A citywide call for action

By Shalita Hale
Photo by Colin Kerrigan

One good thing did come out of the November shooting on a school bus in Southwest Philadelphia. It caused city officials and administrators to stand up, take notice, and respond to what Venard Johnson of the Southeast Pennsylvania Network For Family Health, Education, and Welfare calls 'student unrest'. A community meeting will be held this Friday, December 18th at 6:00 PM at the First African Baptist Church.

It was an uncanny coincidence that Mr. Johnson's organization met with School District of Philadelphia Superintendent, Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman on the day of the shocking incident. Since then, violence against Asian students at South Philadelphia High School has further intensified community concerns over what is being done to protect our children. The Southeast Pennsylvania Network for Family Health, Education, and Welfare is a twenty year old organization that with the support of Dr. Ackerman and many other Philadelphia non profit groups is working on a city wide agenda to improve school safety. Students across the city will be recruited and trained to aid in facilitating a safer environment in Philadelphia schools beginning in January of 2010. This initial meeting is the first step in this proposed effort.

WHAT: City Wide Education & Safety Meeting

WHEN: Friday December 18th, 2009 at 6:00PM

WHERE: The First African Baptist Church 1600 Christian St., Philadelphia, PA 19146


The goal of this meeting is to bring parents, leaders and community members from all over the city together to address serious challenges faced by educators and families in Philadelphia. Administrators, families, community members, and stakeholders will discuss issues including truancy, how students view education, violence, as well as both upcoming and available resources designed to address these issues. "Dr. Ackerman has expressed her position that she wants to work with the entire community in an effort to provide safe schools and an environment for learning." says Johnson. Many express concern over problems affecting city children. Here is an opportunity to actually be a part of the solution. Johnsons says "Anyone and everyone in the neighborhood is invited to participate in this process. We are looking for participation from every corner we can get it from."