2016 LAA+ Application Period NOW OPEN

Calling All Louisiana Schools: Join the LAA+ Network in 2016


The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is pleased to announce that Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) is now accepting applications for the 2016/2017 academic year. LAA+ is a network that provides teachers with the essentials to think more creatively about how students can apply learning to the real world, and how they can present curricula in ways that nurture the whole student. At the center of this program is the use of the arts in every subject, in every classroom.

Louisiana A+ Schools values the arts as 

essential to the learning process. 

Joining the A+ Network requires a significant time and resource commitment from a school's entire staff. We anticipate adding 3-10 schools for the 2016/2017 school year.

The deadline to submit a Letter of Interest is January 15, 2016.

LEARN MORE.

Rodrigue Family Visits 2 LAA+ Schools

Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue and Wendy Rodrigue, widow of George Rodrigue, visited Ridge Elementary School and J. Wallace James Elementary School in the Lafayette area to see arts-integration in action in the classrooms. Both of these terrific schools are part of our network of 16 Louisiana A+ Schools across the state.

Wendy Rodrigue reads to children at J. Wallace James Elementary School. 

(Photo credit: Paul Lieu, The Advertiser)

Jacques Rodrigue gets creative with students during an ornament making project. 

(Photo credit: Paul Lieu, The Advertiser)

The family toured the schools, visited with students and teachers, and saw examples of how the arts are integrated into each subject. Wendy Rodrigue read George Rodrigue's "Are You Blue Dog's Friend?" and "Why Is Blue Dog Blue?" to students, and Jacques Rodrigue led them in a George Rodrigue-themed ornament activity inspired by his Blue Dog series.

Jacques and Wendy were also excited to announce the 2016 application period for LAA+ Schools and to share how a recent independent study by Centers for Research on Creativity proved that the A+ Schools method is transforming classrooms across Louisiana.

Read the full story of their visit to 

J. Wallace James Elementary School in 

The Advertiser.

Now Hiring: Development Associate

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Development Associate for Louisiana A+ Schools.

Development Associate 

Reporting to and in partnership with the Development Director, the Development Associate will design and implement a fundraising strategy to support the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Louisiana A+ Schools program. A new position in the organization, the Development Associate will have the opportunity to expand GRFA's existing development functions.


Responsibilities Include:


Donor Relations

• Assist in the development and execution of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Louisiana A+ Schools annual fundraising plan
• Secure financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors and program sponsors
• Create and execute a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors
• Develop solicitations for mail and email fundraising campaigns
• Arrange and conduct school tours with existing and potential donors

Special Events

• Work with Director of Operations and Special Event Coordinator to secure paid attendance to special events, including the statewide Aioli Dinner Supper Club series
• Secure hosts for "Aioli Dinner" fundraising events and follow up with hosts to generate ticket sales

Grant Writing

• Develop and track proposals for all foundation, corporate and government grants 
• Identify, write, compile and submit grants in cooperation with GRFA and LAA+ staff
• Ensure that reporting of the use of grant funds is completed accurately

Reporting

• Prepare monthly reports for the Development Director to assess fundraising program effectiveness

Qualifications

• B.A. required, M.A. preferred
• 5 or more years of experience in Development
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor management solution
• Basic knowledge of Louisiana's education system
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills
• Must have ability to travel frequently across all of Louisiana

Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is based in New Orleans at the Rodrigue Foundation office. Interested applicants can send their cover letter and resume to info@georgerodriguefoundation.org.

A Creative Start to the School Year

A Creative Start to the School Year

Earlier this week, our LAA+ Schools team was on the road in Northern Louisiana to visit Homer Elementary School in Homer, Grace Episcopal School in Monroe, and South Highlands Elementary Magnet in Shreveport. We loved seeing all of the creative, arts-integrated projects in the classrooms!

Two LAA+ Schools Win Art Education Grants

Congratulations to two of our Louisiana A+ Schools! Rollins Place Elementary in Zachary and St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy in Greensburg have been awarded Community Partnership Grants from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation. The schools will use the grants to implement in-school or after-school education programs that support music and arts instruction.

Celebrating 20 Years of A+ Schools

A+ Schools Host 20th Anniversary Conference in North Carolina

Earlier this week, our Louisiana A+ Schools team headed to North Carolina to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of A+ Schools. North Carolina began its A+ program in 1995, and since then, the national network of A+ Schools has grown to include four states and over 150 schools.

The three-day conference celebrated the importance of arts in education and featured keynote speakers and sessions by industry leaders. To learn more about the National A+ Schools Consortium, visit nationalaplusschools.org.

(Top left) The LAA+ Schools team attended the anniversary conference in North Carolina. Pictured: Deputy Director Kim Graham, Professional Development Manager Kathleen O'Shaughnessy, GRFA Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue, Director Bethany France. (Bottom left) John Brown of the Windgate Foundation, Vincent Marron ("The Godfather" of A+ Schools), and Jacques Rodrigue. (Right) LAA+ Director Bethany France addresses attendees.

