10/04/2026
One week until Fall Break!!
** Morning Announcements Daily on Instagram from 8:40-8:45am**
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What to expect this week:
Monday:
1. PE with Dr. Sam (K-1, and 3-4 classes) and Mr. Caleb (2-3, and middle school classes)
2. Environmental Science class with Teacher Cal
Tuesday: Library Day
1. Be sure to wear your AWE shirts and bring your library card for the Jefferson Parish Library if you have not already done so
2. K-3rd graders have Crafts Class with Teacher Cal
3. Young Entrepreneurs / Marketing class for 5th-8th graders (and some K-4 students who feel passionate about running a business this year)
4. PE with Ms. Laura for grades K-4 after Library, and middle school with Dr. Sam for first period RUNNING
5. Dual Enrollment at the library for 5-8th graders
Wednesday:
1. Life Skills Class for grades K-4, students will be completing NeuroKids Curriculum with Mr. Caleb
2. PE with Ms. Laura for K-2 and 3-4, and with Mr. Caleb for 2-3 and Middle school
3. Dual Enrollment for middle school will be all in one class first period, in the Ask Room.
Thursday:
1. Social Studies Class with Ms. Laura
2. PE with Dr. Sam for K-1 and 3-4, and with Mr. Caleb for 2-3 and Middle school
3. Environmental Science Class with Teacher Cal
Friday: Field Trip Day and Clubs
1. Be sure to wear your AWE shirt
2. Yoga Class with Dr. Sam before the field trip
3. PE with Ms. Laura for K-2 and 3-4, and with Mr. Caleb for 2-3 and Middle school
4. Field Trip to Joe Brown Park for all to complete the timed 1-mile run on their track
5. Audubon Nature Center Scavenger Hunt and Nature Walk
Library Reminder
Please make sure that your Explorer has a Jefferson Parish Library Card. If you live in Orleans Parish, take your Orleans library card in person to a Jefferson Parish Library. They will then place a sticker on it and give your Explorer access to check out books. This will help them with their reading logs and foster their interest in reading.
Please don't forget to send your child with a cup, their technology, and chargers daily. Keep one charger at school and another at home.
Also note that your child is responsible for transporting the technology if you, as a family, decide to allow their tech to travel back and forth from AWE. If technology is lost due to transport, AWE will not replace any of these items.
Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Program
Be on the lookout for handouts and reading logs related to this program in your child's backpack. At this point, you should have received the reading logs. Middle schoolers should be reading for 30 minutes a day Monday-Friday and writing a paragraph summary of what they read. Second through fourth graders should be reading for 20 minutes daily Monday through Friday and writing a two-sentence minimum summary of what they read. Kindergarten through First graders should be reading for 15 minutes daily Monday through Friday and draw and explain to you a summary of what they read.
Please click on the button for the link to the reading logs and directions. This is a Monday through Thursday expectation for all of our students.
Past Field Trips
Our K–4th grade students enjoyed an inspiring field trip to Tulane University’s Newcomb Art Museum! Students explored artworks, practiced observing details, asked thoughtful questions, and discovered how artists use creativity to communicate ideas and tell stories. The visit gave our young artists a chance to experience art beyond the classroom while connecting curiosity, creativity, and learning—the AWE way!
Our 5th–8th grade students got a firsthand look at what it means to pursue the arts at NOCCA’s Open Studio! Students explored creative spaces, learned more about the different artistic disciplines offered at NOCCA, and saw young artists developing their talents in a professional and collaborative environment. For our middle schoolers, the visit was also an opportunity to imagine future possibilities and see how their own interests and creativity could grow into exciting educational and career pathways.
8th graders will be starting their applications now, even though they aren't due until January 15th.
Announcements:
Our address is 5914 Canal Blvd. You enter from the back parking lot near the glass doors and the AWE sign. If the door isn't open or it's locked, please ring the bell. We are upstairs on the second floor. Also, please make sure you have Dr. Sam's number in your phone: (504) 252-2984.
