Community Schools Coming to Philadelphia

More than a million students in 3,000 schools across the nation attend schools that offer students and families access to a variety of social and health care services on-site, and common sense tells us that’s a good thing for kids.  Philadelphia City Council has proposed to expand this model throughout the School District.

Schools with family services are also a “more efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars,” according to Council’s own report.  Philadelphia City Council, under the leadership of Council President Darrell Clarke, found that what are known as “community schools” help students achieve academic success by meeting their basic needs for healthcare, family supports and academic and other enrichment opportunities.

Already, Sayre High School in West Philadelphia is putting this model in place.  Through a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, Sayre students benefit from an enhanced health sciences curriculum, while the community has access to University doctors on-site.

Public Citizens for Children and Youth lauds Council President Clarke’s leadership and Council’s initiative to align services to support Philadelphia students.  In fact, six of the seven mayoral candidates have signed on to the Compromiso por los niños de Filadelfia, created by PCCY and endorsed by 28 other organizations, urging the next mayor to assess and address children’s needs through the lens of the whole child.

To read more about Council’s specific proposal for Philadelphia’s school-based family service centers, read their report:  School-Based Family Service Centers: A Roadmap for Philadelphia Communities.

Property Tax Relief Bill Gives Schools No Relief

An important vote affecting school funding is scheduled for next week in Pennsylvania’s State House.  The property tax relief bill, sponsored by Representative Stan Saylor, R-York County, calls for an increase in state income and sales tax rates to support decreased property taxes.  However, Rep. Saylor’s proposal does nothing to address the funding inequality among school districts statewide.  House Majority Leader Representative Dave Reed is not convinced that the bill will get the 102 votes needed to pass but he wants to get a sense of where the House stands on property tax reform, “It’s time to find out whether there’s actually 102 votes to get something done on property tax reform this year.”

You can find more details on Rep. Saylor’s bill aquí.

Take a few minutes to send this letter to your representative urging him or her to vote “No” on Rep. Saylor’s bill, House Bill 860.

Take Your Family Out to the Ballgame and Support PCCY

Join PCCY for a night of baseball and fun with the Camden Riversharks.  Tickets are just $12, and half of every ticket sold goes to PCCY.   As an added bonus, it’s also “Dollar Tuesday” with hot dogs, soda and other items for just a buck.

PCCY Night at Camden Riversharks – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 7:05 pm

Click here to buy tickets.  Click on “Fundraising Login” and enter the code “PCCY” when prompted.

Click here for details and a flyer to share with your friends.