Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools
A grass-roots organization of parents, community members, and school staff, fighting to defend public education. We work together to provide analysis and demand accountability from the School District of Philadelphia to provide students with a high-quality education.
by Dr. Cheri Micheau
As I have mentioned numerous times, it would be very helpful to the public if Board meetings could include reports from various offices at 440 about ongoing projects and initiatives, as well as reorganization and important changes. Following are several requests for information that should be a part of updates at upcoming meetings:
Remarks to Philadelphia Board of Education and
Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools (APPS)
Grand and God Parent of Students in Philadelphia public schools,
grades 3, 5 and 8.
Kindergartner starts in the fall
by Barbara McDowell Dowdall
We learn every day that no one is safe in our gun mad United States,
including Philadelphia — both inside and outside our schools. APPS
member families and their students have been no exception to these
tragedies.
It is understandable that the Board this evening is considering taking
action in a variety of areas: Active Shooter Training (sounds horrifying)
that will include “age appropriate books and activities for elementary
aged students related to active shooter and emergency response
preparation,” additional funds to the Philadelphia Police Department, and…
by Cynthia Wright
Good evening, Superintendent Watlington and School Board Members. My
name is Cynthia Wright, and I am the Youth Leadership Development Manager
for the Salvation Army of Philadelphia Kroc Center. I had the opportunity to
attend the back-to-school night at the John B. Kelly Elementary school in
Germantown in the fall. It was at this event that I learned about the school’s Library Volunteers Program.
I decided immediately that I wanted to be a part of this very important
program.
by Lynda Rubin
My topic is Student Social/Emotional Needs after Covid and I will speak to that. However, I must address the Speaker Notification problem. I was notified on Tuesday that I could not speak but would be notified by 4:00 – 4:30 pm on Wednesday if that changed — and I wasn’t. I received an email this morning sent at 7:15 am, that I could speak but which I didn’t see until later and could have missed it. This only highlights the failures of the Speaker Notification Policy.
Now – Trauma and Violence post Covid.
I was moved to speak today by Tuesday’s Inquirer article about increased stress and violence in schools after Covid. School Safety Chief Keven Bethel stated, “It’s happening on a regular basis, and we’re worried.” The look in his eyes in the photo was telling.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools