Frankford Gazette » News

Banners Gracing the Entrance to Harding Middle School Tell Part of the Story!

Pat Smiley — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:08:57 +0000

You get a feeling that good things are happening at Harding Middle School! We went to visit on Friday, 2/24, the day that three banners, now hanging at the main entrance of the school on Torresdale Avenue, were dedicated. ArtsRising is an effort to make quality arts education available for all of our children in the city. When you visit their website, you will see their partners and sponsors. These wonderful programs need funding and our support. Schools can apply to be an “Artzone Hub” and there are site visits, surveys and consideration of other criteria before you are selected. If you would like your school to get involved, you can find out how here. Seven artzones or communities have been identified in the city thus far and Harding Middle School is our “hub” here in Frankford. You can read a profile about Harding here on the ArtsRising website .

These banners are a sight to behold but just as important is what they represent. Principal Michael J. Calderone explained that the banners depict the Arts, Academics and Athletics at Harding. It is by design that the Academics banner hangs in the middle because Academics is at the center, the heart, of all that Hardings’ staff and students are achieving. For the last three years, students have improved their proficiency levels as measured by the state’s PSSA tests. In the spirit of the moment, I am getting ahead of myself here. When you enter Harding Middle School, you are struck by the grandness of the lobby, even after 85 years. This school was built to showcase design and achitecture at the height of our Roaring 20′s! We were immediately greeted warmly by three students, Raina, Johnathan and Joe, who after reminding us that we needed to sign in, would be our escorts to the Independent Media Center. The IMC, which houses the library and a wall of Apple iMAC computers for sutdent use, had a classroom of students waiting expectantly. Due to the weather, the dedication ceremony could not be held outside.

Ambrose Liu, ArtsZone Coordinator, welcomed everyone. The Director of ArtsRising, Varissa Mickens, explained that while 45 students directly participated in the banners we see, they are meant to represent the dreams of all of the students and the community’s dreams for them. In a very visual and vibrant way, these banners express the dreams that Harding Middle School administration, teachers, parents and students are working to bring to life. These dreams go beyond the school walls to the larger Frankford community and beyond as well. Ms. Mickens congratulated the students telling them that they should be proud of their efforts and she thanked Principal Calderone for his belief in the power of arts education and his support of the program.

Mr. Liu explained that the teaching artist, Betsy Casanas, co-founder of Semilla Arts Initiative, partnered with Harding teachers John Papiano, Technology Teacher, and Jon Tietz, Visual Arts Teacher, and students to design and create these banners. Semilla, meaning “seed”, is how Ms. Casanas describes the way that art “plants” in students a feeling of empowerment, where as young as they might be, they are able to use their “strong and powerful voices today” to impact their communities. Ms. Casanas went on to say that this was just a beginning in future projects with the students that would integrate with their curriculum. Stained Glass depicting events in History and learning about light in Science. If you teach students “how” to do something, they will continue to use this creative power in their lives.

Speaking of student voices, several students from the Def Poets Club shared their works with us. You can see it here for yourself.

State Representative Tony Payton and Jason Dawkins, a representative from City Councilwoman’s Maria Sanchez-Quinones’ office were in attendance as well. Kimberly Washington, Coordinator of Northeast EPIC Stakeholders, spoke about growing up in the immediate area and that the Northeast EPIC Stakeholders are working to improve the quality of life in Frankford and Northeast Philadelphia. What impressed me, also, is the collaborative effort that went into this initiative. It does take all of us to work together for the good of our young people and the future of our communities! To experience this uplifting moment, you can watch it here. To all who participated and supported this project, you have both our congratulations and thanks!

Is Your Child Going to Kindergarten This Fall? There Is Help To Get You Both Ready!

