The Philadelphia School District is so strapped for cash, it isn't offering summer school to struggling elementary students this year. But Fox 29 found one summer school that started Monday morning. The bell signaling the start of class didn't ring inside a school building though. Instead, it sounded more like church bells.
When the school district told parents in May it couldn't afford summer school for all but some high school students, a few local leaders refused to let that happen. Organizers from Mother Bethel AME Church, Nebinger Elementary School in Queen Village, and Queen Village Neighbors Association came up with an alternative: summer school in church. It's the only one of its kind in a district now facing a $255 million budget deficit. About two dozen or so elementary students attend the school in the basement of Mother Bethel AME, for three hours in the morning, four days a week.
"I think it's great! Donald Jackson told Fox 29 Monday. "I really do, I think it's excellent. We need it, we really do. With all the cuts going on, we really do need it." Jackson's grandson is one of the lucky kids. So is Nayyir Herrin, though he may need convincing. Nayyir admitted if he wasn't in summer school, he'd be home sleeping. "They certainly would not be working on school work from last year, and getting ready for next year," Rev. Mark Tyler, the pastor at Bethel AME, told Fox 29. But the work many of the kids do at Mother Bethel the next four weeks will keep them from repeating a grade, and possibly beginning a downward slide. The Philadelphia School District has agreed to advance the students to the next grade, if they compete the coursework successfully.
"It's not just their future," Rev. Tyler insisted. "It's our future as well. And so what we do to support children today will either become a blessing for us or a curse." Which is why Mother Bethel's congregation and the Queen Village civic association dug into their pockets to pay for two teachers, and why the church has temporarily become a school. "You can't just criticize something, and not do something to help make it better," Rev. Tyler said. "Adults just need to all come together and start pushing in the right direction, and having the same type of vision for our kids," Dr. Ralph Burnley, the principal of Nebinger Elementary, agreed.
Nayyir Herrin knows if it wasn't for summer school at Mother Bethel, his future wouldn't be quite as bright. "I might fail," the nine year old admitted.
Summer school at the church cost the organizers only $6,000. Enrollment is already full. But certainly it's a worthwhile model for other churches, synagogues and mosques in the city. There's still plenty of summer left, and undoubtedly still plenty of need.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:25:14 GMT
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse.
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse, because they know the vandal easily could have hurt someone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:55:49 GMT
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:11 GMT
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on an adult organ donor waiting list despite her young age. And while the transplant is cause for celebration, Sarah still has quite a fight ahead.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 6:33 PM EDT2013-06-11 22:33:58 GMT
Golf fans are flocking to Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, getting ready for the US open. But with all the excitement comes some traffic headaches for residents of the mainline.
Golf fans are flocking to Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, getting ready for the US open. But with all the excitement comes some traffic headaches for residents of the mainline.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:45 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:45:53 GMT
An unspeakable crime in Southwest Philadelphia. The details are very disturbing. Police say a man who is a paraplegic has been stabbed and his genitals severed by another man, after the two got into an
An unspeakable crime in Southwest Philadelphia. The details are very disturbing. Police say a man who is a paraplegic has been stabbed and his genitals severed by another man, after the two got into an
Monday, June 17 2013 10:41 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:41:15 GMT
The Rolling Stones will perform in Philadelphia on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Fans will undoubtedly buy memorabilia to remember the event. One item being sold at an auction will surely catch
The Rolling Stones will perform in Philadelphia on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Fans will undoubtedly buy memorabilia to remember the event. One item being sold at an auction will surely catch
Monday, June 17 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:25:38 GMT
An armed deli robbery is caught on camera. Two brazen gunmen held up the store owner with the man's kids right nearby. It's scary enough having armed gunmen storm your business.
An armed deli robbery is caught on camera. Two brazen gunmen held up the store owner with the man's kids right nearby.It's scary enough having armed gunmen storm your business.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:21:46 GMT
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:44 PM EDT2013-06-18 00:44:29 GMT
South Philly neighborhood parents are so worried about cars speeding down their street while kids are at play that they installed their own speed bumps.
South Philly neighborhood parents are so worried about cars speeding down their street while kids are at play that they installed their own speed bumps.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:55:01 GMT
New Jersey is considering changing the requirements to be a teacher in the Garden State. A proposal would require prospective teachers to have at least a "B" average in college before they get certified.
New Jersey is considering changing the requirements to be a teacher in the Garden State. A proposal would require prospective teachers to have at least a "B" average in college before they get certified.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:51:37 GMT
Parents and Philadelphia staff members are going on a hunger strike. Hunger strikers will camp outside Governor Tom Corbett's office in Philadelphia until the system gets additional funding.
Parents and Philadelphia staff members are going on a hunger strike. Hunger strikers will camp outside Governor Tom Corbett's office in Philadelphia until the system gets additional funding.
