Articles by Lora C Strum

Philadelphia has had a big year. It’s welcomed the pope, honored the Dalai Lama and was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO. But behind the scenes is a building crisis: its schools are failing. [continue reading…]

It’s a busy Monday morning at Andrew Jackson Elementary School in South Philadelphia when two kindergarteners walk into the front office, one with wet pants. As the little boy begins to tearfully explain how he [continue reading…]

Despite taking her turn as a backup singer for artists such as Celine Dion and Michael Bolton, Dorina Morrow demurs when asked to sing in the middle of her office. Morrow, the vocal director at the Philadelphia [continue reading…]

For the 50 students in Dorina Morrow’s advanced vocal music class at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA,) the choir room is their stage. Standing three stairs deep in front of [continue reading…]

“The visual arts help develop sustained focus and articulation of the decision making process,” said Helen Haynes, chief cultural officer for the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy at the A+ [continue reading…]

“One band. One sound. And the beat goes on,” said Dunbar Promise Academy Principal Dawn Moore of her dedication to unity amongst herself, her school and her community. In her position, Moore wears many hats [continue reading…]

Archdiocese Catholic school students found a new document slipped into their application and entrance packets: The Memorandum of Understanding. The decree, released earlier this month from the office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires all [continue reading…]

It’s the eighth largest district in the country and one of the two poorest. Despite tying with urban Chicago school districts for the most financially disadvantaged, The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) remains one of [continue reading…]