Back to School Time is Here!

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! As superintendent, I can't wait to see our classrooms and hallways come to life with the energy and enthusiasm of our scholars and staff.

The beginning of the school year is always a special time. It’s a chance for students to reconnect with friends, meet new teachers, and dive into fresh learning experiences. For families, it’s an opportunity to engage more deeply with their child’s education and the school community.

This school year let's continue our ongoing growth, learning, and community building. Together, we can make this school year a remarkable one for every scholar in our district. I am confident that with your support and the dedication of our incredible school leaders, educators, and staff, we will achieve great things.

Thank you for being a part of the NOLA Public Schools family! Let’s make this year our best one yet!

The Leah Chase School Ribbon Cutting, Opening Celebration, & Back to School Event - Sat., Aug. 3!

Join us Sat., Aug. 3 at 10 AM for the official Ribbon Cutting & Opening Celebration of The Leah Chase School!

Special guests will join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the opening celebration festivities will begin immediately after.

Leah Chase School families and the community will be treated to live performances, as well as wellness activities including mental health workshops, yoga and fitness classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, health screenings, barbershop haircuts, and a variety of community resources. The event is designed to get our scholars and families excited about going back to school and providing them with the tools they need to get ready for the first day of school!

See the flyer below for more details.

For more information about The Leah Chase School, visit theleahchaseschool.com. For updates, follow The Leah Chase School on Facebook @theleahhaseschool and Instagram @theleahchaseschool.

The Leah Chase School to Celebrate Inaugural First Day: Pioneering a New Era of Excellence in NOLA Public Schools

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is excited to celebrate the first day of school for The Leah Chase School (TLC School) – Tuesday, August 6^th. The new school will mark a significant milestone for the district. We heard the community! They asked for a traditional neighborhood school, and NOLA Public Schools is excited to deliver just that. After nearly two decades, NOLA-PS is proud to offer a new direct-run traditional public school that promises academic excellence and a nurturing, arts-inclusive environment.

Principal Crystal LaFrance and Assistant Principal Virgil Tiller are eager to welcome more than 280 students in grades K-5th, as well as 25+ teachers and support staff to TLC School, where they are committed to helping scholars achieve their full potential. The school's administration has worked tirelessly over the past two weeks to provide in-depth professional development, ensuring that educators are fully prepared to implement and deploy the school's curriculum effectively and help our scholars achieve academic excellence.

To learn more, click here.

Education Elevation

On July 24th, we aired our Education Elevation radio show featuring educators from The Leah Chase School: Virgil Tiller (Assistant Principal), Chelsi Martin (Special Education Coordinator), and Ciara Clarks (Kindergarten Teacher). I had the pleasure of introducing them to the community. Here's a little bit about them!

• Virgil Tiller: With more than 20 years of experience, Mr. Tiller has been a cornerstone in New Orleans education, significantly boosting academic achievement through positive behavior and academic intervention systems. He expertly managed the transition of 300 scholars to an alternative space, maintaining instructional time and operational systems across two campuses in 2023.

• Chelsi Martin: A dedicated advocate for students with disabilities, Ms. Martin has over a decade of experience enhancing educational opportunities and compliance across multiple school systems. Her leadership in implementing instructional supports has been pivotal in boosting academic achievement for all scholars.

• Ciara Clarks: With 18 years in education, Ms. Clarks has found her passion in early childhood education. Her enthusiasm for nurturing young minds is evident in her commitment to her students, and she will be an asset for The Leah Chase School.

To learn about Virgil, Chelsi, and Ciara's goals for the new school, click below to hear a replay of July's Education Elevation.

Be sure to tune into WBOK 1230am Wed., Aug. 28th for my next Education Elevation!

Join Our Advisory Councils Today!

Calling all voices! We are seeking members for our advisory councils, including the Student Advisory Council, Teacher Advisory Council, Parent Advisory Council, and Community Advisory Council.

Your input is crucial in shaping the future of education in New Orleans. Join us today and help provide high quality schools for every child.

To learn more about each advisory council and how to sign up, visit our website and follow us on social media.

Thank you for being a part of our vision to provide high quality schools for every child.

Important Upcoming Dates

• August - National Truancy Month, Get Ready for Kindergarten Month; National Immunization Awareness Month
• Aug. 2 - FOX 8 School Supply Drive (Super Walmart in Algiers 9AM-4:30pm)
• Aug. 3 - TLC School Ribbon Cutting & Opening Celebration
• Aug. 6 - TLC School First Day of School 1-5th grades
• Aug. 13 - TLC School First Day of School for Kindergarten
• Aug. 28 - WBOK Education Elevation