Be sure you have created your SPARK Account. This is how you will see your child's attendance, grades, the school calendar, and pay tuition. You will also need to fill out forms here, including
1. Field Trip Consent Form,
2. Student Code of Conduct Agreement, and
3. Tuition Agreement Forms.
If you are interested in After Care, you can sign up via our website or via paying with Zelle ([email protected]). Please indicate the Explore's name and Days of the week.
Ms. Laura will be leading aftercare this school year. Aftercare goes from 3pm- 5pm.
Monthly Unlimited $300/month
Weekly $90/week
Daily / Drop-In $25/day
Sign up for the AWE Village Council
The AWE Village Council will serve as a collaborative body that fosters strong partnerships between families and school leadership. Council members will provide feedback, share ideas, support community-building efforts, and help strengthen the overall experience for learners and families. While the council does not have governance responsibilities, it serves as an important avenue for communication and collaboration with the CEO, ensuring that parent voices are heard and that Ask Wonder Explore continues to grow in ways that reflect the needs and values of our community. Through the AWE Village Council, we hope to cultivate a true “village” of families working together to support the success and well-being of every learner.
We met SUNDAY, September 27, from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at City Park.
Hello AWE Village Council,
We held our 1st Village Council discussion today! Lizzie Killeen, Sarah Harkins, and I attended. We talked about ways to support our teachers and care for the school’s outdoor space.
Teacher Appreciation:
A small, thoughtful gesture goes a long way when making teachers feel appreciated and valued. I’ve attached a “Favorite Things” sheet for teachers to complete so we can choose things they would enjoy and use.
We’re looking for one Village Council member to be the coordinator for teacher appreciation. This volunteer would review the sheet, help collect a completed copy from each teacher, and bring the responses back to the council so we can plan gifts and other gestures.
Outdoor space and Handyman Day:
We want to improve the outdoor space where the kids play and eat lunch. Lizzie is reviewing the rental agreement and will ask the church, which owns the property, what work we can do.
Please save November 7 for a Handyman Day. (We might adjust this day since it is now the day for NOCCA Open Studio from their inclement weather reschedule)
To prepare for this AWEsome event, we will meet at the school on Tuesday, October 6, at 10:00 a.m. for a site visit during library hours, while the children are out. We’ll look at the outdoor space, list possible projects and supplies, and make a plan. No physical work will take place during this visit. Please join us to identify needs/wants for the outdoor space and share ideas.
After the visit, we’ll send a project sign-up for families who can offer time, skills, plants, supplies, or other support for November 7th.
Other ways to help:
AWE is working toward 501(c)(3) status to make it easier to receive donations. The school is also looking for a board president. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please let us know. Also, the Junior League of New Orleans is holding its Get on Board workshop and networking event on October 3 for people interested in nonprofit board service and meeting potential board members.
We’re also looking for one volunteer to explore Spark and find out whether families can use it to communicate or organize parent committees.
If you can help to coordinate teacher appreciation, join the October 6 visit, or help with Spark, please reply to this email. Village Council meeting details will be shared in the weekly newsletter, so please keep an eye out for future dates.
Thank you for supporting our children, teachers, and school!
Jimani Blackwell - Parent of HB, Purpose, and Miles
Community Corner
This school was founded by Dr. Sam's mentor, Dr. Polk in Gentilly near Dillard University.
We are always trying to gain more scholarship opportunities for our community. If you would like to provide a free or discounted camp opportunity, please donate below or contact Dr. Sam at (504)252-2984 or [email protected]. Thank you for being AWEsome and amazing!
We are in need of Scholarship fulfillment. We are looking to raise $6,975 more to fulfill promised scholarships. If you can, or know someone who would like to contribute, please send them our way. They can donate via our website, Zelle ([email protected]), Venmo (), cash, or check (made out to Ask Wonder Explore). Thank you for making AWE programming accessible for all.
Click here for an update from Ask Wonder Explore!
