Ashe Students Welcome NCAA Final Four Teams

Students from Arthur Ashe Charter School were part of over 300 students to welcome the NCAA Final Four Men's Teams which have arrived for the weekend playoffs.  Students boarded a bus at 4pm yesterday to head over and be a part of the excitement.

The students met some of the team members, attended the welcoming salute and spent some time in "Bracket Town".

See a news story about this welcome here: http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Mayor-welcomes-Final-Four-teams-to-New-Orleans-144989455.html.

LHA Recognized for Achieving LEED® Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council

Yesterday, Mark Martin and Dow Edwards were present when the Langston Hughes Academy building was recognized for achieving LEED® Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 44,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries.

"After the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, the Recovery School District made a bold declaration. Rather than simply rebuilding its schools, the district would re-imagine their approach to educational environments," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. "With four LEED certified schools and dozens more in process, RSD is an inspiration for disaster-affected communities looking for solutions in the face of adversity. The Center for Green Schools at USGBC has been honored to work hand-in-hand with the RSD team to deliver healthy, high-performing schools to the deserving community of New Orleans.”

According to published reports, green schools save on average $100,000 per year on operating costs — enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers, or purchase 5,000 textbooks. On average, green schools use 33 percent less energy and 32 percent less water than conventionally constructed schools, and if all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billion over the next 10 years.

L to R: Mark Martin (LHA School Director), Rachel Gutter (Center for Green Schools), Dow Edwards (Co-Chair of the NOLA180 Board of Directors), Anisa Baldwin Metzger (Center for Green Schools).

Greater New Orleans Foundation holds Education Panel at LHA

Session Attendees

On Tuesday, March 6 the Greater New Orleans Foundation held a two hour session entitled: "Understanding New Orleans One ISSUE at a Time: Education".  The panel portion of this session was held at Langston Hughes Academy (LHA).  School Director, Mark Martin, welcomed the group of over 70 people in the library.

Panelists

The panelists included: Michael Stone, New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) - Panel Moderator; Makiyah Moody, Leading Educators; Andre Perry, Ph.D., Institute for Quality and Equity in Education, Loyola University New Orleans; Michael Ripski, Ph.D, Achievement Network; and Stevona Rogers, Teach for America New Orleans.  The panel covered a wide range of issues affecting education in New Orleans.

Following the panel, seven LHA scholars took the attendees on a brief tour of the Dreamkeeper Garden.

We were thrilled and honored to host this panel and thank the Greater New Orleans Foundation for including us!

LHA Scholar in the Dreamkeeper Garden

Session attendees enjoying their tour
of the Dreamkeeper Garden

MEDIA ALERT: Arthur Ashe Charter School to hold Open House and attend Harrison Avenue Marketplace in new neighborhood

NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, March 15, Arthur Ashe Charter School at Lake Park (Ashe) is holding an Open House at Edgewater Baptist Church - 5900 Paris Ave.  Ashe is moving to the Lake Park neighborhood for the 2012-2013 school year at 1456 Gardena Drive. 

School leaders, teachers, and other members of the Ashe and FirstLine community will attend the open house and information about academic and enrichment programming will be presented.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to view and discuss the design of the new Edible Schoolyard garden, proposed playground and other improvements planned for the grounds of the school as well as the surrounding NORDC Oak Park.

Applications to attend Ashe for the 2012-13 school year will be accepted at the open house.  Assistance in completing the RSD Common Application ("OneApp") will be provided by school personnel.

WHEN:            Thursday, March 15, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WHERE:           Edgewater Baptist Church
5900 Paris Ave
New Orleans, LA  70122

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On Wednesday, March 14^th, representatives from Arthur Ashe Charter School will attend the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, where they will answer questions about the school (academic and enrichment programming) and discuss the move to a new location.  This is the first Marketplace of the season – we hope to see you there!

WHEN:            Wednesday, March 14, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE:           Lakeview Grocery

                        801 Harrison Ave
New Orleans, LA  70124

FirstLine Schools

The mission of FirstLine Schools is to create and inspire great open enrollment public schools in New Orleans.  FirstLine currently operates Samuel J. Green Charter School, Arthur Ashe Charter School, John Dibert Community School, Langston Hughes Academy, and Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School. 

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FirstLine Represents at the Urban League's Schools Expo

Clark Prep Student Ambassadors meeting the crowd.

Dibert SOM Ms. James talks to a potential family.

On Saturday, March 2, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans hosted its 3rd annual Schools Expo, and FirstLine was there in force to represent our schools.  The incredibly popular event moved this year to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to accomodate the incredible response of families who want to know more about New Orleans schools.  The event includes a school fair, a family resource fair, a networking event, opportunities to apply for and research schools and raffles for free uniforms!

LHA Director Mark Martin and Ms. Sintes!

FirstLine representatives from all of our schools got to meet families, connect with other schools and generally pass a good time!

Clark Prep Senior Ring Ceremony a smash success!

Friday, March 2, 2012 was a milestone day for the Clark Prep Senior Class.  The leaders of Clark Prep's Rebirth of a Legacy, the Senior Class, their families and Clark Prep staff gathered at the historical St. Peter Claver Church in the Tremé to celebrate the community, discipline and scholarship that the Clark Prep Senior Class has displayed in this transition year.   Senior Darvell Ross treated the crowd to gorgeous renditions of The Star Spangled Banner and the Lord's Prayer, while Seniors Brannon, Jarnell, Johnnisha, Shuntrelle and Bertha presented speeches and readings.  Special guest Gwendolyn Suarez-Carriere, from Clark HS Class of '52 told students to stay "sharp and straight up" as they moved on through life.  Many thanks to the families of Clark Prep, the Clark Prep senior advisors and staff, the Joseph S. Clark Community Council and St. Peter Claver Church for their help in making this night so wonderful!

Rapper Dee-1 Visits Clark Prep English Class!

Rapper Dee-1 made a special visit to an 11th grade English class at Clark Prep, last week, to speak about his work, success and commitment to education and positivity.  The rapper, who "branded himself as the politically inclined rapper who reports about the streets and offers genuine, educated insight on Black America’s ills and the solutions it needs," is currently on the rise nationwide after his single "Jay, 50 and Weezy" and "The One that Got Away" have seen national success. 


During his visit, the rapper performed for the students, talked about his experience growing up in New Orleans East, and how his new album reflects his life philosophy: 


“The name of the album is Mission Vision, and that’s the motto I have for how I live,” Dee explains, talking louder and faster as his ideas start pouring out. “Mission vision means focusing and keeping an eye on what’s important. Don’t worry about goliaths. Be bold and confident in your pursuit of a better life. Plan. Prepare. Pray. Work.”


A more detailed description of his visit is featured in the cover story article about him, written by David Dennis in this month's Offbeat magazine. Read more about Dee-1 and his visit to Clark Prep here!