2 parent groups organize to save elementary schools from closure
by Will Treece
Stanton supporters like retired teacher Loretta Solis have attended SRC meetings regularly since November. The school has made adequate yearly progress for the last eight years.
E.M. Stanton and Sheppard Elementary are among the nine schools the District has recommended closing as part of its facilities master plan. But the proposed closures have sparked pushback from parents and activists.
Although both schools' enrollments are small and their infrastructure is outdated, they have deep community roots.
Supporters of Stanton (SOS), a parent and community group, has attended every School Reform Commission meeting since November.
At a January 19 SRC meeting, SOS members presented a counterproposal to allow Stanton to stay open.
"The crux of our proposal is to increase enrollment in a targeted way," said parent James Wright.
SOS wants to change Stanton's catchment area, arguing that current boundaries prevent the school from operating at capacity.
The proposal also calls Stanton a "model school" that should be "replicated, not closed." Stanton has made adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the last eight years.
The District has noticed the efforts of SOS.
"They have been the absolute most active group of stakeholders," said Deputy for Strategic Initiatives Danielle Floyd.
"This is exactly the reason we have community outreach, and this is why we're still in the proposal-and-recommendation stage," Floyd said.
Sheppard supporters must contend with the issue that neighboring Julia de Burgos and Hunter Elementary – both modern buildings – are poised to accept students reassigned from Sheppard.
"Those schools were purposely built to eventually absorb the student population at Sheppard," Floyd said.
But both are in Corrective Action, while Sheppard has made AYP for the last two years.
Parent and alumnus Juan Rivera and other community members are gathering signatures to present to the SRC to show support for Sheppard.
"I want my kids' kids to go to that school. I love that school," Rivera said.
Comments (3)
Submitted by John Pratt (not verified) on Mon, 02/20/2012 - 21:28.
We admire your efforts and your support of our Philadelphia Public Schools. We are constantly moving forward in the process of saving the future of our children's education. This week will be a busy week for us as we attend several South Philadelphia Public Schools and reach out to their staff, students, and parents. We will be focusing on making people aware of the destruction a downfall in the system could cause. We will also be setting rally dates. If you have any ways to help contribute to the cause, please e-mail me @ phillysfuture@ymail.com
Submitted by Michelle (not verified) on Thu, 03/15/2012 - 21:57.
I know the District is broke, but maybe it should have invested in building new buildings for these schools instead of trying to close them. Replacing or retrofitting these schools should be part of the capital campaign.
Submitted by John Pratt (not verified) on Thu, 03/15/2012 - 22:12.
I agree, but also I don't believe that it is the buildings that need to be new, it is the system. We need to re-build systems. Any system if destined to fail when it's being beaten up inside and out. Those whole control the system, who qualified to fulfill the positions that make the system are no longer to be trusted. Systems need regulation and limitations. We need to re-build the system!!
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