The School Reform Commission (SRC) announced on Thursday that the Renaissance Turnaround Team from String Theory Charter Schools has been awarded the contract to run H. R. Edmunds

H. R. Edmunds Elementary School

Elementary School effective with the school year beginning in September of 2012.

From their web site the String Theory model:

String Theory Schools’ flagship model school is the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School. When the doors opened in September 2000, it became the only grade school in the state of Pennsylvania to link academic education with the arts. Since then, schools in Chester and Pittsburgh, as well as other states throughout the county, have followed the String Theory Schools’ model.

The SRC followed the recommendations of the School District which says on their press release:

The District recommendations were informed by a turnaround team matching process conducted by School Advisory Councils at each Renaissance School.  School Advisory Councils met and reviewed proposals from turnaround teams and visited schools currently managed by the teams.  After reviewing the proposals, meeting with the prospective turnaround teams and holding community meetings, the Councils developed match recommendations and delivered them to the District earlier this week.

The District incorporated the findings from the School Advisory Councils into the final recommendations to the School Reform Commission.  Renaissance Schools and turnaround teams were matched based upon how the turnaround team’s proposed school design meets the needs of the respective schools.

At the Northwood Civic meeting earlier this week in the discussion among members regarding Edmunds, the opinion of the majority of the members was that any change should be in favor of a better educational result.  Members voiced concerns about order and discipline more than anything else.  So they will be looking toward improvement in those areas of concern as this process moves forward.

There is no mention in the SRC press release of whether the School District recommendations followed the will of the Edmunds School Advisory Council.  So far they have not responded to our inquiry on that issue.  If any readers have any insight into that question, please comment.

On Tuesday night, the Northwood Civic Association discussed at length the repercussions of the impending conversion of the H. R. Edmunds elementary school to a charter school.  Members were updated on the recent public meeting by Renee Hudson.  Concern focused on discipline, school growth and who would run the new school.

In others news at the meeting, Joe Krause reported on his recent meeting with Northwood Academy Charter School.  Take away from that meeting is that the school will not be adding a high school but will be Kindergarten to 8th grade.  The top floor of the new building will be a gymnasium and the ground floor will house a cafeteria.  They are considering trying to acquire the lot on the other side of the street (Adams and Orthodox) for parking.

Joe Krause also reported on the Juanita Civic meeting he attended where it was reported that construction on the Bridge school on the property at Adams Avenue will begin within the next few months.  It was also noted the the owners of the property now occupied by the concrete company on Castor Avenue have a potential tenant for a new building that would be erected at that location.  PHMC is considering it for the location of an adult day care facility. No decision has been made.

Association member Al Stuhl raised the issue of a membership drive to recruit new members and also a web site for public information.

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Gina Panchella and the Treasurer’s report was delivered by Renee Hudson.  The next meeting of the Northwood Civic will be held at St. James Lutheran Church on April 17th at 7PM.

From the Inquirer this morning:

FOUR MORE elementary schools will be overhauled next year as part of the school district’s Renaissance Initiative, which aims to turn around “chronically low-performing schools.  …The district will work with the community to select one of six companies to turn the struggling schools into charters. …  The providers are: American Paradigm, Mosaica Turnaround Team, Mastery Charter Schools, Scholar Academies, String Theory and Universal Companies.

Read the entire story at this link.

Jorge Santana, Rep. Tony Payton's Chief of Staff

There were about 30 people last night at the Northwood Civic, which had been rescheduled to avoid next weeks election day.  The focus was on quality of life issues as follows:

• The Civic is going back to court on the issue of enforcement against 950 Fillmore Street and the addition to the home at that location.
• Residents of the 1100 block of Herbert Street have complained about one occupant of that block operating a business selling automobiles.  There are as many as 11 cars parked on the street.  The owner is moving tags from one to the other to avoid detection.
• Illegal day cares continue to be a problem.  Some are offering care for as many as twelve children around the clock.  There are safety as well as traffic and noise issues.
• Barry noted that the Frankford Civic voted to not support the zoning application of the Bridge to move onto the property at Adams Avenue.   Northwood will maintain its support for the move.
• They will continue to work on the VOA group home by talking with the owners.
• Members voted to approve attorney’s fees for the Bridge zoning hearing and the case for 950 Fillmore Street.
• The Civic is looking to apply for a grant from the Preservation Alliance for demolition of the garages located Rutland and Fillmore Streets.  There were severely damaged in a fire.  Looking to make improvements to the nearby tennis courts at the other end of the block at Rutland and Harrison Streets.
• Barry will be meeting with the Principal of Frankford High School today to discuss the problem with students roaming through the neighborhood and getting into trouble.  He is looking to having a similar discussion with the Principal of Emunds in the future.

Jorge Santana, Tony Payton’s Chief of Staff, announced that he will be leaving his position with Tony at the end of the week.   Jorge has been at almost every Northwood meeting and Barry noted that he has been invaluable to the Civic with his assistance in every way possible.

The next Northwood Civic meeting is scheduled for June 21st at 7PM.

• Sidewalk art contest for kids and pet event
  When – Sat, September 18, 10am – 1pm

  Where – Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Streets (map)

  Description – We will be holding a sidewalk art contest for kids. If adults would like to show off their skills with chalk they are welcome to come. There will be prizes for the kids and refreshments for all! Thanks for your support. Also, A veterinarian and a team of volunteers will offer low-cost vaccinations and microchips to pet owners (both dogs and cats). They will also give out info about spay/neuter, pet care, leash laws, etc. They will give out vouchers for $40 spay/neuter and vaccinations for pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Also, they have leashes and collars they will give people.
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, September 21, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
• Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
  When – Thu, September 30, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where – Aria Health, 2nd floor. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
• Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’
  When – Sun, September 26, 12pm – 4pm

  Where – Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library, 4278 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’ General Meade’s Famed Warhorse Returns Home to Post #1 Ceremony at 1:30pm Refreshments & Beverages Tours & Talks Parking at St Joachim’s R.C. Church lot on Griscom St. Please R.S.V.P. to: garmuslib@verizon.net or call: 215-289-6484
• Unlitter Us Rally and Fair
  When – Fri, October 1, 11:30am – 12:00pm

  Where – outside of Holiday Thriftway (5147 Frankford Avenue) (map)
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, October 3, 12pm – 5pm

  Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: “Civil War Spies and Guerillas” Dr Sid Copel
• Friends of Overington Park
  When – Tue, October 5, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – CORA Neuman Center at 1000 Orthodox Street (map)

  Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, October 7, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, October 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

  Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – BREWERIES of FRANKFORD, KENSINGTON & BRIDESBURG Rich Wagner Master Brewers Association of the Americas www.pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com PHILADELPHIA BREWING COMPANY OKTOBERFEST LIBATIONS Raise one up for these three industrial River Wards, where breweries quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world. Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last breweries to close, while those of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. Rich Wagner has been studying the history of this area’s brewing industry and has researched brewing from colonial times to today’s craft brewing industry.
• Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
  When – Thu, October 14, 6pm – 8pm

  Where – Corner of Oxford Ave. and Foulkrod St. (map)

  Description – Gather together with your friends and neighbors to maintain and improve this garden spot in Frankford.