(New Orleans - Sept. 7, 2021) 鈥� Today, 天博体育 and its school leaders announced that public schools in New Orleans will reopen to students between Sept. 15 and Sept. 22 as the community recovers from the impact of Hurricane Ida. All schools will notify their students鈥� families about when their campuses will reopen by Friday, Sept. 10.
This timeline for reopening is dependent upon continued power restoration and progress in other essential services being available across the city. Additionally, some campuses may need longer to reopen given the storm鈥檚 impact on facilities. These impacts may include building readiness, food supply, transportation readiness, and adequate staffing to accommodate the return of students.
NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. announced this reopening timeline after speaking with school leaders and hosting Louisiana Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley for a tour of Frederick A. Douglass and L.B. Landry high schools Tuesday.
鈥淲e hope this news today can give students and families a bit of certainty during these challenging times,鈥� Dr. Lewis said. 鈥淣ow more than ever, our children stand to benefit from the comfort that structured and routine daily schooling can bring. So, let鈥檚 all come together to reopen our schools quickly and safely.鈥�
鈥淪chools have been challenged over the last year and a half in response to COVID-19, and I would place the Louisiana educational community up against anything in this country for their heroic efforts,鈥� said Dr. Brumley. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 not just with COVID. We鈥檝e had powerful storms to hit this state like Zeta, Laura, Delta, and Ida. Our state needs educators to continue doing hero's work over the next months and years. We can and will make a Louisiana Comeback.鈥�
School leaders and NOLA-PS have assessed all school buildings and found minimal to moderate damage from Hurricane Ida. Much of that can be attributed to the $2 billion infrastructure investment in New Orleans鈥� public schools after Hurricane Katrina.
鈥淥ur schools were rebuilt stronger and smarter, taking full advantage of that federal investment to preserve quality education here in New Orleans,鈥� Dr. Lewis said. 鈥淲hat we need now is further investment in our schools at the state and federal level to build all of them into the resilient palaces our children deserve.鈥�
As schools reopen, COVID-19 safety remains a top priority across the District. Families are highly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to the City and to school. Taking that step will help us all minimize quarantines and continue to successfully keep the pandemic outside our school buildings.
NOLA-PS will be restarting its testing and vaccination programs as part of the reopening effort. It鈥檚 also important for families to have access to behavioral and mental health services during these challenging times. Families can find links to resources at .
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