Focus on School Closings
February 2011 Vol. 18 No. 4
William Penn High School is one school whose future is at stake in the District’s facilities master planning process. The building, in need of millions of dollars in repairs, has been closed since 2010, but no final decision on its status has been made. Shown here is the cluttered lobby at the North Broad Street entrance.
Finally, it's closing time
by Dale Mezzacappa
There is no easy way to close schools. Embedded in neighborhood history, these buildings hold memories for thousands. They are the source of pride, loyalty and identity – no matter how deteriorated the building, how inadequate the academics, and how empty the hallways.
For decades, Philadelphia school officials have repeatedly put off any hard look at what to do in the face of departing students, aging buildings, and stretched resources.
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PlanPhilly is a website that chronicles planning, design, preservation, and development news in the Philadelphia region. The independent news entity is affiliated with PennPraxis at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design and has over 6,000 registered users and 25,000 monthly unique visitors.
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Table of Contents
Theme articles
- Finally, it's closing time by Dale Mezzacappa
- Facing costly repairs, District takes aim at empty seats
- Web Exclusive School District of Philadelphia facilities map
- Expert advice on school closings: Offer something better by Bill Hangley, Jr.
- Where are the 70,000 seats? by Paul Jablow
- Web Exclusive Where are they now? by Wendy Harris
- Some shuttered schools experience rebirth by JoAnn Greco, PlanPhilly
- Web Exclusive Michael O'Neill sees opportunity in District downsizing by Dale Mezzacappa
- Preservationists urge scrutiny of older buildings by Alan Jaffe, PlanPhilly
- Web Exclusive William Penn High School slide show
- Quicktakes: Having experienced the closing of the old Childs Elementary building, what's your advice to other parents at schools facing closure? Parent interviews and photos by Benjamin Herold
Other news & features
- With Corbett in office, voucher debate is back by Celeste Lavin and Raquel Ronzone
- Year two Renaissance plans: Bigger and pricier by Benjamin Herold
- Why aren't African-centered charters running turnarounds? by Benjamin Herold
Member profile
- Profile of Lauren Jacobs, Notebook member by Margaret Ernst
Notebook news
- A Notebook update: More members, more activity by Paul Socolar
Cartoon
- February edition cartoon by Eric Joselyn
In our opinion
- Level with us!
- Shades of 2002
From our readers
- Break down barriers to learning
- Don't damage their growth
- Bless the work of teachers
Eye on special education
- District's facilities planning process raises concerns on survival of special ed programs by Notebook staff
School snapshot
- McCall Elementary practices sport stacking
Activism around the city
- YUC report on zero tolerance says policy has failed by Dale Mezzacappa
- Asian Student Association works to improve race relations by Raquel Ronzone
- ACTION United report finds more inexperienced teachers by Dale Mezzacappa
News in brief
- Facing a daunting budget gap, District is in austerity mode by Paul Socolar
- New 3-year plan includes steps to address racial conflict by Wendy Harris
- Merger of two local groups aims to boost college success by Dale Mezzacappa
Sports stories
- Remembering greatness by Benjamin Herold
En español
- Algunas escuelas experimentan un renacer por JoAnn Greco, PlanPhilly
- 70,000 pupitres vacíos: ¿Dónde están? por Paul Jablow
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Urban School NewsStories from other cities
- State to use a “value-added” growth model without calling it that
- Principals union endorses Thompson, despite disagreements
- New report ranks Colorado teacher training programs poorly - Making the grade
- Voices: As state charter law turns 20, one of its champions seeks new role - History lesson
- In the News: LSCs want audit of CPS finances
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