Voices From Our Public Schools

it takes a community

[parentstories]

On October 6th, South Philadelphia High School held their 2nd Annual Commitment Ceremony for the 9th grade class. Families, Community Members, Partners, and Staff cheered them one as they received their pledges to graduate. Ninth Grade counselor, Emily Goodman encouraged students to look out into the crowd. "These are the faces of the village that will get you to 2020"  Prior to the event, students wrote their own personal commitments that highlighted the importance of being accountable to themselves and their communities. These pledges will decorate the hallways of the school as reminder of the commitments they have made. 

[parentstories]

On October 6th, South Philadelphia High School held their 2nd Annual Commitment Ceremony for the 9th grade class. Families, Community Members, Partners, and Staff cheered them one as they received their pledges to graduate. Ninth Grade counselor, Emily Goodman encouraged students to look out into the crowd. "These are the faces of the village that will get you to 2020"  Prior to the event, students wrote their own personal commitments that highlighted the importance of being accountable to themselves and their communities. These pledges will decorate the hallways of the school as reminder of the commitments they have made. 

We spoke with students, Zykira Gant, Avaya Moore and Aerron Mcknight prior to the ceremony. Watch above to hear their hopes and dreams for the future. 

[parentstories]

On October 6th, South Philadelphia High School held their 2nd Annual Commitment Ceremony for the 9th grade class. Families, Community Members, Partners, and Staff cheered them one as they received their pledges to graduate. Ninth Grade counselor, Emily Goodman encouraged students to look out into the crowd. "These are the faces of the village that will get you to 2020"  Prior to the event, students wrote their own personal commitments that highlighted the importance of being accountable to themselves and their communities. These pledges will decorate the hallways of the school as reminder of the commitments they have made. 

[parentstories]

Bryan Mercer - Parent - Executive Director at Media Mobilizing Project - West Philadelphia

[parentstories]

Blaine Academics Plus School’s Health Fair

[parentstories]

[parentstories]

[parentstories]

Mitchell Elementary School - 100 years and Counting - West Philadelphia

Students, parents, community members came together with City Year Philadelphia at Mitchell Elementary to paint murals inside and out in commemoration of the building turning 100 years old.

[parentstories]

Mitchell Elementary School- Back to School Night-West Philadelphia

“We are Mitchell. this is OUR HOUSE” These words echoed throughout the auditorium of Mitchell Elementary School the night of October 1, 2015. Back to School night was the centennial homecoming kick off for a inclusive community school year. Principal Stephanie Andrewievich, led the chant and charge to a year of academic excellence and more community involvement.

S. Weir Mitchell Elementary is making improvements all across the school. From providing students with a cleaner facility, by ensuring pest control and bathroom clean up, to fundraising for play yard safety mats. Mitchell means business. Principal Andrewievich, encourages the students to look after their school aka their “house”. Which is why she allowed and supported a few 8th grade students to implement a student safety patrol. The patrol helps to supervise other students during yard times. It is an amazing outreach program, and an awesome give back gift from the first graduating 8th grade class.

Mitchell has been a part of the Kingsessing neighborhood for 100 years now. The school has produced many success stories by educating the community children. S. Weir Mitchell Elementary is a school that plans to stay as a second home to its students, teachers, and any community member looking to inspire greatness.

[parentstories]

Jahri Evans Foundation - Steel Elementary School - North Philadelphia

New Orleans’ Saints star and North Philly native Jahri Evans heard through the grapevine that Steel Elementary needed some books. Above, his sisters Carmela Green and Cheryl Hopkins, who attended Steel in their youth, and their mother Katreen Hopkins donated those books to a full auditorium of 7th-graders on behalf of the Jahri Evans Foundation. “We have to remember that sense of community,” parent and event organizer Kendra Brooks reminded students that morning, “Because that’s how we stay strong as a people, that’s how we stay strong as individuals – reaching out to your village.”

[parentstories]

Mitchell Elementary School- Back to School Night-West Philadelphia

Students at Mitchell Elementary draw pictures and write about their love for their school at Back to School Night.

[parentstories]

Mitchell Elementary School- Back to School Night-West Philadelphia

Students at Mitchell Elementary draw pictures and write about their love for their school at Back to School Night.

[parentstories]

Donta’ R. Manning- Parent at Mitchell Elementary- West Philly

“ There was a time when I overheard a student disrespecting a woman teacher. I stopped to listen and heard the young man saying, ‘I don’t have to listen to anyone.’ Then he yelled, ‘shut up’ very loudly to the teacher. I then asked the teacher if she needed my assistance. She said, ‘yes please.’  I then asked the young man to take a walk with me to calm down. During that walk, I found out that he didn’t have any male role models in his life. I told him that I would show him how to be respectful if he would like to and he was my little respectful buddy after it all.”

[parentstories]

Tiffany Scott, Josefa Majik, Julzae Hudson- Disston School- Northeast Philadelphia

Tiffany and Josefa, the mother and grandmother of Julzae appreciate the positive change in Julzae, brought forward by the public education. They are strong advocate for public education, urging all parents to help support the schools. 

“We want to see more families supporting public schools, and I’m all for it!”

[parentstories]

Kate Klahr and Danielle Klahr- Disston School - Northeast Philadelphia

Danielle talks about her appreciation for Disston as a public school that provides special education support for her kids. 

[parentstories]

Principal-Laureal Robinson, Teacher-Morris Reich and Parent- Sheila Armstrong, Spring Garden School, North Philly

The Principal, teacher and parent at Spring Garden School came together to voice the challenges they are facing under the budget cut with deficient resources to help support their children. Fortunately, thanks to the dedicated staff and the strong bond among parent,teacher and staff at Spring Garden, the school managed to stay supportive and caring for the kids. (part 1)

[parentstories]

Principal Laureal Robinson and Teacher Morris Reich–Spring Garden School– North Philly

The dedicated staff and teacher at Spring Garden School volunteer their time and use their own money to make sure that students meet their needs under the budget cut environment. “We make it a great school because we are dedicated, and it is a great school.” (part 2)