Category: Education

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Red Carpet Rolled Our for First Day of Kindergarten

It was a big day for the five year olds at Edmunds on Tuesday, September 11th.  I should use the new name which is The Philadelphia Charter School for Arts and Sciences at H. R. Edmunds.  The kids entering kindergarten were welcomed to the school by the principal Susan Feola, and entered the building walking on a red carpet and under an archway of red and blue balloons.  It was quite a memorable occasion.

The school building looks great inside, fresh paint obvious all around. I’m looking forward to getting back there again this year.   Another great school in Northwood/Frankford can only enhance the neighborhood.

This is a short clip of the kids walking the red carpet.

[fg_youtube]http://youtu.be/bH0aUlSCK3w[/fg_youtube]

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iPRAXIS looking for mentors to work with middle school students again this year

Following a successful 2011 year that culminated in a December Science Fair at the St Joachim annex of Northwood Academy Charter School, iPRAXIS is once again looking for volunteers to mentor middle school students.

Via the iPraxis website:

The mission of iPRAXIS is to open the doors of science and discovery to new generations through innovative educational programming.  iPRAXIS works to connect resources with under-served communities, allowing more opportunities in scientific enterprise for people of all backgrounds. iPRAXIS encourages the active participation in the sciences through advocacy and outreach.

Cordell stands next to his electrified field experiment from last year’s science fair

From Megan Hopkins-Doer, former Northwood Academy teacher and current iPRAXIS program director:

At iPRAXIS we are getting ready for the upcoming school year and so I am busy recruiting volunteers.  As such, I would love if the announcement for volunteers could be put into the Frankford Gazette.  This year, we plan on continuing to support the science program at Northwood Academy Charter school, as well as our other Philadelphia schools.

As background, we recruit volunteer STEM experts to go to our partner middle schools in Philadelphia to expose students to the STEM disciplines and increase their excitement for, and understanding of, science.   We work with several schools across Philadelphia, including Cook-Wissahickon.  This is a link detailing our impact over the years – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8leo6ede8b8k3q5/mIxeBUOdwU?m

Last year we had 7 judges from various sources such as Temple and Penn graduate students, a Boeing engineer, and several judges from Thermo Fisher Scientific review and interview the students at Northwood’s Science Fair.  Then volunteers from GlaxoSmithKline and Temple came weekly to Northwood to mentor the winners from the Science Fair as they prepared to compete in Philadelphia city-wide Science Fair, GW Carver.  iPRAXIS also provided engineering experts to guide students in two afterschool engineering clubs: Future City competition and Junior Solar Sprint competition.  In addition, iPRAXIS brought six presenters to Northwood to provide presentations that supported the curriculum and expanded the students’ knowledge of potential careers.  At one of these presentations, John McNeil the CEO of the Eastern Regional Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Dr. Richard Schmidt an oncologist, spoke to students about cancer and some of the treatment options.  At this presentation, Mr. McNeil and Dr. Schmidt were very impressed with the level of questions the students provided and encouraged by the response they received.

The school year is quickly approaching and so I am currently in the process of finding volunteers.   Our volunteers range from students from the region’s universities to PGW engineers to leading surgeons (such as Dr. George Spaeth of Wills Eye).   I have attached several flyers with different types of volunteering opportunities, but our biggest need is for mentors.  This year we will work with the following schools: Belmont Academy (W Phila), Cook-Wissahickon (Roxborough), Girard College (N Phila), Lea (W Phila), Martha Washington (W Phila), Memphis St Charter (Port Richmond), and Northwood Academy (Frankford).

[PDF] general scienteer flyer with school names – presenter

[PDF] general scienteer flyer with school names – afterschool mentor

[PDF] general scienteer flyer with school names – presenter

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Young Heroes Award 2012

left to right Mr and Mrs Ragsdale, uncle and aunt, younger brother Edmund Jr, mother Pamela Dawkins, Antoinette and father, Edmond Dawkins Sr.

The National Liberty Museum hosted the 12th Annual Young Heroes Award Ceremony on Thursday, August 9th. Twenty students from throughout southeastern PA and central NJ received the award which is presented to students in grades 1 through 12 and from any kind of school (public, charter or private).  Awardees were recognized for their service to community and school and showed leadership and the ability to make a change.

Frankford High School graduate Antoinette Dawkins received the award for the many volunteer hours she spent on projects throughout the Frankford neighborhood and the city.

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First Frankford Students Are Back to School

Yesterday, August 8 at 8:30 AM, over 650 students at First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School were welcomed back to school by the Phillie Phanatic.

Located at 4300 Tacony Street, First Philadelphia is a part of American Paradigm Schools, a national nonprofit educational management organization,  The school offers kindergarten through eighth grade and will be celebrating the following accomplishments this year:

  • Their 11th year in existence as a public charter school
  •  The School District of Philadelphia’s approval of First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School to grow its enrollment from 650 to 1800 students, allowing it to open an additional elementary school and high school
  • Selection by the Center for Leadership and Ethics as a 2011 Pennsylvania School District of Character.

They were not only the first students in Frankford to return to school but also the first in Pennsylvania.   First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School operates on an original academic calendar with periods of “inter-sessions” in the course of the school year. The “inter-sessions” are periods of time when the children can either choose to take time off from classes or attend school for additional exciting enrichment classes.

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Back to School Fair and Rally

We are organizing our Back-to-School Fair & Rally on August 24, from 9a.m. to 2p.m., at Frankford High School. The event is a community-wide opportunity for K-12 students from throughout the 179th District (includes Frankford, Olney, Hunting Park, Northwood and Burholme) and parents to gain access to information and resources needed for a successful school year. We plan to offer workshops on topics including but not limited to safety, healthy habits, parent engagement and reducing truancy. Meanwhile, students will get free haircuts and dental check-ups. Representatives from organizations will serve as vendors to provide information on the programs and services they offer. And during a Noon rally, attendees will be treated to music and appearances by local artists and radio personalities.

As representative of one of the poorest Legislative Districts in the state, Rep. Payton is committed to meeting the needs of his constituents by providing pertinent services and information. This is especially true within the realm of education. And one way he plans to do that, is by supplying families with much needed book bags and school supplies for the coming year. We can’t do it alone. We desperately need book bags, pens, pencils, binders, crayons, glue, highlighters, markers, colored pencils, index cards, calculators, rulers, folders, notebooks and loose leaf paper. We greatly appreciate any assistance. We will accept donations for grades K-12 up until the day before the event (August 23). Donors and supporters can drop off items at 4509 Frankford Avenue, call 215-744-7901 or email dtales@pahouse.net to schedule a pick-up.

 

Thanks,

Dafney Tales
Special Events Coordinator
State Representative Tony Payton, Jr.
179th Legislative District
4509 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19124
215-744-7901
dtales@pahouse.net