Kathleen: Wes Moore, Xavier & Clark Prep

On the evening of Tuesday, November 27 Clark Prep sent a total of five 9^th and 10^th grade students to Xavier University.  Xavier was hosting a special event: Wes Moore, celebrated author of “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates” spoke to the entire freshman class of Xavier, as they are required to read it as first-years and it is incorporated into their studies, and the Xavier chapter of the Alpha-Phi-Alpha fraternity as their selected shared reading for the 2012/2013 academic year. 

The trip was exciting for students and adults as well, as the book tells a story about two African American men with the same name who came from similar backgrounds in urban Baltimore but ultimately make defining and vastly different life choices, propelling one Moore into academic and professional success and plummeting the other into crime and a life sentence in jail. Clark Prep faculty members Ms. Vernessa Gipson, Mr. Will Chesson, Mrs. Dawn Goodwin and Principal Hochron accompanied the students.  

Clark Prep was also represented by Dr. Monique Cola, alumni and President of the Clark Alumni Association.  All enjoyed discussion of the themes covered in Wes Moore’s book, those themes described by Xavier as part of their mission, being “personal responsibility, social justice, the transformative power of education” and the judicial system in the U.S. All five Clark Prep students can be seen in the bottom row of the picture  – Clark Prep sweaters and the JROTC uniform help to distinguish them from the rest!



Kathleen Duffy is the AmeriCorps VISTA Outreach Coordinator for Clark Prep High School. 

Kathleen: Clark Prep Cross Country @ the Crescent City Fall Classic!

Last Saturday, November 10 Clark Prep’s Cross Country Team participated in the Crescent City Fall Classic!  The Crescent City Fall Classic started and ended at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. This 5K, or 3.1 mile, race started at 8:30 a.m.  When our runners finished they bested their personal goals; freshman Mariah H. even placed first in her age group! The race welcomed younger age-group turn out by offering age-specific prizes and cash grants to schools with the highest number of students competing in the race.

The Crescent City Fall Classic encourages students starting at age 12, but adult runners participate as well. Staff from Clark Prep, Green and friends of Clark Prep ran with the Cross Country team. Everyone is so proud of the team’s results and we're hoping to have our runners race in the 10K Crescent City Classic in March as well. The March race takes place on Saturday, March 30.  Says coach Darcy McKinnon, "Cross Country is about perseverance and pride.  Congratulations to the Bulldogs who showed the discipline and joy to make it through the race!"  Keep working hard and GREAT JOB, Bulldogs!

Kathleen Duffy is the Americorps Vista Community Outreach Coordinator at Clark Prep High School.

Jason: Ashe Awards Ceremony

Ashe A.C.E.S. care about more than just academics, and this year our scholars at Arthur Ashe Charter won more awards than any year prior. Some celebrated their embodiment of Achievement – Ashe’s first value – by showing high scores and great improvements in academic performance. Others were given recognition in the areas of Community, Excellence, and Self.

In addition to all 400+ scholars at Ashe, all teachers and many families were attended the award ceremony.

For the highest performers, students received more than just a certificate. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to these shining stars! Parents of medal-winners took home a yard sign to show their pride.

There is no doubt that Ashe is quickly becoming one of the best primary schools in New Orleans, and we want to make sure our scholars know how special they are. So here’s a big CONGRATULATIONS to our A.C.E.S!

Jason Lacoste is the AmeriCorps VISTA K-8 Outreach Coordinator for FirstLine Schools.

Jason: Ashe Ribbon Cutting

There was laughter. There were tears. Some of the biggest names in local education and politics came out to the gleaming new campus of Arthur Ashe Charter School, on Wednesday, November 7, to celebrate a triumph for the children of New Orleans.

Ashe’s new building is possible due to a widespread collaboration between the BESE Board, OPSB, RSD, and FirstLine Schools. Thanks to their persistence and vision, we were awarded one of the early re-built schools as part of the School Facilities Master Plan and FEMA. FirstLine also partnered with the Lake Park neighborhood to ensure the design and use of the campus and park area, including an expansive edible garden, benefit the neighborhood as well as the student body.

