How did you become involved with this charter school?
I was first introduced to Collegiate Academies through my place of employment.  Our company offered a summer internship to a high school student from Collegiate Academies.  This student was placed under my direct supervision and a relationship developed.  After working with the student over the course 
of the summer, I was extremely impressed with his capabilities and work ethic.  I became more interested in the school and its activities.  I received an invitation to tour the campus and speak with staff regarding the charter school and its current education initiatives.   
 
Why did you say yes when asked to serve?
I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives and assist with the challenges that our youth face in today’s society.  Additionally, I thought that my business and financial background could contribute to the continued development of Collegiate Academies.
 
What was compelling about the opportunity?
Public education has long been a challenge in our community.  The opportunity to work with a high performing open enrollment school is compelling, because the overall goal of education reform is to ensure every child has access to a good education.  Working with an organization whose goal is to demonstrate the possibility of a high performance open enrollment school and replicate the model to create access for all students will ensure opportunity for our youth and growth for our community.  

How did you become involved with this charter school?
I previously worked at the SEED Foundation in DC on their fundraising team. I moved back to Baton Rouge and was looking to get involved. When the executive director, Sarah Broome, began sharing her idea for the school, someone suggested that she reach out to me. I saw the impact of the SEED school and was excited that a similar school would exist in Baton Rouge. THRIVE does a phenomenal job of serving a student population that is often ignored in our city.
 
Why did you say yes when asked to serve?
I said yes because I wanted to be involved in the community, I’m passionate about public education and education reform, THRIVE is a great idea and Sarah doesn’t let anyone say no.

What was compelling about the opportunity?
I was and still am excited about building a school from the ground up. I like the flexibility we have with being a charter school to change the curriculum and schedule to meet the needs of our students when something isn’t working. I’m a change agent and if the system is broke, I will always be in favor of people who are looking for ways to make it better. Every charter school isn’t meant for every community, but it was obvious to me in my meetings for THRIVE that the program had good legs and would be successful.

What leadership roles have you had while serving on the board?
I serve as the chair of the board and lead some of our development efforts.

Is there anything you know now that you wished you had known before?
I wish I knew more of the history of East Baton Rouge school system. It wouldn’t have changed anything though because I still would have joined the board of THRIVE.

With National School Choice Week (Jan. 26 – Feb. 1) and Digital Learning Day (Feb. 5) approaching, Louisiana Connections Academy is encouraging families to explore virtual charter schooling, which is one of the public education options available for students in the state. 

“Some parents are looking for the opportunity to switch schools at this time of year. We welcome mid-year enrollment,” said Board President Wade Henderson. “But this is also a great time to think about next year and where to enroll your child. Let us show you what great opportunities we offer every child in Louisiana.  

Access to online learning is at an all-time high—fully online schools served an estimated 310,000 students in 30 states during the 2012–13 school year and at least 24 states and Washington DC have blended schools, according to Keeping Pace with K-12 Online & Blended Learning, a recently released national report. In Louisiana, enrollment at Connections Academy continues to grow, with enrollment now topping 1200 and expected to expand by another 300 K-12 students by 2015.  

Hosted by the Louisiana Federation for Children and Black Alliance for Educational Options

Baton Rouge, La. (Jan. 24, 2014) – The Louisiana Federation for Children (LFC), the state’s voice for educational choice, along with the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), announced a statewide tour of choice schools in celebration of National School Choice Week, Jan. 26 – Feb. 1.   “National School Choice Week is all about celebrating all types of educational options that offer children a quality education, be it private, charter, public or virtual schools,” said Ann Duplessis, president of LFC. "Louisiana has one of the broadest and the strongest scholarship program of any state in the nation, and we are spotlighting schools that offer children life-changing options, after years of being underserved by the status quo.”

Wanda’s experience in education extends over decades from serving as an elementary school teacher, school principal, chief academic officer, educational consultant and project manager.  She was recruited to the Morris Jeff Community School Board by former Board President Aesha Rasheed, but had previous involvement with MJCS during her tenure as Chief Academic Officer of the Recovery School District.

“I supported school leader Patricia Perkins and her team plan a world-class, diverse community school. I was driven by the school’s grassroots approach to educational reform and dedication to creating a racially and economically diverse public school,” says Wanda. 

Wanda felt compelled to serve because she recognized that students were still being underserved after Hurricane Katrina.  She believed she could add value to a system that needed talented and dedicated people to move education forward.   

“The opportunity to serve on a charter board was compelling because it allows me to give back to a city that gave so much to me.  My motivation is driven by the valuable input that trustees offer toward building a solid foundation for the future successes of our children,” reflects Wanda.

Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Celebrates “National School Choice Week”  

In celebration of the nearly 60,000 students who have access to quality educational options through Louisiana’s widespread and robust network of public charter schools, the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) is recognizing National School Choice Week during the week of Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.  

LAPCS actively participates in offering numerous school choice options to students across the Bayou State through its 117 public charter schools in 19 parishes; these schools comprise one of the strongest charter school movements in the country, thanks to one of the most powerful charter school laws in the U.S.

WHAT: Wilson Charter School will host a Masquerade Gala to benefit the “Wilson to Washington” project. The Wilson Charter School Masquerade Gala will feature music, entertainment and a silent auction.  

WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 2014, 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM 

WHERE: Propeller Incubator
4035 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125 

WHY:  Proceeds from the benefit will go to the school’s “Wilson to Washington” project. The project is designed to take 25 deserving inner city students to the nation’s capital for a four-day trip where they will partner with a mentor to help guide them through various educational projects.  The entire aspect of the trip is a lesson in itself, with lessons learned by developing and adhering to the trip budget, raising capital needed to finance the trip, and learning what role each individual plays in ensuring that the trip is successful.   

Students will also utilize their understanding of maps, directions and time constraints. Each trip participant will be required to work on a final project (photo journal, blog, video, etc.) that will be shared with classmates and the Broadmoor Community.   All students have been working on fundraising. The money raised will cover the hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.  

Tickets are $20 per person, inclusive of food, beverages, and entertainment. Tickets are available to buy at Wilson Charter School, 3617 Gen. Pershing St. They will be available at the door the day of the gala. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilson-to-washington-masquerade-gala-tickets-10257296851?aff=genadmission or call 504-600-7939.  

If you would like to give a donation to the “Wilson to Washington” project, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/4alac0.

What: As part of Einstein Charter School's No Place For Hate anti-bullying campaign, the school welcomes author Michelle Bain to speak with students and read a selection from her book Splotch the Madpole Does a Whole Log of Bullying!.

When: Thursday, January 23, 2014
9:00am - 10:00am

Where: Einstein Charter School
5100 Cannes St.
New Orleans, LA 70129