The Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools (GNOCCS) announces its 2016-17 Executive Officers:  Alexina Medley (Principal, Warren Easton High School), President; Kathy Riedlinger (CEO, Lusher Charter School) as Vice-President; Sean Wilson (Head of School,  International High School of New Orleans), as Treasurer; and Claire Jecklin (Principal, New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School) as Secretary. 
 
Ken Ducote was recently named as the new Executive Director of GNOCCS. “We are proud of the accomplishments of all of our charter schools and the continuous support that GNOCCS gives to them, helping them to focus more on student needs,” he said.

WHAT:        
Approximately 100 students will participate in Sci High’s 5th Annual Science Fair.  This event is in preparation for their participation in the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair later this year.  Student’s projects will be judged by community members for prizes and a chance at an entry spot into the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair.
 
WHEN:        
Wednesday, December 9,  4:30-6:30pm
 
WHERE:        
New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School
5625 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: (504) 324-7061
 
WHY:        
Sci High is an open admissions high school that specializes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.  For the Science Fair, the students all picked their own topics to do projects on. Some examples are: "Does the amount of carbon dioxide affect the lifespan of a plant?" and "Does the size of a potato affect how much voltage it stores?"
 
Sci High is an open-enrollment, tuition-free, public charter high school, grades 9-12.  Sci High is highest performing open-enrollment high school in the city and one of the best high schools in Louisiana according to the U.S. News & World Report.

So, the holiday break is upon you and there is no avoiding one reality: Your child is miserable in their school.
           
This might not be what you wanted to concentrate on during the winter break, but it’s not uncommon.
           
In Louisiana, some families are finding the switch to a free, public virtual school meets their needs.
           
“Changing to a virtual charter school is not just a change of venue, but a change of mindset,” said Louisiana Connections Academy Principal Glenda Jones.
           
According to LACA’s research, the top reasons for switching schools mid-year usually are:
 
1.    Your child learns at a different pace—faster or slower—and the benefit of personalized learning and pacing from an online education will keep them engaged;
 
2.    The traditional classroom is not addressing your child’s needs to stay focused or recover self-esteem;
 
3.    Your child’s athletic/performance/health schedule demands the flexibility of online education.
           
“Whatever the reason, the parent finds that their child is constantly talking about the need to change schools. It’s important to listen to and respect your child’s feelings, and provide reassurance,” said Principal Jones. “Taking time to explore what options are out there and clear communications about what a school change will involve helps the transition.”
           
Louisiana Connections Academy is a K-12 school, and mid-year switches to the school are accepted, especially among junior and senior high grades.
           
More than a quarter of a million American students in grades K-12 get their education virtually. In Louisiana, 2000 students are currently enrolled in Louisiana Connections Academy.
           
“The format of virtual schooling eases the student’s adjustment period, and because learning takes place at the home computer, the physical transition is easier too for students and families,” said Principal Jones.
 
Principal Jones suggests these tips for a mid-year transition:

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players, will join chapter leaders from around the country to host annual meetings and  a community youth clinic at the new NORDC Sanchez Multi-Purpose Center in New Orleans. As part of this very special event with NBRPA chapter leaders, over 14 former NBA standouts will be working with local youth along with officials from the NBRPA including former New Orleans City Council President and current President & CEO of the NBRPA Arnie Fielkow.
 
Chapters from Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Dallas and Las Vegas will convene in New Orleans for Sports Business Annual Meetings will serve to plan the NBRPA’s and Chapters 2016 international and domestic charitable efforts as well as strengthening programs that help former players transition to a successful life after basketball.
 
Details of this special Youth Clinic event are as follows:

Her love of golf started when she was four years old. Now 17, Angelica Harris has won local, regional and national golf tournaments, been featured three times on the Golf Channel for her accomplishments, and now is one of Louisiana’s state finalists for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Program honoring exceptional high school student-athletes who exemplify the Heisman ideals.

Such an honor fits well into Angelica’s personal goals to attend an Ivy League school and continue to play golf. She’ll graduate this year from Louisiana Connections Academy, a free public, completely online charter school.

"A FREE Garden District Christmas Concert 2015" will be presented at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1307 Louisiana Avenue, on "Gaudete" Sunday, December 13th, at 4:00 pm.  It will be the official reopening of the newly-restored historic church, in the presence of the Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans.  

The first mass since a forced closure at OLGC by former Archbishop Alfred Hughes will be celebrated with Archbishop Almond and Monsignor Christopher Nalty in the church on January 2, 2016, 5:30 p.m.