In the end, we are able to provide a high quality education in what Karen Parsons, the President of Oak Park Civic Association, called “a hidden gem” in the neighborhood. Since its founding in 2007, scholars at Arthur Ashe Charter have been boasting some of the most impressive performance scoreimprovements in the city. The school is now a national leader in computer-assisted instruction thanks to FirstLine’s Personalized LearningProject, and offers a rich portfolio of after-school programming.

Ashe’s dedication to excellence is embodied in the design of its new 95,000 sq ft building, thanks to the hard work by the architects at Howard Performance Architecture. The esteemed guests attending last week’s ribbon cutting – including Patrick Dobard, RSD Superintendent, and a number of our elected officials – could not have been more impressed.

Then again, it only gets better from here.

Jason Lacoste is the AmeriCorps VISTA K-8 Outreach Coordinator for FirstLine Schools.

Jason: Coach Across America

Thank you, Coach Across America!

Marcus Allen Speaking at the Press Conference

This great organization reaches 50,000 children across the nation, supporting member organizations to train and host highly effective coaches in sports and youth development. Now, Green, Ashe and LHA are benefiting from a coalition between CAA, The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, and Mercedes-Benz USA.

Thanks to these organizations, we can gladly welcome our new coach to Green, Coach Dwight! He’ll be working hard this year, teaching our kids about perseverance, self-improvement, and success through sports education.

As usual, FirstLine celebrated in style.

On Monday, Coach Across America brought along four athletic superstars: Dr. Edwin Moses, Marcus Allen, Robby Naish, and Monica Seles. Each of them represents absolute success in their sport, and now they want to give back. They spoke at a press conference in Green’s library about their personal journeys and their appreciation for education and great coaches. Mr. Allen inspired our scholars with a memory from his childhood: “When I was young,” he said. “I made the decision about which side of the TV I wanted to be on. You can make the same decision and be a person who does more than watch.”

Monica Seles and an A's & Aces Coach play
with a couple students at Green

After the press conference, everyone headed downstairs for playtime with the stars. In typical New Orleans fashion, an incoming storm threatened to end the sports planned for outside, but the students refused to let a little rain stop their fun. They broke up into groups, either going long for a pass with the football, running rugby drills, or lining up for free throws on the basketball court. When the shower really set in, everybody moved inside.

A makeshift tennis court was set up on one side of the cafeteria. Two girls faced off against one of the A’s and Aces coaches and Monica Seles for a quick lesson. In the middle of the room, a small group kicked around a soccer ball. On the stage end, Green’s dance troupe showed off their moves.

Thanks to Mercedes-Benz USA for funding this initiative and to our Wellness Committee – especially Chef April and Alisha – for organizing the grant that made this possible. We at FirstLine know that parents care deeply about their children’s academic performance, but that’s only part of the formula that makes our schools such a success. Good coaches and physical education is an important part of character development, so here’s a shout-out to all the hardworking coaches giving 100% at FirstLine Schools!

Check out pictures and info from the story on nola.com.


Jason Lacoste is the AmeriCorps VISTA K-8 Outreach Coordinator for FirstLine Schools.  

Choose Your Own Adventure: Open Garden Days THIS Saturday

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? 

Come on out and join us at Open Garden Day from 10:00-1:00. 

And since we are doing two schools in one day (we're so crazy!) - you can choose which school campus you'd like to go to:

SJ Green Charter School      (2319 Valence St. NOLA 70115)  OR  Arthur Ashe Charter School   (1456 Gardena Dr. NOLA 70122).

Choose your own adventure this Saturday and come on out to help make these gardens beautiful!

Remember to wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty and bring a water bottle. 

If this Saturday does not work for you, don't you worry! We have an Open Garden Day NEXT Saturday, November 10th at another school campus, Langston Hughes Academy (3519 Trafalgar St. NOLA 70119). 

We are still in need of more volunteers and groups for this Saturday and next, so spread the word! Please RSVP to Kelly Miranda.