SLA Reacts to School Closings

By: Jamie Murphy

Staff Writer

On December 13th, the School District of Philadelphia announced its plans to close or relocate close to 40 schools in the city.

New superintendent Dr. William Hite announced these plans in the hope for better quality schools and schooling environment.

In an interview published on News Works, Hite said that, “At the end of this process, we believe that we will have a system that better serves all students, families, and stakeholders.”

SLA is not on the list of schools, and does not expect any changes in location or enrollment.

Principal Mr.Lehman reasures by saying, “Anytime you have to close schools that majorly its a really hard place, but we are fortunate as a community that our school is not closing.”

However, the changes are still having an influence on the SLA community.

Sophomore Melanie Harrington is worried because her mom works at the Tanner Duckery school, one of the schools being shut down.

“When schools close they are usually force transferred, but that may not happen since so many teachers are losing their position,” she said. “There may not be a position for everyone. So that would leave some out of jobs.”

Junior Ellen To mentioned, “It’s affecting a lot of other public schools too. My little sister, who goes to Greenfield Elementary school, will have like 10 or 15 more kids in her class now.”

Parents of the students attending the schools that are closing are protesting. As this is a major event, affecting a very large number of people.

Activist group, Parents United for Public Education stated in refute to the plan, “National studies have shown that Districts do not improve academically or financially though mass closings,” “The [Philadelphia] District has failed to demonstrate what it will do differently from other cities to address those concerns.”

Most of the SLA community are in their own bubble as it is safe to safe to say, we’re in the clear.