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. Notebook
Council advances bill to raise Use and Occupancy tax to help fund schools. Inquirer
Council leaders need to stand up for the city's schools. Inquirer
Charter schools accused of ignoring Pa. Right to Know Law. NewsWorks
George Weiss on what he learned from the Belmont 112. Inquirer
Pennsylvania's Common Core runs into opposition from state Democrats. Post-Gazette
Students march for schools, but where are the adults? NewsWorks
It's time to set the record straight on charter schools. Inquirer
Is the answer to the budget crisis to raise salaries and lower pensions? Daily News
Taxing nonprofits could help save Philly schools. Chalk and Talk
Amid financial crisis, Pearson a winner. Notebook
News summary from Keystone State Education Coalition
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.
Are we in a financial crisis? For the thousands of students who organized a massive walk-out today, yes. But not for a certain sector of contractors who are benefiting from the School Reform Commission’s decisions lately.
The same day that elementary school parents flooded City Council to rally for school funding and a sizeable crowd attended a panel on the destructive impact of high-stakes testing, the SRC on Wednesday approved nearly $1.3 million in contracts related to assessment and accountability, including a million-dollar contract to Pearson for high-stakes teacher and principal evaluations.
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 more revenue for city schools. Notebook
Hite proposes ending teacher seniority. Inquirer
More than 50 schools will have new principals in September. Notebook
University City High School's closure is a special case. AxisPhilly
School students protest at weekly Philly City Council meeting. NewsWorks
Nutter's tax hike plan is getting a chilly reception. Tribune
In Fairmount, residents are pushing to improve school's image. NewsWorks
Philadelphia School District administrator is named chief of Chester Upland schools. Inquirer
Philadelphia students showcase their art. Notebook
Forum takes on standardized testing. Notebook
News summary from Keystone State Education Coalition
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.
by Bill Hangley Jr.
[Updated 5/17]
About one in four District schools will open with new principals next year, according to the latest District calculations.
At least 41 of the 218 schools that will be open next year have vacancies, and the District has already made appointments in 12 others -- making a total of more than 50 schools with new leadership.
The Young Artists exhibition, which opened earlier this week in the atrium of School District headquarters, 440 N. Broad St., proudly displays over 1,500 pieces of artwork by students from more than 150 schools across Philadelphia. The exhibition, one of the largest of its kind in the country, runs through Aug. 30.
All photos by Harvey Finkle
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