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Learning Bags Engage New Orleans Students & Help Bridge Learning Gaps

Orleans Parish used $1M in Title I funds to partner with Catapult Learning, delivering nearly 7,500 Learning Bags. These hands-on kits boosted family engagement and helped hundreds of students build critical skills at home.
September 15, 2024

In spring 2023, Catapult Learning’s Title I school partners in Orleans Parish (New Orleans) received $1 million in carryover funding set to expire that September. To maximize the impact of these funds, Orleans Parish partnered with Catapult Learning to create a plan where students received one of our popular Learning Bags each month.

What Are Learning Bags?

Learning Bags are carefully curated, age-appropriate resources designed by our academic experts to enhance students’ critical reading, math, and science skills while promoting mental well-being. Each bag engages students in hands-on, real-world learning activities that stretch their abilities and spark curiosity.

Bridging Learning Gaps Through Family Engagement

Learning Bags are effective, interactive tools that can narrow learning gaps by:

  • Establishing regular family reading routines
  • Empowering families to actively participate in their child’s learning
  • Providing a structure for parents to support reading and play at home
  • Connecting classroom learning to real-world applications
  • Sparking meaningful discussions between children and their families

By the Numbers

Learning Bags were shared with all our Title I school partners in the Orleans Parish, meaning hundreds of students in New Orleans received or will receive high-quality learning materials they can use at school or at home. In 2023-24, Learning Bags were brought to the schools monthly and distributed to students; in 2024-25, the Learning Bags are being delivered directly to students’ homes.

Title I Schools in Orleans Parish

2023-2024
2024-2025

Students Receiving Learning Bags

2023-2024
2024-2025

Bags Delivered/To be Delivered*

2023-2024
2024-2025

*between August and May

What did previous recipients of Learning Bags have to say?

“Our families and students were blown away by these Learning Bags. From the
bottom of our hearts, thank you!”

Marie Abad

William K. Moore Elementary School

“All the teachers and students were so excited! Thank you so much…it was like Christmas for the kids!”

Donna Carlisle

Counselor at Ruben P. Diaz Elementary School

“We just wanted to say thank you for the Learning Bags. Our students and parents were thrilled!”

Liz Occhuito

Learning Strategist at Charlotte & Jerry Keller Elementary School

Orleans Parish Students and Schools Enjoy and Benefit from Learning Bags

Orleans Parish schools, students, and their families were—and continue to be—incredibly appreciative of the Learning Bags, which have included themes such as:

  • STEM Maker
  • Fiction/Non-Fiction
  • Robotics with Supplies
  • Inventors and Inventions
  • Enhanced Financial Literacy
  • Mind & Brain
  • Game & Gear Math and Literature

Our New Orleans school partners and their students expressed much gratitude, sharing that they’ve truly enjoyed and benefited from the engaging and education resources within each Learning Bag.

Conclusion

With engaging materials that emphasize literacy, math, mental health, and more, Learning Bags provide students and families with the necessary resources to work on these skills at home, after school, and even during the summer.

For more information about how our Learning Bags can help your students, download our catalog.