Pat Smiley — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:30 +0000

We know that early childhood education makes a difference to a child’s future achievement. Will your child be transitioning from a preschool environment to Kindergarten? Make no mistake, it is a transition, and a bigger transition than the one when your child first started day care and/or preschool. Here is an opportunity to make that transition a smooth one. LEARN (the Local Education And Resource Network) of Philadelphia is a partnership of early childhood professionals, parents, members of the community and organizations promoting quality early childhood education in our area. The Philadelphia LEARN Team, in collaboration with the SDP’s Office of Early Childhood Education and the Please Touch Museum are hosting “Kindergarten Registration Panels” throughout the city for parents/guardians of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2012. The closest event for us is at the Northeast Regional Branch of the Philadelphia Library on Tuesday evening, March 20, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. This program is for parents/guardians only! Gift bags for those attending! Bring a friend whose child will also be going to Kindergarten! Space is limited so please RSVP to learn@ccisnephila.com. (If you have friends in Northwest or Central Philly, there are other meeting dates for them.) The flyer below gives you additional information. Please mark this date on your calendar now and plan to attend. RSVP ASAP!

Brightside Academy Hosts “Meet Your Legislators” Event for Parents and Students!

Pat Smiley — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:35:02 +0000

Our local Brightside Academy, located at 1627-29 Meadow Street, hosted a “Meet Your Legislators” event on Friday, 1/13/12, to bring our local legislators, parents and students together. Part of the program included a photo display of students’ concerns about our community. The students had been given disposable cameras to capture and record what they would like to change about Frankford. Students also prepared questions to present to the legislators. As I looked at the photo display, there were pictures of littered streets and abandoned buildings. We, too, share these young citizens’ concerns. Parents gathered in the meeting room of Brightside Academy, munching on provided snacks, to await the arrival of the legislators.

This was our first visit to Brightside Academy and we were warmly greeted and impressed with the brightly painted and decorated classrooms. This Brightside Academy is one of 30 academies in the city according to Davida Garr, Community Affairs Specialist. Brightside Academy is a part of many of our city neighborhoods and are reaching out to connect with their families and support the local communities. Early education and care are provided for children aged 6 weeks – 12 years. Academies are open year-round from 6 AM until 6 PM (may vary slightly by location). Juana Ramos, Area Business Director, explained that Brightside Academy opened in 1999 at this location. The name “Academy” is very important to staff as they provide an educational environment, work to enhance their own qualifications through staff development and work to reach higher levels in the Keystone Stars program. Keystone Stars is a PA Early Learning initiative that gives accreditation to day-care centers based on the highest performance level they achieve – Star 1 through Star 4.

I had a chance to speak with parents who are unanimously very pleased with this facility. They feel staff are pleasant, there is a family atmosphere and they recommended them highly. One mother has had three children in Brightside Academy and the oldest is now 11. We visited a class where a student was celebrating an 8th birthday and cupcakes had been shared!

State Representative Tony Payton arrived, as did City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. Unfortunately, State Senator Christine Tartaglione had a previous commitment. Students welcomed them and introduced themselves asking questions about litter, jobs and money for education. These future voters did themselves well!

The Northeast EARN Center (located on Frankford Avenue) had representatives and a table of information at the event. This agency provides support for those transitioning from welfare to work in northeast Philadelphia. You must be referred to them by your caseworker if you are receiving assistance from the Department of Public Welfare. If you have any questions or think you might be eligible, talk to your caseworker.

For more information, visit their website at Brightside Academy or call 215.289.0641 or 877.868.2273. Kudos to all those involved in this event! Our Frankford community is the better for them!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Frankford Revitalization

Gil — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:48:33 +0000

NEastPhilly.com has a two part article this week on Frankford Revitalization. It is written by Pamela Seaton and Kirsten Stamn, students reporting for Philadelphia Neighborhoods, the publication of Temple University’s Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.

It is certainly worth reading since it covers just about everything going on in Frankford now. Have a look at part 1 here. Part 2 is here.

Hurricane Irene Flood Video of Pennypack Creek

Gil — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 03:21:45 +0000

This is from Fred Moore:

I was at Pennypack Creek and Frankford Ave at 8:30 AM Sunday. Missed the high water peak by about 30 minutes. Still plenty of water going under the bridge. I’d say it was about equal to – maybe just shy of Hurricane Floyd. About 2 feet from the top of the two larger arches. Appears to be less debris buildup at the bridge than with Floyd.

