Thank you, and see ya around, Notebook

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 16:26 | Permalink

Today is my last day with the Notebook. I've been tremendously lucky to spend nearly five years here working with incredible folks and getting to learn about education in Philadelphia -- and so much more.

Notes from the news, July 6

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 08:47 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

William Penn Foundation says it will retain a regional emphasis The Inquirer
The foundation will fund $15 million in innovations in education over the next three years.

See also: William Penn Foundation giving $15M to public, private, and charter schools The Inquirer
Foundation pledges $15M to Philly schools AP via WFMJ

Phila.-based cyber school yields its charter The Inquirer
Frontier Virtual Charter High School will give up its charter to the state.

Interview with William Hite The Notebook blog
An edited transcript of the Notebook/NewsWorks interview with incoming superintendent William Hite.

Nerd Street Cred: Kerkstra nominated for Geek Award PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly and sometimes Notebook contributor Patrick Kerkstra has been nominated for a Philly Geek Award.

Will a PAC Pick Philly’s Next Mayor? Students First is very interested in City Council. The Philly Post blog

Education reform in the pipeline The Philadelphia Tribune

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, July 5

Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 09:04 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Hite looking to implement, not rethink, plan to overhaul Philly schools The Notebook blog
In an interview, incoming superintendent William Hite discussed his plans for his new position.

See also: Hello (and Good-Bye?) to the New Superintendent The Philly Post blog
Hite to Head Philly Schools The Afro-American Newspapers

Money Talks: And when Jeremy Nowak is paying, Philly schools have to listen. City Paper
Jeremy Nowak is the new leader of the William Penn Foundation, which funds the Notebook and numerous other education nonprofits and efforts.

The '20% less' solution is the problem, not the answer The Notebook blog
Public interest lawyer Michael Churchill debunks some frequent misconceptions about the District's budget.

See also: The Good and The Bad: recap of budget and other activities Education Voters PA blog

Cyber charter school may call it quits Daily News

Death by elective The Sustainability Workshop blog

Trauma and Sanctuary Making the Grade blog

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, July 3

Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 09:08 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

SRC to borrow $500 million by issuing short-term notes The Inquirer
The School Reform Commission approved the borrowing at a meeting on Monday.

Hite was kept under wraps The Inquirer (opinion)
Keeping the names of candidates secret in the superintendent search process "created a layer of mistrust."

See also: PFT Welcomes New Superintendent PFT blog
Mr. Nice Guy Metropolis
School district receives kudos for Hite hire The Philadelphia Tribune

Impact100 awards grants to afterschool programs The Notebook blog
After School Activities Partnerships and the Village for Arts and Humanities won grants.

Why teachers should put students to work What's Next?
The Sustainability Workshop was featured in a segment on CNN this weekend.

See also: Problems scale, but so do solutions The Sustainability Workshop blog
Oil Pans and Education The Sustainability Workshop blog

What kids can learn from superintendent search Daily News (opinion)
Dom Giordano says the new superintendent's salary negotiations can be a lesson for students.

The Program Metropolis

State redesigns teacher assessment system The Philadelphia Tribune

New Pa. evaluations won't apply to charter school teachers WHYY/NewsWorks

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, July 2

Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 09:13 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

William Hite tapped to run Philly schools The Notebook blog
On Friday the District announced that William Hite accepted the superintendent position in Philly.

See also: We need right expectations for Philly's new schools boss Daily News (opinion)
Meet William Hite, Philadelphia's new school chief ... The Inquirer
During college days, Hite a Virginia Tech football player The Inquirer
Dr. William Hite Is In A Hurry To Get Working With The School District Daily News
New Philadelphia Schools Chief Inherits System In Crisis CBS Philly

Pennsylvania corporate tax credit will pay for private-school scholarships The Inquirer
The state budget broadened the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

See also: Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Enacts Landmark School Reforms, Increases Funding PR Newswire

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Pedro Martinez named superintendent in Nevada district

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 11:55 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The Reno Gazette-Journal is reporting that Pedro Martinez, a finalist for the superintendent position in Philadelphia, has been named superintendent in Washoe County School District in Nevada.

UPDATE: The Prince George's County Board of Education has issued a statement announcing that William Hite is departing. 

UPDATE: The Reno Gazette-Journal updated its article to say that Martinez has accepted the position with the WCSD. The Clark County School District, where Martinez is now deputy superintendent, issued a press release congratulating him on his new position.

Notes from the news, June 29

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 09:08 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Philly City Council passes $3.6 billion budget - without property-tax reform, but with a tax hike The Inquirer
The budget includes an additional $40 million for the Philly schools, which is less than half the $94 million Mayor Nutter hoped to raise with the Actual Value Initiative.

