Events
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Do you have an aging or disabled person in your family?
Need Help for a Loved One?
Do you have an aging or disabled person in your family?
Would you like to receive help getting them the services they need and
deserve?
PLEASE JOIN US AT INFORMATION FAIR!
WHEN: May 3, 2008; 12:00- 2:00
WHERE: Father Sullivan Hall (Right behind I.H.M. School)
819 Cathedral Road
Philadelphia, PA 19128
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE... [More Signing On]
-United Cerebral Palsy Social Services
-Vision for Equality
-Liberty Resources
-Autism Sharing and Parenting
-Temple University Institute on Disabilities
-Law Office of Joseph Romano
-Philadelphia Mental Health / Mental Retardation Office
-Philadelphia Corporation for Ageing
-Office of Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities
-Speaking for Ourselves
-State Senator Shirley Kitchen’s Office
-Philadelphia ARC
-Catholic Cares Options for the Elderly
-Marion Bolger Recreational Program
-Roxborough YMCA
-Department of Public Welfare
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAIR, CALL JOE & RITA MCGRATH AT (215)487-7651
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3rd Annual Parent Conference! PARENTS PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS”
The School District of Philadelphia
Office of Specialized Services
3rd Annual Parent Conference
PARENTS PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS”
Would you like to learn fun and creative ways to help your child over the summer with math and reading?
Join us and you will:
Create Make and Take activities
Create games that are Fun and Educational
Learn Strategies to use over the summer break
Friday, June 6, 2008
8:30 am to 3:30 pm Education Center
440 North Broad Street
Conference Room 1075
For registration forms or additional information, please call JoAnne Eggleston at (215) 400-6065 or email jeggleston@phila.k12.pa.us
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
REGISTER TODAY
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WILL BE SERVED
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Education Info
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SRC Parent/Community Group Roundtable
SRC Parent/Community Group Roundtable
Sponsors
“A Meeting with the South Region”
Do you have questions or concerns about your school? Come out, meet the South Regional team, and get valuable information concerning your school and region.
Come and Meet:
John Frangipani, South Regional Superintendent
Brenda B. Taylor, Associate Superintendent of OSS
Amy Maisterra, Executive Director of OSS
Mitch Cohen, Special Education Director of South Region
Kim Hunt, Special Education Director of the Restructured Region
Allen Wiley, School District of Philadelphia Transportation Dept.
Sandra Jackson, Nursing Supervisor for the South Region
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Barratt Middle School
1599 Wharton Street
A LIGHT MEAL WILL BE SERVED
Ms. Arenda Bethel, chairperson, SRC Parent/Community
(215) 549-9356
Mr. Vernard Johnson, Southeast PA Network fro Family Health and Welfare
(215) 729-0532
For Additional Information Please Call:
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EMO Public Meeting - May 1 and 2, 2008
April 24, 2008
Dear All:
The School District of Philadelphiawill conduct a public meeting to review the progress,
thus far, of the schools in the Education Management Organization(EMO)/Restructured
Region. The meetings will be held at Ben Franklin High School, located at 550 N. Broad
Street, on Thursday, May 1, 2008, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, or Friday, May 2, 2008,
from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. These two dates are being provided so that you can attend
the meeting that best fits your schedule.
The presentation will include a report of the data analysis for all schools in
the EMO/Restructured Region. Principals, staff, students, and parents of schools in
Corrective Action II are also invited to attend one of these meetings.
We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Cassandra W. Jone
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School and District Budgets
Parents United for Public Education
2227 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132
215-236-2100
email: parentsunitedphila@gmail.com
http://parentsunitedphila.googlepages.com/
April 25, 2008
Parents win back $$ for art/music mandate,
more public budget hearings
Parents United for Public Education along with many partner groups including Philadelphia Home and School Council and local school associations, JUNTOS, Germantown Clergy Initiative and parents citywide, wants to share the following recent victories around the budget:
Schools to get $6.7 million for art and music: The District is returning $6.7 million in school funds to help offset the cost of the art/music mandate. Every school will get between $18,000-$42,000 (approx.), depending on its size. Every school is required to have either a part time art or music teacher (at a minimum). Schools who already have either art or music will receive the funds to offset their purchase.
