This summer, as many of us look back and reflect five years after Hurricane Katrina, the young visionaries of Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools (Rethink) are already looking ahead to New Orleans ten years after the storm.

Rethink held a press conference recently at Langston Hughes Aca­demy to give an update on improvement programs initiated in the past two years and urge local education leaders and school officials to adopt the group’s recommendations for better schools, which in turn, will create a better New Orleans. The theme of the press conference was “Healing Our Schools, Healing our Earth-Vi­sions” for the 5th Anniversary of Katrina.

Members of the group also entertained those in attendance with skits, spoken word and original songs, thanks to the director of the Jazz Hip Hop Orchestra, Angela­mia Bachemin.

“It fills my heart with joy to watch the Rethinkers speak at their news conferences,” Rethink founder Jane Wholey said. “I am reminded each time that children have brilliant ideas about reforming education.”  

Back in 2006, Wholey and a group of community organizers, artists, architects, media experts and educators brought 20 middle-school students together to begin rethinking how area schools could be improved; taking from the experiences of living in other cities while displaced during Hurricane Katrina. The students continued working together throughout the school year to make sure that student voices were at the forefront as New Orleans developed a blueprint for a new school system.

“We spent a great deal of our summer here (Langston Hughes Academy) learning about restorative justice practices, the state of past and present public education in New Orleans and the impact of the oil spill on our schools and out local food economy,” Rethinker Terriana Julien told the audience. Currently, Rethinkers are representative of six area elementary or middle schools and are looking for more students to join.

The group of 30 summer 2010 rethinkers spent six weeks at Langston Hughes, brainstorming and envisioning ideas for change to share with the community. This is the fifth summer Jane Wholey has gathered local students in efforts to put their vision into action.

“Langston Hughes is not only beautiful, but energy efficient, like most schools built after Hurricane Katrina,” Julien added. “We think these schools are some of the best things that has happened in education since the storm. We Re­thinkers think that we are also some of the best things that has happened in education since Katrina.”

Langston Hughes principal Jeanyll Morris agrees. “We are very honored to be a part of this celebration today. This program promotes free and independent thought and I have no doubt that these kids will be the future leaders of this city, if not the city, this country.” She said.

“I happen to also agree with you all in saying that you are the best thing that’s happened since Katrina,” said Sarah Usdin, foun­der and CEO of New Schools for New Orleans. “It’s amazing to me to think of the impact that you guys are having, for not just yourselves, but for adults also. It is an honor and inspiration to learn from you.”

Rethinkers shared their vision for schools as the city approaches the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

“Each morning, all rethinkers will walk into beautiful, sunny schools like Langston Hughes,” Rethinker Arieanna McKnight told those in attendance. “A friendly team of students will meet us at the door, not a metal detector. At lunchtime, our cafeteria will serve fresh cooked and delicious food, bought from local farmers and fishermen. We will have real plates, knives and spoons; anything that has to be thrown away is biodegradable, put into a compost pile and returned to the earth. When kids get into a fight, they aren’t suspended. They work out their problems in a reconciliation circle and repair their relationship.”

In 2007, Rethinkers took on the issues of improving school bathrooms. With the help of founder Jane Wholey, the group designed a 21st Century green bathroom that is clean, earth-friendly and environmentally sustainable. They presented to concept to RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas.

“I’d like to think that we are one of the only districts in the country that has this type of partnership, where students are inspiring us and not only leading by example, but also giving us ideas on how to innovate and how to improve our schools,” Paul Vallas said.

In 2008, focus was school food and cafeterias. “We came together to improve school food,” Re­thinker Victoria Carter said. “Once we got Superintendent Vallas to agree to most of our recommendations, we told him that we knew our job would be to hold his feet to the fire.”

The group shared its first annual Rethink School Food Report, put together by the Rethinkers City-Wide Food Group and Rethink students from Joseph A. Craig Elementary School. Arthur Ashe Charter, Langston Hughes Aca­demy, Edgar P. Harney, Live Oak Elementary, John Dibert Comm­unity School and Joseph A. Craig received grades and recommendations on how to provide healthier lunches, and adopt ideas that environmentally smart.

While conducting research, Craig elementary student Earl Poole learned that approximately 30 bags of trash are thrown away daily from the school lunchroom, which equals to approximately 150,000 pounds a year.

“We think this is unacceptable,” Poole said. “We hope that by next year we will have reusable trays, plates and utensils, and have food that student would rather eat that throw away.”

“Students will see even more changes in the coming year, which includes a change in food vendors,”  Vallas said. “Meals will be prepared in RSD kitchens and vendors will be held to a higher quality when it comes to the taste of the meals. I’m a firm believer that you can have tasty, healthy meals.”

Vallas also stated that the RSD is supportive of the group’s conservation efforts. “We’re very supportive of that cause; this is something we’re exploring. You’ll see that all new school building and renovated buildings will become recycling factories, so to speak.”

Another key ingredient to a better school environment is safety and conflict resolution, according to the Rethinkers. The group also introduced a pilot program that will train staff and students at Langston Hughes on innovative ways to resolve conflict and remedy violence.

The Restorative Justice Program, funded by a grant from the Neigh­borhood Housing Services, will allow all parties involved in conflict to come together to discuss what may have caused the problem and how to solve it;  instead of suspending students involved in altercations.

“A reconciliation circle is a place for students to come together and work out their problems and come up with solutions,” Rethinker George Carter said. “We chose a garden space because we know Mother Nature can help you get in a better mood to solve your problems.”

The group made a lasting impression on Dr, Beverly Title, national consultant trainer in violence prevention and at-risk youth, and director of Teaching Peace.

“I imagine you’re as impressed as I am,” Dr. Title told those in attendance. “You have so many treasures here in New Orleans, but none shine brighter than these re­thinkers.”

Dr. Title has been involved in restorative justice programs in Colorado since 1996. Colorado has made great strides in implementing restorative practices into schools that experienced issues of violence and conflict.

"At North High School, which is one of Denver’s toughest schools, in the three years they used restorative justice programs, school fights have dropped from 36 to 24 percent, and just last year, down to seven percent. We know that students learn better when there in an environment where they feel safe and respected,”  Dr. Title said.

According to Dr. Title, along with Denver, several schools in Oakland and San Francisco have added restorative justice practices to their discipline polices. This will be the first restorative justice program in an elementary school in the state of Louisiana.

“One of my dreams is to sit in this reconciliation circle with young people here in New Orleans; what a brilliant piece of architecture they’re designed to serve the purpose. I salute you for this.”

“RSD will certainly step up our efforts to continue to work with these young people and take their recommendations very seriously,” Superintendent Vallas added. “I think you see evidence that we’ve have responded.”

Vallas also stated that the RSD will be very receptive in assisting the group in providing restorative justice coaches in schools.

Though it may seem ambitious, Rethinkers are even contemplating ways to eliminate dependency on oil. “We’re partnering with the U.S. Green Building Council to make a movie about oil-free schools,” Rethinker Danny Do told those in attendance. “We know our dream is a big one, but we want to share our recommendations on how schools can start moving in the right direction.”

Do’s family has been directly affected by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; his father is a shrimper.

“If we want to prevent another oil spill, we need to start weaning ourselves off of this product and begin searching for new ideas. Now is the perfect time and schools are a great place to start,” Do added.

For more details on Rethink reports and recommendations, or how you can contribute to Rethink, visit www.therethinkers.com.

This article was originally published in the July 26, 2010 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper