The Notebook

Stories tagged: tutoring/mentoring

Group protests new Pa. law on schools and criminal backgrounds

by Samantha Byles Posted in April 2012 Edition | Permalink

Rey Santiago, a former member of the safety and security team at ASPIRA Olney Charter High School, said that he was fired from the school last winter for something he did 23 years ago.

Now he and fellow members of Men in Motion in the Community (MIMIC), a community-based organization that mentors young African American and Latino males, are rallying against the state law that they say is unfairly putting school employees and outside contractors like themselves who have criminal records out of work.

E-mentoring program aims to reduce dropout rate among Black males

Submitted by thenotebook on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 16:00 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Samantha Byles

With the dropout rate among African American and Latino male students slow to improve, many people ask how one can keep these students engaged in their education.

“The best way I think is to look for things that interest them,” said Anthony Martin, the founder of What it Takes (WIT), a Philadelphia-based e-mentoring program aimed specifically at connecting at-risk Black male students with successful Black men.

Award-winning documentary on 'violence interrupters' airs on Frontline

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 16:03 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Oscar Wang

Tonight is the television premiere of The Interrupters, a documentary that follows CeaseFire workers in Chicago. CeaseFire is an organization with a proven track record dedicated to reducing gun violence. Founded in Chicago 12 years ago, the program aims to “interrupt” violence before it happens.

Last fall, the organization reached Philadelphia’s streets in partnership with Temple University's Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy.

Afterschool program helps students climb to new heights

Submitted by Peak Johnson on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 17:16 | Permalink

An immense collection of books fills the shelves of Tree House Books. From Best American Essays by Annie Dillard to Sula by Toni Morrison to a shelf dedicated to children’s author Lemony Snicket.

Tree House Books, a nonprofit organization in North Philadelphia, works to “grow and sustain a community of readers, writers, and thinkers” through afterschool and enrichment programs. Neighborhood children participate in the literacy program called Life With Books.

"I like moving up a reading level," said 5th grader Dominique Cooper. "I like reading and being able to do my homework."

Bank of America providing student leadership opportunity

Submitted by Will Treece on Thu, 12/22/2011 - 15:11 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

If you’re a high school junior or senior passionate about community service, you might want to apply for Bank of America’s 2012 Student Leaders Program.

The program includes:

District programs for college readiness

by Wendy Harris Posted in Summer 2011 Edition | Permalink

The School District of Philadelphia uses a number of state and federal grants to support programs at its middle and comprehensive high schools around college access and readiness. These grants include:

No more Ms. Nice Mom

Submitted by Deborah Russell... on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 14:53 Posted in Parent perspectives | Permalink

So back to the issue of parenting – from the standpoint of a “guest teacher,” the 21st century term for a substitute teacher.

Last week I had my first day working for the District at a high school in North Philly, and it was quite an adventure. I subbed for a Biology teacher and assumed that a science class would yield eager, attentive kids seeking to untangle the wonders of the life sciences.

During the first period that notion was dispelled quickly.

Negotiating the high school admissions maze

Submitted by Frank Murphy on Tue, 10/19/2010 - 16:07 Posted in Class notes | Permalink

In 2005, when Meade School’s first 8th grade class moved up to high school, less than 10 percent of those students were accepted to schools other than their neighborhood high school. This was a disappointing result for the many students who had sought admission to special admission schools. It was also disappointing for our teachers. Our staff decided that this was not an acceptable outcome. We resolved to do better in future years.

Homeless youth

Posted in April 2010 Edition | Permalink

Philadelphia has more than 5,000 homeless children, said Dainette Mintz, director of the city’s Office of Supportive Housing (OSH). Of the 118 homeless 12th graders tracked by the District in 2008-09, only eight graduated.

Homeless students often don’t get what they are entitled to under legislation like the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law that supports homeless children.

Federal legislation says that homeless students must receive money for uniforms, class dues, and transportation.

Chess Club: No pads, no helmets, just pawns

Submitted by Samuel Reed III on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 11:42 | Permalink

Chess is not just a game for nerds!

Blankenburg is the leading chess team in the west region of the Philadelphia Scholastic Chess League, sponsored by the After School Activities Partnership (ASAP). Players who sit across the board each week may even be considered cool. Many excel in sports such as basketball and football, and have seen academic growth that they attribute to playing chess.