SRC holds more public budget hearings:
The SRC will hold two additional public hearings on the budget: May 7th (in the evening) and May 14th.
The public can also comment on the budget by emailing the SRC at budget09@phila.k12.pa.us
At the April 23rd budget hearing, more than 20 parents testified to the need for more open, honest dialogue with parents, schools and students, as well as the disconnect between luxuries at the District level ($20,000/day CEO advisory panel, $25,000 in foliage to spruce up the atrium, a $2.5 million SRC budget) and constant struggles at the school level. A number of parents from Nebinger and Southwark raised concerns about declining services for basic translation for immigrant communities even though immigrant populations are increasing. Greenfield parents raised concerns about teacher cuts in ESOL and special ed.
SRC commissioners emphasized that budgets were still in draft format with suggestions from the public welcome. The SRC will hold two additional budget hearings, one on May 7th (likely to be in the evening), the other on May 14th. The budget is scheduled for approval May 28th.
TAKE ACTION! Testify!
City Council public hearings on the School District budget: Tues., April 29th, 1:30 -3 p.m., 5:30-7 p.m. Call Council at 215-686-3407.
School District public budget hearing, Wed., May 7th and Wed., May 14th. Call 215-400-4500 to testify.
Email the SRC: budget09@phila.k12.pa.us with the following points:
Return school discretionary funds: While we are grateful for the return of funds, most schools are still struggling to recoup losses. School discretionary funds are cut by around 5% for the third year in a row. Those funds pay for critical things like teachers and programs and aides no longer supplied by the District.
Relieve overcrowding: Class size relief may have been implemented for CA2 schools but not for the most overcrowded schools. More than 100 classes are beyond the class size maximum with no plans for reduction.
Clarify the District’s plans for cutting academic programs: School operations is the category most vulnerable to reductions in next year’s budget, with almost $60 million to be cut even with a best case scenario for full state funding. What are the top categories where the District plans to cut?
Transpasses eliminated for 7,000 kids? Currently the District plans to save $4.27 million by extending the qualifying distance for transpasses from 1.5 miles to 2 miles. Without subsidized tokens this is a punishing situation for children and families in the middle and high school years.
Reduce external contracts: There has been very little change in the amount of money going to alternative education providers, EMOs, and other external contractors. Poor contract management has made the news lately from CBOs to charters to the school providers failing to do what’s promised or improperly managing funds (in some cases). Rein in the contracting in the district. Cut the SRC’s $1.68 million contracts account.
Clarify plans for school closings: With declining enrollment, the District has stated its intent to consolidate and close schools. It paid a contractor CRE to complete a report. The report must be made public. Any schools targeted for closing or consolidation must be immediately identified.
Librarian mandate shelved: The unfunded mandate on school librarians/LIMAs was rescinded but shouldn't be forgotten. Many schools with libraries lack personnel to staff them. Many schools are waiting for their deserved libraries. Most of these are at the elementary level. We can't complain about 48% grade level reading rates for third graders, when we have cut opportunities for children to access books, libraries and literary enrichment.
This information was provided by Parents United for Public Education, an all-volunteer collective of public school parents working to ensure accountability and achievement as the baselines of the School District's budget, as well as fighting for a full and just funding formula for schools.
Parents United for Public Education is an independent group of parents working for fiscal accountability; a public process and parent voice in decision-making; and setting priorities that place kids and classrooms first in the School District's budget. For more information, please contact Aissia Richardson, 215-236-2100, or Helen Gym, 215-808-1400. If you do not wish to receive emails, please respond back to parentsunitedphila@gmail.com. Visit us online at http://parentsunitedphila.googlepages.com/.
How you can have a voice:
Contact:
Your state legislator: let them know that you want the Governor's education budget to go through.
Your City Council rep: The City is responsible for 40% of the District's funding. Let them know what the
priorities need to be
The SRC: Email your concerns to budget09@phila.k12.pa.us
Write:
a letter to the editor about what matters at your school: views@phillynews.com and why full funding is
important
Speak:
City Council public testimony is tomorrow: 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Register by calling 215-686-3407.
SRC public hearings, May 7th (in the evening) and May 14th. Call 215-400-4500.
