Tony Watlington: Latest News

PHILADELPHIA - Hundreds of students and teachers from Philadelphia magnet schools gathered Thursday at the district headquarters to protest possible budget and staffing cuts. The protesters specifically refuted the enrollment policy for special admission schools that relies strictly on PSSA test scores to increase equity. They say the new testing cut-off has unintended consequences that has lead to lower enrollment, empty seats in classrooms and staffing cuts for highly coveted schools. "Taking away this opportunity for teachers  to do their jobs over an algorithm, over a number is unjust and frankly sickening," Connor McFarland, a senior at Franklin Learning Center said.Students at Saul High School in Philadelphia's Upper Roxborough neighborhood organized a walk-out on Thursday to participate in the protests. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"I love my school, I feel like the programs at my school are going to help people get jobs when they're finished," Kenya Woods, a Saul High School sophomore said. Heeyoung Yim, a teacher at Franklin Learning Center said in the past, the school was able to cut candidates some slack by speaking with qualified students who may have just missed the cut.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia school students will learn remotely on Friday due to ongoing poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires, school leaders announced. The School District of Philadelphia said all teachers and faculty should still report to school building. All school-related outdoor activities have been postponed or canceled. The district acknowledged that the decision will impact several elementary school move-up ceremonies and middle and high school graduations that were slated to be outside.

FAIRMOUNT - The School District of Philadelphia and other city departments are gearing up for summer and they want to get the word out on programs that will be available for kids and teens.The drum line at West Philadelphia High School played Wednesday morning to welcome school district officials, as Superintendent Tony Watlington, and others, rolled out their summer learning program.The district said it would offer 15,000 students places to learn and play this summer in over 100 school buildings. The district urges parents to act quickly as the slots are expected fill rapidly.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia public school was forced to abruptly close due to asbestos for the second time in as many weeks, worsening concerns from parents and faculty about the safety and upkeep of city schools.In a letter to families, Mastery Schools CEO Scott Gordon said inspectors from the School District of Philadelphia found damaged asbestos on the campus of Simon Gratz High School, which also houses Simon Gratz Preparatory Middle School. Officials say the three-year reinspection of the district-owned building was in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The district recommended the school be closed for the duration of the inspection, according to school officials. "We were unaware of the existence of these conditions prior to the inspections, the safety of ouse students and staff is our primary concern," Gordon said.

STRAWBERRY MANSION - Asbestos discovered at a Philadelphia school and students and staff at one Philly school won’t be going back to their building. But, they are not happy with the back-up plan.Fireworks flew at Strawberry Mansion High School Sunday.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia family is mourning the loss of their loved one after a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed in the city’s West Oak Lane section.Authorities say at around 6:48 p.m. on Monday, police responded to the 6500 block of North Smedley Street, where they found the 13-year-old suffering multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face. The boy was rushed to Einstein Hospital where authorities say he was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m. Monday night.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia School Districts' new superintendent announced the conclusion of a 100-day Listening and Learning Tour in which he discovered five new members to the district's executive team. The tour, which reflects conversations with over 2,700 students, families, and staff members, was made to help tackle one of the most important concerns that the district faces: the well-being and safety of its students. Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - A new report by a non-profit organization uncovered some of the disturbing impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children in Philadelphia. The data compiled by Children First shows that students in Philadelphia are failing to meet basic educational benchmarks. There has also been a troubling 62% jump in calls by Philadelphia's youth to suicide hotlines, according to the report. "Our kids are not doing well," Executive Director of Children First Donna Cooper said.

PHILADELPHIA - Dr. Tony B.

PHILADELPHIA - Dr. Tony B.