The employee newsletter of the School District of Philadelphia CORE TEAM January/February 2012 SDP Honors MLK During Day of Service The School District of Philadelphia embraced the opportunity to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a number of service projects, and community events on January 16, 2012. This year, twenty-five schools participated in the national day of service. Participating schools included: Creighton, Rowan, Prince Hall, Penrose, Frankford, Martin Luther King, Edward W. Bok, Shawmont, Ferguson Academics Plus, A.B. Day, Dunbar, Shaw, Bartram, Kenderton, Pastorius, Germantown, Huey, Comegys, Greenfield, Cleveland, Clymer, Steel, George Washington High School, Henry C. Lea, and South Philadelphia High School. February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time to acknowledge the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Please let us know how you celebrated Black History Month in your schools by emailing coreteam@philasd.org.
Taylor Elementary Embraces Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools Principal, Debra Drossner, Physical Education Teacher, Erica Weidman, and Taylor teachers and staff are working hard to promote a healthy school culture with the help of the Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools. The Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools challenges schools to increase physical activity and the availability of healthy foods and nutritional awareness in schools by creating a Health Improvement Plan (HIP). Taylor has embraced the campaignʼs mission by implementing socialized recess, in-class movement breaks for all grades, the Activity Works program for grades 1-3, use of stability balls as an alternative to chairs in several classrooms, and hosting celebrations for classes that trade junk food for healthy snacks during the day. Teachers at Taylor have been creative in working healthy habits into academics as well. Third grade teacher Kathleen Cornell and her students made a video titled, Angle Aerobics, which features the students moving to a Michael Jackson song while forming various types of angles (acute, right, obtuse). The class also does a movement break called Frozen Polygons during which the students do physical activities until told to freeze. The students must then correctly describe the properties of a particular polygon chosen by the teacher. Second grade Transitional Bilingual Program Teacher Carolena Lescano also found a way to work healthy choices into the curriculum challenging students to bring a healthy snack each day for lunch, instead of the usual chips and flavored drinks. Ms. Lescanoʼs students brought in over 150 healthy snacks from October through December. Lescano will reward students for their efforts with a healthy celebration and literacy project during which students will be asked to make a healthy snack at home as a homework project and then explain the process in writing. 171 schools in the School District of Philadelphia currently participate in The Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools. Congratulations to Taylor for their enthusiasm and success with the program! Interactive ibook Is Appleʼs Solution To Boring Old Textbooks CBS Channel 3, Jan. 20, 2012 I N T H E N E W S! Manatawna-Saul 4-H club take prizes at the Pa. 2012 Farm Show Montgomery Media, Jan. 24, 2012 Philadelphia Renews Help For College-Aspiring High School Students CBS Channel 3, Feb. 09, 2012 Apple has announced its aim to replace a high schoolerʼs backpack full of books with electronic textbooks on an ipad. Teachers are there to help breathe life into words on a page, but when itʼs time for engaging homework, Apple thinks thereʼs room for improvement. With ibooks Author and itunes U, Apple says educators can create their own books and lesson plans and even online courses. The Manatawna-Saul 4-H Club took some prizes in the 96th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The students learned to feed, groom and prepare the animals to be shown. They give up their time on Saturdays to spend at the farm working with their animals. It is exciting to see our Philadelphia students working together and making friendships with students from all over Pennsylvania. The City of Philadelphia wants more students to apply for financial aid for college. The cityʼs third annual launch of the Financing College Campaign was held at City Hall. The event is designed to prepare students and families for college financial obligations. FAFSA is the gateway to getting financial aid, notes Lori Shorr, the cityʼs chief education officer. Core Team, Page 2
