Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head will qualify for re-election to the Council-at-Large seat on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Clerk of Court’s Office,  2700 Tulane Ave.

Councilmember Head has served as both President and Vice President of the New Orleans City Council since being elected to the At-Large seat in April, 2012. Her background as an attorney is credited with bringing decorum and enhanced process to the legislative body.
Prior to serving At-Large, Councilmember Head served as the District "B" Councilmember for six years.

As an At-Large member, Councilmember Head has continued her focus on quality of life issues such as street lighting and infrastructure, blight reduction, affordable housing, commercial and neighborhood revitalization, public safety, and government reform, accountability and transparency.

Benjamin Franklin High School recently received a $2000 Youth Literacy grant from the Dollar General Literacy Organization to support its literacy programs.  Specifically, the grant will allow the purchase of e-readers and electronic books to promote reading.
 
“Ben Franklin High School and its team of educators are always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our students’ educational experience,” says Timothy Rusnak, Franklin’s Principal/CEO. “We are so thankful for Dollar General’s support of our efforts to enhance our literacy programs.”

The students will be able to check out Kindles and take them home for a few days to read one of the hundreds of eBooks that will also be purchased with the funds. With this fun and useful tool, we hope that the reluctant readers will be more inclined to read.

On December 4, 2013, Natchitoches resident and Louisiana Connections Academy 8th grader Veronica Sturman, 11, was honored by the Guinness Book of World Records along with other volunteers and artist Stephan Wagner for her work in completing the world's largest bead mosaic.     

Miss Sturman helped Artist Wagner recruit, teach and manage groups of students for the project and also put her personal touch on the mosaic by donating fossils that she found to the mural. For her role in putting in over 250 hours in the project, Sturman’s name appears in the 48 x 8-foot bead mosaic.

WHAT:  Audubon Charter School students will perform the Holiday Musical "Stormy, the Singing Snowman,” a Wintertime Mini-Musical by Sally K Albrecht and Jay Althouse.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 11th, 9am and 10:15am
 
WHERE: Audubon Charter School, Lower School-Gentilly Campus
6101 Chatham Dr, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122 (in the cafeteria)
Phone: (504) 324-7100,
 
WHY:  
Stormy, the Singing Snowman centers around the popular Snowfest festival. It’s just around the corner, and the feature soloist had to cancel! Members of the Snowfest Choir are sent out to hunt for new talent. Join the fun and the singing as Stormy (the snowman) and Forest Chorus friends decide to audition for the Maestro.

Two New Orleans charter schools received honors for outstanding academic leadership from the Orleans Parish School Board and Orleans Public Education Network.
 
The Orleans Parish School Board recognized Hynes Charter School’s Principal Michelle Douglas as the 2013-2014 Principal of the Year and Hynes Teachers Mary Mehrtens and Thomas Wright as 2014 School Teachers of the Year.
 
The Orleans Public Education Network recognized Hynes with an award for Elementary Achievement and “Sci High” (New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School) at their inaugural OPEN Public Education Awards with an award for Absolute Achievement. In order to be considered for an OPEN award, at least half of a school's students have to score at or above grade level in every subject and at every level, and the school has to beat the state average in a majority of grades.
 
“We are very grateful to be recognized by the Orleans Public Education Network,” said Sci High Co-Principal Chana Benenson. “Our students work very hard every time they come to school and we will continue to push them to achieve outstanding results.”

WHAT:      
The International School of Louisiana will host its annual “Winter Bazaar & Gumbo Cook-off” to raise funds for the school’s programs. This holiday marketplace, complete with a craft fair, will exhibit local artisans selling handmade wares and unique gifts.
For fantastic eats, check out the gumbo booths! Local community members and professional chefs will be bringing their best gumbos to enter in the gumbo cook-off.  

There will be performances by the International School of Louisiana's Honor Choir and the 21st Century Aftercare program’s Dance Troupe as well as a Kuk Sool Won demonstration.  These performances will be followed by a talent show.

Concessions will be available for purchase. Entrance to the Winter Bazaar is free and open to the public.  

WHEN:   
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 10am-5pm    

WHERE:   
International School of Louisiana, 1400 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA

For more information, contact Jenna Brooks, Chairperson, 504.666.0145 or bazaar@isl-edu.org

Who:   
Councilmember-at-large Stacy Head

What:   
Campaign Kick-off

When, Where:   
This Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park

TIME MEDIA SHOULD ARRIVE:    
11:30 A.M.
Official program will last 15 to 20 minutes