Students and Families

Opportunities Academy classes will take place online through at least Labor Day. As our families and staff adjust to this new method of learning, OA will be sending updates to families on a weekly basis that will clarify expectations and policies, share resources to help families access meals, internet, and classes, and highlight the wonderful work our students are doing.

Below, you'll find the archive of these updates:

August 31

August 24

August 17

August 10

OA asks all families to review and complete the document below, which outlines consents required for virtual learning and protocols in place in the event that we are able to return to in-person school. A virtual-only option will continue to be provided.

Check out this overview of the policy, and sign below.

Opportunities Academy has distributed assistive technology to all students needing a device - over 50 families were able to pick up devices during the week of August 10!

We ask that all families who received a device complete this technology use agreement. If you need support or a replacement device, call Ms. Coverick and Mr. Jones at 504-503-1421 for help.

OA students will continue to be eligible for curbside meal pickup on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at 2 locations:

• Rosenwald Collegiate 1801 LB Landry Ave New Orleans, LA 70114
• G.W. Carver 3059 Higgins Blvd New Orleans, LA 70126

You’ll receive 2 breakfasts + 2 lunches on Mondays and 3 breakfasts + 3 lunches on Wednesdays.

Alternatively, all OA students will also be eligible for a meal delivery service starting on August 17. If you prefer this option, sign up here. With this option, a meal kit with 5 days' worth of breakfasts and lunches will be delivered to your home once a week.

During the duration of distance learning, Collegiate Academies will define “attendance” as being present for synchronous (live) virtual sessions, as well as completing asynchronous work outside of class.  Instructional minute requirements are met through a combination of synchronous class and asynchronous work. For the purposes of attendance interventions, we will use attendance data from synchronous sessions. Here are additional details on how attendance will be taken and logged:  

• Your student is scheduled to take live virtual classes on Monday - Thursday.  Attendance will be taken for each session. “Attending” means that students are logging into their virtual synchronous lessons and are present for the majority of the session. We understand that internet access is an obstacle for some, or that glitches may happen preventing access. Students may be marked tardy if they log in more than 5 minutes after the lesson starts.

• Students also have independent work assignments (asynchronous classes) and communication circles, physical/occupational therapy. Attendance at these sessions counts toward daily attendance.

• For the purposes of state reporting, we will also track daily attendance.  Daily attendance will be determined by the number of sessions a student attends on any given day. Based on state law, a student is marked present for the day if they attend >50% of classes.  A student is considered present for half of the day if they attend between 26-50% of classes.

Absences will be recorded as excused or unexcused, in accordance with our policies:

• Absences will be considered excused if they fall into one of the following categories and documentation is submitted to the school: illness, hospital stay, medical appointments, observation of holidays of the student’s own faith, visitation with a parent who is a member of the armed forces, death in the immediate family.  You can submit documentation by:

  • Emailing it to hello@opportunitiesacademy.org

  • Faxing it to 504.814.1721

  • Bringing it to front office during the hours of 9 am - 3 pm.

• Absences will be considered unexcused if they do not fall into a category outlined above or if documentation is not provided.

OA provides each student with an OA shirt when they enroll. We encourage students to make their own choices when choosing what to wear each day, as enrolling at OA is a milestone toward becoming more independent.

Though OA does not follow a strict dress code, students are expected to dress appropriately for work. This could mean wearing an apron, nametag, or OA shirt for their shift at work each morning. To ensure that students are prepared each day, please make sure he or she has an OA shirt with them or at school each day along with any rain gear (poncho, umbrella, or extra set of clothes. Ask your OA student about any additional work dress code requirements.

If you would like to purchase additional shirts, you can call the main office at 504-503-1421 to pay by card, or send your student with $15 to cover the cost of an additional shirt.

Student Handbook

Student Handbook - Vietnamese

Student Handbook - Spanish

Students are expected to come to school with materials needed for work, including those for inclement weather. Students should bring a backpack for their personal and school-issued belongings, and are responsible for them throughout the day.

More information can be found in our handbook.

OA provides door-to-door transportation for students through our partnership with Apple Transportation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding bus transportation, please contact Kathleen Coverick at 504-503-1421.

Adult Protective Services: (337) 447-5338

DCSF Hotline: 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437)

Louisiana Homework Hotline: http://www.homeworkla.org/