Monday, August 31, 2015

Linda Cliatt-Wayman: How to fix a broken school?




Chester High School Principal Constance McAlister and Strawberry Mansion High School Principal Linda Cliatt-Wayman
Linda Cliatt-Wayman made a surprise appearance at Chester High School thanks to forward thinking of Principal Constance McAlister. Wayman is the latest in a series of motivational speakers to visit the school. Wayman is a principal at Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion High School. She described her efforts to improve the school where she also attended as a student. “She grew up in poverty in North Philadelphia, where she experienced firsthand the injustice being perpetrated against poor students in their education. She has dedicated her career and her life to ending that injustice, working within Philadelphia's fractured public-school system. She spent 20 years as a Special-Ed teacher before becoming a principal, leading two low-performing urban high schools to success with improved test scores and increased college admissions among students” (Source).

Once one of the most dangerous schools in American, Strawberry Mansion High School has now been removed from the federal Persistently Dangerous Schools List for the first time in five years. “Diane Sawyer and her team spent the 2012-2013 school year documenting Wayman’s efforts for ABC World News Tonight and Nightline.

So Linda Cliatt-Wayman had a thing or two to tell Chester High School teachers before they get started on the upcoming school year and left with the parting questions of, “So what? And “What’s next?”



Thursday, August 27, 2015

Chester Upland Back to School Rally

Book bag give away
A Large crowd gathered at Chester Park to listen to Power 99 music and movie night

Convocation in Chester Upland

A full auditorium at Chester High School for the annual convocation

Today was the first day back for staff in the Chester Upland School District. The district held its annual convocation with the theme “Get in the game.” The theme is based on Key & Peele's – Teaching Center video, see it here. Superintendent Gregory Shannon asked, “What If teachers were treated like a star athlete?” You can imagine the product you will get if teachers were drafted like athletes. Shannon believes that “Everyone should be treated like a first round pick.” Schools are scheduled to open for students on September 2nd, “Our Vision is to ensure that every student in every school receives a world-class education that is rigorous and engaging,” said Shannon. The district is moving forward with the third year of reform but with some setback, lack of funding. The district may not be able to make payroll by September 9th but it is hopeful that staff will report to work just as they did in 2012. Chester Upland is going into the school year with 23 new staff members. As one newly hired staff who travels an hour away said, “As long as I have gas to get here…” He trailed off with a shrug. Now that's motivation!

Dwight Carter from Chester was the motivational speaker. He is a principal in Ohio. He is the product of a teenage mother who had him at the age of 15 and his siblings at the age of 17. He shared some great ideas. Everyone seemed rallied up to keep schools open.

Keep Chester Upland's Schools Open



Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Public Stargazing Sessions to Resume



CHESTER, Pa. — The Widener University Observatory resumes its public stargazing sessions on Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. All are invited to see the stars, planets and other celestial wonders using the observatory’s 12- and 16-inch computerized reflecting telescopes. Widener astronomy professors, with assistance from undergraduate students, will be on hand to offer assistance.
Upcoming stargazing sessions include Monday twilight viewings on Sept. 14, 21 and 28 from 8-9 p.m. and Oct. 5, 12 and 19 from 7-8 p.m. In addition to the Friday, Sept. 11 viewing, the observatory will host a Friday evening session on Oct. 2 from 8-9 p.m.
There will also be a special session on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 9-10:30 p.m. to view the total lunar eclipse.

*Disclaimer: This press release was submitted by Widener University. This is not an endorsement by Ms. B: The Good News blog. The post is intended as a FYI to the community.