FirstLine scholars compete in Special Olympics Bowling Tournament

Last week, Colonial Bowling Lanes in Harrahan, hosted a Special Olympic Bowling Tournament. Arthur Ashe Charter School, Samuel J. Green Charter School, John Dibert Community School at Phillis Wheatley, and Langston Hughes Academy, each had students participating in the tournament.

Each team bowled at least two games, and let me tell you, I have never seen so many strikes! A big congrats goes out to all of our scholars who participated, and to everyone who helped to make this even possible.

The Golden Tennis Racquet

On Wednesday morning, Arthur Ashe Charter scholars in grades kindergarten through 3rd, gathered in the school's gymnasium to find out who would be awarded the coveted golden tennis racquet. The golden tennis racquet is awarded to the class with the best attendance (at least 97 percent) for the week. It is a point of pride for our #AsheChater scholars and they are always excited to see who the winner will be.

The tradition of the golden tennis racquet is inspired by the school’s namesake, Arthur Ashe. Not only was Ashe a world-class athlete and champion, he was the embodiment of good sportsmanship and class. Ashe showed tenacity, humility and graciousness when competing. These are some of the qualities we strive to instill in our scholars every day. Traditions, like the golden tennis racquet, allow us to show respect for those who inspire us, as we set out to inspire others.




Jesse Short is a Louisiana Delta Service Corps member serving at FirstLine Schools as the Technology and Social Media Coordinator. 

Market-to-Table at Arthur Ashe Charter School

The Edible Schoolyard New Orleans put on its annual Market to Table event with our third graders at Arthur Ashe Charter School. Local chefs work with students, sharing their passion and knowledge of cooking, to help create a dish with local ingredients from the Crescent City Farmers Market.

The day before the big cook-off, students ventured out to the Crescent City Farmers Market to purchase their ingredients. Then, on Wednesday, students and chefs worked diligently to create some delicious dishes to share with their friends and families.

 

There were eight stations, each featuring a pair of chefs, where the students joined in and helped prepare an array of dishes. Immediately, smiles came across the faces of the chefs and children alike as the day began. Some groups prepared appetizers, some main dishes, and others desert.

The groups were split up between the two teaching kitchens, which are beautiful facilities featuring stoves, refrigerators and prep stations, designed to teach our students and families about making nutritious and delicious food. Two of the groups set up in the hallway just outside the teaching kitchens.

Teachers and students walking by would stop to peer in and get a glimpse of the action and take a moment to appreciate the wonderful smells. The students all got the chance to go through different stations doing prep work, then cooking activities and finally, all helped with the cleaning duties.

After students and chefs were done cooking, everyone, including parents and guardians of the students, gathered in the band room to enjoy the food. The chefs set up a buffet-style line and served the students and guests, before partaking in food themselves. The room was filled with conversation and laughter. It was a great moment for all involved with the event to relax and enjoy one another’s company.

FirstLine Schools would like to give a shout-out to ESYNOLA for putting together such an amazing event. We would also like to send a shout-out to all the amazing chefs and volunteers who took time to come and get involved with their community and teach our wonderful students. Finally, we would like to give a shout-out to the parents and guardians of students who came to the event to show their support. Learning, community and food, can’t beat it!

Jesse Short is a Louisiana Delta Service Corps member serving at FirstLine Schools as the Technology and Social Media Coordinator.

FirstLine classrooms incorporate Physical Activity Breaks into daily routines

Since 2011, School Health Connection has been working to train teachers throughout New Orleans to incorporate more physical activity in their classrooms. In spring of 2013, teachers and staff at Dibert, Ashe, Langston Hughes, and Green began incorporating physical activity breaks, known as “Instant Recesses,” into their daily routines.

One student shared, “Recess is short, so with Instant Recess, it gives us a chance to take a break and get our blood pumping.”

But what exactly is “Instant Recess?” These short breaks throughout the school day involve activities like yoga and dance and give students a chance to unwind and reset while engaging in healthy physical activity and bonding with their classmates. Students especially enjoy showing off their best dance moves to their classmates or singing along to the latest Calvin Harris and will.i.am tracks!

“Like all of us, children learn better and work better and their brains are more active when they are taking breaks occasionally,” said FirstLine CEO Jay Altman.

