Education: A Comprehensive Look At Charters And What They Mean For Philadelphia’s Education
It is 4:20 p.m. and the security line at the school district’s Education Center was beginning to grumble with agitation. A mother clutched a poster-board using it as a fan as she stood in line in the heavy humid air. The small crowd took steps forward almost in unison, rushing to the auditorium hoping to […]
Oxford Circle: With New Curriculum At Carnell, Students Focus On Solutions
Laura H. Carnell Elementary School was one of four schools given approval by the School District of Philadelphia to redesign the academic structure of their school. The other schools are Chester Arthur Elementary, Jenks Academy for the Arts & Science and Tilden Middle School. Project Based Learning (PBL), through the national curriculum organization Expeditionary Learning (EL), is […]
Kensington: Organization Unites Community To Save Classrooms And Empower Educators
Over the past few years, the educational funding crisis in Philadelphia has continued to cut jobs and important programs while class sizes have grown, leaving many classrooms with a lack of basic resources and a teacher to student ratio of 16 to 1. Philadelphia school budgets began being cut in 2011, when the Philadelphia School […]
Education: The Kids Aren’t Alright
The cause of Philadelphia’s failing public schools has been attributed to anything from budget stalemates in Harrisburg, to misappropriation of past federal stimulus money, to district officials determined to live above their means. Whatever the cause, the effect is the same: students are suffering. Forced to adapt to the limited resources afforded them in the […]
North Philadelphia : Principal Makes an Impact on Young Lives, Community
“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 – school leader, community powerhouse and change advocate. However, for the past six years she’s focused her energy on revitalizing […]
Logan: Catholic High School Offers Healthy Meals Through Eatiquette
Most school lunch programs aren’t very health-conscious. Things such as chicken nuggets, frozen pizza and hot dogs are typical daily menu items in a high school lunchroom. The Vetri Foundation wanted to change this and find a way to deliver fresh and healthy and fresh food to schools throughout the Philadelphia area. In 2011, renowned […]
Arts & Entertainment: Organizations Bring Dance and Theater to Classrooms
For two years now, Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite has had heightened concerns in regards to whether Philadelphia public schools will begin classes as scheduled at the start of the academic year, or if increased layoffs and budget cuts will be the best way to ensure that schools open on time. Currently, officials claim the school district is projected […]
Kensington: Ministry Keeps Musical Dreams Alive
Saturday afternoons inside The West Kensington Ministry are filled with the voices of excited young kids and the melodies floating off of the instruments they are so diligently learning to play. The West Kensington Ministry music program began within the last year and was put together by Caroline LaRochelle with the help of the ministry’s […]
South Philadelphia: Vietnamese Community United in Prayer
A chanting voice flows out of the top floor windows of the Chua Bo De Buddhist Temple in South Philadelphia. A drum beat signals the followers to recite the mantra. Draped in plain blue robes, they crouch down on the floor and plant their heads in the red carpet. The smoky scent of incense wafts […]
Cedar Park: Music Program Proves Instrumental to Young Students
The major budget cuts the School District of Philadelphia had to endure had a direct impact on music and art programs throughout the schools. Established in 2011 at St. Francis De Sales School, Play On, Philly! has been able to provide students with another way to learn musical instruments in a school setting. Play On, […]