Week Two of the 2015 LAA+ Summer Institutes

Last week, GRFA hosted our second week of the Louisiana A+ Schools Summer Institute at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Entire faculties from seven LAA+ schools attended a week of engaging professional development in arts integration in the classroom. Click here to read The Advertiser's coverage of our Summer Institute.

Click here to view photos from Week 1 of our 2015 Summer Institutes.

Louisiana A+ Schools Summer Institute

is presented by

Teachers Explore Arts Integration at Summer Institute

Our Louisiana A+ Schools program has nearly doubled in 2015 to include a network of 17 schools across the state. To accommodate our growing number of LAA+ educators, we divided our annual Summer Institute into two one-week sessions, with our first group attending last week at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

So what happens at the Summer Institute? The entire faculty from each school participates in an engaging week of professional development, where they acquire the skills and confidence to incorporate the arts into every subject in every classroom. The teachers attended sessions led by LAA+ Fellows, who are experts in arts integration, and explored the practical application of visual art, dance, music, and theatre in their curricula.

LAA+ Fellows from week one of the Summer Institute

On Monday, our second 2015 LAA+ Summer Institute kicks off in Lafayette. 

Follow all of the action on Twitter at #aplusla!

Louisiana A+ Schools Summer Institute 

is presented by

Kathleen O'Shaughnessy Hired as Professional Development Director

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is thrilled to announce that Kathleen O'Shaughnessy is our new Professional Development Director for Louisiana A+ Schools! In this role, she will manage direct support of our statewide network of Pre K-12 schools in all areas of arts integration, including training, coaching, curriculum development, and assessment.

Kathleen O'Shaughnessy

With over 29 years of experience in schools, O'Shaughnessy has taught in every grade from first through eighth, in public and private schools, but she found her calling in middle school reading and writing, and has worked in that capacity for over 20 years. She is passionate about teaching and learning with other educators.

She has taught as an adjunct in the College of Education at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has led many summer institutes for their National Writing Project. She served as Curriculum Coordinator and Dean of Faculty at Episcopal School in Acadiana, and most recently was Head of School at Epiphany Day School.

O'Shaughnessy identifies as a "teacher nerd" and admits to being an obsessive reader and sharer of professional literature and teacher ideas. For the past two years, as principal at Epiphany Day School, she has seen firsthand what a powerful and positive effect the A+ Essentials can have on a school and is excited to promote and nurture those positive effects through the Louisiana A+ Schools network.

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts Announces EIGHT New LAA+ Schools

Today the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne announced the expansion of the Louisiana A+ Schools network to eight new schools across the state for the 2015/2016 academic year. The announcement took place at a student performance at The Dufrocq School in Baton Rouge, one of nine current LAA+ schools.

Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne are joined by students at The Dufrocq School to announce eight new LAA+ Schools.

"These schools have been chosen through a competitive application process by demonstrating their commitment to innovative learning and the importance of the arts in every classroom," says Jacques Rodrigue. "They join a network of 9 schools across the state of Louisiana and over 130 schools nationwide that are focused on whole school research-based transformation through the arts."

LAA+ Schools, the first whole school arts-integrated reform initiative of its kind to enter Louisiana, is a network that provides teachers with the essentials to think more creatively about how students can apply learning in the real world, and how they can present curricula to students in ways they learn best.

"Arts education yields comprehensive benefits to students and we need to do all we can to ensure its inclusion in our schools' curricula," says Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne. "We wish the selected schools the best in shaping our students' creative minds."

Click the map above to learn more about all 17 member schools in the LAA+ network.

2015/2016 New Louisiana A+ Schools:

Howell Park Elementary School, Baton Rouge

Park Elementary School, Baton Rouge

Rollins Place Elementary School, Zachary

J. Wallace James Elementary School, Lafayette

Ridge Elementary School, Duson

St. Helena College and Career Academy, Greensburg

Messiah Montessori School, Houma

ReNew McDonogh City Park Academy, New Orleans

Now Hiring: Professional Development Manager

Professional Development Manager

Job Description

The Louisiana A+ Schools Professional Development Manager plays a critical role in providing direct support to a statewide network of Pre K-12 schools in all areas of arts integration, including training and coaching (in-person and virtual), curriculum development, and assessment. Now in its third year, Louisiana A+ Schools is an education initiative of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.

Position Overview

The Professional Development Manager provides leadership, vision, motivation, organization and evaluation for all academic training activities across the Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) program. Working with LAA+ leadership, this position provides oversight and ensures consistency of all professional development functions involving LAA+ teachers, administrators, Fellows, and teaching artists.


