The West Philadelphia P
romise Neighborhood is a U.S. Department of Education funded grant to support "cradle-to-career" opportunities for children living or going to school in Belmont, Mantua, Mill Creek, Powelton Village, and West Powelton / Saunders Park. The program seeks to improve education, health, and economic success for children, their families and the community.
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Spotlight on Dollette Johns-Smith
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Dollette Johns-Smith assumed leadership at Morton McMichael Elementary after three years working as the Assistant Principal under mentor, Brian Wallace. “My role was to run the operational and instructional side of the school, but Principal Wallace showed me the bigger picture and how to maneuver and build relationships with all the moving parts within a school: parents, staff, partners, and the school district.”
Prior to her work at McMichael, Ms. Smith served as a principal’s fellow under Promise Neighborhood principal, Kimberly Ellerbee, at Samuel Powel. Through the PhillyPLUS leadership progam, she learned the importance of positive school climate. “The perception at McMichael was that the school was dangerous. The climate has changed drastically over the course of my time here. Now, when I walk in the front door, I get a sense of community and we have continued to build on that momentum with all our funded programs at the school."
With funds from the Promise Neighborhood, McMichael Elementary hired a clinical coordinator through the STEP program to improve the continuum of behavioral health services for the students. Additionally, Steppingstone Scholars, another PN- funded program, now provides academic enrichment and support. “Steppingstone is an integral part of the climate and culture here. Our math scores have gone up and students are interested in participating in out-of-school time programs now,” Smith states.
New to McMichael this year are
Philadelphia Academies
, connecting student interests with career aspirations, and
SHARE
food program. Another exciting program currently at McMichael, E
at Right Philly
,
a nutrition and wellness program, is integral to Ms. Smith’s goal to improve children’s overall health. “I want the students to learn with the help of multiple partners, that there are healthy alternatives to the black bag filled with junk and soda from the corner store.”
As the dawn of a new school year approaches, Smith brims with excitement. “I’m looking forward to bringing McMichael to the next level culturally, academically, and socially. There are so many opportunities for the children, so I’m eager to start the new school year.”
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Promise Neighborhood Data Corner
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Percentage of students at McMichael who scored proficient or advanced in math:
2017/18
21%
2016/17
19%
2015/16
14%
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Promise Neighborhood initiatives are working to increase these scores yearly through targeted supports in schools aligned with principals' school goals.
(Data taken from the School District of Philadelphia SPR reports)
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Updates from Community Partners
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AFEL and ParentChild+ Graduation
On Saturday, July 20th more than 25 West Philadelphia families graduated from
ParentChild+
, an evidence-based school readiness model that preempts the achievement gap by providing young children and their parents with learning tools and skills. ParentChild+ uses education to break the cycle of poverty in underserved communities by engaging early in life and helping toddlers and their parents access a path to possibility. The program provides twice-weekly home visits, a total of 92 visits over the two-year program cycle and 46 books and educational toys, giving families the knowledge, skills and materials to build language, literacy and learning-rich home environments that support school readiness.
During the July 20th graduation, ParentChild+ also celebrated five family child care providers that completed the program’s Family Child Care model. Building on the success of the program’s core one-on-one model, the ParentChild+ Family Child Care model works directly with providers in their homes during the work day. Over 24 weeks and twice-weekly visits, providers receive high quality books and toys, coaching in age-differentiated activities and family engagement, and regular opportunities to practice new activities in their own space. ParentChild+ staff works with providers to support school readiness and language-rich interactions for the children in their care. Additionally, the families of children in care receive the same books as the providers, and information around preparing their children for school success. A. Speller’s Family Day Care was one of the providers that completed the ParentChild+ Family Child Care curriculum in the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood. As a result of their participation in the program, owner Kimberly Speller decided to continue working on her Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education at Drexel University, and childcare assistant, Sheena Dozier completed her Associate Degree at the Community College of Philadelphia.
The celebration was held at the PHA Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center and included a reading by 9 year-old author, Eva Johnson, who shared her book, Eva the Afro-Latina, with the graduates, games, arts and crafts and lunch. ParentChild+ would like to thank replication partner, Public Health Management Corporation, the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood, Philadelphia Housing Authority, GreenLight Fund Philadelphia and West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning for all of their support over the last two years.