11 minute composite video from the railroad trestle at the back St Dom’s cemetery to just downstream from the 1697 King’s Highway Bridge at Frankford Ave. Including confused great blue heron.

Hurricane Irene in Frankford

Gil — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:05:26 +0000

I have to admit, I thought we might have made it through with very little damage in Frankford until I took the tour this afternoon. I first had a look at the water level of the Frankford Creek where it crosses Wingohocking Street. At 1 PM it was certainly higher than usual but not near flood stage.

Then I took a tour around the area. There was a tree down at Wingohocking and Castor on the corner of the golf course. There is another on Large at Adams in the parking lot of the pharmaceutical company. It crushed the fence when it fell.

The was another fairly small tree down at Kinsey and Hedge Streets. One of the homeowners said it fell at the beginning of the storm yesterday.

The big tree on the corner of Dyre and Frankford on the hospital property is down and blocking Frankford Avenue.

Another big tree on Oxford Avenue between Dyre and Oakland fell back against the big single home that it has been guarding all these years.

Finally in the 4700 block of Oakland a tall tree fell and landed on one car while damaging another. Traffic is blocked there also.

This morning Joe Menkevich sent me these pictures of the home at the corner of Arrott and Horrocks.

I guess it could have been much worse. You can see some of the pictures below. Click on the image to see it full size.

Summer Is the Perfect Reading Season at the Free Library of Philadelphia!

Pat Smiley — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:01:33 +0000

I received a flyer from the Free Library of Philadelphia about their summer reading programs. I remember, oh so well, my own participation in these programs as a young child. Such memories are lasting! The Free Library has reading programs for ALL ages! The theme for this year’s summer reading program is Discover the World @ Your Library. This link will tell you all about it. Check out the Frankford Branch website of the Free Library located at 4634 Frankford Avenue. When I did, I found out that the Philadelphia Zoo will be presenting a “Zoo on Wheels” Workshop about animals “Born in the USA” on Monday, June 20 at 4 P.M.

The Mayor Has Spoken! What Do You Think?

Pat Smiley — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:03:47 +0000

Tonight, Mayor Nutter addressed the citizens of Philadelphia regarding the $645 million deficit in the School District’s budget for the 2011-2012 school year. Listen to his address here. Because you are reading this, we know you are concerned, too! What do you think?

It All Adds Up For Frankford High School Math Teacher!

Pat Smiley — Fri, 13 May 2011 03:13:14 +0000

Here at the Frankford Gazette, we applaud all those who choose to teach! Dedicated teachers are inspiring dreams and shaping the future! We would like to especially congratulate Mr. Linwood Stevens, a Math Teacher at Frankford High School, who was one of the recipients of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

The Lindbacks wanted to promote teaching excellence so they established a foundation which awards distinguished teachers in our area. Mr. Stevens received his award on May 10, 2011. Perhaps some of our readers are familiar with Mr. Stevens. We would love to hear from you!

Are You Concerned About School District Budget Cuts and Your Child’s Education Future?

Pat Smiley — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:20:35 +0000

If you are a loyal reader, you are knowledgeable about Frankford and current events. Across the country, funding for schools is decreasing dramatically. The School District of Philadelphia has released its budget for the 2011-2012 School Year. You can read the Budget in Brief. This budget reflects a loss of $600 million or, roughly, 20% of the School District’s budget. Here is an article about the first budget hearing at Meredith School. To be fair, we at the Frankford Gazette will give you both sides of an issue. Just as school districts are preparing bare bones budgets throughout the commonwealth, PA Department of Revenue has projected an April surplus of $506 million in its collections, more than 6 times what was projected. This may help to ease some of the drastic cuts.

However, parents need to demand a top-rate education for their children and they need to express their desires at one of the upcoming community budget meetings – see the flyers below! We have encouraged all parents to get involved in their child’s school and to ensure that their child gets the education they are deserving of – it’s the greatest, greatest gift you can give your child! Education enables and empowers us to reach our potential and fulfill our dreams! Isn’t this our greatest wish for our children? Plan to attend a meeting – take your friends!