The board of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (WPCNS) is saddened by the announced proposal<http://www.philasd.org/announcements/FMP_summary_of_recommendations.docx>for closure of eight neighborhood schools in our area. We are particularly concerned by the inclusion of five neighborhood elementary schools: Alexander Wilson Elementary in Spruce Hill, Morton McMichael Elementary in Mantua, Josephy Leidy Elementary in Parkside, Samuel Gompers Elementary in Overbook and Overbrook Elementary. We believe that every child should be able to walk to school and that a neighborhood can be strengthened by its elementary school and an elementary school by its neighborhood. Given that these closures are to impact the 2013-2014 school year, the board of WPCNS is also concerned by the late timing of this announcement and that the School Reform Commission (SRC) has suspended the section of the Philadelphia school code requiring it to hold individual school hearings at least three months before a final decision is made. We understand that Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. plans to hold a series of community meetings regarding the closures and that the SRC plans to hold still school hearings though not within the three month timeframe. We intend to hold them to these commitments. Transparency, community inclusion and the opportunity for school communities to make their cases in opposition to closure are of the utmost importance. WPCNS will continue to support the efforts of parents, teachers, students and neighbors to work to make every school a great school. - The WPCNS Board Amara Rockar, President Erin McLeary, Vice President Elizabeth Menasion, Secretary Amy D’Antonio, Treasurer Molly McGlone, At-Large Board Member
-- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco<http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=pet&id=4152313&PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21> and Red<http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=pet&id=4811880>