Besides numerous health benefits, these breaks can improve classroom behavior, memory, and concentration as well as re-engage and re-energize students, making for a healthier, more enjoyable school day. Check out School Health Connection’s video on Physical Activity Breaks highlighting some FirstLine students:

Special Olympics Field Day at Arthur Ashe Charter School

This past Saturday, Coach Tamara Schuit and a group of coaches and volunteers held the second FirstLine Special Olympics event.  As Coach T describes it, “We watched with full hearts as students from Dibert, Ashe, Green, and LHA participated in basketball, volleyball, and track and field events with coaches, volunteers, parents and siblings cheering them on. SHOUT OUTS to our amazing coaches and volunteers Ms. E, Ms. Clayton, Ms. Meekins, Ms. Landry (and her son/daughter), and our ESY peeps Donna Cavato and Jess Bloomer who helped make the day a huge success!”  Thank you Coach T and team for making this happen.

AAOS Built Ashe a New Playground!

Working hard in the rain to build "The Web"

On Tuesday, March 11, over 200 volunteers worked from 8:30am to 2:30pm to build a brand new, safe and accessible playground, for the students of Arthur Ashe Charter School and the surrounding neighborhood.  The volunteers kept up their spirits and delivered a beautiful playground - all the while working through a very rainy day.  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons made this amazing new playground a reality!

The rain won't keep this rock wall from
being built!

Volunteers started work in a downpour and continued throughout the day.  This amazing new playground will bring joy to the students at Ashe, as well as to all the children in the neighborhood.  In addition to volunteers from AAOS, and FirstLine Schools, many college students, from local and out-of-state universities, also volunteered on the build.

Volunteers that built "The Web" testing it out

The volunteers were thanked throughout the day by Ashe students in a variety of ways.  Students walked around at lunch, handing out thank you letters.  The fifth grade came out and performed a thank you song, as well as sharing why this playground is so important to them.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured the Ashe band; Dr. Frederick M. Azar, incoming president of AAOS; Brian Egana, Vice-Chair of the FirstLine Schools Board of Directors; Cynthia Hedge Morrell, New Orleans City Councilmember; and Sivi Domango, Co-Director of Arthur Ashe Charter School.

Thank you to all the volunteers for an amazing accessible playground that will serve ALL children.

Ashe Band at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The Saints and Pelicans Visit Arthur Ashe

Players from the New Orleans Saints and the Pelicans, teamed up to teach students at Arthur Ashe Charter School about the harms of tobacco.

Did you know that Louisiana is ranked 4th in the nation for states most addicted to smoking?

Players from both teams not only spoke about the importance of being tobacco-free, but also showed students how to throw a football and dribble the basketball.

For more on the story click here.

Sweet Potato Fest!

Sweet potatoes are sneaky. They hide beneath the soil under vines that bloom like morning glories. They are shape shifters in recipes, and can be used in everything from deserts to salads, soups to sushi, burgers to bread. They seem like junk food in French fries and pie, but are packed with potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. When cooked correctly, sweet potatoes are healthier than broccoli or spinach.

Edible Schoolyard New Orleans can be sneaky too. We throw an event like Sweet Potato Fest (which was Saturday, November 2, at Arthur Ashe Charter School) and at first glance it looks like it’s all fun and games: kids frolicking in the dirt, discovering not only 8-pound sweet potatoes but frogs and worms and butterflies; siblings helping each other roll dough for their sweet potato pizzas, complete with pesto made with basil from the garden; sack races; spoon relays; jams blasting from a speaker in the back of a truck; and at the end of the day everybody walking away with goodie bags and sacks of potatoes and smiles.

But we have our ways. While celebrating this seasonal food, Sweet Potato Fest also had a health and wellness slant. What tasted like a milkshake was a nutrient-packed smoothie. The sachet that looked and smelled better than potpourri actually uplifted the mood and calmed the nerves, because it was aromatherapy. And while families played games and made pizzas and tasted Satsumas and got massages at the event, they also received health screenings and pedometers and flu shots, learned how to reduce stress, exercised with a yoga mat and a shovel, and helped us harvest 311 pounds of potatoes.

So I guess Sweet Potato Fest accurately reflects the sneaky essence of its signature vegetable; under a veneer of sugary delight, it packs a healthy punch. We hope to see you next year! Don't forget to check out ESYNOLA's Facebook page. 

