NEW ORLEANS – (Sept. 17, 2019) – On Saturday, September 14, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and the Audubon Nature Institute held their second annual Back to School Fest at the Audubon Zoo to provide families with the chance to access back-to-school resources, learn about the upcoming school year and meet fellow members of the NOLA-PS community. The event had more than 1,500 attendees and student performers who also received free admission to the zoo for the day.
“As an educator and as a Superintendent, it’s important we recognize that education exists both inside and outside of the classroom. Education is a commitment that we can look forward to and celebrate at the start of every school year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “Learning can and should be fun. Thanks to partners like the Audubon Nature Institute, we can foster an enthusiasm for school.”
In addition to the numerous resources the Back to School Fest provided to families through 21 on-site vendors (such as the New Orleans Public Library, the Urban League of New Orleans and more), participants also enjoyed performances from Einstein Choir, Rosenwald Collegiate Band, Alice M. Harte Charter School and Booker T. Washington High School Marching Bands.
Students were also able to receive free health services and consultations from the Daughters of Charity and participated in a giveaway for an XBOX 360 thanks to a generous donation made by CORE Construction Company. Throughout the event, Back to School Fest host Kelder Summers kept families entertained and excited to kick off the new school year. Several Orleans Parish School Board members were also present for the festivities, including President John A. Brown, Sr., Vice President Leslie Ellison, Ethan Ashley and Nolan Marshall, Jr.
"Investing in our children is an investment in the future,” said Rebecca Dietz, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and General Counsel. “At Audubon we strongly believe that and are proud to partner on initiatives like this Back to School Fest to showcase the wonders of nature to the city’s future conservationists, arborists and animal care experts."
Audubon Nature Institute offers a wide variety of educational programs ranging from field trips to summer camps. The Zoo, Aquarium and the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium are world-class attractions that offer unique experiences for students of all ages to learn about wildlife and conservation. Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature.
Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park.
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
