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Northwest Philadelphia schools facing closure or consolidation had big plans for 2012-13

December 13, 2012
  • <p><p>A gated side entrance of Roosevelt Elementary. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>A gated side entrance of Roosevelt Elementary. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Students arriving at Roosevelt Elementary on Washington Lane the day it was announced that the school was among 37 that could soon close. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Students arriving at Roosevelt Elementary on Washington Lane the day it was announced that the school was among 37 that could soon close. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>In Oct. 2010, Fulton Elementary hosted President Obama. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>In Oct. 2010, Fulton Elementary hosted President Obama. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Two young students walking to Robert Fulton Public School on Thursday morning. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Two young students walking to Robert Fulton Public School on Thursday morning. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Students and parents outside the Robert Fulton School on Haines Street in Germantown, on the day that it appeared on a list of schools slated for closing or consolidation. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Students and parents outside the Robert Fulton School on Haines Street in Germantown, on the day that it appeared on a list of schools slated for closing or consolidation. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The sign outside the school could be empty next year. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The sign outside the school could be empty next year. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Lelea Lewis is a tenth grade student at Germantown High School. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Lelea Lewis is a tenth grade student at Germantown High School. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p>GHS staffers and parents are seen walking near the school. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

    GHS staffers and parents are seen walking near the school. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)

  • <p><p>Germantown High School Principal Margaret Mullen-Bavwidinsi leaves for a meeting at School District headquarters on Thursday without commenting on the news. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Germantown High School Principal Margaret Mullen-Bavwidinsi leaves for a meeting at School District headquarters on Thursday without commenting on the news. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Outside Fulton School. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Outside Fulton School. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Students from Roosevelt Middle School would be transitioned to Leeds. (Yasmein James/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Students from Roosevelt Middle School would be transitioned to Leeds. (Yasmein James/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>On Thursday, the School District of Philadelphia proposed a plan which could see 44 schools either closed or relocated to other facilities. John L. Kinsey Elementary in West Oak Lane is among those that could close. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>On Thursday, the School District of Philadelphia proposed a plan which could see 44 schools either closed or relocated to other facilities. John L. Kinsey Elementary in West Oak Lane is among those that could close. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Word was just getting out about the projected school closure when children were arriving for classes on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Word was just getting out about the projected school closure when children were arriving for classes on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Running to class. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Running to class. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Elvita Williams and her son, second grader Shakur Lewis, outside of John L. Kinsey Elementary West Oak Lane. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Elvita Williams and her son, second grader Shakur Lewis, outside of John L. Kinsey Elementary West Oak Lane. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Father and children arrive at Kinsey on Limekiln Pike on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Father and children arrive at Kinsey on Limekiln Pike on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Despite the looming school-closures controversy, it was head-to-school business as usual in West Oak Lane on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Despite the looming school-closures controversy, it was head-to-school business as usual in West Oak Lane on Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • A elementary school in Philadelphia (Brad Larrison/for WHYY)

    A elementary school in Philadelphia (Brad Larrison/for WHYY)

  • <p><p>Students en route to Thursday morning classes at West Oak Lane's John L. Kinsey Elementary, which the district announced it intends to close at year's end. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Students en route to Thursday morning classes at West Oak Lane's John L. Kinsey Elementary, which the district announced it intends to close at year's end. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Bernetta Gordon reads a flyer given out by a concerned parent while waiting for her two children, a fifth grader and a kindergartener, at the end of the school day at John F. McCloskey School in Northwest Philadelphia. Gordon said she felt unsure about the school district's recommendation to close the school. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Bernetta Gordon reads a flyer given out by a concerned parent while waiting for her two children, a fifth grader and a kindergartener, at the end of the school day at John F. McCloskey School in Northwest Philadelphia. Gordon said she felt unsure about the school district's recommendation to close the school. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The grandmother of two McCloskey students holds a flyer given out by a concerned parent after the end of school hours Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The grandmother of two McCloskey students holds a flyer given out by a concerned parent after the end of school hours Thursday. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Jakair Swann, a sixth grader at John F. McCloskey School in Northwest Philadelphia, says he's not sure why his school may be closed. " We made AYP[Adequate Yearly Progress] every year." and " a lot of great students go here." (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Jakair Swann, a sixth grader at John F. McCloskey School in Northwest Philadelphia, says he's not sure why his school may be closed. " We made AYP[Adequate Yearly Progress] every year." and " a lot of great students go here." (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>A sign outside of John L. Kinsey School in North Philadelphia reads, "Kinsey Proud." The school could close at the end of the school year. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>A sign outside of John L. Kinsey School in North Philadelphia reads, "Kinsey Proud." The school could close at the end of the school year. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)</p>

In September, NewsWorks ran a back-to-school roundup with information from various schools around Northwest Philadelphia.

Here’s what those schools, which could be closed or consolidated by School District of Philadelphia, have been working on this year

Germantown High School: “This year, Germantown High boasts a new graphic-design program for students. They are excited to continue clubs like photography, theatre, knitting and the school newspaper. There is also a new “Students Run Philly Style” running group.”

Jay Cooke Elementary School: “Cooke is excited to continue its Villanova University Mentors program as well as a Robotics Club and the “Nu Sigma Beacon” afterschool program.”

Robert Fulton School: “This year, Fulton is encouraging students to practice for the PSSA online. They will also have many clubs and sports available for students.”

John L. Kinsey Elementary School: “This year, Kinsey is excited to be a part of the QZAB program as each class will receive an interactive whiteboard and a mobile laptop cart. They are also proud of their newly remodeled library and will continue the ‘Trophies Reading Series’ for students.”

Theodore Roosevelt Middle School: Officials with Theodore Roosevelt Middle School did not respond to requests for comment on what the 2012-13 year would hold. However, Roosevelt had been involved in much of NewsWorks coverage about cheating scandals in the district.

John F. McCloksey Elementary: Officials with John F. McCloskey Elementary did not respond to requests for comment on what the 2012-2013 would bring.

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