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Facilities Planning Process: Facts, timelines and community concerns

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Jul 20

Really good roundup on what has happened so far in the facilities process (still no data sharing 😡,community meetings in the summer 🙃) and what is coming more meetings in the fall and closures (tho they don't save money or cause better outcomes 😔). whyy.org/articles/phi...

The district is moving to rightsize its building stock. Some Philadelphians are concerned about whether their voices will be taken into account.

whyy.org

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

e.i.mayorga @eimayorga.bsky.social · Jun 10

www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia... Concerns grow over potential plan to close Philadelphia schools

Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process

School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...

Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Chalkbeat @chalkbeat.org · Jun 10

Concerns grow over potential plan to close Philadelphia schools
https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/06/10/community-leaders-concerned-about-school-closure-process/

School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, which will likely result in school closures, say the process is already frustrating and opaque.

Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Carly Sitrin @carlysitrin.bsky.social · Jun 10

Philly's school district wants the community to participate in its closure/modernization process. But members of their advisory groups say their time has felt wasted by bureaucratic presentations. They worry the district is using them to add credibility to a flawed process.

School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...

Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process

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Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Jun 10

Really important accountability work being done here. Calling something a "plan" or "community engagement" doesn't mean anything unless it is backed up with action. www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...

School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...

The Philly school district is growing after years of shrinking. Here’s how one school is attracting more students.

Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Akira Drake Rodriguez @akirarodriguez.bsky.social · Feb 25

Very excited to finally share my article on reparative-advocacy planning in Philadelphia public schools! This article would not have been possible without all the support of organizers, parents, teachers, and staff in Philadelphia including OCOS, WPCNS, and @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Kristen Graham @newskag.bsky.social · Feb 13

"We need to do a complete renaissance": amid a #PHLed population increase, here's how one neighborhood HS grew its enrollment by 50%. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

The School District of Philadelphia is has enrolled more students than the year before for the first time in a decade.

How do you raise the high school graduation rate? Philly is betting a focus on ninth grade will help.

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Kristen Graham @newskag.bsky.social · Jan 21

Philly schools are aiming to raise its graduation rate - by focusing on ninth grade. #PHLed story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

“We’re keeping kids in programs, and that’s because of ninth grade," the principal of Mastbaum High said.

Inclement Weather Update - The School District of Philadelphia

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Shelterforce @shelterforce.bsky.social · Jan 10

What happens to a neighborhood when its school closes? From gentrification to population decline, Akira Drake Rodriguez breaks down the complex relationship between schools and community stability in our latest interview: https://bit.ly/4a8eVRk

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Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Kristen Graham @newskag.bsky.social · Jan 5

Enjoy your snow day, #phled! www.philasd.org/blog/2025/01...

Dear School District of Philadelphia Families, As we experience the first snowfall of the year, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. To the greatest exte...

www.philasd.org

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Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Dec 11

If we want to rebuild schools and realign catchments let's talk about that. We will keep pushing for parent and caregiver and youth voices to be included not just business leaders and real estate developers.

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Dec 11

6 public speakers waited for 6 hours yesterday to make their voices heard-SDP left just before we spoke. We can't talk about the past harm and mistakes of closures&how little money they saved and then to propose doing the same thing again.

Some Philly schools are too ‘antiquated’ to keep open, Mayor Parker says, and other takeaways from the biannual district City Council session

Reposted by Parents United for Public Education

Kristen Graham @newskag.bsky.social · Dec 10

Some #PHLed schools are too "antiquated" to stay open, questions about the 2025-26 calendar, bathrooms, Sixers arena vote and Lincoln High at the district's hearing before City Council today. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ci...

Council also had questions about overcrowding at Lincoln High, a vote on changes necessary for a possible new Sixers arena, district bathrooms, and the 2025-26 school calendar.

The Trump Administration and Congress will consider massive school funding cuts. Pennsylvanians must stop them.| Opinion

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Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Dec 6

The cuts 10 years ago devastated our schools. We are just now clawing our way back and need fair funding and a commitment from our legislature that we won't go back. This work takes all of us and we must know our history so we can fight for the present and future our students and teachers deserve.

Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg @danua.bsky.social · Dec 5

"The lesson for Pennsylvanians who are scared about the future is just as plain. This is no moment for hiding or giving up. Rather, it is a time to doggedly hold on with all our might, and to use the very real power we still have."

www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

The president-elect and next Congress plan to fund tax breaks is by ending Title I funding, writes Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg. In Pa. alone, Title I provides $735 million to districts across the state.

www.philasd.org/operations/#...

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

Operations Division | The School District of Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia Operations Division supports safe learning environments through services like transportation, food, maintenance, & more.

www.philasd.org

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

Philly won historical funding it needs to actually show up,but planning for doom scenarios is no way to build a thriving public good.What could a huge influx of funding really do? It felt fun to dream and to reorient before we attend a listening session. Sign up here!

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

We *should* focus on mold/lead/asbestos/hazardous buildings,but what more can we ask for than the minimum?If we focus on creating something better rather than just reducing harm what would that look like?We won't take our eye off the ball on vulnerable schools and students,but also demand more.

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

What if we had the goal of w/in 1.5 miles of every address there was a thriving neighborhood school? Places with greater density could, maybe be grouped together in a new building. Would we have $$$ for more programming and lower student/teacher ratios? Languages taught earlier?

Public (Final): JUNTOS Sanctuary Schools Toolkit.docx

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

Could the "extra" buildings be used to host things like an International HS/MS focused on Newcomers? @vamosjuntos has already spelled out what a Newcomer program could look like. docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Sanctuary Schools Toolkit Who We Are: JUNTOS is a community-led, Latine, immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for our human rights as workers, parents, youth, and immigrants. We be...

docs.google.com

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

Neighborhood 5th+grade schools with plummeting enrollment, sometimes become a place for students who don't "find their fit" at criteria based schools. What if we focused on those schools? Made them language immersion? CTE? Project based?

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 21

chatted w/ 1 of our fave #phled people yesterday about the Facilities Planning Process and what it could/should be vs. what it is.
What if we had a vision? What if we wanted to increase enrollment at schools? Could we plan for the future with that lens? What ideas would that create? Here are some..

Philly’s school district is looking for people to help shape its facilities master plan, which could lead to school closings and new buildings

Parents United for Public Education @parentsunitedphl.bsky.social · Nov 19

Read more about the Advisory Groups and sign up! Though closures won't be announced for more than a year, now is the time to start speaking up. Don't wait.

Kristen Graham @newskag.bsky.social · Nov 19

As #PHLed considers its long-awaited facilities master plan - and possible school closings, co-locations and new buildings - it's looking for parents, staff and community members to be on advisory groups that will inform the plan. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

The plan could lead to building consolidations and closures, as well as new buildings and more.