Monday September 26, 2011

Ushering In A New School Year

A few weeks ago, teachers and staff welcomed students back to a new school year.  The new school year marks an important milestone for our work here at PCCY. Recent resignations of School Reform Commissioners Robert Archie and Johnny Irizarry, along with Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, leave the District in a state of transition and your support for schools is needed more than ever.

With major leadership changes in the District and proposed legislation regarding the future of the School Reform Commission (SRC), the time is now to start the dialogue.  Join us for a discussion on school governance Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 5:30pm.  Get more information and register today.

Over the summer, we've been working hard for the region's children.  Here are a few updates...

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First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of kindergarten was a successful reminder of our spring efforts to maintain the program. PCCY’s health and education team visited Lea and Harrington Elementary to greet parents and provide free pencils with PCCY’s Child HealthWatch Helpline.  Do you know a child that needs health insurance?  Call us at 215-563-5848 x17.

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Zero Tolerance Victory

In August, the School District removed Zero Tolerance language from the Student Code of Conduct. This victory comes as a major win for PCCY. Over the past five years we’ve worked hard to propose positive alternatives to ineffective practices that come along with Zero Tolerance initiatives. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission report now includes Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), which we have long advocated for as a recommended alternative to zero tolerance. 

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Charter School Legislation

Proposed charter school legislation has been introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate and House that would expand the number of charter schools in Pennsylvania.  PCCY took this opportunity to make recommendations for a stronger charter school bill, which promotes greater accountability and transparency, access for all of our children and improving the relationship between charter and traditional public schools.  Through meetings with charter school stakeholders, research and the input of our Education Committee, we prepared a policy paper, "Pennsylvania Charter School Law" that we hope will shape the charter school legislation.

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School Library Update

PCCY is currently working on a response to the Pennsylvania Department of Education's library report which shows that Philadelphia has a disproportionately low number of schools with libraries.

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