New Cohen College Prep High School asking city to ease parking requirements

 Posted by at 11:30 am  city government, schools
Dec 092019
 

Rendering of the new Walter L. Cohen High School by HMS Architects.

By Emily Carmichael, Uptown Messenger

As the old Walter L. Cohen College Prep High School building nears its demolition, community members gave their feedback on the structure that will replace it, zeroing in on parking and the auditorium.

A second community meeting was held Thursday for the project at 3520 Dryades St., which is seeking permission to have fewer parking spots and fewer loading docks than required by zoning regulations. Regulations require 154 parking spaces and two loading docks. The current plans for the new school building have 40 parking spaces and one loading dock. Continue reading »

Uptown Public School Series: Sophie B. Wright High School

 Posted by at 11:40 am  schools, UptownMessenger.com
Nov 182019
 

From College Classes to the Basketball Court:
Why My Son and I Love Sophie B. Wright

By Craig Victor

In the sixth installment of this ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Craig Victor writes about his son’s experience at Sophie B. Wright Charter High School. Like New Orleans as a whole, Uptown has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

Coi & Craig

Anyone who makes my kid smile on a daily basis is a winner in my book. Sharon Clark is one of those people; she’s the principal of Sophie B. Wright, where my son Coi is a junior. She cares about her students from the bottom of her heart, and she’s a true professional. She’s everywhere in that school building. She’s involved in everything and knows what’s going on in every kid’s life. For Coi, this has meant really pushing him to excel academically; now his GPA is in the top 10 of his class. Continue reading »

Uptown Public School Series: Education for the Whole Child

 Posted by at 10:32 am  schools, UptownMessenger.com
Oct 212019
 

How Audubon Charter School Nurtures
My Two Very Different Children

By Donishia S. Dorsey

In the fifth of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Donishia Dorsey writes about her children’s experience at Audubon Charter School Uptown. Like New Orleans as a whole, Uptown has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

My two children, Jackson and Chloe, are very different from one another. Chloe is in fifth grade, and she has a personality that doesn’t fit in a single room. She wants to be president someday. Jackson is is in  Pre-K 4. He’s younger than Chloe and still learning about himself. He’s quieter and loves puzzles. 

I was nervous that a single school could not nurture both of my children’s different strengths or meet their different needs, but Audubon Charter School Uptown does just that. Continue reading »

Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

 Posted by at 11:59 am  schools, UptownMessenger.com
Oct 072019
 

“The Teachers Are My Favorite Part”: Why Our Family Loves Samuel J. Green Charter School

By Antonio and Revonda Darensbourg

In the fourth of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Antonio and Revonda Darensbourg write about their children’s experience at Samuel J. Green Charter School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

In 2012, we sent our first child, Antonio, to school at Samuel J. Green Charter School. The first day naturally brought tears, both from him and from us, as we parted ways for the day. But when he came home that afternoon, Antonio was excited and happy. The next day, he was looking forward to going back. We said to each other, “Okay, we’re going to keep him here as long as we can.” Continue reading »

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Live art fundraiser will pair professional painters with art students

 Posted by at 4:00 pm  arts, books and music, events, fundraisers, schools
Oct 032019
 

Art students from Young Audiences Charter School will paint collaborative pieces live with Brandan “BMIKE” Odums and other professional New Orleans artists this Saturday, Oct. 5, at Urban South Brewery. YALA Art Live, a fundraiser for Young Audiences of Louisiana, will feature live painting, artist popups, a DJ and food truck. Continue reading »

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Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

 Posted by at 11:30 am  Featured, recognition, schools, UptownMessenger.com
Sep 232019
 

In the third part of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Celeste Sparks writes about her children’s experience at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools to three different language immersion programs, from a Montessori program to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

Part of the Family: Why My Children and I Love Andrew H. Wilson Charter School

By Celeste Sparks, Parent

I have three children and I love them so much. Trinity, the oldest, is in fourth grade. She’s intelligent, aware, and doesn’t miss a beat. She’s so curious about what’s going on in the world and wants to know more. Travis is in third grade; he is also very smart. He is in the gifted program and is always so excited and eager to learn. He always has a book in his hand and is the first one ready for school each morning. Treydon, my youngest, is in Pre-K. He loves school, too. He’s already learned his letters, sounds and numbers. Now he is ready to learn to read! Continue reading »

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‘I’m fighting for my future and my life’: Kids stage climate protest in Uptown

 Posted by at 4:57 pm  environment, events, schools
Sep 202019
 

Young protesters make their voices heard Friday on St. Charles Avenue. Most of the children who were protesting at the student climate strike are homeschooled or attend the Waldorf School. (Sharon Lurye, Uptown Messenger)

By Sharon Lurye, Uptown Messenger

Dozens of young people, from toddlers to teenagers, staged a protest against climate change on Friday morning at the corner of Napoleon and St. Charles avenues.

