2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
Planned partnership under fire
Initial proposal for Penn, Drexel to partner with a renovated U. City High criticized at public forum
Katie Karas
Patricia Wood, a junior at University City High, said ever since students were informed on Monday that the school would be shutting down, emotions have run high.
"This is our community, this is our home," she said. "We look at our teachers like they're our family."
Jones said University City High would stop enrolling ninth graders in 2009, so by the time the school shuts down, fewer students would have to find alternative schooling options.
Jones said the school district is looking at which other high schools could temporarily house the misplaced students.
The University City High that reopens in 2012 will be different in more than just its heating and air-conditioning capabilities.
Jones said that as a part of the school district's five-year plan to reduce the size of high schools, University City High will only house about 400 students when it is reopened. That leaves open the possibility that two separate schools will coexist within the current building.
Most of the about 100 people who attended the meeting left unsatisfied with the plans.
"Why can't we entertain the idea of letting this thing ride out for two more years so no students have to be transferred?" parent Nancy Gilliam asked.
"This is our community, this is our home," she said. "We look at our teachers like they're our family."
Jones said University City High would stop enrolling ninth graders in 2009, so by the time the school shuts down, fewer students would have to find alternative schooling options.
Jones said the school district is looking at which other high schools could temporarily house the misplaced students.
The University City High that reopens in 2012 will be different in more than just its heating and air-conditioning capabilities.
Jones said that as a part of the school district's five-year plan to reduce the size of high schools, University City High will only house about 400 students when it is reopened. That leaves open the possibility that two separate schools will coexist within the current building.
Most of the about 100 people who attended the meeting left unsatisfied with the plans.
"Why can't we entertain the idea of letting this thing ride out for two more years so no students have to be transferred?" parent Nancy Gilliam asked.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Alan Krigman
posted 3/27/08 @ 8:34 AM EST
Penn's self-congratulatory "Vision of the Anointed" seems to have been blurred by a severe case of myopia.
gentrify now!
posted 3/27/08 @ 4:22 PM EST
"Why can't we entertain the idea of letting this thing ride out for two more years so no students have to be transferred?"
Because, we are sick of the kind of incompetent schools that breed drug use, teen pregnancy, and gang violence. (Continued…)
Partnership, not gentrification
posted 3/27/08 @ 5:10 PM EST
In response to 'gentrify now!', the population of West Philadelphia is not community chattel to be expelled to the nether regions of the metropolis. Partnership means that the populations should work to service each other's needs. (Continued…)
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