Thank you Capital One!

As part of Capital One's One Week service project, volunteers served at Arthur Ashe Charter School. The group did a variety of gardening activities including sowing seeds. However, the biggest accomplishment was the 4 beautiful benches the Capital One group built. The benches even have wheels to help with transport!

A big thank you for all of your support, we hope to see you again next year! 

Capital One has helped create a serene space for our teachers - check out one of our Ashe teachers is enjoying our new bench, and the beautiful Ashe garden during her lunch break. 

Watermelon Day!!

 A first grader teaches Farmer Ben the Spanish word for
watermelon: sandia!

Where did the seeds in watermelons go?
Do watermelons grow on a tree, a bush, or a vine?
Are watermelons good for you?

For students at three FirstLine Schools - Green, Arthur Ashe, and Langston Hughes Academy - these questions have been a part of their regular garden and cooking classes. Friday, September 13, was Watermelon Day, an annual celebration of all things watermelon organized by Edible Schoolyard New Orleans as part of their Farm-to-Table program. With a truckload of at least 100 jubilee watermelons, Farmer Ben Burkett and others arrived from Mississippi. Farmer Ben has become a fixture of Watermelon Day over the past few years, but what many may not know is that he’s an inspirational leader of the Indian Springs Farmer Cooperative, and has been building community, empowering farmers, and acting as a force of radical change for over 30 years.

Students roll watermelons in the Watermelon Relay Race

During their recess and garden classes, students visited with Farmer Ben, learned about watermelons, and played games like the watermelon relay race, in which they rolled watermelons, answered trivia questions about watermelons, and cheered each other on. And, of course, everybody got a slice of watermelon, a refreshing treat on such a hot afternoon.

Watermelon Day is not only fun for the students, teachers, and farmers who participate. It's yet another way that ESYNOLA collaborates with FirstLine teachers to get kids moving in healthy ways, teaches integrated core academics, and connects kids to fresh foods that grow locally and to farmers like Ben Burkett and their stories. But because Watermelon Day is so fun, kids may not realize that they're forging relationships and learning things that will influence the choices they make for years to come.

 ESYNOLA garden teacher Mr. Jahmal poses a
watermelon trivia question: "Name a cousin of the watermelon."
 It takes her a second... "Squash!

First Week of School!

All five of our schools welcomed scholars for the 2013-14 school year starting yesterday.  Many of our schools have a staggered start, with some grades arriving on different days.  There are a variety of exciting things that happen in these first few days of school.

Dibert's 8th graders arrived back at school yesterday and were introduced to "Instant Recess".  The below video shows the enthusiasm and excitement about this new addition to their school day.  Green scholars experienced "Instant Recess" last year - and we're excited to see this fun and easy activity take hold at more FirstLine schools this year.

Ashe's middle school had an ispiring morning meeting today, welcoming students back and setting the tone for the year.

Welcome back, scholars - we're thrilled to have you back with us and look forward to a successful and fulfilling school year.

Revenge of the Nerds

NERD Blvd!

Network-wide Professional Development is about collaborating to hone our skills as educators and administrators and prepare for the coming year, and FirstLine teachers and staff took it a step further this year when they came together for “Revenge of the Nerds”. Faculty from all five schools (and the central office) arrived at the Arthur Ashe campus bright and early this past Monday morning (August 5), full of enthusiasm. With some in goofy glasses, some in suspenders, and some with colorful socks, it was clear that they'd embraced the theme (“Revenge of the Nerds”), and the majority wore tee shirts that declared their pride for their respective schools.

Clark Prep's staff all nerded out and ready for 2013-14!

After exchanging greetings over a healthy breakfast buffet, the enthusiastic participants filtered into the gym, where a lively “pep rally” set the tone for the day. Kelly (ESYNOLA's Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator) kicked things off by applauding the days theme, and contemplating how we redefine and celebrate “nerdiness” in our schools. She made a point of recognizing the nerdiness of enthusiasm and engagement and passion: applicable to any subject, invaluable to any pursuit, and evident all around her. A trumpet sounded from the Green section. Two teachers in Clark led their colleagues in a Bulldog chant resurrected from the 1970’s, a rallying cry with which they tapped into the history and legacy of their school. (B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S!)

