Welcome to Kreole Elementary: A Community in Need
The mission of Kreole Elementary is to provide a quality education to every child in a safe and secure environment. However, since the impact of Hurricane Katrina, the dedicated teachers and staff have been severely compromised in their efforts to maintain this level of excellence.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed the entire east wing of the school building, taking with it all the books in the library and all of the computers. All classrooms for students in grades 4-6 were completely destroyed. Due to the impact on the families of the students, many of whom lost everything, enrollment has dropped as well.
As housing is restored throughout the area, this community and its children will gradually come back to school. This school, where 100% of students are enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program, has several community organizations involved in the day-to-day life of its students, comprised of involved parents and teachers that would love to throw their support and resources behind planning a community-built playspace.
But Kreole Elementary stands to gain so much more than a new playground! The experience of working together to rebuild their neighborhood, to build a space where their children can play and where they can gather to renew their solidarity and friendship, will restore hope to this community.
Operation Playground: Rebuilding Playgrounds, Restoring Childhoods.