Clark Prep helps celebrate the reopening of Harrell Stadium

Thanks to the Saints, Pelicans, Super Bowl XLIVII Host Committee, Chevron, the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Harrell Stadium celebrated its reopening on May 17. Clark Prep was instrumental in the event, performing with NORDC band members for the opening ceremony. The reopening is centered on the decision to use the turf from Super Bowl XLIVII, played earlier this year at the New Orleans Superdome, as the field for Harrell’s football stadium. Others will accompany this renovation effort too; Chevron will be funding a new Harrell’s basketball court, and the NORD Foundation will contribute a brand new stadium scoreboard and PA system.

Clark Prep’s Marching Band, in conjunction with NORDC, played what was described as an "outstanding performance." Mr. Franklin, Clark Prep’s Marching Band Director, and Mr. Blackman are praised by faculty for their dedication to Clark’s music performance program.  The Marching Band program has been excelling at an impressive speed. Dean of Students Randall Montgomery aptly stated of Mr. Franklin and Mr. Blackman’s work, “a price can’t equal the amount of impact you’re making in their lives.”

From Clark Prep faculty and students to outside organizations, all community stakeholders are contributing to the rebirth and revitalization of valuable city resources to ensure NORDC accomplishes their mission to provide secure, educational, recreational, well rounded and culturally engaging opportunities to New Orleans’ citizens at Harrell Stadium.

We are excited to be a part of the reopening of Harrell Stadium, and even more excited to play on the field, building our athletic and musical talents, for years to come.

Kathleen: Clark Prep Wins 3rd Place in "Class Got Brass"

Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School earned Third Place in the Class Got Brass music competition organized by New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. on Sunday, March 24. From the Foundation that hosts Jazz Fest, Class Got Brass completed its second successful year in supporting the New Orleans community in such an inspiring way. Clark Prep won $4,000 by coming in 3^rd place – funds that will be spent on instruments, their repair and other Marching Band needs.

After speaking to Mr. Franklin, Band Director, about what this prize money can do, he said it will not only help the program to buy new instruments, but also allows the students “to see that these are the types of things we can achieve at Clark Prep when students work together.”  Mr. Franklin also explained that the students wanted to be successful in this competition so they collaborated to make it happen, and “when they (the students) have a high desire to do something and work together, all things are achievable at Clark Prep.”

There are many people proud and excited to see Clark Prep begin to show its musical roots again. Our Marching Band and Majorettes participation in Mardi Gras parades was extremely well-received by alumni and all of those throughout the community who know about the school’s history and its strong revival. From local policemen to tourists and now the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, it’s no mystery that those who listen to Clark Prep like what they are hearing.

Class Got Brass is a competition open to all middle and high schools in the state of Louisiana. For Clark Prep to come in Third Place is a huge accomplishment that showcased our talented Marching Band. O. Perry Walker came in First Place with Kipp McDonogh 15 as the Second Place winner. 

Check out the video of "Class Got Brass!" 

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

Kathleen: First Annual Treme Day!

And they're off!

On March 9, 2013 Clark Prep held its first annual Treme Day: 5K + Health and Wellness Fair. The fundraiser took place on campus, with sign-in beginning at 8 am and the event ending at 1 pm. Within these 5 hours, over 250 people completed a 5K (3.1 mile) race (with celebrity starter, Kermit Ruffins), ate food that ranged from turkey dogs to apples, from cabbage with smoked turkey to pasta or jambalaya and rice, watched Clark Prep’s Marching Band and Dance Team perform and, of course, took part in all that was the Health and Wellness Fair.

Having Fun

The entire Gymnasium, Cafeteria, outside field and many classrooms transformed into health-related seminars and activities. Participants were free to roam and mill around Clark Prep’s campus to check out all the fun, valuable and tasty health information found throughout the school. So many interested and curious participants tried and loved the various healthy food options at the Fair, like yogurt parfaits and green smoothies. The massage room had a line for almost the entire event and Zumba with Instructor Mia got just about everybody on their feet.

We enjoyed hosting this annual event and seeing it become real for the first time that Saturday. We deeply appreciate all of the support we received to make this event possible. It was great to see so many community members and partners participate or table at the Health and Wellness Fair. This event couldn’t have happened without all the Clark Prep support from faculty and students, along with all of our sponsors and partners. Go Bulldogs! 


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

Jason: NO Outreach Winter Showcase Showdown

New Orleans Outreach has been an integral part of FirstLine Schools for years. As the primary driver of our afterschool enrichment programs, Outreach has brought dance, sports, art, Karate, and some of the students’ favorite extracurriculars to our campuses.

This year, Outreach held an annual Winter Showcase at S.J. Green Charter and at Langston Hughes Academy.  Green held theirs first on December 14, setting the stage with paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling and Christmas lights strung about. Between all the dance demonstrations, it would be hard to say which was the favorite. However, the marching band was definitely a crowd-pleaser.

Other highlights at Green included the Karate club (watching the students play ‘Sensei Says’ was especially entertaining), a very relaxing yoga session on stage, and the baseball team’s warm-up demo. Meanwhile, the packed room enjoyed a variety of treats provided by The Edible Schooyard, including fresh tea and banana bread.

LHA Dance Performance

Langston Hughes Academy followed with an equally impressive show the next week. While their Hip-Hop Dance team’s version of “No Scrubs” was a favorite, Outreach at LHA also included some skits in their showcase. There were lessons on friendship and school life in theatrical format. At the finale, the LHA Marching Eagles wowed the audience with a full band, dance team, and baton twirlers.

