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File #: 120088    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 2/9/2012 In control: Committee on Education
On agenda: Final action:
Title: Calling on the City Council Committee on Education to Hold Hearings on Changes in Schools and Their Impact on Neighborhoods in Which they Reside.
Sponsors: Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Jones, Council President Clarke, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Quiñones Sánchez, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember O'Brien, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Green, Councilmember O'Neill
Attachments: 1. Signature12008800.pdf
Title
Calling on the City Council Committee on Education to Hold Hearings on Changes in Schools and Their Impact on Neighborhoods in Which they Reside.
Body
WHEREAS, Changes to schools including closings, programming, boundaries, and administration impact students, parents, and the surrounding community; and

WHEREAS, After-school evening, weekend, and summer school program closings including cuts to sports, music, and the arts are being proposed; and

WHEREAS, School boundaries have been changed impacting which schools students can and cannot attend in their neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, West Philadelphia High School is in search of a new school superintendent who's relationship and partnership with the community is necessary and important; and

WHEREAS, Proposed school closings across the City will impact all students in all schools, particularly concerning transportation, and relocating students to schools which are already at maximum capacity; and

WHEREAS, Students, parents, community and neighborhood leaders have expressed concern about the proposed changes; and

WHEREAS, We have been meeting with Pedro Ramos, Chairman, School Reform Commission, representatives from the Mayor's Office of Education, stakeholders from the educational community, and residents in the neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, All stakeholders have meaningful and important ideas and opinions about the proposed changes that are respected and need to be expressed in an open, public forum; and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes and decrease in opportunities available for students by their school will have a direct impact on neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Increases in drop-out rate, crime, and detrimental impacts to quality of life for Philadelphia school students and their families are major concerns; and

WHEREAS, Student success is contingent upon schools' implementing consistent, well-organized, long term programs and having a relationship with parents, community and neig...

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