Warren Easton in Exile
Warren Easton in Exile: "The temporary home of Warren Easton Fundamental High School in NOLA"
This site brings together blogs and updates for the Warren Easton HS "community" - students, teachers, families, friends. It keeps the connection going while they are spread out and far from each other after hurricane Katrina. It is also a great community indicator!
Ed Vielmetti pointed me to this terrific site. It is exactly what I have been suggesting to some folks in Biloxi - for schools, churches, etc. Great site! Thanks, Ed, for the pointer.
Categories: recovery20, hurricanekatrina, community_indicators
posted by Nancy White at 8:27 PM
1 Comments:
Warren Easton To Open In August, 2006 As A Charter School
On April 18, 2006, the Orleans Parish School Board accepted the charter application of the Warren Easton Senior High School Charter Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation as designated by IRS. More than $1.5 million in post-Katrina repairs on the building have begun and are expected to be completed in time for the anticipated school opening date of August 17, 2006.
The Foundation is comprised largely of members of the Warren Easton Hall of Fame Committee which was founded in 1991. One hundred five members of the Easton family have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The committee has also awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, provided the school with needed equipment and supplies, and presented many members of the
faculty with cash awards.
The group became interested in obtaining a charter last November when no repairs had been scheduled for Easton and published reports indicated the school would not open until the fall of 2007, if at all. Suggestions were made
that the building might be sold and converted into condos. Three "Bring Easton Back" rallies were held in February, and hundreds of students, parents and
faculty attended, lending their support to the charter initiative.
Warren Easton is the city's oldest public school -its predecessor schools date from 1845. Easton was led by a dedicated principal, faculty and staff when it was a fundamental school. Easton out-performed almost all other schools in the district and has improved its SPS score for five consecutive years. A matrix system was employed to govern admission and contracts were signed by the students and parents. The school's reputation of academic excellence, high
attendance, low drop-out rate and high graduation rate were all factors that earned the school National Blue Ribbon designation by the United States Department of Education. The school has been particularly proud of the success of its special education students, as well as its "English as a second language" students. The charter school initiative plans to continue the high standards of
Warren Easton Fundamental High School.
During the next few weeks a principal and faculty will be hired and an advisory board will be established (volunteers are welcome). A massive fund
raising effort will be launched. Of particular interest are grants and corporate donations of money and equipment such as furniture, school and office supplies,
sports equipment and band instruments.
Foundation President Billy Hatchett said, "Easton has a large and loyal alumni who have great affection for their high school. We call on them to help us provide Warren Easton's tradition of excellence to future generations."
The Foundation is especially interested in reaching out to those students who missed their senior year due to the hurricane. A senior recognition ceremony for the displaced class of 2006 will be held on June 11 at the Jefferson Orleans. Rather than honoring distinguished alumni, the entire class will be inducted as a group into the Warren Easton Hall of Fame to celebrate their
spirit during this difficult time.
The Warren Easton Senior High School Foundation's Board of Directors includes President Billy Hatchett (Class of 1960); Vice President Arthur Hardy (Class of 1965), Secretary Dr. Rene Coman, Treasurer Kenny Martin, Directors Ron Brocato, Sal Genovese (Class of 1969), Jeff Zapata (Class of 1966), Al Mipro (Class of 1954), Ronald McDonald (Class of 1954), Douglas Grubbs (Class of
1963).
Until the Foundation's website is completed, interested parties can reach Vice President Arthur Hardy via email at mardihardy @ aol.com.
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