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Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Parents, staff also studying French; expanded second, third grades under review

The school’s  first set of French classes for parents and staff members have attracted a dozen participants, board members learned at their monthly meeting, Jan. 9. As further evidence of the popularity of French-immersion education, the recent application process, now closed, drew 31 candidates for second grade and 17 for third, even though the Lycée […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

New school head calls teacher quality key to educational success; board eyes bio-district link

The New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High board meeting, on Feb. 2, welcomed Dick Best as the school’s new director and expressed hope that outgoing school director Barbara MacPhee will quickly regain her strength. MacPhee fell and was hospitalized recently with a broken leg, board members were advised. Laney French, school administrator, was elected […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Hornets, Saints team up to help with recruitment and literacy drives; LEAP tests loom

Marketing, branding and student recruitment were the major themes at the board’s monthly meeting, Feb. 6. Edgar P. Harney Elementary’s chief executive officer, Eileen Williams, put it this way: It’s imperative to do “all we can do to sell our school,” – a view embraced by board members as well as by the school’s chief […]

Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion

To fight violent crime, New Orleans may need to get the lead out

In one of his many fine recent columns on crime, Times-Picayune columnist Jarvis DeBerry wrote (my emphases): [New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal] Serpas and his predecessor have both struggled to explain why things are particularly bad here. [Former Superintendent] Warren Riley wondered if there isn’t something in the water. Serpas hasn’t said anything so bizarre, […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Gala on 'Oz' theme anchors fundraising drive; campus move proves trouble-free

The return of Edward Hynes Charter to the Lakeview area provided a celebratory theme for the school’s fundraising gala, Feb. 4. , At their monthly meeting Jan. 23, principal Michelle Douglas told the school’s board of directors that the gala, titled “There’s No Place Like Home,” was a spin-off of the “Wizard of Oz” and […]

Posted inGovernment & Politics

NORD Commission picks new director; interim chief kept after national search

By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission tonight appointed interim director Vic Richard as its new chief executive after a special hearing where the four finalists were interviewed. All but one member of the commission, Bobby Garron, who abstained, voted for Richard’s appointment. The commission hired a headhunter […]

Posted inCriminal Justice

Sheriff's deputy indicted after inmate says officer forced him to perform oral sex in jail

By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer| A former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy accused in September of forcing an inmate to perform oral sex after handcuffing him and taking him to a jail closet has been indicted on charges of second-degree kidnapping, sexual battery and malfeasance in office. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman fired former Sheriff’s Deputy […]

Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use

Because of Winn-Dixie: City lets grocery add vehicle crossing over pedestrian greenway

Click to enlarge. The city has agreed to let Winn-Dixie cross the proposed Lafitte Greenway in one direction, from the mail lot into the satellite lot, despite objections from greenway supporters. Map courtesy of Google Maps. By Ariella Cohen and Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writers | Over the objections of Lafitte Greenway advocates, Mayor Mitch Landrieu […]