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau s Mobile Ag Education Science Lab to visit Decatur The Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a division of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB), will be bringing agriculture education to Stephen Decatur Elementary from February 27 to March 2, 2012. Pennsylvania Farm Bureauʼs Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab creates an opportunity for students to learn about agriculture (Pennsylvaniaʼs No. 1 industry) in a fun and hands-on way. With fewer children having a tie to farming, we created the Ag Lab to help teachers educate more students about the importance of agriculture, said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer. Once stationed at a school, students enter the lab to perform science experiments that teach lessons focused on farm, food, fiber, and the environment. Mobile Lab visits to schools are coordinated with the preparation of teachers and their classes for the science experiments. A certified teacher travels with the lab to lead each class in the science experiments. The lab is equipped with all the materials and supplies needed for the experiments. Examples of the experiments taught in the lab include: germinating seeds under different conditions, creating crayons from soybeans, and testing the water capacity of different soils. District Schools Invited to Participate in Greenfield Youth Film Festival With a focus on nurturing the creative growth of high school students who are interested in filmmaking, the Greenfield Foundation and the School District of Upper Dublin are partnering to present the Fourth annual Greenfield Youth Film Festival. Students will write, direct, and produce short films to be judged by a jury of esteemed academic and industry professionals. CAPA has participated in the invitation-only Greenfield Film Festival for the past three years, and this year Roxborough and Kensington CAPA were invited to participate as well. It is an immense honor for two additional SDP cinematography programs to be invited to participate in this very prestigious student-centered event. Winners will be announced and showcased at a red carpet ceremony at the historic Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA on May 1, 2012. Core Team, Page 3
Hosts Scrabble Winter Classic WHYY I Like This Book Now Accepting Student Applications On January 26th, ASAP hosted the Scrabble Winter Classic in the School District Atrium. More than 150 students from 15 different schools competed in two rounds of Scrabble. After the rounds ended, students received prizes for high scoring plays and exemplary education-related words. Students from Martha Washington Elementary, Howe Elementary, Prince Hall Elementary, Girlʼs High and Vaux Promise Academy took home prizes. The best education word was 'Learn' played by a middle school team from Duckrey School. Students wishing to be considered can complete applications at: www.whyy.org/ education/whyythisbook.html Feeling Creative? Send your Desk Poetry to coreteam@philasd.org. You may also submit photos and captions to accompany your poem. WHYY I Like This Book inspires young readers to share stories about their favorite book. Through this program, WHYY produces a series of reading and literacy-focused/child-centered spots featuring distinguished readers on air, in short pieces answering "WHYY I Like This Book." These spots explore the motivations behind what interests a child about a book -- the topic, the illustrations, the characters, a book that is a family favorite, and how children choose to read what they read expressed in their own words. WHYY encourages librarians, parents, and educators to use WHYY I Like This Book as an opportunity for students to do an extra credit assignment for school, as part of an after school program, as a library activity or as a home project with parents/ guardians. Core Team, Page 4
Mastbaum Hosts Transportation Symposium Over 90 students mingled with experts in the field of transportation On December 16, 2011, Mastbaum Career and Technical High School hosted the first of three Transportation Symposiums planned for this school year. More than 90 automotive technology and electrical students in grades 10-12 attended the symposium, which was funded by the US Department of Transportationʼs 2011 Garrett A. Morgan Transportation Technology and Education Program grant. Industry and educational partners were invited to meet with the students in small groups to discuss post-secondary educational and career opportunities in the transportation sector. Presenters discussed their organization/industry, career prerequisites, and career opportunities including salaries and shared personal insights. Participants included: Robert A. Garrett, PennDOT; Lisa Spruill and Brandon Atwell, City of Philadelphia Fleet Management; William March and Kevin Bradley, Community College of Philadelphia; Linwood Morris and Chester Teagle, Quarter Masters Racing Team (dragster); William Zarzycki (Hybrid Bus-Training), John Miller (Chief Technical Instructor) and Jim Barnshaw (Recruiting), SEPTA; Leslie Porter-Cabell, Consultant, Transportation Learning Center; Steven Herring, Julio Padilla, Nick Gasis, Reggie Moton, Charles Ireland; The School District of Philadelphia. The Districtʼs Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) applied for and received the prestigious GAMTTEP grant for the purpose of exposing female and minority students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)- related transportation careers. Core Team, Page 5