This abounding energy was then ignited with a relay race in which participants balanced books on their heads  and answered trivia questions while their colleagues cheered from the stands (LHA led the way, winning the relay race). An inspiring speech from CEO Jay Altman then channeled the energy of the athletic interlude, to unite the gym once more around the FirstLine mission.

Green's Staff - loving Pi and ready for a new year

Charged with the excitement of the rally and infused with a sense of purpose, the FirstLine “nerds” left the pep rally ready to make the most of the day. Teachers from all five schools met with others at their grade level (or by subject area), to collaborate around the launch of this year’s revamped curriculum (tied to our transition to the Common Core). Other sessions addressed a wide array of topics, ranging from Crisis prevention to Interventionalist and CY training, to Assistive Technology. With such abundant opportunities to “nerd out,” the day was a great success!

FirstLine's Wellness Initiative - Update!

This time last year, at a network-wide professional development day, FirstLine Schools (FLS) and its signature program EdibleSchoolyard New Orleans (ESYNOLA) unveiled a new wellness initiative for FirstLine’s five schools. With a full-time Health and Wellness Manager to oversee wellness initiative and track progress and a Network Wellness Council of network-level FirstLine administrators and community partners already in place, the new FLS Comprehensive School Wellness Initiative was prepared to hit the ground running.

ESYNOLA collaborated with the FirstLine operations team to develop more stringent food quality standards and systems for tracking food quality in our school food program. ESYNOLA also held their first daytime, parent-only, hands-on cooking classes this year, in partnership with SecondHarvest Food Bank, and all five FirstLine schools held family food events for National Food Day in October. To inform school food reform efforts, ESYNOLA piloted a plate waste study at Green Charter School to assess student eating habits and school food nutrition content. Tulane Prevention Research Center also got involved in efforts to track student health outcomes, collecting BMI and Fitness Gram data.

In the spring, the Health and Wellness Initiative brought free fitness classes to FirstLine students, family, and friends. Running from 5:30 to 6:30, the afterschool offerings included Zumba (Tuesdays at LHA and Thursdays at Ashe), Yoga (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at Green), and hip hop line dancing (Thursdays at Dibert). At  FirstLine’s four K-8 schools, ESYNOLA also coordinated Instant Recess workshops, in partnership with School Health Connection, to promote increased physical activity during the school day.

All five FirstLine schools earned the Healthier US School Challenge Gold with Distinction Award for the initiative’s pilot year, and this is only the beginning. As FitNOLA partners, committed to helping Mayor Mitch Landrieu move New Orleans from No. 37 to one of the top 10 healthiest and physically active metro areas in the U.S., ESYNOLA and FLS’s Physical Education Department are committed to communicating the importance of eating well and moving more, and providing examples of how this can be done through a variety of programming options.

Please keep checking back for updates on our progress and enjoy the summer!  In the meantime, check out this video of 2nd graders at Green Participating in some Instant Recess: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQNxAAk-UeI

Marching Forward

Congratulations to our 2013 Graduates! FirstLine Schools would like to give a standing ovation to the 2013 Bulldogs who graduate from Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School on May 22nd. We wish you the best of luck as you march forward.

A big congratulations also goes to 8th graders across our four K-8 schools; John Dibert Community School, Arthur Ashe Charter School, Langston Hughes Academy, and Samuel J. Green Charter School. All of our FirstLine Schools recently celebrated 8th Grade Promotions as our scholars transition to high school.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan visits Arthur Ashe Charter School!

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan visited with third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Arthur Ashe Charter School to share his enthusiasm for reading as part of Rotolo’s Literacy Program.

During his time at Ashe, Jordan emphasized the importance of reading for academics, as well as reading for life. Literacy skills are vital to success in school and beyond. In addition to spending time with Ashe’s third, fourth and fifth graders, Jordan made impromptu visits with kindergarten, seventh and eighth grade classes.

A big thank you to Rotolo’s Pizzeria for generously providing free pizza to the students!

For more on this story click here.

