What is the New Orleans Recovery School District?
The Recovery School District (RSD) is a special state school district designed to take underperforming schools and transform them into successful places for children to learn. Since Katrina 107 schools have been transferred into the RSD.

Who is in charge of the volunteer project?
Troy Peloquin works for the RSD as the Volunteer Coordinator. Before Katrina he was a ninth-grade science teacher. Like so many others, he lost everything in the disaster. Also like so many others, he found his true calling when the levees broke.

Where will our group be working?
We will be working at one of the schools in the RSD, but we don’t know yet which school. Projects are not scheduled until about a week before volunteer groups get to New Orleans. The rain, the heat, the size of groups, and the difficulty of projects make it impossible to determine when projects will be completed.

How do I get to the school where we’ll be working?
Roundtrip transportation to the work site will be provided by ODTUG.
 
Do I have to sign up for the whole day?
No. We have three shifts and you can sign up for the one that best fits your needs.
First shift                    9 AM — 1 PM
Second shift               1 PM — 4 PM
All day                       9 AM — 4 PM
After you have registered for the conference, you will be contacted about your participation and you will be able to select which shift you are interested in.
           
Can a spouse or a friend come with me or is this event just for conference participants?
You absolutely can bring a friend or family member along with you. We need all the help we can get!

My twelve-year-old is with me. Can children help?
Children can help, but please use good judgment. This is not the place for toddlers or children who need watching. If your child can use a rake, a paint brush, or a scrub brush without supervision, then they are the appropriate age to join the group. Child care is not provided at the work site. 

What kind of work will we be doing?
Volunteer groups never do demolition or construction because of insurance concerns. Depending on the school we are assigned to, our group will be landscaping, painting, cleaning, or setting up classrooms at one of the schools. RSD has recently become associated with Portraits of Hope and has received more than 4,000 vinyl artworks. We may be installing some of those.

What should I wear?
You’ll receive an ODTUG Brigade t-shirt when you get on the school bus. You can wear it or take it home as souvenir. It is going to be hot. Wear lightweight clothing, shoes with closed toes (no sandals, please), and be sure to bring sun screen and a hat.

Do I need to bring my own water and food?
A boxed lunch, snacks, and beverages are being provided through the generosity of our corporate sponsors. Their names are printed on your ODTUG Brigade t-shirt.

My co-workers would like to make a donation. How can we do that?
You can collect and donate books or any of the other supplies on the supply list. Of course, you can never go wrong with cash! Take up a collection at your office, your church, or in your neighborhood if you’d like. The best way to handle donations is by purchasing a gift card with the money collected. Troy Peloquin works closely with Barnes and Noble. If your group has something else in mind, like collecting money to be used for football equipment, musical instruments, etc., let us know and we will put you in touch with the appropriate vendor.

I’ve collected a box of supplies. Where can I send it?
Send packages to:
RSD central office
Attn. Troy Peloquin
1641 Poland Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117

Where can I learn more about volunteer projects in the RSD?
You can read more about what needs to be done, what has been done, and who has been doing it.
http://www.gcia.us/documents/FAQsRSD.pdf
www.ccsso.org/projects/scass/mega_scass/documents/ArticleNO.doc
http://www.louisianalife.com/news/news/troy-peloquin-2781.html
http://www.nolapublicschools.net/contacts.aspx
http://www.missoula.com/news/node/840
http://www.ohiostatealumni.org/newscenter/recovery_index.php