Setting The Standard

One of my favorite movies is Lean On Me because it features a hard nosed school principal that cares enough about the students under his supervision to tell them when they are wrong and set high expectation with the belief that his students were capable of reaching them. I have seen and heard of stories where educators have stopped setting standards for students because they were not achieving them. You have to instill confidence in these children to motivate them to want to do well for themselves. 

This is why I appreciate what the school administration at Anna Blakiston Day School is doing. Their ROAR program (Respect, Obedience, [Positive] Attitude and Responsibility) which is something that is maintained by students, staff and teachers alike has its school running at peak performance levels. 

For more information on what is going on A.B. Day Middle school follow the link below.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-25/news/30200964

_1_social-skills-issue-of-school-violence-school-district-plans

MYXing it up in Philly

Art is something found in all cultures around the globe and it signifies one of the commonalities we as human beings all share. Creative expression in all genres of art link people together and is someting worth sharing in a world that has so many things that drives us apart.

MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth explore cultural diversity and social issues relevant to all people. MYX uses the creative, collaborative nature of art to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be empathetic, engaged and socially-responsible citizens at home and around the world.

MYX was founded in direct response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001. It is our belief that culturally-sensitive youth are the hope for a future society free of intolerance.

MYX is involved in Design Philadelphia October 13 - 23, 2011 which is a city-wide celebration honoring the historic role of design in the region while showcasing the creative innovation yet to come, returns on October 13. Once again, the cultural initiative will partner with The University of the Arts for the nation’s largest festival of its kind. They also will part of an exhibit at The Community Art Gallery at The Philadelphia Foundation  which runs now - Januarty 20th, 2011.

Giving

This is a quote from Joyce Murphy entrepreneur and mentor to interns at Toms shoes. She says that endless possibilities comes from learning hoe to give. My nature is to be selfish and to look after my own self before others and if most of us are honest we can be the same way. I am learning as I mature physically, mentally and spiritually in my walk with Christ that true satifaction in life comes when you yield your life as a servant to all. I get so much more in return in doing for others than I do in being selfish. We are designed to be social creatures and what better way to be social is there than to give.

Students In Action Program comes to Philadelphia Public Schools

Launched in 2006 by The Jefferson Awards For Public Service and Deloitte,  Students In Action is a national youth leadership program. Currently active in 325 high schools in 13 communities across the U.S., the program encourages high school students to get engaged and be the change that they wish to see in their communities.

Through this program we hope to:

• Build life long habits around Service, Leadership and Ethics-the core values of the initiative.
• Double the current level of youth volunteerism and community service on a national level.
• Pass the tradition of Community Service on to young Americans.

Highlighting and promoting Students In Action through Jefferson Awards Media Partners (155 newspapers, radio and television stations in 75 communities all across the country), and with support from Jefferson Awards Champions(leading corporations, universities, local governments and non-profit organizations that partner with The Jefferson Awards to recognize and encourage their employees and retirees to volunteer and help build their local communities),  our goal is to get more young Americans participating in community service, recognizing them for their efforts as a means to inspire others. 

The Jefferson Awards For Public Service is proud to announce that The School District of Philadelphia will join the Students In Action program this school year to award their top service stars who make a difference in the community by volunteering. Mrs. Linda Cliatt-Wayman is excited to bring this prestigious awards and leadership program to the high schools. The Philadelphia high schools that will be joining Father Judge High School and St. Hubert Catholic High School For Girls this year are Academy at Palumbo, Arts Academy at Rush, Bodine High School, The Philadelphia School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Carver High School, Central High School, Franklin Learning Center, Girard Academic Music Program, Lankenau High School, Masterman High School, Motivation High School, Parkway Center City High School, Parkway Northwest High School, Parkway West High School, Philadelphia High School For Girls and Science Leadership Academy. These Jefferson Awards Leadership Schools are serving as role models for the schools in the Philaelphia area, the state, and eventually the country to emulate. Each school’s faculty leadership and student service stars are helping to pass the tradition of voluntary service to future generations while promoting a culture of volunteerism, youth ethics and leadership.

 

I just think that this is a great idea to bring to the city. This grasps the vision of what we want to accomplisg with the reach out philly movement. We hope to embody the spirit of social ethics and inspiration for servanthood.

ACE Program has Philadelphia students thinking outside of the box

Penn dorm design by students at Souderton Area High for the after-school ACE program.A mentor told teens: "Dream."

 

ACE - architecture, construction & engineering 

The ACE program in Philadelphia is helping kids tap into their creative capabilities and realize that there are possibilities and dynamic career choices for them in these creative job fields. Kids in this program are exposed to top level executives with careers in engineering and sciences that can encourage them to stay in school and show them the endless possibilities that are available if they use the creative gifts inside of them. Many kids just aren't aware of the jobs that they can do with expertise and training in these job fields. I would definitely encourage any young person I know with a desire to do something like this to get involved with ACE because they could really help them realize their potential. 

Touring the Barnes construction site on the Parkway is Constitution High student Labriah Morgan, 17. She is part of the ACE Mentor Program.

Click on the link below to view the entire article.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20101102_

Teen_program_offers_fast_track_to_careers_in_building.html?viewAll=y

 

Asking The Tough Questions

The Scholastic Kids Press Corps is a team of about 50 kids, ages 10-14, from around the country who report on breaking news, entertainment, and sports from their hometowns. Their stories appear online at the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website and in issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Obama-Gives-Back-to-School

-Interview-to-Kids-129414418.html

My inspiration...Start Something That Matters.

Not only do I love his shoes but I love his business philosophy. It is one of the things that inspires me to do what I do. I plan on buying the book soon and I'm just looking for something to continue to push me to do what I am doing. I believe in the power of giving and not only giving but giving with love.

http://www.toms.com/startsomethingbook?roi=echo4-15398155409-12823789-16fc1a3d61ae6e02df01d76ed5f2a0de&bhn_mid=3547339&bhn_rid=1525446284&&utm_

source=email&utm_medium=us_sstmlaunch_trailer&utm_campaign=september_2_2011

Back to school: What's wrong with US education?

"The problem is education has been painted with a broad stroke, assuming every student learns the same at the same rate, thereby becoming more systems instead of student centered. Every community is different and every student is different, requiring flexibility."

http://www.thegrio.com/education-1/back-to-school-whats-wrong-with-education.php?page=1

What teachers really want to tell parents

Teacher Ron Clark is pictured with his students

"The truth is, alot of times it's the bad teachers who give the easiest grades, because they know by giving good grades everyone will leave them alone." Ron Clark

 

http://us.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html

Philly SD: zero teacher vacancies for first day of class

I'm glad that these teachers are back to work these kids really need inpspiring and talented teachers to prepare them for the real world.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/school_files/Philly-schools-zero-teacher-vacancies-for-first-day-of-class.html

 

 

Philadelphia teacher's methods make math add up

"There's never a boring day" in Thomas Gaffey's math classes, one of his students at Philadelphia's High School of the Future said. "Students want to do something that they're interested in and hope to remember later on in life."

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20101206_Philadelphia_teache0

r_s_methods_make_math_add_up.html

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