Kindergarten Students Celebrate the Completion of Food ABCs

--> Arthur Ashe kindergarten students completed their Food ABCs last week, finishing earlier in the year than their predecessors.  During Food ABCs students learn each letter of the alphabet while trying 2-3 foods starting with the letter that they’re studying. Like zucchini for the letter Z and squash for the letter S.
-->

The next phase in learning will include lessons developed between core Kindergarten Teachers and ESY chef instructors.  First on the list are food groups! Kindergarten students will also start donning the tiny, brilliant-blue chef aprons, as they begin to learn the responsibilities attached to working in the teaching kitchen.

 

Pictures show Arthur Ashe kindergarten students writing their ABCs and prepping a delicious lunch of alphabet soup to celebrate the completion of Food ABCs. 

Student Enrichment: Athletics & Art

ASHE STUDENTS GO TO THE HORNETS GAME!

This past Monday March 25th, Ashe students who reached 100% completion of ST Math, as part of FirstLine's Personalized Learning Project, were rewarded with tickets to the New Orleans Hornets game.

As a reward for their success, Ashe students got to hang out with Hugo and watch as the Hornets took on the Los Angeles Clippers!

AWESOME ART AT LANGSTON HUGHES ACADEMY

Langston Hughes Academy sixth, seventh, and eighth grade boys worked together to create a large scale painting illustrating the theme of “Power of Community” for a competition. Students worked hard to complete the work in only 5 class periods! Additionally, the project taught students the necessary steps to complete a large-scale composition.

Over 400 Volunteers Participated in Service Day at Ashe

volunteers preparing for the day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

volunteers planting trees

Monday, January 21, 2013 was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day of celebration, reflection and service.  While the rest of the country was hard at work, ESYNOLA got in the spirit with a huge Open Garden / Service Day at Arthur Ashe Charter School! FirstLine staff and families joined us at Ashe planting trees, building beds, and constructing outdoor furniture.  ESY Community Partners, including Up2Us: Coach Across America, City Year, Hands on New Orleans, NOKP, and more hosted activities and offered support.

creating art for the garden

Volunteers dug holes, shoveled up sod, placed edging, and yes… even danced The Wobble. By the end, Ashe had a couple dozen new trees, four giant garden beds ready to be planted, and four new tables with benches.

volunteers hard at work

Thanks to our dedicated parents, great staff, and wonderful community partners for helping make Arthur Ashe one of the best schools in New Orleans.

Join us for the MLK Day of Service

Please join us on Monday, January 21 from 8am to 2pm for the MLK Day of Service.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.

The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.

Arthur Ashe Charter School will be the site of a BIG volunteer day this year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

We want you and your family to be a part of this very special day as we work together to make our school and community beautiful.  Food, music, tools, and fun provided!

Here are some of the volunteer activities that will be available on Monday:

·  Digging holes for trees

·  Planting trees, both perimeter and citrus

·  Prepping and edging beneficial border for living fence

·  Prepping for future outdoor gathering space

·  Moving the compost pile

·  Painting raised garden boxes

·  Building picnic tables and benches

·  Fitness Stations for kids from 9am-1pm

·  Info tables from community partners including NOKP with info on programming at Ashe

·  Lunch provided for all volunteers (around 1:30pm

We look forward to seeing you there!!  Questions?  Ask Kelly!

Ashe Students Embrace Composting...and then some

"...And now we have Program Manager Rahn Broady reporting from the field at Arthur Ashe...Rahn?

"Yes, ESY NOLA staff members have now confirmed that students at Arthur Ashe are going rogue with composting. Last week one of our recently-hired Compost CEOs appeared on the scene of an escalating conflict and settled the fact that indeed, lettuce can be composted.

Compost CEO hard at work

"This morning Chef Educator Emily Hagar reported that one of the compost executives appeared earlier this week with a serious look on his face, asking for an apron.  He darted into the cafe as the Chef Educator trailed behind reminding him Ashe only composts at lunch, not at breakfast.  Reportedly he waved her off, reassuring her he wanted to compost, and commenced to dump smaller buckets from each cafeteria table into the larger one.  About halfway through the job, he happened on a small bucket that contained the crust of some breakfast pizza. "You've GOTTA be kiddin' me," he said with distaste.  Isolating the crust into a garbage can, he proceeded to complete his mission, which is to build the soil for his one-acre garden.  Back to you, Alisha..."

Alisha Johnson is the Development Manager and Rahn Broady is the Program Manager for Edible Schoolyard NOLA