Over 300 students from ten area schools have been selected to perform at the sixth annual Young Audiences’ Winter Spotlight on Wednesday, December 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin Street in New Orleans.  Generously sponsored by Amerigroup, the event is free and open to the public. Donations to support future programs can be made at the door and at www.ya4la.org. Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first served basis.
 
The students will perform African and Brazilian drum and dance, modern and hip-hop dance, ballet, steel pan, and creative movement.  There will also be marching bands, choirs, dramatic performances and a student film. The performances will showcase some of the most talented children in our city.
 
"Our programs provide a safe haven for students and an affirmative way of expression, surrounding and engaging them in positive arts education. The Winter Spotlight allows our city to see the amazing things our children are doing,” said Jon Cosper, Young Audiences Director of After School and Summer Programs.

As Developer Sean Meenan goes before the Vieux Carre Commission's Architectural Review Committee on Tuesday with his revised architectural proposal for a mega-event complex at the corner of Esplanade and North Rampart, public opposition to the fast-food chain restaurant and event venue is growing.
          
The Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, the Preservation Resource Center and the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association have joined a number of resident groups, including VCPORA, and French Quarter Citizens Inc., in stating their public concern about the Outpost proposal's inappropriateness for the historic residential neighborhood corridor. VCPORA stands for Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates.
          
Preservationists and residents have repeatedly urged the VCC to review and enforce city laws, zoning ordinances and VCC rules when considering the Habana Outpost project and protect the value of the Quarter as a neighborhood and unique place of interest. Residents have reiterated in various public hearings since the Outpost concept was made public for the corner of Esplanade and Rampart Street that it violates City Zoning Code (Section 8.1).

It’s refreshing when people are naturally inclined to give back and realize the power and influence of service.  David Barr’s life experiences have a common thread weaving throughout that link him from one service opportunity to another.
 
His tenure in the Army comprised various roles such as Platoon Leader, Company Commander and Provost Marshal. Since 9/11, he has been called to active duty twice, and after years of service he retired at the rank of Colonel.  These experiences speak to Mr. Barr’s ability to think strategically, plan proactively and work collaboratively with others.
 
Recruited to the Linwood Public Charter School board by Board President Gard Wayt and high school classmate Bishop Willie Phillips, Mr. Barr felt a personal challenge to provide some assistance to the school.  The task was clear:  lead Linwood Public Charter School to noteworthy academic achievement. 

Louisiana Eye M.D.s Donate $15,000 to New Orleans Council on
Aging/Aging Disability Resource Center for Vision Programs in Orleans,
St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes

As the world’s Ophthalmologists (Medical Eye Doctors and Surgeons)
call New Orleans “home” for a week, Louisiana Eye Medical Doctors and
Surgeons bring awareness to need for lifetime eye health by promoting
importance of adult vision screenings.

Lake Forest Charter Elementary School will be honored with 236 other public and 50 private schools on Nov. 18-19 in Washington, D.C. as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School selected by the U.S. Secretary of Education. School leaders Chief Executive Officer Mardele Simmons Early and Assistant Principal Lynn Polk will represent the school at the ceremony.

In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized nearly 7,500 of America’s schools and Lake Forest is the second charter school in Louisiana to receive the award.

“Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education.”

School Leadership Center Common Core Institute

Leading the Common Core in Mathematics

An interactive, job embedded institute for school leaders implementing the Mathematics Common Core State Standards (CCSS), with a focus on understanding the standards for mathematical practice in the context of how they intersect the teaching of math content PK-12.

January 14 and 15, 2014
8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Limited space; registration a must; registration fee

For more information contact:
Dr. Cissy LaForge at [email protected]
(504) 267-7239

Young Audiences Charter School at Kate Middleton invites prospective students and families to attend an Open House at its campus at 1407 Virgil St. in Gretna. The Open Houses will take place on Monday, November 18th at 6pm and Saturday, December 7 at 10am.  

The new Young Audiences Charter School at Kate Middleton is an open enrollment, arts-integrated charter school opened this year with over 400 students in grades K-3.   For the 2014-15 school year, enrollment is open to any Jefferson Parish student entering Kindergarten through 4th grade. Students must reside in Jefferson Parish. Each following academic year, the school will add one grade to serve students in grades K-8 by Fall 2018.  

Recent research shows that students at schools with an arts integrated curriculum scored higher on standardized tests and academic measures than those at other types of schools, including academic magnet schools. (PAIR, 2013)  Additionally, students highly involved in the arts are more likely to have better attendance, fewer disciplinary actions and increased class participation.  
Parents are encouraged to visit the YACS website www.yacharterschool.org , call (504) 304-6332 or e-mail [email protected] for enrollment information.  

Young Audiences of Louisiana has operated after-school programs throughout Jefferson Parish that promote academic excellence and social growth. External evaluations by SEDL (Southwest Educational Development Laboratory) have shown that students enrolled in Young Audiences after-school programs in Jefferson Parish schools outperformed their peers on standardized tests. In addition, students in these programs showed fewer disciplinary reports and increased school attendance.  

Ben Franklin High School to Dedicate Diversity Garden Honoring Class of 1966 and Celebrate Recycle Day
Class of 1966 was school’s first integrated graduating class

WHAT: Ben Franklin High School will celebrate its rich history with a good cause by helping “Keep Louisiana Beautiful” for two days. On November 15, the school will dedicate its new Diversity Garden filled with Louisiana native plants honoring the Class of 1966, Ben Franklin’s first integrated graduating class. The project was made possible by the Class of 1966, Eco Urban Landscaping and the United Houma Nation.   The following day the school will take part in America Recycles Day and help support cleanup and recycle programs. Collection boxes will be placed in the faculty parking lot for: used printer cartridges, used batteries, plastic and paper grocery bags as well as plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard recycle containers. Open to the public.  

WHEN:
Diversity Garden dedication
Friday, November 15 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm  

Ben Franklin partners with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for “America Recycles Day”
Saturday, November 16 8:00 am – 12:00 pm  

WHERE:
Benjamin Franklin High School 2001 Leon C. Simon Dr. New Orleans, LA 70122