Viewpoint: Early childhood education, on the April 30 ballot, can prevent crime

In what is predicted to be an extremely low-turnout election on Saturday, April 30, Orleans Parish voters will have the opportunity to support a unique property tax dedicated to early childhood education. If approved, the legislation could generate about $21 million annually — creating 1,500 early childhood education seats in New Orleans. According to the legislation’s advocate Yes for NOLA Kids, the owner of a $200,000 home should expect to pay an additional $5.20 per month in property taxes. An owner of a home assessed at $1 million might pay $26 monthly. Currently more than 8,300 low-income children in New Orleans under the age of 4 are unable to access an affordable, high-quality early childhood education program. 
“When more kids are participating in preschool programs, we won’t have all the crime that we have now.” Cynthia Hedge Morrell
 “We’ve known since the days of famed researchers Jean Piaget and Maria Montessori that early childhood education has always been essential to creating thinking, caring, socialized, well-rounded children,” said long-time educator Cynthia Hedge Morrell, retired teacher and principal of McDonogh 15 Elementary School who later served on the City Council.

Advertiser: Read, Learn, Explore Libraries this Month!

The New Orleans Public Library is offering hundreds of free and fun programs and activities this summer for children, teens, and adults. Our much-loved annual Summer Fun program includes Bob Ross Paint Parties, Nintendo Switch Gaming Sessions, and Audubon ZooMobile and runs through this Saturday, July 20. It is a celebration of reading and exploring all that the Library has to offer. Summer Fun is designed to encourage the development of lifelong literacy for New Orleanians of all ages by providing them with exciting programs and reading rewards. While the program focuses on fun for all ages, there is a very serious reason that children and teens should participate.

Shakespeare, Twain, evolution and libertarianism among topics in Chatauqua’s spring semester

Accentuate your knowledge on Shakespeare to Mark Twain, to evolution and the human spirit, to even Libertarianism and Kinetic sculpture with this spring’s Chautauqua classes. All classes are under $40 and open to all Chautauqua members, classes begin on March 31. For more information please refer to the following press release from Chautauqua New Orleans:

New Orleans Chautauqua classes begin the week of March 31 and continue for 6 weeks.  Classes include Shakespeare, Evolution, Alice Munro, Mark Twain and more.  See the website for further details and to register.  

CLASSES SPRING 2014
The Short Stories of Alice Munro
Six Mondays, starting March 31, 7:00-8:30 pm
Loyola University,
Room 214B Bobet Hall
6363 St. Charles Avenue
Cost $30 (copies of stories provided at first class)
Instructors: The Rev. William Barnwell and Mr. Lawrence Hamric
Teaching Assistant: Rosemarie Coffman
Description: Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize for Literature in October of 2013. Widely regarded as one of the best short story writers of our time, Munro tells tales of ordinary people who rise before us as complex and intriguing—in fact, a whole lot like us!