After LHA’s Winter Showcase, they offered food and a book sale at their Family Food Night in the cafeteria. The two showcases highlight not only the wonderful programs our students at FirstLine are engaged in, but just how vital New Orleans Outreach has been to enriching the lives of our scholars.

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

Kathleen: Homecoming and other Clark Prep Happenings

Clark Prep scholars at the African American Museum

Homecoming is only two days away and Clark is gearing up in the best way possible. Spirit Week is in its fourth day – Thursday is Twin Day – and tomorrow is Bulldog Pride Day. This Wednesday, College Day in Spirit Week lingo, students took interims,  freshmen visited college campuses and sophomores participated in their first of four Service Learning events for the year. Freshmen ladies went to Dillard and the gentlemen went to Tulane. Sophomores went to Animal Rescue New Orleans, the African American Museum as part of the Claiborne Corridor Project, Second Harvest Food Bank and Grow Dat Youth Farm. Scholars finished the project taking pictures of the murals under the I-10 Corridor, they learned a lot!

Now that Homecoming is closer, plans for the Pep Rally are being practiced by the band, athletic teams and the Homecoming Court in the afternoons. The Homecoming Court has been  preparing their statements for Pep Rally and the Homecoming Game. Ms. Freshman, Kerrielle Eaglin, has a lot of Clark Prep pride so she loves staying after school to dance, participate in Wellness Wednesdays and help Mr. Durand, Clark’s Director of Athletic and Enrichment Programs. With this being her first year of high school, she is very happy to be on the Court – and received a lot of congratulations! Ms. Eaglin is looking forward to joining Clark Prep’s new poetry slam club called Silence is Violence and hopes to spread her love for Clark to other students so that they too participate in all that Clark offers.

The Homecoming Court will be helping set-up for the week's festivities like the Homecoming Dance, one of the many highlights on the Homecoming agenda. After the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Pan American Stadium in City Park, the student dance will be held from 8:00-11:00 p.m. in the Clark Prep Gym.  Students are excited about the dance, but I think they are just as or more pumped for the big highlight – the Homecoming Game! LHA’s Band will be playing at the game to keep the motivation high and the fists pumping. A strong, loyal group of Clark Alumni will be running an Alumni Tent selling Clark swag, from shirts to hats. Are you a Clark Alum? Stop by the tent and talk to your fellow Alumni, we would love to keep in touch with you!

We hope you can join in on the fun and be a part of Clark Prep’s 2012 Homecoming!


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

Press Release: LANGSTON HUGHES ACADEMY TO HOST JAZZ NIGHT BENEFIT CONCERT ON MAY 2 AT REPUBLIC NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS, April 23, 2012 – Langston Hughes Academy (LHA) will host its third annual LHA Jazz Night Benefit Concert on Wednesday, May 2 at 8 p.m., with a stellar line up of New Orleans musical greats, at the Republic New Orleans located at 828 S. Peters St. in the Warehouse District.  Admission is $20 in advance or $30 at the door for adults 18 and up. 

The show takes place annually on the Wednesday in between Jazz Fest weekends and immediately follows the Marcia Ball Wednesday at the Square event this year.  All proceeds will fund students’ end-of-year field trips, band instruments and in-school music instruction.

The all-star line-up of performers includes: Big Sam of Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Jeremy Davenport, Delfeayo Marsalis, Michael Baptiste, Naydja Cojoe, Leslie Smith, Sharon Martin, Gian Smith (performing Jazz spoken word during two interludes), Troy Sawyer, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, and Craig Paddock.  Many of the artists will also feature Grammy-winning bassist and LHA Music Teacher David Pulphus.  A cash bar will be available at show.

“This show highlights not only the local talent of New Orleans but some of the talented musicians that work with our amazing students at Langston Hughes Academy each day.” said Mark Martin, School Director at Langston Hughes Academy. “Our supportive school community, especially Ms. Naydja Cojoe, have worked extremely hard to make this event a success. The concert will help provide the education and opportunities that our students truly deserve.”

Langston Hughes Academy is an open-enrollment college preparatory, public charter school in the Gentilly/Fairgrounds neighborhood.  As a K-8 elementary-middle school, Langston Hughes is committed to providing all scholars with the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to succeed in high school, college and the world beyond.

To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, please contact Langston Hughes Academy at (504) 373-6251 or get tickets online at www.republicnola.com.

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 Middle School Bands march in Mardi Gras Parades!

FirstLine Schools is proving again that it is on the first line this Mardi Gras season, with some of our middle school marching bands taking on the big responsibility of representing their schools musically in New Orleans' myriad Mardi Gras parades.  Mr. Veneable's Marching Eagles at Langston Hughes Academy are continuing and expanding their tradition of marching in parades, but this year marks the Mardi Gras debut of the Green Giants Marching Band!  Come out to the parades and support FirstLine Schools!

S. J. Green's Marching Band in the Little Rascal's parade in Metairie.

GREEN GIANTS MARCHING BAND 
MARDI GRAS PARADE SCHEDULE
Feb 5  Little Rascals    Metairie   12:00pm
 
LANGSTON HUGHES MARCHING EAGLES 
MARDI GRAS PARADE SCHEDULE
Feb 10      Oshun     Uptown           6:00 pm
Feb 11      Adonis     Westbank       11:45 am
Feb 12      Thor        Metaire          3:00 pm
Feb 16      Chaos      Uptown          6:30 pm
Feb 19      Thoth      Uptown         12:00 pm
Feb 20      Orpheus   Uptown          6:00 pm