NOLA Schools Shutdown Due to COVID-19

13:23 March 16, 2020
By: Molly Kellogg

Working alongside charter school leaders and Mayor LaToya Cantrell's agencies, NOLA-PS is planning a multi-pronged effort to ensure children who rely on school nutrition services are not left out in the cold, during a prolonged school closure. Despite some school sites introducing food nutrition service starting Monday, March 16th, the District expects a citywide child nutrition program to be available to families by the 23rd of March.

The NOLA-PS asks certain information be made public, and shared to all. Families hoping to gain more information on these child nutrition resources can visit the District's website, (https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition) where they can find the most recently updated listings of food services available. Also, no fewer than 22 food nutrition sites will be up and running food by the 18th, and eligible families, who find themselves unable to access food this week, should call United Way's 211 line, which offers information regarding food pantries nearby. Students are not required to be there to receive meals. Child nutrition services are available to all under 18 or who attend a public school.

Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr., Superintendent of NOLA-PS, explains, "we are proud to let the public know that our charter school leaders are moving quickly to support children in this time of crisis by offering food service as soon as Monday in some locations across the city." He further explains that NOLA-PS asks, "that our school community continue to check our online location for updates on when and where child nutrition resources will be available." More information will be available in the next few days.

NOLA-PS is working tirelessly with the Mayor's Office to choose internet-based solutions for families as we look into the future of distance learning.

In response to the issued state of emergency in Louisiana, all NOLA public schools will be closed beginning March 16th through April 13th. Starting on the 16th, all non-essential NOLA-PS staff will work from home. NOLA-PS is working with care to carry out extraordinary measures to ensure everyone's' safety. They encourage everyone in the community to keep checking the website and social media for more updates.

The District is aware that these times are unprecedented. Only by following the words of health and city officials and caring for one another can we keep our children and their teachers healthy. In doing so, we will persist.

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