Skills Needed:

• Extensive knowledge in and experience with arts integration; arts integrated curricula development and assessment. 
• Familiarity with Common Core Standards and National Core Arts Standards. 
• Experience training and coaching teachers in arts integrated curriculum development, classroom management and instructional strategies. 
• Experience designing classroom assessment instruments measuring arts learning. 
• Ability to communicate and interface with a diverse audience, including teachers, artists, principals, and the public at large. 
• Experience working with websites and virtual communications such as webinars, Google docs, Google Hangout, Dropbox, etc. 
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills. Public speaking experience required. 
• Computer savvy; excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Able to travel extensively across the state of Louisiana with extended overnight stays. Occasional out-of-state travel may also arise. 
• Able to work intermittent evenings and weekends as needed.

Candidates should meet the following qualifications:

• Hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Arts Education, Educational Administration, Educational Leadership, Curriculum, or other related area. Other degree fields will be considered if prior work experience aligns with job responsibilities. 
• Experience working as a classroom teacher, preferably certified, is preferred. 
• Experience managing school-based arts education initiatives preferred.

Related Job Functions:

• Assists with event management including up to three weekend Fellows retreats and multiple weeklong Summer Institute trainings. 
• Contributes content and data related to professional development activities for grant applications as needed. 
• Maintains budgets and invoices for all professional development activities.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Handles other tasks as they emerge or are assigned by LAA+ program directors. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirement
LAA+ is based in Baton Rouge, however, this position may operate out of Baton Rouge, New Orleans or Lafayette, LA. As LAA+ is a statewide network of schools, the Professional Development Manager must have reliable transportation. Extensive and frequent travel to all school sites on a regular basis throughout the school year will be an essential, non-negotiable job function.

Salary
Commensurate with experience.

Cover letter and resume should be sent to:
Bethany France, Director, Louisiana A+ Schools at bethany@georgerodriguefoundation.org.

NEW VIDEO: LAA+ Students Talk Arts Integration

New Video: LAA+ Students Talk Arts Integration, Academic Success, and FUN

We are pleased to present a new video featuring the students of Louisiana A+ Schools! Hear their perspectives on how arts integration is transforming their classrooms, improving their academic performance, and bringing out the best in students.

Irvin Mayfield Inspires Students at Homer Elementary School

Last week, the students of Homer Elementary School in Homer, LA, welcomed a very special guest to their classrooms. Irvin Mayfield, a Grammy and Billboard Award-winning jazz trumpeter, was there to see first-hand how arts integration is transforming this Turnaround Arts: Louisiana school.

As one of three Turnaround Arts schools in the state, Homer Elementary School has been adopted by Turnaround Artists like Mayfield, who seek to inspire students to pursue their academic goals through the arts, as well as draw attention to the impact the arts are having on their school's revitalization.

In 2014, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts was selected by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to implement the Turnaround Arts initiative at three schools in the state using the Louisiana A+ Schools method of arts integration. Already the teachers and students of our Turnaround A+ Schools are embracing the arts in curriculum -- creative projects line the halls, music can be heard in classrooms, and student engagement is reaching new heights.

2015 LAA+ Schools Application Deadline EXTENDED

Please note: The deadline to submit a Letter of Interest for Louisiana A+ Schools has been extended to January 23, 2015! Click here to learn more about requirements and the application process.

Announcing 2015 Application Process & Professional Development with Crayola

2015 Application Process Now Open!

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) announces the 2015/2016 application process for Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+).

"We are thrilled to grow the A+ Network in Louisiana," says Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of GRFA. "We believe LAA+, the first whole-school, arts-integrated reform initiative of its kind for our state, has the potential to influence the way that all Louisiana students are taught."

How To Apply

If your school is interested in applying to be part of LAA+ Schools, the statewide application process first requires schools to submit a Letter of Interest to the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. A link to this form, along with the 4 steps to the application process, can be found at www.aplusla.org.

Letters of interest are due January 23, 2015.

Please be aware that schools applying to LAA+ will be asked to provide a $75,000 payment that can be distributed over three years. Full and partial scholarships are available on a needs basis. Schools accepted into the LAA+ Schools make a commitment to a three-year implementation process. This includes customized professional development training for full faculty based on the school's needs, attendance at an annual LAA+ Summer Institute (including room and board), professional development for school leadership, and art supplies for the entire school. A sampling of schools may also be asked to participate in a 3-year quasi-experimental evaluation.

Click Here To Register

Professional Development with Crayola

An essential component of LAA+ is our dedication to professional development for all educators in our network of nine schools. Each school is offered two Full Faculty Professional Development (FFPD) sessions a year where Louisiana A+ Fellows lead customized workshops in arts integration methods. In addition to FFPD, all educators attend the LAA+ Summer Institute for a week of intensive training.

On Monday, teachers from St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy, Homer A. Plessy Community School, Grace Episcopal School, and The Dufrocq School gathered for FFPD.

St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy and Homer A. Plessy Community School are also Turnaround Art: Louisiana schools with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Crayola is a proud partner of the Turnaround Arts initiative and provided our teachers with free Crayola products, information about grants for schools, and sessions focused on creativity, critical thinking, and literacy.