Trunk or Treat

John Dibert Community School celebrated Trunk or Treat, yesterday, October 30, 2014.

Students from the elementary and middle school, along with friends and family, dressed up in costume to "trick-or-treat" around Dibert. Parents parked their cars all around the school, filling their trunks with candy as students made their way around the block collecting candy.

Trunk or Treat featured a number of activities including a face painting booth and a health and wellness table hosted by Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. Performances also included the middle school dance team.

A big thank you to the Dibert community for making this event possible.

Happy Halloween!

Food Day at LHA!

Scare tactics? Bribery? Proselytizing? How exactly do you get kids to eat healthy? How about using the language of deliciousness!

Educators at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans

are always pioneering new ways to teach healthy food choices, and part of how we do this is to connect children to the larger food community through collaboration. In celebration of Food Day and National Farm-to-School Month, on October 24 community partners, faculty, staff, sixth graders and their families came together in the Dreamkeeper Garden at Langston Hughes Academy to participate in interactive, edible activities that taught kids fun, easy, and creative ways to eat healthy.

At the table for the Crescent City Farmer’s market, students “Guessed the Gross” by sticking their hands into towel-shrouded bowls to touch the creepy substances within—eyeballs, worms, brains. They were scared to reach in, but each was a food that could be found at the farmer’s market. 

At the LPHI table students found out that satsumas have only ten calories apiece. And at the ESYNOLA table they rolled and cut sweet potato gnocchi and used fresh herbs from the garden to make salad dressing. 

“I never liked salad until I tried this dressing,” said one student, declaring in better words that we ever could that Food Day was a complete success. 

ESYNOLA is grateful for LPHI School Health Connection, the New Orleans Food Co-op, the Crecent City Farmer’s Market, LHA faculty and staff, and ESYNOLA volunteers for making Food Day so awesome. Look for recipes from Food Day on ESYNOLA’s website, and check in with our Facebook page to see more photos of the event. 

For more ESYNOLA recipes click here!

We are closing the Achievement Gap!

Today the Louisiana Department of Education released Letter Grades for schools across the state. This year marked the eighth straight year of growth for FirstLine Schools.

Two of our schools earned a "B":

• Arthur Ashe Charter School (Ashe), was rated a "D" last year
• John Dibert Community School (Dibert), was rated a "D" last year

Two of our schools earned a "C":

• Samuel J. Green Charter School (Green), was rated a "D" last year
• Langston Hughes Academy (LHA), did not receive a letter grade last year

One of our schools remains a "T", which indicates a transition school:

• Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School (Clark Prep), in its second year of transition, showed a second straight year of significant growth in terms of its school performance score. 

The scores released, October 24, 2013, show a steady increase of student achievement in the 2012-13 school year at all of FirstLine's schools. Additionally, Ashe, Dibert, and Green are also all 2013 "Top Gains Schools."

"The hard work of our scholars and teachers in partnership with our parents has resulted in marked increase in student achievement, which is only one indicator of the continued improvement of our schools," said Jay Altman, CEO of FirstLine Schools. "While we still have a long way to go, these letter grades reflect the progress we are making towards a shared vision with schools across the city -- that New Orleans can be the first city in America where every child goes to a great school."

FirstLine's schools are accepting students for the 2014-15 school year, as part of the RSD OneApp, beginning on November 4, 2013. For more information about enrolling your child visit www.firstlineschools.org or www.enrollnola.org

Samuel J. Green Charter School celebrates Science Night

Science Night at Green Charter is a time for the elementary scholars to get excited and for Middle School scholars to show what they know.

 This year all grade levels were represented, along with a special guest from Loyola, US wildlife and fisheries, and Birds of Prey!

Students and parents circulated tables to learn about air pressure,  systems of the body through frog dissection, chemical changes, making slime and butter, physical changes by making ice cream and a host of other activities! Green's art program and the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans put together a special presentation for students and the 5th grade ELA's literature table was an amazing addition,  making the event cross curricular! 

LHA is CLASS-E and using their Imagination!

CLASS-E Celebrations every Wednesday:

LHA Kindergarten, first, and second grade scholars earn points for demonstrating the school values - community, leadership, affection, sacrifice, success and enthusiasm. Scholars who are CLASS-E 80% of the time, during a 3-week cycle, receive an invitation to celebrate their outstanding achievement. 

Each 3-week cycle has a theme. Check our our classy, CLASS-E LHA scholars. 

NEW! Imagination Playground

Through a partnership with KaBOOM!, Dr. Pepper, and Snapple, LHA acquired their first ever Imagination Playground! Imagination Playground gives scholars a safe place to play both indoors and outdoors. The playground is not only loads of fun for out scholars, but encourages physical activity, helps to develop creativity, imagination and social skill. 

Meet Felix and the Green Flag Football Team

Green Flag Football Team

The Green Flag Football team has dominated the Charter School Athletic Association (NOCSAA) flag football league, as the undefeated champions for the last four years! The team's success can be attributed to the inclusive, supportive environment both the coach and teammates have created.

Meet Felix!

Felix and Coach T going over goals

Felix has been on the Green flag football team for two years. Felix is in the 6th grade, and lives with his mom, dad, older brother and two sisters. In addition to training for flag football, Felix loves to go camping, take trips with his family, and play laser tag. Felix has been working with Coach Tamara Schuit since the second grade. Hard work along with the support of family and teammates, has enabled Felix to excel on the flag football team. 

We asked Felix a few questions:

Q: What motivated you to be on the team?

A: Peyton Manning on the Denver Broncos because he finished college, he's an awsome player and he worked hard for what he wanted.

Felix and Coach T practicing

Q: What steps has he taken to get where he is now? (football?)

A: Lots of running so I play longer, push-ups, sit-ups and working with Coach T for 5 years (she helps me to do my best and work hard).

Q: What are your future goals?

A: Go to high school, then college for 2 years and then work with my brother Lewis.

A big shout out to the Green Flag Football team! Good luck on your next game.