See also: Philadelphia City Council approves $3.6 billion budget, raising two taxes Daily News
In 'true compromise,' Philadelphia City Council approves budget WHYY/NewsWorks

Educational excellence and equity Daily News (opinion)
The pastor for Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church describes how with its next leadership move, the School District may be at a "tipping point."

See also: Consensus Appears To Be Forming Around New Philadelphia Schools Superintendent CBS Philly
‘Rushed’ schools search could end as early as today Metro Philadelphia

Education reform sparring match with Christopher Paslay The Notebook blog
Teachers and bloggers Samuel Reed III and Christopher Paslay took on some controversial topics in this Q+A.

Inquirer wins journalism awards The Inquirer
The Inquirer''s "Assault on Learning" series won a Casey Medal for Meritorous Journalism, and the paper won two other awards.

Pa. House OKs bill to assess teachers based on student achievement The Inquirer

Navy Yard’s alternative educational program Sustainability Workshop to be featured on CNN [VIDEO] Technically Philly

Chester Upland school board passes bare-bones budget The Inquirer

Board chooses Joel Boyd as new superintendent The Santa Fe New Mexican

Stalberg: Fill in public on superintendent hire The Philadelphia Tribune

Capstones and Inquiry Practical Theory blog

It Burns With a High Flame Building a (great) School blog

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, June 28

Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 06/28/2012 - 08:49 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Council members, Enon pastor endorse Hite The Notebook blog
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson expressed their support for superintendent finalist William Hite.

See also: Philly superintendent finalists now can only await word The Inquirer
The task ahead for Phila. school superintendent The Inquirer (opinion)
Dr. William Hite - Listening is Crucial Making the Grade blog

Time to take a good look at schools' books Daily News (opinion)
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson says he wants a better idea of where the money is going in the Philly schools, which need a "radical makeover."

4 more cyber charters set to open as lawmakers debate charter funding The Inquirer
State lawmakers are discussing updating the state charter law.

Philadelphia's schools superintendent of the century The Inquirer (opinion)
Martin Grove Brambraugh was superintendent a century ago and oversaw a lot of lasting changes in the District.

Reflecting on Central High The Jewish Exponent
Soon-to-be former Central High principal Sheldon Pavel looks back at his career.

Three Phila. area school districts get a funding break The Inquirer

Group calls for transparency in new Philadelphia school superintendent contract WHYY/NewsWorks

Decision near on new superintendent for Santa Fe school district The Santa Fe New Mexican

Philadelphia Teachers Get a Lesson In Sustainable Gardening CBS Philly

ISTE 2012 - Why ISTE Still Matters To Me Practical Theory blog

Personalization Practical Theory blog

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, June 27

Submitted by Erika Owens on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 09:06 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Hite emphasizes listening, need for healing The Notebook blog
William Hite, the second finalist for the superintendent position, met with stakeholders throughout the day Tuesday.

See also: Candidate Hite says his current position has made him ready to face challenges of Philly schools The Inquirer
Reaction to Hite Daily News
William Hite: A look at his background in 5 critical areas The Notebook blog
What do you want from the next Philadelphia school superintendent? WHYY/NewsWorks

Committee of Seventy asks SRC to release parameters of superintendent contract The Inquirer
The group wants the contract released before it is finalized.

Hiring: Most Important Job in Philadelphia The Philly Post blog
Paul Davies says the SRC "needs to get this hire right."

City aims to get $ from banks Daily News

Upper Darby restores some school arts cuts, but residents not satisfied The Inquirer

Pennsylvania House Moves To Protect City And Schools From Property Tax Hit CBS Philly

Martinez says dialogue key in Philly schools The Philadelphia Tribune

Appreciating the Class of 2012 The Sustainability Workshop blog

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, June 26

Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 09:08 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Martinez faces public, explains his vision for improving the District The Notebook blog
Pedro Martinez, one of the two finalists to become superintendent, met with stakeholders throughout the day Monday.

See also: Finalist for School District superintendent job ready for change The Inquirer
Philadelphia superintendent finalist hears community concerns Daily News
School watchers react to superintendent candidate Daily News
Pedro Martinez: A look at his background in 5 critical areas The Notebook blog
Candidate For Philadelphia Superintendent Of Schools Meets With Public CBS Philly
Pedro Martinez: Collaboration v. Competition Making the Grade blog

Big money behind push for education tax credit program Daily News
The Fighting Chance PA PAC has given nearly a quarter of a million dollars to pro-voucher state legislators.

Who should be the next superintendent of the Philly schools? The Notebook blog
Please vote in our poll.

More Than 600 People Earn More Than $100K From the School District The Philly Post blog
A look at some of the highest earners in the District, based on information the District provided after a Right to Know request.

