Top 5 stories to watch for in NW Philly

Here’s a look at what’s to come on NewsWorks this week:

1. In late March, the School District of Philadelphia announced that three charter school operators – Mastery, Universal Companies, and Scholar Academies – would compete to run one or more of the district’s Renaissance Schools come September. On Monday, the trio of organizations will make their pitches to parents at Pastorius Elementary in East Germantown, one of three schools slated to become turnaround schools next year. A volunteer group at the school will ultimately recommend an operator to the district. Check back this week for a recap of the meeting.

2. On Oct. 6, Germantown will celebrate its 330th birthday. To celebrate the milestone, community members threw a big bash inside Vernon Park this weekend. The afternoon event, backed by a grant for a spring event, will feature, among other things, kids’ activities, art-making, music, poetry and spoken-word performances. Check back on Monday for full coverage of the festivities.

3. This weekend, Philadelphia University in East Falls hosted one of many Relay for Life events in the city and beyond. The annual event started by the American Cancer Society raises funds for cancer research and awareness efforts. Check back this week for a recap.

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4. The first-ever Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic is less than two months away. In advance of the city’s newest pro-bike race, we sat down with the event’s organizers and community leaders to talk about the work that’s gone into planning this year’s spectacle and what the goals are moving forward. Check back on Monday to also learn more about this year’s course.

5. On April 12, The Renfrew Center in Roxborough will host an art exhibit at Chestnut Hill College that explores the inner struggle and healing process of those suffering from eating disorders. The center’s art therapist and patients will discuss their contributions to the collection and the importance of art in recovery.

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