Title
Honoring and recognizing the teachers, staff, and students of Chester A. Arthur Elementary School for being selected as a finalist for the T4 World's Best School Prize.
Body
WHEREAS, Chester A. Arthur Elementary School is a K-8 public school located in the Graduate Hospital section of South Philadelphia which proudly serves over 300 students and their families. In recognition of the school’s groundbreaking work to initiate restorative approaches to conflict resolution and school discipline, Arthur was selected in June, 2023, as a finalist for a World’s Best School Prize by T4 Education; and
WHEREAS, T4 Education’s World’s Best School Prizes recognize schools from around the world in five categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives. Arthur Elementary has been named a finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, which is granted to the school that has made the greatest strides to “provide access, relevance, and opportunities for students, staff, and the community to develop healthy habits, behaviors, knowledge, and skills”; and
WHEREAS, Arthur Elementary’s nomination for a World’s Best School Prize extends from the school’s efforts to reduce and eliminate suspensions among its racially and economically diverse community, where 63% of students identify as ethnic minorities, by implementing a restorative approach to conflict resolution which stresses social and emotional skill building, mindfulness, coping skills, and other topics that are important to young learners’ mental health. While nearly 8% of students faced out-of-school suspensions in the 2017-18 academic year, today this number is nearly zero; and
WHEREAS, Under the visionary leadership of Principal Mary Libby, the transformational journey towards restorative practices began four years ago, with the aim of fostering a restorative approach to conflict resolution by empowering students to take responsibility for resolving conflicts and providing them with effective tools for communication and problem-solving; and
WHEREAS, The implementation of restorative approaches to conflict resolution has resulted not only in a significant reduction in out-of-school suspensions, but has also created a supportive and inclusive environment where students have the opportunity to learn and grow while acknowledging the harm caused by their actions and actively seeking restoration; and
WHEREAS, This recognition bestowed upon Chester A. Arthur Elementary as a finalist for the T4 prize highlights the outstanding achievements of this diverse and welcoming Philadelphia public school community. The positive impact of their efforts will be felt for years to come and the example set by the Arthur Elementary community will serve as a model for schools across Philadelphia and worldwide; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA hereby honors and recognizes the teachers, staff, and students of Chester A. Arthur Elementary School for being selected as a finalist for the T4 World's Best School Prize.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Chester A. Arthur Elementary School as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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