NEW ORLEANS – (November 27, 2019) – Today, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and members of the Orleans Parish School Board joined family and friends of Mrs. Leonora F. Barnett to celebrate her 102nd birthday. The retired New Orleans public school teacher dedicated more than 42 years of her life to serving the students of Orleans Parish.
Barnett served as an educator in Orleans Parish public schools for more than 42 years.
Mrs. Barnett taught at Valena C. Jones, Medard H. Nelson, Fisk-Howard, and McDonogh #24 Elementary Schools. During her tenure as an educator, she enjoyed teaching her students on an array of elementary school subjects from reading and writing to math. Mrs. Barnett retired with 42.69 years of service on June 7, 1986 and is currently NOLA Public Schools’ oldest living known retiree.
“It has been an honor to be able to celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Leonora F. Barnett alongside her family and friends today,” said Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. “The retired New Orleans public school teacher spent decades in the classroom which was a testament to her unwavering dedication to our students and schools. Mrs. Barnett serves as an inspiration to all of our teachers across our community of schools.”
The birthday celebration took place at Covenant Nursing Home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Members of the Orleans Parish School Board who were present included President John A. Brown, Sr., Vice President Leslie Ellison and Ethan Ashley. They were joined by New Orleans City Councilmember Jay H. Banks.
“Mrs. Barnett’s career was committed to inspiring and instilling a love of learning in the hundreds of students in her classrooms. Her enthusiasm for education has positively shaped our school community in tremendous ways,” said OPSB Board President John A. Brown, Sr.
“Throughout her career as a NOLA Public Schools’ teacher Mrs. Barnett helped shape a bright future for her students by igniting their imaginations to achieve great things, even when faced with challenges. We appreciate her decades of service and wish her a happy birthday,” said OPSB Vice President Leslie Ellison.
“It’s an inspiration to recognize Mrs. Barnett’s nearly 43-years as an educator in our public school system. The impact that she has made will live on for generations, as she was devoted to uplifting the lives of her students both in and out of the classroom,” said OPSB Board Member Ethan Ashley.
After retirement, Mrs. Barnett’s family confirms she taught GED classes at Odyssey House. Mrs. Barnett is a graduate of McDonogh 35 High School. According to relatives, she attended Straight University and graduated from Dillard University, and did graduate work while in her 60s at UNO.
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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.
OneApp timeline shifted to better accommodate the district’s students, families, teachers and schools
NEW ORLEANS – (Nov. 22, 2019) – NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is notifying families that the Main Round of OneApp, the unified application process to enroll in New Orleans Public Schools, opens today Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 and closes Jan. 31, 2020. Closing the application a month earlier will allow us to deliver results to K-12 families sooner.
Families will be informed of their students’ placements during the month of March, which will also allow us to provide results from Round 2 sooner. Schools with additional admission requirements will continue to have an early deadline of Jan. 15, 2020.
The shift in the timeline of the OneApp process will also assist schools in facilitating record transfers, finalizing student rosters, and support transitions earlier than in previous years.
Through the OneApp platform, NOLA-PS provides students and families with the opportunity to choose a school that best suits their interests and needs through the centralized enrollment process. This speaks to the focus named in the district’s outlined vision that every student receives a high-quality education that fosters his or her individual capabilities.
Families need to submit a OneApp application for the 2020-2021 school year if their student meets any of the following criteria:
Families who would like to remain at their current school should not submit a OneApp application.
Parents are also reminded that applying earlier in the Main Round does not increase their likelihood of assignment. However, OneApp does offer priorities for student placement based on additional factors, including the school enrollment of a student’s sibling and their geography in relation to the school.
Before submitting an application for next school year, NOLA-PS encourages families to research school choices. To assist in this process, NOLA Public Schools provides several resources:
Families that do not participate in the Main Round are welcome to participate in the second round of OneApp, which is scheduled to open one week after the Main Round results are released.
Want to understand how OneApp works? Please read answers to Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to oneapp@nolapublicschools.com for help!
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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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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.
Decision Will Increase per Student Funding; Allow District To Recover From Upcoming Cuts To State Funding.
NEW ORLEANS – (November 19, 2019) – At a special meeting of the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) this evening, district board members voted unanimously to fully roll forward the millages dedicated to public education in Orleans Parish. The new revenue generated will total $325 dollars on average per student per year. Ninety-eight percent of the total funds that come to the OPSB go directly to Parish public schools.
"Today our locally elected school board members took a vital step toward improving our schools as they voted fully roll forward school millages that will result in the addition of urgently needed funding for our city’s children,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. “I want to commend them on their leadership and commitment to what is best for our community. This essential decision by the school board means our schools will not be harmed by cuts to state funding while ensuring that NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) receive critical dollars to better serve students and support teachers.”
Prior to the board vote, advocates from local charter school organizations and education organizations voiced their support for a full roll forward of the millages in a public hearing. Such an increase will allow schools to make critical enhancements including increasing employee salaries, benefits and incentives so schools can compete to hire and retain the best educators. Additionally the funds will provide for the purchase of schoolbooks and other supplies, and enable more enrichment programming to be offered.
“I’m proud of the steps my fellow board members took today to act as champions for our children and schools,” said OPSB Board President John A. Brown. “As we heard from our many educators, parents, home owners and fellow citizens earlier, these funds are badly needed. This vote will allow us to make a concerted financial investment in our district’s future as we continue to provide an equitable, challenging and inspiring education for our city’s youth.”
The reassessment of property in Orleans Parish put the OPSB in a unique position. Assessments directly affect the amount of state funding the district receives for public education. As local assessments rise, state funding for Orleans Parish public schools will have a $9.1 million net decrease each year moving forward.
The OPSB’s actions today recognize the crucial need for these resources and the invaluable effect they will have on students today and into the future.
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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
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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