A Heartfelt Response to Katrina

March, 2006

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.  We can see from the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School’s logo, its pre-Katrina focus on science and math as well as its “Teddy Bear” symbol for its students.

This March, Communities in Schools New York, working with its partner, The Anthony Robbins Foundation,  traveled to New Orleans to join CIS of New Orleans in a ceremony of appreciation for the gift of $$50,000  to one of the first elementary schools to reopen in New Orleans. The funds were raised by the Robbins Foundation for a CIS National Adopt-a-School initiative for the stricken city. The Anthony Robbins Foundation was the first to respond to this call for help.  Participating in the award occasion were Patti Coffey, Executive Director of the Robbins Foundation and Scott Rankin, Board Member. They were joined by Dr. Roy Blash, Executive Director CIS New York, Donna Cavato, Executive Director, CIS New Orleans, and her Board Members, President and Deputy Superintendent of the New Orleans Board of Education, Ms. Mitchell, principal of the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, and Ms. Shaw, the school librarian. 

Students in the school library enjoying one of the many books on Bears that populate its shelves.

In addition to supporting the purchase of learning resources for the school’s students, the gift will enable the school to refurbish the library with new book shelving, window replacements, library tables and chairs, beanbags for younger children, IBM desk and laptop computers, a printer, digital camera, large screen television, smart board, age-appropriate software, biographies and magazine subscriptions. 

The elementary School was the first public school to open post Katrina. Pre-Katrina, it was a science and math focused magnet school with entrance criteria that served approximately 420 students. The reduced and free lunch rate at the school was 47%. Post Katrina, Ben Franklin is no longer a magnet school and is open to any student in New Orleans Parrish. The school now serves approximately 555 students in grade levels pre-K through 6. The student population is now characterized as high poverty, as over 90 % of the students are eligible for reduced cost or free breakfast and lunch.  Benjamin Franklin Elementary School is also now serving the needs of New Orleans’ special education population.

Patti Coffey and Sheri Sachs talk with a teacher about the storm damage and the school’s goal to rehabilitate a custodian’s cottage on the school’s campus to accommodate after-school programming and community services. This has become a priority because the school is reaching and will be exceeding its space capacity to adequately serve its entire population.  CIS of New Orleans is working with Ms. Mitchell, the principal  and the appropriate city agencies to determine a plan for renovating the structure.

“We are so pleased to be able to help with the library refurbishing project, our ability to do so is directly attributable to the generosity and caring of Anthony Robbins’ many fine supporters.” Patti Coffey

The mission of Communities in Schools, New York is to champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life.  By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, CISNY provides the link between educators and the community.  The result of this intervention: teachers are free to teach, and students, many in jeopardy of dropping out of school, have the opportunity to focus on learning.

The Anthony Robbins Foundation also joined with the Margaretta Taylor Music & Art Fund to support a Communities in Schools New York Benefit Concert to raise funds for The School for the Deaf & Limited Hearing in St. Petersburg Russia.