We Believe in Dragons!
Congratulations to Philadelphia’s own Taney Dragons for their incredible run in the Little League World Series! They may not have captured the championship, but this team of 12-and 13-year-old boys and one very special girl captured the hearts of Philadelphians and baseball fans all across the country. The crowds in Williamsport this week were bigger than those at the Phillies games! Now it’s time for Philadelphia to show its appreciation for our hometown heroes. Sign this petition calling on the city to hold a special parade for the Taney Dragons and their families. You can also show your support by making a donation to Taney Little League so more Philadelphia children can have a chance to play one of America’s favorite pastimes.
Fair State Funding: The Only Solution to Pennsylvania’s School Funding Crisis
A new fact finding report shows unsafe and unsanitary conditions in some Philadelphia schools largely due to a lack of adequate state funding. The report released by Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes includes accounts from parents, teachers, and administrators. It confirms the disgraceful realities of overcrowded classrooms, overburdened secretaries and too few staff available to make repairs to school buildings.
Other findings from the report include:
- Average class size between 30-40 students, with many classes doubling in size
- One principal reported that trash pickup only occurred once a week, resulting in unsafe and unsanitary conditions for students
- An assistant principal at one school said only half of students in middle school have music, the other half only receive art instruction
- Only 3 HVAC technicians serve more than 200 school buildings
Philadelphia schools will open next month with even fewer resources than they had this past year because state lawmakers have indicated they will not approve the Philadelphia cigarette tax until they return from summer recess.
To truly improve the quality of education in Philadelphia and in school districts across Pennsylvania, the State Legislature must work together and approve a fair and reliably-funded formula for public education. Join PCCY and other organizations from across the state in Harrisburg on Monday, September 22nd to urge lawmakers in the state house and senate to approve a fair funding formula in the next budget.
Click here to sign up.
Help us raise money to take a bus of education supporters to Harrisburg on September 22nd. We need to raise $1,200 for the bus. If 24 concerned citizens donate $50, we’ll have it covered.
To donate, click on this link and enter your contribution on the “Annual Giving Campaign” line. Also, be sure to note in the message box that you are donating to our bus trip to Harrisburg.
New School Year Just Around the Corner, but Not All Children Will Start Kindergarten Ready to Learn
Bucks County Commissioner Rob Loughery reads to children at Emilie Christian Day School, in Levittown, Pa. on behalf of the Pre-K for PA Campaign
About 70% of three and four-year-olds in Pennsylvania do not have access to high-quality pre-K. Many school districts across the state will open in the next two weeks, and many children will be starting kindergarten without the basic skills they need to succeed in school. This week, elected leaders and school district administrators in Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties joined the Pre-K for PA Campaign to promote the benefits of high-quality pre-K and call for expanded access so that every three-and four-year-old child in Pennsylvania can access high-quality pre-K by 2018.
Join the Pre-K for PA Campaign today!
Click here to find events in your area.
You can also click here to find actions you can do from home to support the Campaign.