Title
Recognizing, congratulating, and celebrating the Clara Barton School on the distinguished occasion of its 100-year Anniversary, commemorating a century of early childhood academic excellence.
Body
WHEREAS, The Clara Barton School is a longstanding public elementary school located in the Feltonville neighborhood of Philadelphia. For a century, it has served as a cornerstone of early childhood education in the City; and
WHEREAS, The school is named after Clara Barton (1821-1912), an educator, Civil War nurse, and founder of the American Red Cross. Barton began her career teaching in underserved communities and was instrumental in establishing free public education in New Jersey. Her legacy as a humanitarian and advocate for public service is central to the school's identity; and
WHEREAS, The Clara Barton School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 due to its distinctive Art Deco design and architectural significance. The school was designed by Irwin T. Catharine, a prominent architect who served as chief architect for the Philadelphia School District from 1920 to 1937. He played a key role in shaping the visual identity of public education in Philadelphia during the early 20th century; and
WHEREAS, The Clara Barton School focuses on developing inquisitive, self-motivated learners through rigorous instruction, technology integration and a supportive environment. The school emphasizes literacy across subjects, social and emotional growth, and personalized learning to help each student reach their full potential. It believes all students can succeed when given high expectations and tailored support; and
WHEREAS, Since 2009, Principal Colleen Bowen has led the school, implementing a Readers and Writers Workshop model that significantly improved literacy instruction. Under her leadership, the school's overall rating on the School Progress Report increased by one full level; and
WHEREAS, Clara Barton's excellence in literacy instru...
Click here for full text