FirstLine Leaders create their own Charters!

Two FirstLine employees have recently learned that applications they made for their own charter schools have been approved.  Elizabeth Ostberg, Director of Talent Development, will be leaving FirstLine next year to open an alternative school here in New Orleans.  Natasha Baker, Chief Academic Officer, is starting her own charter school in Detroit and will be moving there at the New Year, staying on at FirstLine as a consultant.  We wish them success as they continue the challenging work of closing the achievement gap here and around the country!

Trombone Shorty and Mayor Landrieu visit Dibert!

Thursday December 9 was an exciting day at Dibert Community School.  Mayor Mitch Landrieu and New Orleans trombone phenomenon Trombone Shorty visited the campus to talk about the importance of music and culture in New Orleans, and to connect that to math and language education!  After the Mayor spoke, Trombone Shorty, Glen David Andrews and members of the Treme Brass Band were joined by Dibert middle schoolers Jazz, Revert and Revon in a second line out to the yard!  Revert and Jazz are planning on applying to the NOCCA next year - they'll have some wonderful recommendations!   Check out footage of the visit on our YouTube site at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InpXMS_yKhA

Green and Ashe Students Spend a Day at De La Salle

Green students Melvin, Kendall and Frank join Ashe student Aiko at De La Salle.

On Tuesday, December 8, four students from Ashe and Green spent the day at De La Salle High School. They sat in on classes with De La Salle students, met teachers and leaders and ate lunch. Says Aiko Burfect, "I think this is a school where I'd feel very comfortable." Frank Jorden couldn't believe the lunch; he ate two cheeseburgers, fries, a slushie and an ice cream. FLS encourages all 7th and 8th graders to visit school sites they are interested in before deciding on the high school that's right for them. For more information on how to schedule a spend-a-day, contact Darcy McKinnon.

Dibert Mural Project Unveiled!

As part of Dibert's transformation this year, Outreach partner KidsmArt placed artist-in-residence Elizabeth Traina at the school to create one of her famous mural's on the school's entry. The large mural fills the front facade of the building.  It is the result of a semester-long project led by KID smART artist-in-residence Elizabeth Traina that integrated arts learning into the school’s “F.I.R.S.T.” values (Focus, Integrity, Respect, Self-Determination and Teamwork).   171 students in grades 5-8 plus 34 staff members and volunteers contributed to the creation of the mural.  The project was made possible in part through the support of the New Orleans Kids Partnership.

Green hosts its annual Turkey Bowl!

This year's Green Charter Turkey Bowl was a resounding success!  Students could hang out, listen to music, play in a prize walk, compete in football games, enjoy delicious winter harvest pizzas, or...

 Students at SJ Green are daily schooled in the healthiest and most sustainable ways of eating and growing food.  Their love of organic, whole grain, fresh and local food is nationally recognized.  Except twice a year, at their holiday jamborees, when they engage in a food frenzy known as the Green Gobbler eating contests!  This year at Green's Turkey Bowl, 12 middle schoolers faced off in a competition of sheer gluttony to see who would reign supreme at the delicate art of no-hands pie eating.  And the winners are... Alexus and Josh!

Josh shows his clean plate skills.

Trisden struggles to get the last bits in, but Alexus shows the judges who's done first!

This is perseverance, guys!

Arthur Ashe breaks ground on the new Bienville Campus

On November 8, FirstLine and Ashe leaders had the rare treat of seeing their future campus of Bienville school's groundbreaking.  Speakers at this exciting event included Jay Altman, RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas, State Senator Ed Murray and Mayor Mitch Landrieu.  This day represents the beginning of a new day for Arthur Ashe, and for the city of New Orleans, which will be building 8 new schools in 8 weeks! We will be following Ashe's Bienville campus construction closely, so stay tuned for more exciting developments.

Tulane Football visits Ashe Morning Meeting!

On November 4, Tulane football players visited Arthur Ashe middle school morning meeting to share their secrets of success.  They told the Ashe middle schoolers about the importance of perseverance and avoiding distractions to their goals.  Go Green Wave!

Dibert Parent Org hosts Trunk or Treat!

The Dibert Parent Organization hosted Trunk or Treat Wednesday, October 27, so that Dibert Students could have a safe and friendly place to trick or treat!

Fall Fest at Langston Hughes!

It was part costume ball, part festival and part student-teacher showdown, but it was all fun!  The LHA Fall Festival featured snacks, face painting, giant boxers, a moonwalk, and most important, a chance to pie Mr. Martin and Mr. Sullivan in the face!  A great time was had by all.

FirstLine Football Showdown - This Weekend!

The New Orleans Charter Football League season is almost over, and two FirstLine Schools will be facing off in the championship this weekend!  The Ashe Hornets will be meeting the Green Giants in an epic battle of agility, strength and speed.   Come out and support your school, or both schools, this weekend at KIPP Renaissance, at the old Douglass campus on St. Claude Avenue between Alvar and Pauline streets.

Coach is prepared to give the Hornets strategies to defeat the Giants!

Ashe Hornets are ready to put in the work, 100%, all the time, every day!

The Green Giants have relied on a deep roster and great communication to lead them to an undefeated season.