They were part of a worldwide youth movement known as the “Global Climate Strike,” where students walk out of school in order to push politicians to take action to combat climate change and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“We can persuade the grown-ups,” said 13-year-old Maya Verhaal. “Since they make the choices, we can persuade them to change this world.” Continue reading »

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Uptown Public School Series: Diversity, Community, and Warmth at Hoffman

 Posted by at 11:58 am  Featured, recognition, schools, UptownMessenger.com
Sep 092019
 

In this second of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Anna Derby and Rodolfo Machirica write about their children’s experience at John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

Anna Derby & Rodolfo Machirica, parents

Diversity, Community, and Warmth at Hoffman

By Anna Derby & Rodolfo Machirica

We have two young children: Gabriel is three years old, and Elijah is four months. Both as educators and as parents, we care deeply about where we send our kids to school, and we know these early years matter. That’s why we send them both to John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center, which serves infants through pre-K4. Continue reading »

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Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

 Posted by at 11:59 am  Featured, recognition, schools, UptownMessenger.com
Aug 262019
 

The Right School for CJ

By Christopher Dobney, Parent

In the first essay of this ten-part series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Christopher Dobney writes about his son CJ’s time at Benjamin Franklin Elementary Mathematics & Science School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has a wealth of public school options for families – from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.

Christopher Dobney and son CJ

Christopher and son CJ

 My son Christopher, or CJ, is eleven years old. He and I are close. We read together each evening, we play sports together, and it is wonderful to watch him learn and grow. CJ is bright, thoughtful, and athletic. He loves robotics, reading, technology, and playing soccer. I believe he deserves the best possible education, and we have been lucky enough that he’s received that through New Orleans public schools. This fall, he’s starting his sixth grade year at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, which he has attended since kindergarten. Continue reading »

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Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans puts out a call for new board members

 Posted by at 10:48 am  schools
Jun 062019
 

A young Lycee Francais student trades a fist bump with Cam Jordan during the Saints player’s visit to the school in 2014. (via Lycee Francais on Facebook)

The Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for new board members. Continue reading »

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The Lens: School Board moves forward with plan to swap McDonogh 7 for former dump site

 Posted by at 2:12 pm  land use & development, schools
May 222019
 

The McDonogh 7 building on Milan Street in the Touro neighborhood. (UptownMessenger.com file photo)

The Orleans Parish School Board announced Tuesday it will move forward with its plans to trade the historic McDonogh 7 school in the Touro neighborhood for land atop the former Silver City dump for use as athletic fields for Booker T. Washington High School, Marta Jewson reports in The Lens.

Continue reading »

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Student’s case against Sophie B. Wright heads to federal court in what lawyer calls a ‘stall tactic’

 Posted by at 11:59 am  court, schools
May 072019
 

Sophie B. Wright Charter School is at 1426 Napoleon Ave. (via Google Maps)

Sophie B. Wright Charter School filed a motion Monday, May 6, to move a case filed by one its students to federal court. The school’s attorney, Tracie Washington, filed notice as the student, her parents, lawyer and other supporters were set for a hearing at the Orleans Civil District Court.

Lyric Fernandez, an 18-year-old senior, alleged in the April 26 complaint that the Uptown public charter school denied her due process when it determined its punishment for a senior prank.

Continue reading »

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Sponsored: Audubon Gentilly’s Fais Do-Do is a cultural fair for all!

 Posted by at 11:59 am  Advertiser specials, Festivals, schools
May 062019
 

Audubon Gentilly is hosting its first signature event

Fais Do-Do!

We invite the community to join us as we celebrate the end of our first year of school with a free festival full of activities, food, music, and fun for the whole family!

As we prepare to “take a nap” over the summer (better known as summer break), Audubon Gentilly will host a unique end-of-year event combining traditional festival fun with our celebration of multi-culturalism.

On Saturday, May 11, Fais Do-Do will feature games and activities for the whole family as well as food, beverages, and entertainment.  Continue reading »

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Lycée Français eyes McNair Elementary building on Carrollton

 Posted by at 11:35 am  land use & development, schools
Apr 262019
 

ReNEW is vacating the former McNair Elementary School at 1607 S. Carrollton Ave. (via Google Maps)

The Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orleans board voted Monday to submit a letter of interest to acquire the soon-to-be-closed McNair campus in the Carrollton neighborhood.

The ReNEW charter system was operating two programs at the former Ronald G. McNair Elementary School at 1607 S. Carrollton Ave.: a pre-kindergarten program and a therapeutic day program for children with behavioral disorders. Continue reading »

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Education advocates put pressure on Sophie B. Wright board over student punishments

 Posted by at 3:12 pm  schools
Apr 242019
 

Sophie B. Wright Charter School is at 1426 Napoleon Ave. (via Google Maps)

Parents and community members are calling on Sophie B. Wright’s school board chair to call a special meeting to publicly address what they say is overly harsh punishment of senior students, an advocacy group announced.

On April 5, about 30 students were given five-day suspensions from Sophie B. Wright Charter School on Napoleon Avenue after a senior prank water fight. The students also had their senior privileges revoked, including walking for graduation, senior prom, senior picnic and their last day of school.

According to an April 8 statement from the school, students vandalized the school with water balloons, water guns, eggs, vinegar and mustard. Sophie B. Wright officials have said the prank resulted in injuries and could lead to legal action.

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