Parent+Concerns

=Index of Issues Impacting Parents of the School District of Philadelphia= = = Welcome to the Issues page where parents can provide information to other parents. If you would like to add an opinion under the discussion tab, you will need to [|join wikispaces]. This website will not spam you with email. Say "No" to "Make a wiki" unless you want to create your own free wiki page (you can always do it later).

Alternative Education Contracts Failing Schools School Lunches Charter Schools Special Education Professional Development Curriculum Community Engagement Statistics Research and Development Assessment Student Services EMO - Restructured Schools High School Selection Minority Contracts Special Needs Parking Authority School Budget Transportation High School Blueprint Milk without Hormones Campaign Casinos in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Budget Healthy Schools Legislation Other Issues

=Community Issues=

**Below are updates in the School District of Philadelphia:** Input into how we might close the city's budget gap for FY2010: Take the Economy League's Philadelphia Budget Challenge at []As a follow up to February's budget forums, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia created the Challenge to engage even more residents in the budget process and foster greater understanding of the tough choices necessary to ensure that the region is a great place to live and work - both now and in the future. The online tool uses current data to simulate the decisions about revenue and spending being made now to balance the City's budget. (tjones 4/28)

Single For the entire document: [|http://www.philasd.org/ announcements/single_school_ culture.html]
 * Single School Culture**

Heard about the "alternative budget" proposed the Republican Senate. It is bad. Please call your representatives asking them to "save our children" by not cutting any education funding. Note: In speaking with Barauch Kintish from Education Law Center, Special Education Funding is "zero" in both budget versions. However, the services related to the overall academic and social success of our children are being cut. Click here for more information. Submitted by Cecelia Thompson. (tjones 5/5)  Disability harassment is intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student's participation in or receipt of benefits, services or opportunities in the school's program. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as nonverbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. The Disability Rights Network of PA (DRN) is conducting a survey regarding disability harassment and bullying in PA's schools. Through this survey, DRN is attempting to identify patterns of offense and nature of school responses so that we can bring about needed policy change. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in the survey by clicking [|HERE].
 * Call a Representative! Protect your Kids!**
 * Disability Harassment & Bullying in Pennsylvania Schools**


 * Pollution around Schools.** USA today did a special report looking at air pollution and wind models near schools Their database is well done. I've included the link to the site as well as a map of the worst schools across the country. Not surprisingly Philadelphia is one of the worst. You can see both private and public schools and see who are the local polluters. [|http://content.usatoday.com/ news/nation/environment/ smokestack/index]

Policy. Click here for more information.
 * Textbook Issues:** The District is asking parents and students with textbook issues this year to first contact their school principal. If further action is needed, please contact the student's Regional Superintendent's office. Finally, parents and students can contact the Superintendent's Parent Ombudsman at 215-400-6161 or by sending an e-mail to superintendent@philasd.org if the issue remains unresolved. More info
 * Response to Expulsion Strategy Meeting** - Various organizations meet to discuss the Zero Tolerance Expulsion

[|here]
 * Book Victory! Securing student's basic needs - books and materials.**

[|here]
 * Victory on Military Opt-Out forms - no deadline!**

Click here for more information. 
 * ODP Announces Budget Reduction Decisions**
 * Check your child's progress ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!** Click here for more information.

**States use 3rd grade reading levels to decide of prison construction.** [|**Full story here.**] (znichols, 2/23/09) Computer Thrift Store // Now Open // **

Click here for more information.

 This page provides information legislation that directly impacts parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. The discussion tab of this page is not generally used or checked. If you have an issue for discussion, please see the links under "Discussion" to the left of this page.
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/i/edit.png height="37" caption="Edit This Page" link="http://www.phillyparents.org/page/edit/Legislation"]]= Gun Control and Violence=

Please be aware that within a short time Pennsylvania's high school students may be required to pass high school Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA), unless they receive special education support services, to graduate from high school with a regular diploma. Click Schools for more information. Submitted by Loraine Carter (tjones 4/28/09)
 * Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA)**

1. Unwanted or Mistimed Pregnancy is Associated with Higher Levels of Depression Among First-Time Fathers 2. Disadvantaged Urban Men More Likely to Have Three or More Children 3. Joint Planning for Children Reduces Likelihood of High-Risk Births\ Click [|LINK] for more details (tjones 4/20)
 * Three New Studies Highlight Importance of Fathers in Family Planning**

Check out what Ben Wright, Regional Superintendent of the Alternative Education Schools said at a meeting about 'World Class Operations' at a workshop at Girls High. Click Here. //Submitted// //By Cecelia Thompson.// (tjones 4/1)
 * Strategic Plan "World Class Operations"**

They're no longer the only option for African-American students, but the country's historically black colleges and universities brag that they provide a supportive environment where these students are more likely to succeed. For more info clink [|LINK] //Submitted by Sulaiman A. Wood//. (Tellis 4/8)
 * Men struggling to finish at black colleges**:

Read the story just issued by the parent-led organization, Concerned Black Parents on their blog about Pennsylvania's high school exit exams, the Keystone Exams. This is news African American parents must take the time to become aware of given the achievement gap affects us most. We need to become knowledgeable about the achievement gap, increasing academic success, and the potential impact these exit exams will have on our community. Check it out on [|LINK] (Tellis 4/7)
 * A Parents' Must Read Blog on PA's New High School Graduation Regulation**

was introduced late last week. [|LINK] This is the House version of the task force on incarcerated children sponsored by Rep. Parker with a total of 39 co-sponsors. This Resolution is in the House Children and Youth Committee. Support is needed for votes for HR 203 and SR 52 to move the Resolutions out of Committee and then on the respective floor.//Submitted by Sulaiman Wood from Parentpartners//. (Tellis 4/7)
 * HR 203**

The answer seems to be "Yes, mostly...."I've written a bit more about what that means, and what our responsibilities are in a posting on WHYY"s web site at: [|LINK] where you can also post your replies to my posting. Follow WHYY's coverage of the budget at: [|LINK] //Submitted by Harris Sokoloff//.(Tellis4/7)
 * Did the mayor keep his promises? Will he really take the work we do seriously? Will it have any effect on his budget?**

This is a great website all parents can use to access valuable information about the negative outcomes of teen pregnancy. The following is a feature of the website concerning the trend of teen pregnancy. **[|//Ten Reasons to// Still //Keep the Focus on Teen Childbearing//]**. (Lily4/10) [|http://www.childtrends.org]
 * Child Trends Newsletter and Website**

Here parents can access valuable information and resources concerning father empowerment. Information about various events and trainings that are offered through this organization. (Lily4/10)
 * New York State Fatherhood Initiative Website**


 * States use 3rd grade reading levels to decide of prison construction. [|Full story here.]** (znichols, 2/23/09)

A part of the stimulus funding that allocates 100 Billion Dollars to states for education investment, will be completed by Mid April. States will have access to the first 44B. See [|Stimulus_timeline.pdf] for a complete breakdown of the allocation process. (Lily4/10)
 * The first phase of the The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act**

An effort to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Secretary Arne Duncan has released guidance on the ARRA, including State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, Title 1, and IDEA. Please click [|here] for more information.//Submitted by Quibila Divine (4/2 lvargas)//
 * Department of Education Information Related to the Economic Recovery Act of 2009**


 * American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)** will provide significant funding to schools that have high concentration of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning conditions for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards. For more information click this [|LINK] //Submitted by Quibila Divine. (3/31/ tellis)//


 * The Education Commission of the States (ECS)** Three new policy briefs have been released promoting academic success in high school, specifically examining 9th grade transitional year, parental involvement, and teacher preparation. More info on the study's results ||