Why Bill Cosby thinks Germantown High should close

Submitted by thenotebook on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 12:18 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Brian Hickey for NewsWorks

As the final day of Germantown High School's 99-year history approaches — the Class of '13 will don caps and gowns on June 19 — NewsWorks will present a series of stories including interviews with grads and former students.

To launch the GHS series, NewsWorks is sharing excerpts from an interview with Bill Cosby, the actor and comedian who attended the school and failed out in the 10th grade, taking a shoe-repair job rather than repeat the year.

During a 20-minute phone interview in early May, Cosby made it perfectly clear why you didn't hear him get involved in the school-closing protests.

Stalled on summer learning loss: District offerings dwindle

Submitted by thenotebook on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 18:08 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

This article will appear in our forthcoming print edition focusing on expanded learning time, which comes out at the end of next week.

by Connie Langland

Jennifer Graham says she's well aware of what researchers and educators have come to call "summer learning loss," but she's not concerned. Graham has made sure her daughter is in camp. 

Thousands of students are marching on City Hall protesting budget cuts

Submitted by thenotebook on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 13:56 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

On the 59th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, thousands of Philadelphia students, fighting against the prospect of ruinous budget cuts, have staged a walkout that began at noon at District headquarters, 440 N. Broad St., followed by a march to City Hall.

You can follow the action on Twitter using the hashtag #walkout215.

State, teachers' union reluctant to provide dollars for city schools

Submitted by thenotebook on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 20:49 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Benjamin Herold and Holly Otterbein for NewsWorks, a Notebook news partner

On Wednesday, Mayor Nutter announced his plan to raise $95 million for Philadelphia's struggling School District, mostly through tax hikes on cigarettes and alcohol.

But even if that money comes through, city schools will still be looking for an additional $120 million from Harrisburg and $133 million in givebacks from the local teachers' union.

Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon), who chairs the Senate's education committee, said the unions have to go first.