
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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 67 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams, the first woman in the District's 181 years to serve as its permanent superintendent.
For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
About Homer Plessy Community Schools:
Plessy Schools opened to the public in 2013. As an open-enrollment, Arts-integrated charter, they provide academic excellence in joyful and developmentally appropriate settings for students in Pre-K through Eighth grades. Plessy strives to mature its students into whole, healthy people who are confident about their gifts and value to the New Orleans community and the world at large. For more information, visit www.plessyschool.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram at @plessyschool.