December 8 , 2006
David Grubb

New Orleans, LA – In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina the atmosphere surrounding education in New Orleans was frightening to many as our city faced the prospect that schools would not be opened for the remainder of the school year.  But in October of 2005, the community of Algiers in conjunction with efforts from Orleans Parish School Board Vice-President Lourdes Moran and State Representative Jim Tucker among others worked to bring educational opportunity to the west bank of Orleans Parish.  The Algiers Charter Schools Association was created to be a lightning rod for change in a system that had never been presented with such an awesome opportunity to do so.  In November an initial staff of six, 5 managers from Alvarez and Marsal and Dr. Brian Riedlinger of the School Leadership Center began building what is today an association of 8 member schools serving over 4500 students.

“When we opened our doors on December 15th of last year, we had no idea what to expect”, said Dr. Riedlinger.  “We were hoping for 1500 kids but every day more and more showed up.  Our schools were full by late January and the waiting lists were growing.  We knew that what we were doing was going to be special but at the same time we knew that initially our focus had to be on the basics: reading, writing, arithmetic, setting up a good business model where teachers were compensated fairly and on time, and putting the focus of education back on the school and away from the administrative office.”

Beginning on Thursday December 14th and ending on Friday December 15th, each ACSA school has planned a number of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary.  On Friday at 7:30 AM the ACSA has invited those individuals that have helped to make our schools a success to meet with us at our original “home”, Martin Behrman Charter Elementary in room 208, for a chance to get together and reflect on all that has happened over the past year.  Attached you will find a listing of activities for our 8 schools over the two days.

Algiers Charter Schools Anniversary Celebration

DECEMBER 14th

Behrman Charter – 7:30AM Parent Breakfast, 10AM Judging of Art Contest, 2PM Outdoor Pep Rally and Balloon Launch

Eisenhower Charter – 7:30AM Parent/Student Breakfast

Fischer Charter – 7:30AM Parent Breakfast, 8AM Happy Birthday Greetings “What does ACSA mean to you?”, 9AM Time Capsule from each grade, 9:30 Fence and Banner Decorations, 1PM School Decorations

Harte Charter – 7:30AM Parent Breakfast, 8AM Morning Assemblies, 9AM Instructional Activities reflecting this past year, 1:30 Gathering on Blacktop for school group photo, 2PM Blacktop Celebration w/ music and refreshments

Karr Charter – 9AM Parent Breakfast with speaker Board of Trustees member Calvin Turner, Jr.

McDonogh 32 – 9AM Parent Breakfast, 11AM Time Capsule Ceremony

Tumbman Charter – 7:30AM Parent Breakfast, Morning Assembly with announcement of winners of Pre-K 2nd Grade Art Contest and 3rd-8th Grade poetry/rap contest

Walker Charter – 7:30AM Parent Breakfast, 8:30-8:40 Morning Gathering, 10AM Announcement of Essay Contest Winners, 11:30 Anniversary Poetic Expression, 1PM Anniversary Program

DECEMBER 15th

Eisenhower Charter – 2:15 PM Time Capsule Ceremonies

Karr Charter – 2:30 PM Time Capsule Ceremonies and Pep Rally

ALL ACSA SCHOOLS WILL BE HOLDING TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEONS ON FRIDAY

Please contact the individual schools for more details regarding specific school events.