ParentChild+ is currently recruiting families with children ages 16 months to 2 years of age. For more information please call Site Coordinator, Monica Allison at 267-666-8661 or mallison@phmc.org.
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AFEL Alliance Manager, Sherilynn Kimble, Shares Reflection
Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)
is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE.
(Click to read Sherilynn Kimble's article from the First Up
Connections
Newsletter)
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What's Happening this Fall at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships?
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Check out the upcoming programs and events for adults this fall at the
Dornsife Center
This includes our fall term
Side by Side course, “Places of Justice
,” in which participants will analyze the very places and spaces that encourage (or discourage) justice such as the built environment, infrastructure, climate, housing, education, and correctional facilities.
Other upcoming programs include a job fair with special guests from
Aramark
,
an
adult education fair, digital literacy workshops, and nutrition classes.
Dornsife will host an Open House to showcase the different programs that happen in the Dornsife Center’s Carriage House building including the Helms Academy and the Community Wellness HUB. They are also welcoming back the
Stern Community Lawyering Clinic
which provides a number of free legal services to residents, addressing a wide range of legal issues of community interest, including employment discrimination, homeownership "tangled title," tax foreclosure, post-conviction relief, and equity in utility billing. In addition, they will also host pro bono clinics that provide local residents with legal assistance free of charge, including estate planning (wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney) and criminal record expungement in cooperation with Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity.
For more information about the fall programs, when they happen, and how to sign up, check out our website:
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Fab Youth Philly
Members from the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood supported the
Play Captains
on their first day of work on July 15 with a red carpet roll out, dancing and cheering. Thanks to all the community members and volunteers who came out to support these young leaders.
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August Events in the Promise Zone:
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EAT Cafe is also home to the newest
Action for Early Learning
Book Depot! Stop by for a meal and grab a book with your family. Stay tuned for dates for the next Read-A-Long!
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It was a successful 16th District Community Fun Day on Friday, July 19 despite the sweltering temperatures! Thank you to all the West Philly Promise Neighborhood partners (
PEC
,
AFEL
,
Kids Smiles
,
Drexel School of Education
,
School District Family and Community Engagmen
t,
Drexel College of Medicine,
The Academy of Natural Sciences,
and Promise Zone
)
who joined the Promise Village for the event. Our village consisted of staff, faculty, WorkReady students, community partners, parents, district partners, civic leaders, Family Ambassadors, a drill team, a VISTA and even a snake, owl and lizard. Our mission became alive after seeing so many children excited about free books, games, arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt!
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Over the course of my first few weeks as a WorkReady intern with the West Philly Promise Neighborhood, I participated in events and meetings that familiarized me with the community. During the 16th District Community Fun Day, I assisted out at the games table where kids and parents interacted with each other while enjoying themselves. At a meeting in Mantua, I learned about the upcoming beautifying “Park in a Truck” project and its benefits on the community, including problems it could encounter. The West Belmont Civic Association meeting that I attended debated whether they should change a house to multifamily or keep it as a single family. These events were eye-opening as it depicted West Philly in different perspectives that allowed me to feel connected with the neighborhoods around me!
(Cherry is one of 40 Drexel
WorkReady
s
tudents hired this summer!)
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Drexel's Summer Literacy Camp is underway. They have been reading up a storm at camp and even had special authors and guest readers stop by. Pictured is Chief Education Officer for the
Mayor's Office of Education,
Otis Hackney, reading to the children. This free camp, funded by the Promise Neighborhood, has 22 students that live in the Promise Neighborhood attending and learning each day.
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Calling All 7th Graders!
Check out the The West Philadelphia YMCA for their 7th Grade Membership Initiative which provides FREE membership to current or rising 7th grade students!
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New Leadership in Three Promise Neighborhood Schools!
In addition to principal Dollette Johns-Smith, we are excited to welcome two new principals for the upcoming school year at Martha Washington Elementary and West Philadelphia High School. The Promise Neighborhood is honored to continue the work with each new principal.
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Promise Neighborhood is Hiring
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Learn More About Kindergarten Registration!
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Link includes resources, necessary forms, and provides step by step guidance for Kindergarten registration!
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Follow Us on Social Media!
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