Office DEPOT Senior of the Month Congratulations to Amir Byrd, senior at Carroll High School, and SDPʼs January Senior of the Month. Amir is the Vice President of the ASPIRA Diverse Authority, a member of the school fashion show, and has helped raise money for breast cancer. He is involved in the community through the Nu Sigma Beacon Youth Services, the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools, and the Philadelphia Student Union. His counselor says that he is one student you can always count on to get involved or to help with school functions. He has a great relationship with his peers and his teachers. Congratulations to Rasheeda Luckey, senior at Rhodes High School, and SDP's February Senior of the Month. Rasheeda is a member of the National Honor Society, salutatorian of her class and to date has only missed one day of high school. Rasheeda is proactive and passionate about her education, taking every opportunity to broaden her knowledge. Teachers say Rasheeda is an exceptional individual who embodies critical thinking, dedication and compassion. Vaux High School joins the Get Schooled College Dollars Challenge Beginning on January 17 and running for 9 weeks, The Get Schooled Foundation has challenged dozens of high schools and thousands of high school students to get smart on what it will take to be ready financially and academically for college. The College Dollars Challenge is designed to educate students on real issues related to college access; financial aid, financial literacy, and life planning by engaging them through digital media, celebrity talent and competition challenges. Armando Tolliver, a teacher at Vaux, says, The challenge is a competition but one in which everyone benefits. Vaux is expecting this Get Schooled challenge to increase the schoolʼs college going culture. Good luck Cougars! Core Team, Page 6
Veterans Receive Diplomas at SRC Meeting In January, the School Reform Commission (SRC) awarded diplomas to six veterans. The six men honored were recognized as part of the Pennsylvania law Operation Recognition that authorizes school districts to award diplomas to those who left high school before graduating to serve in the military. Honorees included: Timothy D. Clohessey, Lincoln High, Vietnam War; Frank John Hallinger, Roxborough High, World War II; James Edward Hamms, Benjamin Franklin High, Vietnam; Clarence Edward Reed Jr., Benjamin Franklin High, Vietnam; Roland Amory Smalls, Benjamin Franklin High, Vietnam; and James W. Williams, Northeast High, World War II. Send us your Good News! Do you have a story that you want to see featured in Core Team? Send your story ideas to coreteam@philasd.org. You may also submit photos and captions to accompany your story. Are you seeking publicity for an upcoming event? Submit a request form to the Office of Communications by visiting The District s website at www.philasd.org.. Go to Sitemap - Communications - Forms - Publicity Request Form. Fill out the information and click save to submit. Or connect with us at... facebook.com/phillyeducation youtube.com/phillyeducation TWITTER - @PhillyEducation Core Team, Page 7
Tajae Ramos, Malcolm Bundy, Michele Taylor, Romelllo Holland, and Daja Walker won first and second place awards in January at the Regional FBLA Leadership Conference held at the Community College of Philadelphia. These students are from the Business & Technology CTE program at Roxborough High School and will advance to the State Conference and competition during April in Hershey with other first place winners from Philadelphia High Schools. On January 20, Valicia Johnson, Leticia Thomas, Shaquay Small and Kayla Scheidt served as greeters to industry guests during a Philadelphia Academies, Inc. breakfast. The Swenson Arts and Technology Hotel, Restaurant, Travel and Tourism (HRTT) Academy students greeted guests and delivered speeches during the breakfast. They were professional, poised and prepared. A special thanks to all of their teachers and Swenson principal Mrs. Linda Graham. Four-hundred students from AD4, Alternative Education will receive their high school diplomas on Saturday, February 25 th at the AD-4 mid-year graduation. The graduation acknowledges the academic and personal accomplishments of students in the School District of Philadelphia's Alternative Education programs. Congratulations to all the graduates! Sherod Jones and Anh To, both juniors at the Academy at Palumbo, were selected as finalists in the Philadelphia Young Playwrights Monologue Festival. Their monologues were selected from submissions throughout the District. Over the next few weeks, they will work with dramaturgs, directors, and actors to professionally edit and stage their works in March! Several School District of Philadelphia Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school students from Randolph, Mastbaum, Overbrook high schools will receive EPA Lead Paint Safety certifications upon completion of an 8 hour course with the Overbrook Environmental Education Center, which is an approved agency by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). J. H. Brown Elementary is proud to announce three teachers who received their National Board Certification! Alison Hague (Grade 1) and Angelique Darcy-McGuire (Language Arts Specialist) are certified in the area of Literacy: Reading- Language Arts for Early/Middle Childhood (ages 3-12) and Janet Gilmer (Grade 5) is certified as a Generalist for Middle Childhood (ages 7-12). They are among only 77 NBC teachers in the Philadelphia School District, and a total of four at Brown. Congratulations on this big accomplishment! Core Team, Page 8
