Arriving for school on Nov. 7, students and parents of Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orleans were greeted with a brand new, shiny playground built by KaBoom, a national organization, with help from volunteers.

“Watching the kids come to school and the look on their faces showed the school that it was a great project,” Jill Otis, the school’s principal, said.

Lycée Français is also quickly expanding its athletic and arts offerings. So many students enrolled in a soccer program that three teams were formed to accommodate them. For a fee, students will soon get the opportunity to take an after-school Cajun music and dance class with board member Jean Montes.

November 17-20 is Semaine Française, the inaugural French Week in New Orleans and Lycée Français will field representatives to spread the word about the French immersion education that the school offers.

The board met at the First Presbyterian Church, with board member Mignhon Tourne absent. Seven people were in the audience, including a reporter with The Lens.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12.