A Note of Gratitude from NSNO

I am grateful for our immensely hardworking educators, who bring their love, expertise, and skill to the classroom each day. Thanks to them, our students are growing academically, exploring issues of history and justice, developing as artists and athletes, and preparing for future opportunities in college and career. 

I am grateful for the veteran educators who are leading schools and networks after dedicating decades to our city’s young people. 

I am grateful for the recent graduates of New Orleans’ public schools who have made the choice to come back and teach.

I am grateful for the dedicated individuals who keep our school facilities and operations running smoothly, even through a pandemic and a hurricane.

I am grateful for the mental health professionals and school nurses who helped  our children cope with an unprecedented health crisis and the stress that came with it. I am grateful for the expert partners training teachers to help their students manage trauma in their classrooms, too.

I am grateful for the healthcare partners who vaccinated our school staff starting in February, and eventually our students and family members.

I am grateful for the nonprofits and mutual aid groups who joined forces with schools to help their communities recover after Hurricane Ida. 

I am grateful for the leadership of Superintendent Lewis and our devoted Orleans Parish School Board, and I am grateful for the legislators who fight for our students from all the way in Baton Rouge. 

I am grateful for our loving, supportive parents, who believe in their children’s limitless potential and put their faith in our schools to help them reach it. 

Most of all, I am grateful for our students themselves. They remain curious, determined, and thoughtful. Now in their third school year amidst a pandemic, they are acutely aware of how precious it is to be in the company of friends and loved ones.