NOLA-PS Issues Continuing Updates Surrounding District’s COVID-19 Response

NOLA-PS Community Resource Center Webpage Provides Resources for Families; New Child Nutrition Pick-up Schedule Starts Today.

NEW ORLEANS – (March 30, 2020) - Per the proclamation issued by Governor John Bel Edwards all NOLA public schools are currently closed and will not resume in-class operations until April 13. This necessary action is an effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 across our city and state. The District will issue updates to the public with developments every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please note what is new and what has previously been shared below.
 
WHAT’S NEW: 

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER WEBPAGE:
The NOLA-PS website has been updated to share important information and resources related to COVID-19 for community members. The community resource center includes distance learning resources for families, as well as links to local agencies and non-profits that are providing critical services and updates on the coronavirus. There are also mental and behavioral health resources to support students, educators and community members through this difficult time. We will continue to update this page as we learn of resources that may be valuable to community members.

The page also serves as a way to connect with community members that are looking for ways to support students and schools. The District is coordinating the collection of resources for schools such as sanitation supplies, educational materials, and various technology needs. If you are looking for information on giving donations, please email donations@nolapublicschools.com or contact 504-430-5311.

To access the NOLA-PS community webpage, visit https://nolapublicschools.com/community
To access distance learning resources webpage, visit https://www.nolapublicschools.com/distance-learning-resources

STARTING TODAY - CHILD NUTRITION PICK-UP SCHEDULE MOVING TO TWICE A WEEK:
In an effort to better serve and protect the health of students, families, food service providers, and staff at community feeding sites, NOLA Public Schools and our partners are condensing the weekly schedule at the Citywide Feeding Program sites by providing multiple days of meals during specific daily time frames. NOLA-PS also asks the business community for its support in ensuring that working families are allowed to leave work to pick-up these meals to ensure they are able to benefit from this program. See updated schedule below:

Citywide Feeding Program - Condensed Schedule:

• Starting on Monday, March 30 – every Monday, meals will be provided for two days.
• Every Wednesday, meals will be provided for three days.
• Community Feeding sites will NOT be open on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
• Service Hours remain the same: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Families wishing to access information on child nutrition resources should visit the District’s webpage at https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition. This webpage has the most up-to-date listing of where food services are available.

• Students over 18 that are enrolled in public K-12 schools, including students with disabilities through age 22, are also eligible for free meals at open sites.
• Students do not need to be present to receive meals. Parents or caregivers may pick up meals on behalf of the students within their household.
• Child nutrition resources are available to those under 18 years of age and those who currently attend a public school.
•  Students who are over 18 years of age and are currently enrolled in public schools will also be allowed to access the community feeding programming. Schools will be contacting those families directly to ensure they are aware of the services available to them.

As a precaution, the District has reissued reminders to all officials at school child nutrition sites to follow the health screening protocols provided by the District for feeding sites. Screening methods include, but are not limited to, daily temperature checks of staff before meals are prepared. Those guidelines apply to all sites operating in the Citywide Coordinated Feeding Effort. NOLA-PS in coordination with the New Orleans Health Department will make decisions regarding the operation of individual Community Feeding sites as a result of this screening method.

Since Monday, March 16, approximately 233,800 meals and counting have been served to students in Orleans Parish, with over 46,500 meals served today.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING: 

CONTINUOUS LEARNING - NOLA-PS PROCURES 10,000 CHROMEBOOK LAPTOPS & 5,000 WI-FI HOTSPOTS
NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is problem-solving at the district level to help address gaps in internet access and connectivity across our community of schools. To that effect, NOLA-PS has procured 10,000 Chromebook laptops and 5,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots in an effort to improve distanced learning for NOLA Public School students in need. NOLA-PS is working in close coordination with schools to address the need for each student population and prepare the Chromebooks and hotspots to adhere to each organization’s platform. The District is working quickly to have these much-needed resources received, programmed and distributed in a timely manner so that continuous learning can remain equitable for NOLA Public School students. The items will be distributed through the schools, depending on need for their communities.

CONTINUOUS LEARNING- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Currently, NOLA-PS is executing the following to support students’ ongoing learning:

• Establishing an online tool box for charter schools to access that includes resources for schools to download to support student learning. The toolbox has been shared with early childhood providers, the Archdiocese of New Orleans and private schools as well.
• Providing a list of free online resources available to schools and students.
• Consulting with each charter school organization on their current distance learning plans and resources needs in order to fill immediate gaps and identify emerging resource needs.
• Providing resources and support for schools in planning for special education and high school seniors.
• Collecting and sharing resources with schools citywide on how to support the mental health needs of students during this crisis.
• Having dedicated staff on-call to help schools as they implement their distance learning plans.

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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.