On Thursday, November 16th, the School Reform Commission voted to dissolve. And it was met with screams and tears of joy. For 16 years, Philadelphia public schools have been under state control. During that time the quality and breadth of education has continued to go downhill and the number of school closings continues to increase. Not to mention the financial starvation of public schools. Now we have an opportunity.
Our City Our Schools campaign started over a year ago along with many other grassroots organizations to get the SRC eradicated. Now Mayor Kenney has been quoted lauding the benefits of mayoral control. There is a proposal on the table for a People’s School Board, one that will be a voice of the community, put an end to back room deals, and fight for equitable funding. The question is will this be a fully elected process like the more than 400 other districts in PA. Will this be a popularity contest? Will we finally have representatives that truly have the best interests of the children and community stakeholders? Review all of the failed mayoral led school boards as we look forward.
Will the voices of educators be included? Will we acknowledge and create actual solutions to solve segregated schools and the diminishing numbers of Black and Brown teachers? And where and how will we fully fund our schools now that it is all on us? Will Philly finally collect all of those overdue business taxes?
Now I remember covering every story about education and thinking where is the hope in the midst of the chaos. But, I also witnessed constant work to bring truth to the light and to push the powers that be into doing what is right instead of what is easy. And so despite all of the questions, I have no doubt that the power is finally back in the hands of the people. And they will not rest until the best solutions that places our public schools on the right path is the winner. I hope...
Thanks for the comments and hope, Ms. Anderson.
ReplyDeleteYou've pointed to the need for a clear "vision" for what our schools should look and feel like. And you also provide a clear "mission" for the new board of education: "...be a voice of the community, put an end to back room deals, and fight for equitable funding."
But there's something else. What vision would promote equity between people, planet, and the economy?
I think all students and staff should have access to beautiful school that are green, healthy, and sustainable. For example, green schools study and advocate for energy and water conservation. Healthy schools foster wellness - physically, emotionally, and socially. Sustainable schools advance the idea of an equitable quality of life for all - all over the world - now and in the future.
There's got to be a way to integrate the needs of the people with environmental stewardship so that everyone can have a better life. Why not leverage the civic infrastructure that is our school systems to improve the quality of life for students and staff? We spend 8-10 hours a day in our schools, so schools should be one of several go-to healthy community anchors.
Fortunately, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals can serve as a guide for how we can move to a better world, for all: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
Students and staff deserve clean energy, water, and air. Why not develop farm to school programs, green cleaning, and smart lighting? Every school needs gardens, water catchments, and play space/access to nature! Students and staff deserve to experience wellness so that they can joyfully embrace learning as they take care of body, mind, and spirit. Students and staff deserve to understand how our lives are all interdependent, within our neighborhoods and communities, and across the world. Let's apply math, English and arts to designing equitable energy, recreational, housing, transportation, and healthcare systems.
Some of this costs money. And even the wealthiest public school districts can do more to advance sustainability. More importantly, we need schools that promote self-knowing so that decisions are made from love rather than anger. Perhaps it is the inner environment that needs just as much attention as the outer environment. #workingonit
We also need to develop a culture of sustainability before we take on "fixing" every problem that comes our way. We are proximate to the violence of poverty, or the sickening pursuit of status and "things." We can only create long-term stability and centering when we slow down and nurture self & community. #workingonit
Some resources:
SDP's Green Futures
PHL Office of Sustainability
Del Val Green Building Council
Bridge Philly
Green Schools National Network
Shelburne Farms Sustainable Schools
USGBC Center for Green Schools
EcoRise
What's your vision? What would you like our schools to look and feel like?