SDP On the Move... On the Move... Scripps National Spelling Bee March 10, 2012 at H.S. of the Future The Philadelphia Tribune is proud to once again present the 85 th Philadelphia Tribune/Scripps Regional Spelling Bee. The competition will give young people the opportunity to participate in the highest profile academic event for elementary and middle school-aged students. This year we will have 100% of our grade-appropriate schools (134) participating in the competition. The past 3 years SDP students have ranked in the top 3. Last year the 2 nd and 3 rd place students attended two of our district schools. The local competition consists of public schools, charters, parochial, home-schooled and private. The winner will advance to compete in Washington, DC. Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute Tour March 19, 2012 The School District of Philadelphia is one of three school districts nationwide selected this year to be provided a week of educational concerts and workshops by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. The workshops are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, and will feature internationally acclaimed recording artists. Five schools will participate: School of the Future, GAMP, Shawmont, CAPA and Conwell. Each school will be visited for one day and will receive the following services: a concert/assembly program for the entire student body, and an instrumental jazz workshop for the schoolʼs jazz band. Lindback Distinguished Principal Award April 10, 2012 The Lindback Distinguished Principal Award funded by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation of Philadelphia recognizes and rewards school principals who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to their students, staff and community. Each recipient receives $15,000 used to benefit the school and community. The Trustees have graciously increased their donations from $10,000 to $15,000 per principal this year. Winners will be recognized at a Spring Reception. Lindback Distinguished Teacher Award May 8, 2012 The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award is an annual award to honor one teacher from every Philadelphia public high school who demonstrates excellence in promoting learning at the highest levels. The award recipients will be chosen based on their activities that improve the intellectual and character development of students. Each teacher recipient will receive $3,500. The Trustees have graciously increased their donation from $2,500 to $3,500 per teacher this year. Winners will be recognized at a Spring Reception. Core Team, Page 9
omcast Essentials Partnership In an attempt to help bridge the digital divide, cable giant Comcast has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to launch a new program to bring low-cost broadband Internet service to Philadelphia families. Families who are eligible for a free lunch under the National School Lunch program are eligible to apply for the Internet Essentials program. If approved, families will be provided with broadband Internet access for $9.95 plus tax a month, incur no price increases, activation, equipment or rental fees, and receive a voucher for the purchase of a Dell or Acer computer for $149.99. For more information on the Internet Esesntials program please visit http://www.internetessentials.com/. SDP Partner of the Month Forman Mills For the past ten years, Forman Mills has helped motivated students get the clothing and supplies they need to start the school year. This August, Forman Mills partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to bus over 250 parents and students from Potter Thomas Elementary School to shop for new school uniforms free of charge. Forman Mills provided parents a $30 voucher, free hot dogs and drinks, face painting, and balloons. In total, Forman Mills has donated over $52,000 since the sponsorship began. The School District of Philadelphia would like to honor Forman Mills as our Partner of the Month for their continuous efforts to provide for the students of Philadelphia. Core Team, Page 10
SPOTLIGHT: 2012 FIRST LEGO League Championship Participants As part of a partnership between the School District of Philadelphiaʼ s Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) Division and the University of Pennsylvaniaʼs School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, teams from District schools competed in robot performance, presentation and design at the 2012 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League Championships in January. The competition was designed to promote greater exposure to STEM; a District program that supports innovative learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, and was held in the University of Pennsylvaniaʼs Irvine Auditorium. Students from the following schools participated in the competition: Rhoads Elementary School Heston Academics Plus School, Roberto Clemente Promise Academy. Feltonville Arts and Sciences, Juniata Park Academy, Andrew Hamilton School, Lowell Elementary School, Baldi Middle School, Ethel Allen School. Core Team, Page 12