Use this web app to see your neighborhood’s designated public school Technically Philly
News of the School Finder tool continues to spread.

See also: School District Tells Home Buyers Not to Use New Website Feature in Exactly the Way They're Going to Use It Curbed Philly

Upper Darby school budget will ease some planned cuts The Inquirer

Two candidates for school chief The Philadelphia Tribune

Are Superintendent Finalists the Right Men For the Job? Chestnut Hill Patch

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Superintendent finalists meet the public

Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 10:49 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Throughout Monday and Tuesday the District is holding meetings between the two finalists to become superintendent of the Philadelphia schools and stakeholders. The public forums are being streamed online. Pedro Martinez is in town Monday and William Hite will meet with the public Tuesday.

Notes from the news, June 25

Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 09:17 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

SRC announces two superintendent finalists The Notebook blog
The two finalists will meet the public at meetings tonight and tomorrow night.

See also: Sizing up two likely schools chief candidates The Inquirer
Prince George’s County schools chief William Hite on shortlist for Philadelphia schools job AP via Washington Post
CCSD deputy superintendent on short list to lead Philadelphia schools Las Vegas Sun
Supes up! Finalists coming to Philly Daily News
Are Superintendent Finalists the Right Men For the Job? Mt. Airy Patch
Two Candidates Announced For Philadelphia Schools Superintendent CBS Philly
Philadelphia School District has two finalists for top job, but it names just one The Inquirer

Hope Charter tells SRC of plan to close in 2013 The Inquirer
The school discussed how it will respond to the School Reform Commission's decision not to renew its charter at a Friday meeting on charter renewals and expansions.

See also: SRC renews five charters, adds 1,600 seats The Notebook blog

The Dichotomy of Cause Making the Grade blog
A review of The Village Proposal, a book written by a District teacher.

School Reform Commission Looking To Close $54 Million Deficit CBS Philly

Philly charter school to expand to second building in Mt. Airy WHYY/NewsWorks

Carroll Park: Mastery Charter Brings Success to Local School Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, June 22

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 08:50 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

Council approves $40 million, puts off AVI The Notebook blog
City Council approved a budget with $40 million rather than $94 million projected for the Philly schools, but SRC Chair Ramos and Councilman Clarke plan to still try to negotiate for more.

See also: Philadelphia Council opts to raise business and property taxes The Inquirer

SRC wrestles with contracts, prepares to announce superintendent finalists The Notebook blog
Two finalists for superintendent will be announced today and public meetings will be held next Monday and Tuesday.

See also: SRC approves $23.3 million in provider contract extensions, including troubled Delaware Valley High The Inquirer
School Reform Commission To Announce Candidates For Superintendent CBS Philly
Come hear from finalists to run Philly schools Daily News

Students file civil rights complaints against school closings Catalyst Chicago
Student activists from several cities had a press conference in Chicago to discuss complaints they've filed with the U.S. Department of Education.

See also: In Chicago, local student activists support federal civil rights complaints The Notebook blog

School District's blue-collar union offers $25 million in concessions The Inquirer
All 2,700 members of the union have received layoff notices and the first batch of layoffs would go into effect July 15.

See also: Philadelphia School Officials Say Concession Talks With Custodians Are ‘Paused’ CBS Philly

TRUE COST OF SCHOOLS? Daily News

Pa. auditor general says charter schools overfunded WHYY/NewsWorks

TAKE ACTION Against EISC and a Statewide Authorizer Education Voters PA blog

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Notes from the news, June 21

Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 09:06 Posted in Notes from the news | Permalink

State auditor general: Charters draining $365M annually The Inquirer
Auditor General Jack Wagner says that compared to other states, Pennsylvania pays more for cyber charter and charter school students.

They're here! Easily accessible catchment area maps The Notebook blog
The District recently released School Finder, a tool that allows you to find neighborhood school catchment areas by entering an address.

Why Is One of Philly’s Greatest Teachers Being Ignored? The Philly Post blog
Edward Wesley Robinson Jr sought to include African history in the School District of Philadelphia curriculum.

Students contribute to book on healthy living The Notebook blog
Students worked with the group Healthy NewsWorks to help write and illustrate a book on healthy living.

New books, student files discarded at elem. school 6 ABC

Obama wants action on student loan rates AP via philly.com

World Communications product heads class South Philly Review

State news roundup Keystone State Education Coalition

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

They're here! Easily accessible catchment area maps

Submitted by Erika Owens on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 14:47 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

A few weeks ago, the School District quietly released a new feature on its website that staff members should have been shouting about from the rooftops. It's School Finder, a map that has neighborhood school catchment areas clearly labeled.