Louisiana now offers over 117 charter schools in 19 out of 64 parishes, hosting nearly 60,000 children. One of these 19 parishes, Orleans, has the greatest percentage of public school children enrolled in charter schools in the nation.

So as the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools invites the state to join it May 4 to 10 in celebrating National Charter School Week, Executive Director Caroline Roemer Shirley encourages public school parents to know three things that make the movement unique in the state.

“These are the concepts I hope every public school advocate will explore during Charter School Week: Our school districts should promote choice, not monopolies. Our Principals are entitled to autonomy in how they achieve student performance, not micromanagement by a central office. And at all times, parents deserve accountability in how their child’s school performs, not excuses,” said Ms. Roemer Shirley.

The International High School of New Orleans (IHS) is pleased to announce its selection of Sean Wilson as the school’s new Head of School. The school’s board of directors, Voices for International Business and Education (VIBE), made their selection at their March Board Meeting.

“We are thrilled to have Sean Wilson as our new Head of School,” said IHS Board President Rob Couhig. “Sean’s extensive experience, combined with his commitment and passion for local language immersion education made him the ideal choice for our school. We will be lucky to have him and know that he will bring IHS to new level of excellence. ”

Mr. Wilson has been the Head of School at the high performing language immersion International School of Louisiana for eight years, seeing it through the expansion to two additional campuses. During his tenure, ISL expanded the number of students and campuses it served, including Jefferson Parish. ISL was named Charter School of the Year, a Certified World Language School and was consistently a high-performing school.  

New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School (Sci High) was ranked the third best high school in Louisiana, according to US News Best High Schools, and rated a “silver” award winner among 2000 ranked schools in the country. The study focused on closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged learners.  That gap, which varies according to studies from 40% to 60%, is a mere 6% at Sci High. Academic Principal Claire Jecklin credits this to the school’s small class sizes, collaboration and supportive relationships developed between staff and students, and the powerful combination of academic rigor matched with support services for students and families.  Sci High is one of few other open-enrollment STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) charter schools in the entire country. This philosophy of access and assistance is clear in AP programming, with over 10 courses available (Biology, Chemistry, Calculus AB, Environmental Science, Language, Literature, Statistics, U.S. Government, U.S. History, and World History) and AP Computer Science starting next school year.  

Starting today at Einstein Charter School Extension, 75 volunteers from Kaiser Permanente consortium will be on hand at the school to build extensive gardens throughout the campus.  

Kaiser Permanente, an integrated managed care consortium, is based in Oakland, California and serves care to over 9 million members across the United States.  

“We are extremely excited and honored that Kaiser Permanente chose our school to help,” said Einstein Charter CEO Shawn Toranto. “We look forward to seeing our school beautified once the hard work is completed.”  

The school invites everyone to see the volunteers’ hard work on the gardens this Friday, April 18 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. at Einstein Charter School Extension, 5316 Michoud Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70129 behind Sarah T. Reed High School.

What: Ben Franklin High School is once again committing to beat childhood cancer. The school is partnering with the St. Baldrick Foundation for a special fundraising event raising money for childhood cancer research. 

When: April 9, 2014 3:30 pm – 5:30pm  

Where: Ben Franklin High School 2001 Leon C. Simon New Orleans, LA 70122  

Why: Volunteers will shave their heads as a symbol of solidarity with those battling cancer and help raise money for cancer research. So far, students and faculty have raised over $11,000 for the St Baldrick’s Foundation and hope to meet a goal of $15,000 by the end of the event.   Everyone is welcome to participate and donate. Students, faculty, and community members can sign up to raise money and shave their heads! To do so, please visit http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/10247/2014

What: Sci High will be hosting Health 360, an interactive fair that highlights physical and emotional wellness, strategies for healthy living and careers in Health Care and STEM fields.

When: Thursday, March 27 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  

Where: 5625 Loyola Ave. New Orleans, LA 70115  

Why: The event will consist of four segments, providing every Sci High student with the opportunity to visit a walk-through Health Fair, participate in physical activities, attend two Wellness Workshops and meet with three local professionals.

Sci High thanks LSPCA, Louisiana State University, LPHI, NO AIDS Task Force, Rite Aid, Sodexo and Tulane University for partnering this great event.

WHAT:     New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA) Charter School will host a Building Dedication Ceremony celebrating its new complex. The dedication will include a special ceremony featuring local and state guest speakers, a key note address by LtGen Rich Mills, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, and a reception to follow.

WHEN:     Thursday, March 20, 9:00 am  

WHERE:   425 O’Bannon Street, New Orleans, LA 70146 in Federal City in Algiers

Cotillion 2014

 

What:

The Warren Easton Charter High School Cotillion will be held this Saturday with special entertainment from DJ Chicken and feature the Warren Easton Winter Cotillion Court.

When:

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Winter Cotillion Ceremony

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

 

Winter Cotillion Dance

9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Where:

Sheraton New Orleans

500 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70130

What:  Audubon Charter School’s 2014 Soirée is themed  “Movie Magic…The Golden Age of the Silver Screen. ” Hollywood South comes alive for this party with a purpose!  

When: Saturday, March 22, 7pm  

Where: House of Broel, 2220 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130  

Why: Join Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, Queen Elizabeth and perhaps Superman for a night of award-winning cuisine, libations, a spirited live, silent and online auctions, and top-flight entertainment.  Keenan Lewis of the New Orleans Saints will be a special guest!  

Audubon’s 2014 Soirée auction will give guests the opportunity to bid on unique paintings and photography by emerging local artists (including Audubon students), jewelry, wine, trips, classes, gift certificates and more!  Auction items include a signed custom Keenan Lewis jersey; footballs autographed by Jimmy Graham, Rickey Jackson, Keenan Lewis, and other New Orleans Saints; a private dinner with a former White House chef; French classes; and a framed, signed and numbered print by artist James Michalopoulos.  All proceeds from the evening will benefit Audubon Charter School.  

Dinner and libations will be provided by Bhimel Catering; Cynthia Fournet; Tom King; La Boulangerie; Charles Mendy; Oceana Grill; The Lake House; Specialty Italian Bistro; Starbucks; and Zea.   Individual tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit auduboncharter.com or contact Sophia Griffies at 504-324-7102 or [email protected]