February Newsflash
Events
February 4 – 20: 21st Celebration of Black Writing Festival: Telling Our Stories. Acclaimed writers, authors and scholars will engage an audience of thousands through lectures, readings, workshops, panel discussions and performances, at various locations throughout the area. For details, go to www.artsanctuary.org.
February 4: “Give Kids a Smile” Day. Dental providers from the Southeast Pennsylvania Oral Health Task Force will offer free dental screenings and other services to Philadelphia children. For a full schedule, and a list of providers seeing children year round, go to http://www.pccy.org/GiveKidsASmile.htm.
February 8: African American Dialogue. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Church of the Advocate, 18h & Diamond streets. Matinee of poetry and music featuring Philadelphia orchestra cellist Udi Bar-David, Diane Monroe, and Twin Poets. For information: 215-232-4485 or www.artsanctuary.org.
February 9: School Reform Commission Planning Meeting. 1 p.m., School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 2nd floor Auditorium. To register to speak, call 215-299-7850 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
February 10: School District Parent and Community Roundtable. 12 noon. School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 1st floor boardroom. Parents and leaders of community-based organizations gather to discuss District programs and provide parent insight into initiatives. RSVP to at 215-299-2995.
February 16: School Reform Commission Action Meeting. 1 p.m., School District of Philadelphia, 2120 Winter Street, 2nd floor Auditorium. To register to speak, call 215-299-7850 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
February 21: 16th Annual Celebration of African Cultures. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street. Features dance performances and workshops, storytelling, children’s activities, African gallery tours, music, and more. Free with Museum admission donation ($8 adults, $5 students and seniors, free to children under 6). For information, see the museum’s website.
February 26: February 26: What’s Wrong with Public Education? A forum by Parents United Against Violence in the Public Schools. 12 noon. African American United Fund Inc. Conference Center, 2231 N. Broad Street. Speakers: Jerome Avery, African and African Descent Curriculum & Instruction Reform Committee; Henry DeBarnardo, Black Star; Wesley Wilson-Bey, Men United Against Violence Network; Odinga Mukhtar, Africans Against the Draft and ROTC; Basiymah Muhammad-Bey, Independent African School; Rev. James Royal, C.R.O.P; Garvey Lundy, University of Pennsylvania; Umar Abdullah-Johnson, school psychologist. For information, contact Ernest Ford, 215-634-1448.
Every Thursday: Talk radio program with Sandra Dungee Glenn, School Reform Commission member. 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WURD 900 AM. Call-in number: 215-426-1310.
School Calendar
February 2, 7: “Eagles Days in the District.” The District will relax its student dress code and encourages students and employees to wear shirts, hats, and other items of clothing bearing the Eagles logo or colors (green and/or white). Acceptable dress on both days will include green and/or white colored shirts, hats, pants, dresses and skirts or Philadelphia Eagles uniforms, hats, shirts or other team paraphernalia. Students can also opt to not dress up on those two days and wear the regular student dress code.
February 2: State Department of Education’s Keystone Award rally. 10 a.m., School District Administration Building, 2120 Winter Street, Auditorium. Recognizing principals, teachers, students and parents from 42 Philadelphia public schools that sustained Adequate Yearly Progress status, or school improvement, over two straight years.
February 3, 4: Professional Development Days. Schools closed.
February 7: Second high school report cards issued.
February 7: Baseline Test: Ninth-grade transition.
February 14: Student Placement mails post cards regarding receipt of transfer applications.
February 21: President’s Day. School Closed.
The Notebook NEWSFLASH welcomes brief announcements of events addressing issues of quality and equity in Philadelphia public schools. Email your submission to flash@thenotebook.org with 'coming up' in the subject line. We cannot guarantee the listing of your event.