Helix Community Schools

Helix Legal Academy students recently got a chance to hear from Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice (retired) Bernette Johnson about her trailblazing career and life lessons. She spoke at the Old State Capitol. Johnson was the first African American to serve as chief justice and one of the first two Black women to graduate from LSU's law school. Her daughter, Judge Rachael Johnson, joined her for the panel discussion which was moderated by our own President /CEO Preston Castille. WeAreHelix! Helix Community Schools #legal #chiefjustice #education #LegalSystem #LSU #tulaneuniversity Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Helix Community Schools’ students will receive free, internet-connected tablets from Verizon Innovative Learning at rollout event, Sept. 18, Helix is the only school in Louisiana participating in the nationwide program this year BATON ROUGE, La. (Sept. 18, 2024) --On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Helix Community Schools will celebrate joining Verizon Innovative Learning—Verizon’s award-winning education initiative which addresses barriers to digital inclusion and helps drive digital equity within education for some of the most vulnerable populations across the country—with a kickoff event at Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy in which students from Mentorship Academy and Helix Legal Academy will receive their own tablets. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program works side-by-side with schools and districts to get internet-connected devices into the hands of students and to enhance how teachers use technology in the classroom. Being part of the program will keep students connected, helping to facilitate learning wherever it’s taking place. In addition to reliable access for every student and teacher, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools also equips each school with a technology coach and provides robust professional development support for teachers to effectively integrate technology into the classroom. Helix Aviation Academy, Helix Legal Academy, and Helix Mentorship Academy are among 34 schools joining Verizon Innovative Learning Schools for the 2024-25 school year, bringing the program’s impact to 626 schools nationwide. Helix is the only school in Louisiana participating in the program this year. It is receiving 1089 devices with free data plans. The market value of Verizon Innovative Learning’s investment is on average more than $2.3 million per school. “We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful program to help close the digital divide and give our students and teachers the technological tools they need to succeed now and in the future,” said Charita Sellers, founding principal and executive director of Helix Aviation Academy. Sellers also serves as the district lead for the Verizon Innovative Learning program. “On behalf of Verizon, I’d like to welcome Helix Community Schools to the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program,” said Tandra LeMay, Verizon’s state government affairs director. “This program provides critical resources and technology which not only helps to foster educational equity for students, but supports teachers in using technology in the classroom in innovative ways.” For more information, go to helixcommunityschools.org #verizoninnovativelearning #technology #schools Verizon

MEET OUR STAFF - Jerrod Webb is the parent liaison at Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy. In this role, he serves as a resource for parents to address any questions or concerns with the overall goal of improving student outcomes. He also teaches yearbook publication and serves as the Key Club faculty advisor. He has more than eight years of experience in education. Webb joined Helix in 2016, previously serving as the founding aerospace science instructor at Mentorship. Prior to joining Helix, he was a meteorologist in the United State Air Force for 21 years before he retired. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. We’re glad to have you on the team! Helix Community Schools #facultyandstaff #WeareHelix #education

Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy’s Corporate Work Study Program kicked off today! On Friday, students were given their work assignments during “Match Day” as their names were called and they were presented letters with all the details. As part of the program, 62 students in grades 10 through 12 are working one day a week for up to six hours at various employers in the Baton Rouge area including @ourladyofthelake hospital and the @americwnneeencros.’mThe students gain invaluable experience and employers get much-needed support to help meet today’s workforce demands. For more information formation, go to helixcommunityschools.org. #workstudy #Jobs #Careers Helix Community Schools

Thanks St. Landry Parish for your support! We appreciate it! https://lnkd.in/gPFhEW4w

GROUNDBREAKING CELEBRATION -- It was truly a special day as Helix Community Schools officials, St. Landry Parish School Board members and district staff, elected officials, friends and supporters recently celebrated the start of construction of Helix AI & Medical Academy during a groundbreaking ceremony in Opelousas. The ceremony took place under a tent at the site which is next to Our Savior's Church in Opelousas. The public charter school will offer classes for kindergarten through fifth grades in 2025. It will open in the fall of 2025 and will give students a cutting-edge education to meet the demands of the future workforce. The school is the first new school to be built in St. Landry Parish in decades. We're excited and looking forward to serving students and families in the community. For more information, go to helixaim.org. #wearehelix #GroundBreakingCeremony #artificialintelligence #medicalacademy #Opelousas

Our Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy Corporate Work Study Program team which is led by Angelica Collins is working hard to provide training and support for students and employers in the program. This year, more than 64 employers will be participating. As part of the program, students work up to 8 hours one day a week, gaining invaluable experience and helping employers meet the demands of today’s workforce. For more information, go to helixcommunityschools.org. #studentjobs #corporate #workstudy #careers

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TODAY -- Join us today for our groundbreaking ceremony for Helix AI & Medical Academy! The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. next to Our Savior's Church in Opelousas. We're looking forward to seeing you! For more information, go to helixaim.org #GroundBreakingCeremony Helix Community Schools #artificialintelligence #medical #education St. Landry Parish School Board

Congratulations to our President and CEO Preston J. Castille, Jr., Esq. who was recently recognized for five years of service, dedication and commitment to Helix Community Schools The award was presented by Dr. Angela Domingue, executive director and principal of Helix Mentorship Academy. Thanks Mr. Castille for your excellent leadership and for all you do for Helix! #wearehelix #EmployeeRecognition #service #education #InnovationIsInourdna

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Nequoia Elsey is the dean of teaching and learning at Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy. In this role, she is responsible for making sure the educational programs are effective, innovative and aligned with the overall mission of Mentorship. She has more than 26 years of experience in education. She joined Helix in 2011 and rejoined in 2015 working as an ELA teacher and humanities coach. Prior to Helix, she worked as a student newspaper adviser and journalism instructor at Blinn College, Cy-Fair College, and West Liberty State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in news editorial from Jackson State University and a master’s degree in mass communications from Southern University. We’re glad to have you on the team! Helix Community Schools #dean #teaching #learning #education #jacksonstateuniversity #southernuniversity