Mind + Body: November 2018
Engaged in Learning: International High School of New Orleans is the first school in the city to use new cell phone pouches to lessen distractions in the classroom.
With the start of the 2018-2019 school year, International High School of New Orleans decided to make a change: to become a cellphone-free zone. Students can no longer text, answer calls or browse social media during the school day thanks to new security pouches for cellphones. The initiative is the first of its kind in New Orleans, and these secure pouches — manufactured by Yondr — ensure that students don’t have access to their cellphones during school hours.
IHSNO students are now required to put their cellphones inside a Yondr pouch at the start of the school day. The pouch remains locked during school hours, but students maintain possession of their phones inside the pouch. It is unlocked at the end of the school day. With three check-in and checkout stations, it only takes about 10 minutes to get all phones locked and unlocked. There are currently 350 to 400 pouches in use at IHSNO daily.
The main idea behind the program is to ensure that students spend less time on their cellphones and more time learning and engaging with other students and teachers. To date, Yondr pouches are used in more than 600 schools across the United States. They have also been used around the world at music concerts, in courtrooms and during comedy performances.
Running for Good: The Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic has announced the local charities accepted into its 2019 Run For It! Program.
The Crescent City Classic, a 10K race that takes place next year on April 20, will directly benefit 24 local charities that include 14 returning nonprofits and 10 new additions. Each of the 501c3 organizations has already started raising funds, which they can do through the 41st running of the race. Last year’s Run For It! charities received more than $1 million in direct contributions.
Nonprofits have the option to buy 100, 75, 50 or 25 bibs at a discounted rate of $40 per a bib from the Crescent City Classic. Participants who choose to run for charity pay an initial discounted registration fee of $40 and agree to raise a minimum of $200 for their charity. Participating charities must also provide 20 volunteers on race day, and all money raised through charity registrations goes directly to the nonprofits.
Charities for the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic Run For It! Program include Covenant House New Orleans, Girls on the Run, Teram Gleason, Son of a Saint, Youth Run Nola, LASPCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Habitat for Humanity New Orleans, Ronald McDonald House and Junior League New Orleans among others.
The next race in the 2018 Race Series is the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic Fall Classic, taking place Nov. 3 at New Orleans City Park. The race is the only qualifier for the 2019 Crescent City Classic at the 5K distance.
The 10K Crescent City Classic course begins in Downtown News Orleans in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and continues through the French Quarter and along Esplanade Avenue. It finishes at City Park, where a concert festival is held immediately following the event for all the runners and walkers. A two-day Health & Fitness Expo, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the Thursday and Friday prior to the race.
Two Nights, One Cause: The annual Boudin, Bourbon & Beer and Carnivale du Vin return to New Orleans this month.
The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, founded in 2002 by Chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife Alden, is a nonprofit public charity created to inspire, mentor and enable youth to reach their full potential through culinary, nutrition and arts education. The foundation is once again holding its signature events, the Boudin, Bourbon & Beer festival (held at Champions Square Nov. 9), followed by the nationally recognized charity wine auction and gala Carnivale du Vin (held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Nov. 10).
Boudin, Bourbon & Beer is one of the region’s premier outdoor food and music festivals, featuring creative dishes and hand-crafted spirits from more than 70 of the country’s best chefs. This year’s event features musical acts Railroad Earth, Donavon Frankenreiter, Lillie Mae and Honey Island Swamp Band. Meanwhile, Carnivale du Vin — the foundation’s black-tie gala — showcases the very best in food, wine and entertainment, all while raising funds for children’s charities. All-inclusive tickets for food, beverage and live entertainment at Boudin, Bourbon & Beer are on sale for $135 in advance and $150 on the day of the event. Tickets for Carnivale du Vin begin at $1,000. boudinbourbonandbeer.com and carnivaleduvin.com