Passyunk Square Civic Association

Mission: The Education Committee of the Passyunk Square Civic Association

The Passyunk Square Civic Association is committed to improving the quality of life in the community. As more young families settle in the neighborhood, the demand for educational opportunities is on the rise. The City of Philadelphia has many educational options, but the neighborhood school, the traditional cornerstone of a strong community, has found itself in a position of ill repute, with a few notable exceptions. It is these exceptions, and successful models in other urban areas, that have inspired a movement to work towards cultivating a top-tier public school in Passyunk Square.

New Members Meeting! Wednesday, April 28, 7pm (location TBD)

Any and all interested members of the community are welcome.

education@passyunk.org

Existing Conditions

The Education Committee is currently concentrating its efforts on the Andrew Jackson School at 12^th and Federal Streets. The sturdy, well-maintained building has large classrooms and wide corridors and serves kindergarten through 8^th grade students. The student population is diverse, representing 12 countries of origin. While the overall academic scores of the school have room for improvement, the school does have a recent accomplishment to boast about: the 5^th grade students achieved the highest math scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in the Philadelphia School District.

A widely-respected interim principal leads the staff and students. A permanent principal will be in place this summer.

Already Accomplished

In the fall of 2009, the South Region Superintendent, Dr. Burnley, agreed to meet with the Committee. At this first of many meetings with him and his staff, he asked the Committee what it would take to make this school a viable option for the many families in the neighborhood who would otherwise consider alternatives to their local public school. This prompted the committee to develop a Vision Plan for the school. This Vision Plan was warmly received, discussed, and debated with the South Region Superintendent and is now the working document from which the Committee sets its goals. Please see the Vision Plan at the end of this post.

As part of the Passyunk Square Civic Association’s participation in the 3rd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup, the garden at the 12^th Street side of the Andrew Jackson School was replanted. In the play yard of the school, a map of the United States was painted on the blacktop with the aid of a giant stencil donated by Peaceful Playgrounds—a member of the committee entered the school in an online raffle for the stencil and the school was fortunate to be selected!

While the Committee is still in its infancy, it has caught the eye of our local paper of record, The Philadephia Inquirer. See the April 14 front page article here: http://tinyurl.com/y562ejw

In Progress

The Committee has a number of projects underway. An online survey of South Philadelphia parents is being conducted to understand the community’s perceptions of the local public schools. With this information, the Committee will be able to tailor its work to address both the concerns and desires of parents. The survey is open until April 30:http://passyunksquare.questionpro.com

Teacher Appreciation Day is approaching, and the Committee will use the day to create a link between the Passyunk Square Civic Association and the teaching staff. Details to follow—we don’t want to ruin the surprise!

The Committee is interested in learning lessons from those who have succeeded in similar missions. Committee members are researching various strategic models, both local and national, for appropriate parallel conditions that can be adapted to the local public school. The Committee is fortunate to have already met with Jacqueline Edelberg, author of How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood Renaissance and parent from the Nettelhorst School in Chicago. www.howtowalktoschool.com

Our bookshelf continues to grow, and currently includes:

How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood Renaissance

The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Why School?

NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children

As the committee learns more about successful models, it is developing subcommittees to address the many facets of the Vision Plan. As more community members join the Education Committee, it will be advantageous to direct volunteers to specific subcommittees to best take advantage of interests, talents, and contacts. Committees include Academics, Facilities, Enrichment, Community Relations, PR, and Fundraising.

Students and members of COSACOSA will design a mural in Fall 2010. It will be installed at the main entry the following spring with the possibility of future expansion. The Committee continues to pursue funding and materials for the project.

The South Region Superintendent and the Interim Principal have approved the involvement of the Committee in an upcoming Andrew Jackson School Open House.

Members of the Committee have attended and will continue to attend various public meetings of the Philadelphia School District School Reform Commission. Members of the Committee have been in contact with staff of the Philadelphia School District to understand navigating the bureaucracy efficiently.

The Committee is dedicated to spreading the word of its mission. Members will represent the committee at both upcoming neighborhood and school district events including the Day of Respect, the Multicultural Arts Fair, the PSCA Plant Sale, and the EPXtravaganza.