Latest news with #SchoolDistrictofPhiladelphia
Axios
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
7 Philadelphia principals wins Lindback Foundation award and $20K
Seven principals from the School District of Philadelphia took home the Lindback Foundation award for distinguished leadership yesterday. Why it matters: The honor comes with $20,000 for a project of their choosing that benefits students and the community. Here's what the school district told us they'll do with the cash: 🩰 Paula Furman from AMY at James Martin: Provide arts-based experiences for students, including trips to the Philadelphia Ballet and Philadanco, as well as safe spaces for students-athletes to practice. Plus, boost parent engagement opportunities. 🎙️ Marla Travis Curtis from West Philly High School: Expand the school's career technical education programs, including creating a recording studio and providing a fine arts learning laboratory. 🤖 Nichole Polk from Potter-Thomas Elementary School: Build out the school's digital media and robotics programs. 🗣️ Melissa Bragg from John Hancock Demonstration School: Create a dedicated language lab at the school, which will particularly support English language learners and those who are deaf and hard of hearing. 🚌 Awilda Balbuena from Gloria Casarez Elementary School: Pay for a schoolwide team-building trip to the College Settlement's outdoor school program to help students improve their social-emotional skills. 😊 KaTiedra Argro from Philly High School for Girls: Set up a dedicated space at the school for students to take scheduled breaks, promote their mental well-being, and earn points through positive behavior, attendance and academic achievements.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- CBS News
Philadelphia youth lead community conversation about violence prevention after weekend shootings
Young people had the opportunity to raise their voices about issues that matter to them during a youth-led conversation at Temple University in North Philadelphia Wednesday. The conversation came days after a violent weekend in Philadelphia . There were seven shootings that injured a total of 13 people and killed two. Seven of the 13 injured were juveniles. A 17-year-old girl was also killed. The program called The Group Chat: A Safe Philadelphia included dozens of students from the School District of Philadelphia. "We have worked diligently to build more spaces for students to elevate their thoughts and ideas," said Aja Holden, who works with the district. Davonti' Haynes, an assistant professor at Temple, helped lead the conversation. He says the mission is to also assist in connecting students to various resources. "Because that is another issue that we see, which is something that some of the youth talk about, is that the opportunities are out there but they just don't know about them," he said. "Hearing directly from them adds a different level of power to it." Despite the weekend violence, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel says the city has seen significant progress on crime. He says homicides involving youth are also down by 50% from last year. Rickey Duncan, who is the founder of the NOMO Foundation, offers mentorship for young people as a violence prevention nonprofit in the city. Duncan says the recent spike in violence shouldn't take away from the good work community-based organizations like NOMO are doing. "It's working. Don't be discouraged about one bad weekend and let that ruin a whole great year. Let's continue to provide and pour into the cup," Duncan said. "Right now, it may be half-filled with a little room to go but it's no longer empty. So, let's continue to pour into the cup. Let's continue to be a part of the solution and not complain too much about the problem." Duncan says he and others will continue to have boots on the ground to help the city's youth however they can.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Watch live: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announces summer programs for young people
Philadelphia leaders across multiple departments are announcing a slate of summer programs for children and families for 2025. Mayor Cherelle Parker and heads of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parks and Recreation, School District of Philadelphia and other agencies will speak in a press conference in City Hall on Wednesday. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You can watch live on CBS News Philadelphia or wherever we're streaming. Many of the programs are returning from 2024 and are listed on . There are several pools set to open (and the city is recruiting lifeguards to staff them). The city branding for the programs is #ItsASummerThing 2025. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PA, NJ, DE officials react after President Trump signs order to dismantle Department of Education
The Brief President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. The White House acknowledged that the POTUS doesn't have the authority to completely shut it down. Leaders in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are reacting to the news. PHILADELPHIA - President Donald Trump signed an executive order to start the elimination of the Department of Education. The move would fulfill a campaign promise and a long-time policy goal for conservatives. Leaders across Pennsylvania and New Jersey have released their reactions. What we know The president claims the education department spends too much money for too little return and education decisions would be better left to the states. The Department of Education handles key functions including student loans and financial aid, civil rights enforcement and college accreditation. What they're saying The School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr. said the following of President Trump's executive order regarding the U.S. Department of Education: "Recent actions coming out of Washington over the past two months – including recent significant cuts to and anticipated dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education – are understandably raising concern about impacts on the educational landscape across the country, including the School District of Philadelphia. While we navigate the evolving issues, our commitment to teaching every student will not waiver.I also want to reaffirm the District's mission to work with urgency to provide every student–no matter their race, ethnicity, immigration status, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, or person's abilities, with the opportunity to achieve positive life outcomes. Our practices will continue to be aligned with both the Board of Education's policies and all legal obligations as we continue to prepare students to imagine and realize any future they desire. We are actively monitoring the rapidly evolving developments out of Washington and throughout our nation. As we move forward together, I will provide periodic updates about impacts on the District and our students. I appreciate your continued partnership and patience during these uncertain times." Delaware Governor Matt Meyer released the following statement condemning the executive order: "Let's cut the bullshit, not education. Schools are already underfunded, teachers underpaid, and students underserved. As a former public school teacher, I know what's at stake. "And I know this—Donald Trump and the Republican governors standing with him should be ashamed. If they think we'll let them gut public education without a fight, they're dead wrong. We will stand up, push back, and demand every dollar our students deserve." Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statement directing Secretary McMahon to abolish the Department of Education: "Any move to abolish the Department of Education is a slap in the face to students, teachers, and parents. Yet again, President Trump, Musk, and Congressional Republicans are trying to convince the public that cutting funding, services, and jobs will bring us to an alleged golden age of America. The reality of their reckless and sloppy approach is that making cuts to education will do nothing but cause learning loss, overextended and burnt-out teachers, bigger class sizes, less resources for special education students, more toxic and broken school buildings, less technology in our classrooms, and nowhere for students and parents to turn when they are being discriminated has a court order to adequately and constitutionally fund 70% of PA schools. Any federal cut to education funding and support will undermine our attempts to fix that problem. We need Pennsylvania's Congressional lawmakers to stand up and fight for the education of our students." New Jersey Governor Murphy released the following statement: "President Trump's directive to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is unconscionable and unconstitutional. This Executive Order will have disastrous ramifications — especially for our nation's students. "New Jersey receives approximately $1.2 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the vast majority of which supports low-income students and students with disabilities. By signing this Executive Order, the Trump Administration is endangering vital resources for K-12 students and risking increased costs for those pursuing higher education. "Simply put, the Trump Administration is going out of its way to create chaos and raise costs for our nation's families. I urge New Jersey's Congressional delegation to protect federal funding and preserve the legally prescribed functions of the U.S. Department of Education. My Administration will take every possible step we can to support their efforts." New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) said the order would devastate New Jersey's communities. In respond, NJPP) released the following statement: "Any weakening of USED would have far-reaching and long-term disastrous effects nationwide and on New Jersey's communities, especially for children in school districts with historically higher concentrations of poverty. Even if Congress chose to eliminate USED, much of its work would have to be offloaded to other departments or agencies, undermining efforts to improve efficiency and reduce spending. "This latest executive order is an illegal attempt to realize a far-right goal outlined in Project 2025 — and ultimately, it is the first step toward dismantling public education as a whole. However, New Jersey's schools are among the best in the nation and its residents are strong believers in public schools and college access. Once again, the president demonstrates he is severely out of touch with the values that make the Garden State great," Mark Weber, Special Analyst for Education Policy, NJPP. The Source The information in this story is from officials in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
Fox News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Philadelphia will keep allowing trans athletes to play girls sports, defying Trump and new Pennsylvania law
Schools in Philadelphia will continue allowing transgender athletes to play in girls sports even after the state of Pennsylvania announced it would comply with President Donald Trump's "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order. The School District of Philadelphia announced in a statement Tuesday it will continue following its previous policy that enables transgender inclusion. "The district will continue to align its practices to support its LGBTQ+ students in accordance with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students," the statement said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The statement comes just a day after the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) approved a revision to its policy that prevents trans athletes from competing in women's sports. The new policy defers to principals to determine a student's "sex" when "questioned or uncertain," and adds a line that says, in accordance with Trump's executive order, "schools are required to consult with their school solicitors relative to compliance with the order." Philadelphia's refusal to comply with Trump's order is the first known instance of a city defying its own state's trans inclusion policy since Trump's executive order went into effect. In New York City, one education official spoke out against the state's intent to defy Trump's order. However, the city and state appear they will continue allowing trans athletes to compete. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) provided a statement to Fox News Digital saying it has advised schools to comply with current state law that allows trans athletes to compete with girls but is gathering public input before making a final decision. But the director of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' Office of Sports, Wellness and Recreation, Jasmine Ray, stated her position in favor of following Trump's order on her Instagram story. "To those asking about my position, as Director of NYC Sports & Rec, I stand with the recent executive order reinforcing the importance of fairness in women's sports," she wrote. However, Ray later took down her story and said she deleted it at the "guidance" of the mayor's chief of staff, Camille Joseph Varlack. With Pennsylvania trying to comply with Trump's order but facing resistance from Philadelphia, other battleground states are also divided on the issue. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) announced last week it updated its policies to only allow athletes "designated as females at birth" to compete in girls sports. Wisconsin previously enabled trans inclusion in girls sports dating back to 2013. Meanwhile, Michigan has not complied with Trump's executive order and continues allowing trans athletes to compete in girls sports, but a bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would prevent trans inclusion in girls sports. Four states are under investigation by Trump's Department of Education for refusing to comply with the order — California, Massachusetts, Maine and Minnesota. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is warning those states to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws that require them to keep boys out of women's sports or face legal action, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday. "This Department of Justice will hold accountable states and state entities that violate federal law," Bondi wrote. "Indeed, we have already begun to do so." Bondi was referring to the Justice Department's move to sue Illinois and New York earlier in February for defying federal immigration laws. "We also stand ready to sue states and state entities that defy federal antidiscrimination laws," Bondi wrote. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
