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.