The Willow School Celebrates New School Program and Campus Names

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release: Aug 31, 2022

Contact: Heather Harper hharper@h2nola.net or (504) 289-0499  or Ann Welsh (504) 723-7808 

The Willow School Celebrates New School Program and Campus Names 

Four events to commemorate building on a great legacy

WHAT:

The Willow School (formerly Lusher Charter School) will hold four events to celebrate its new program and individual campus names.

WHEN/WHERE:

NEW SCHOOL NAME CEREMONY

Friday, September 2, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m, – Name Celebration and Arch Reveal, 

The Willow School, Elijah J. Brimmer, Jr. Campus, 5624 Freret St.

The high school student body will gather on Freret Street to celebrate the new Willow School arch on the front gate entrance with music, student and VIP speakers, and the firing of school color cannons. Recommended photo op.

INDIVIDUAL CAMPUS EVENTS

• Saturday, September 3, 10 a.m to 11 a.m. – Dr. Everett J. Williams, Jr.  Campus Ribbon Cutting Celebration, The Willow School Elementary, 7315 Willow St.

The Willow School  community is invited to a  “morning meeting,” a school tradition with dancing, singing and celebrating the Williams Campus. Musician Phillip Manuel will lead the way with his song “Learning the Willow Way.”  Speakers will include Interim CEO Nicolette London, members of the Williams family and Willow community, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and unveiling of Dr. Williams Official Portrait 

• Saturday, September 3, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Elijah J. Brimmer, Jr.  Campus Ribbon Cutting Celebration, The Willow School High School, 5624 Freret St. 

Recommended photo op.

The Willow School community will celebrate the Brimmer Campus (formerly Alcee Fortier) with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony featuring speakers NOLA-PS Superintendent Avis Williams, Interim CEO London,  School Board Member Olin Parker, City Council members  and members of the Brimmer family. The ceremony will  feature the Fortier Alumni Band and the unveiling of the Official Portrait of Elijah Brimmer, Jr. The event will culminate with a performance by the alumni band of the Fortier High School with a traditional march out of the building and down the front steps.

• Saturday, September 3, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Campus Ribbon Cutting Celebration, The Willow School Middle School, 5625 Loyola Ave.

The Willow School community will celebrate the Marsalis Campus (formerly Allen) with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony featuring speakers, Interim CEO London, members of the Marsalis family and school community.  There will be a jazz band performance and the unveiling of the Ellis Marsalis Official Portrait.     

WHY:

Under the leadership of interim Chief Executive Officer London, the Willow School officially builds on its legacy as a quality K-12 public school and begins a new process of strengthening its added commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

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The Willow School (formerly Lusher Charter School), is an “A” rated National Blue Ribbon School in partnership with Tulane University.  The Willow School provides an environment which fosters the social-emotional development of young adults and values the unique combination of talents and interests in each student. Willow’s renowned arts-integrated, academic program engages and challenges students to think critically, analytically and creatively.