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Transition
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Moving from High School to Post-school Opportunities
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the following teleoconference opportunity: Title: Moving from High School to Post-school Opportunities: Transition Components for High School Redesign2007 - 2008 NASDSE Satellite Conference Series When: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Location: PaTTAN-PittsburghPaTTAN-HarrisburgPaTTAN-King of PrussiaVarious Downlink Sites Time:1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Description: With increased accountability under No Child Left Behind for student outcomes based on high standards and demanding content, many educators and parents are asking questions about transition and its place in high school restructuring. The presenters will discuss the importance of a continuing focus on transition, some of the components and strategies necessary for successful programs, the importance of youth/young adult participation in policy and practice, and the necessary resources to support successful implementation. Target Audience:Special education directors and supervisors; local agency administrative and direct service staff; general and special education teachers; related services staff; paraeducators; higher education faculty; parents; family members; other stakeholders Presenters: Bill East, Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Special Education -- Dr. East provides leadership for NASDSE, an organization that focuses on partnerships for assisting states to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. During his tenure at NASDSE, Dr. East has made numerous speeches across the nation on educational policy and other related matters. Special areas of interest and emerging work include development of deaf education service guidelines and training; transition/vocational rehabilitation initiatives; students with disabilities and juvenile justice; mental health; communities of practice and Response to Intervention (RtI). Carl Suter, Executive Director, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation -- Carl Suter assumed this position in November, 2001. Prior to joining CSAVR, he served as director of the Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services for five years. He oversaw a budget of nearly $500 million dollars that included programs such as vocational rehabilitation, a $300 million dollar in-home care program for persons with disabilities, three schools for children with disabilities and Disability Adjudicative Services for determining eligibility for benefits for Social Security Supplemental Security Income in Illinois. During his tenure as state director, he led sweeping reforms of the Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program to provide world-class customer service to the nearly 70,000 individuals with disabilities served through its programs. Mr. Suter has also served as the executive director of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and as the associate director of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. Carolyn Roman, Young Adult Advocate --Carolyn Roman is attending Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she is currently a senior majoring in speech-language pathology. Ms. Roman has been involved since high school in various volunteer programs focusing specifically on the needs of disabled students. She has also presented on numerous panels across the country on leadership and transition issues for youth with disabilities. She understands that students with special needs often require advocates, and she hopes to make this the focus of her career. Credits offered:Act 48 Clock Hours You may register directly on-line by visiting www.pattan.net and entering the Registration On-line page. For registration information, please contact: Kristen Olszyk at 412-826-6848 or via email at kolszyk@pattan.net. To obtain directions to PaTTAN, please select the appropriate location: PaTTAN Harrisburg:http://www.pattan.net/contact/pattanharrisburg.aspx PaTTAN King of Prussia:http://www.pattan.net/contact/PaTTANKingofPrussia.aspx PaTTAN Pittsburgh:http://www.pattan.net/contact/pattanpittsburgh.aspx
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GRADUATION COMPETENCY ASSESSMENTS
PCCY in collaboration with Project U-Turn
invite you to JOIN US for a
Roundtable Conversation on the proposed
GRADUATION COMPETENCY ASSESSMENTS
Wednesday, April 30, 10 a.m. - 12 noon
United Way Building, 18th & Parkway
Lobby 2 & 3
DETAILS: The Pa. Board of Education has proposed Graduation Competency Assessments to put an accountability system in place to insure that Pa. high school graduates will have demonstrated their mastery of core academic standards. While many have welcomed these assessments others are concerned about the impact on drop out rates and the remediation supports necessary. The roundtable will provide an opportunity for attendees to explore the relationship between the proposed GCAs and the academic and career readiness of Philadelphia’s students. JOIN US!
Contact: Sheila Simmons, PCCY Education Director, 215-563-5848, ext. 12, sheilas@pccy.org
Sheila Simmons, Education Director
Public Citizens for Children and Youth
Seven Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sixth Floor
Philadelphia, Pa 19103
215-563-5848 x 12 / 215-563-9442
www.pccy.org / sheilas@pccy.org
Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth is now PUBLIC Citizens for Children and Youth to better reflect our regional focus. This message contains information that may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive on behalf of the addressee), you may not use, copy, forward, or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and to info@pccy.org and delete the message. Thank you.
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