STATEMENT FROM IHSNO ATTORNEY BROOKE DUNCAN
 
Today, the faculty of the International High School of New Orleans voted, under the supervision of the National Labor Relations Board, to determine whether to be represented by a union. Two separate groups of employees participated - teaching professionals, or group A; and para-professionals, or group B.
 
The employees voted to be considered as one group: 26 for union representation, 18 against, and one challenged vote.

STATEMENT FROM IHSNO HEAD OF SCHOOL SEAN WILSON
 
International High School values our teachers and their voice in creating a collaborative, productive charter school dedicated to putting students first. We look forward to refocusing our attention to the upcoming school year. 

When seniors walk across the stage to get their high school diplomas from the leaders of Louisiana’s top academic performing virtual charter school, Louisiana Connections Academy, the senior receiving the $2,500 Barbara J. Dreyer Scholarship will be 17-year-old Darian Callais of Marrero.

The reason that is significant is because Barbara Dreyer is the founder of the online charter school business for which the school is named. She was a pioneer in the charter school and public school reform movement who died in 2016 from breast cancer.  

Darian Callais, a competitive dancer who travels while in school to workshops, conventions and competitions, won the scholarship because of her essay writing skills.

WHAT:     
Hynes Charter School will host a dedication of its new Memory Garden, featuring three nursery-school mosaics saved from the original school site which was constructed in 1952.  The tiles adorned the former school building’s walkway and were saved from demolition by efforts from the neighboring community.  To many, preserving the tiles represents the resilience and renewal of the Lakeview community and the high-performing charter.
 
The garden will also be dedicated in memory of a retired Hynes teacher who lost her battle with an illness earlier this year.
 
WHEN:         
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 10:45AM
 
WHERE:       
Hynes Charter School, 990 Harrison Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70124 
(504) 483-6100
 
WHY:            
Hynes Charter School, located in Lakeview, was completely destroyed by 8 feet of flood waters.  In January 2012, Hynes came back home to Lakeview, moving into its brand new, state-of-the-art facility on its former site. Today, Hynes is a high performing public school serving 700 students.

As Executive Director of the Board of Louisiana’s leading virtual K-12 charter school, Friends of Louisiana Connections Academy, Melissa Bentley Bergeron is concerned that parents understand the unique experience they are embarking on with their children when the decide to pursue a completely online, public education certified by the State of Louisiana.

“Parental involvement is key,” said Ms. Bentley. “A parent’s daily participation in learning activities shows children that education is a top priority and helps ensure their success.”

WHAT:        
A ceremony will be held to welcome 7th Grade exchange students from the Collège César in Roquefort-les-Pins to Audubon Charter School and New Orleans. 
 The students will be arriving May 8 and returning to France on May 22. Audubon students will visit France in October. Raymond Hinz, the Attaché of the Général Consulate of France in New Orleans will be in attendance to greet the students.
 
WHEN:        
Monday, May 9, 8-9am

WHERE:        
Audubon Charter School (Upper Campus)
1111 Milan St. in New Orleans
(504) 324-7110

Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation will host its annual Warren Easton Hall of Fame ceremony Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium at 3019 Canal St. in New Orleans.

The Class of 2016 Warren Easton Hall of Fame includes Metropolitan Opera star Charles Anthony, world light-heavyweight boxing champion Willie Pastrano, educational leader Danielle Yunusah M.Ed., former athlete and civic leader Allen Rome, civil rights attorney Ronald Wilson, Major, State Police Leonard “Mel” Ryan, and editor and author Carroll Trosclair. The inclusion of the Class of 2016 will bring the total number of members in the Hall of Fame to over 152, including 18 honorary members.

Young Audiences Charter School will hold its annual YACS Fest on Saturday, May 14, 11:30am-3:30pm at Young Audiences Charter School, 1407 Virgil St., in Gretna.
 
The event will include delicious food, games, live entertainment and performances and art workshops. YACS Fest is open to the public and admission is only $1 or a donation of a new book for the library.