On Blast

The search is on for the next Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District. What qualities are students looking for in the next leader? Students from several high schools share their priorities in this vox pop produced by Kim Reed.

How can we make schools safer without criminalizing youth? How can we confront bias violence? What kinds of restorative practices should we implement in place of harsh discipline policies? What role should students play in finding solutions?

These are some of the questions that were discussed and answered during the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools' MLK Day event.  The Campaign for Nonviolent Schools hosted an expert panel of youth and adults, to offer solutions for ending structural, interpersonal, and bias violence in our schools and communities. Panelists included: Steve Korr, International Institute for Restorative Practices; Helen Gym, Asian Americans United; Bummi Samuels, Philadelphia Freedom Schools; Josh Glenn, Youth Art and Self Empowerment Project and Campaign for Nonviolent Schools; Neil Geyette, Philadelphia High School Teacher; Azeem Hill, Philadelphia Student Union and Campaign for Nonviolent Schools.

Here are some highlights from the event. This piece was edited by Andrea Jobe, and narrated by Shayla Johnson.

On this month's show:

Experts share insights on how to create nonviolent schools.

Students from across PA unite against education budget cuts.

Young people are growing the Food Justice movement in Philly.

Philly teachers banned from administering PSSA test to their own students.

Plus music and other news.

On Valentine's Day, more than 400 students and parents from across Pennsylvania held a rally for public education at the State Capitol. This action came a week after Gov. Corbett announced his plan for the next state budget -- a proposal that would carry over last year's $1 billion cuts to education funding. Students demanded that Gov. Corbett restores the cuts and makes equitable school funding be a top priority in the next state budget.

The action was organized by Philadelphia Student Union, Project Peace, Chester student leaders, and A+ Schools' TeenBloc. It was co-sponsored by Juntos and the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools.

This radio piece features highlights from the action. It was edited by Ericka Johnson.

In South Philadelphia High School, students are coming together across racial & language barriers. As the School Safety Collaborative, Philadelphia Student Union, Asian Americans United, Boat People S.O.S, and Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia, are making positive changes inside the school with the support of Principal Otis Hackney.

Keith Lomax interviewed members of several organizations to produce this report.

On this month's show:

A look at school closures on a national scale

School nurse layoffs put students at risk

An uncertain future for Chester Upland School District

Students organize across language barriers at South Philly HS

The search for the next Philly Superintendent

Plus music and other news.

In an effort to save money, the School District of Philadelphia has laid off 47 school nurses. This means that there are now 32,900 additional students without a nurse on any given day. Apparently, students' safety is the latest casualty of Governor Corbett's education budget cuts.

Bernard Nesmith interviewed nurses who have been holding a weekly protest in front of the school district building and produced this story.

SIGN THE PETITION TO RESTORE NURSES TO SCHOOLS.

On February 7th, Gov. Corbett will announce his plan for the next state budget. A week later, on Valentine's Day, students and parents from across Pennsylvania are coming together to demand that Governor Corbett make equitable school funding a top priority in the next budget.Valentine's Day Rally for Public EducationFebruary 14, 2012 - 12pm - Harrisburg Capitol Building 

Register to reserve a seat on one of the Philadelphia buses: www.showloveforeducation.eventbrite.comRally sponsored by: Philadelphia Student Union, Project Peace (Reading PA), TeenBloc (Pittsburgh PA), Juntos, Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Contact [email protected] for more information.

On December 14, voucher supporters couldn't find enough support for a school vouchers bill to bring it to a vote. With this defeat, it looks like school vouchers will likely not come up for a vote again anytime this year.

In a short roundtable discussion, PSU members Bernard Nesmith, Andrea Jobe, Daesya Parker & Keith Lomax reflect on this victory for public education. The students talk about the role they personally played in turning public opinion against vouchers.

The school to prison pipeline starts early. It has been said that you can predict the prison population by looking at how many third graders perform poorly on standardized tests. But has anyone ever asked third graders what they think about this? Kim Reed did. This is her report.