The Next Steps: A Campaign to End Violence in Our Schools
Philly Student Union
| Feb 05, 10

 
On MLK day over 600 people from all walks of life took the first step towards creating a just and peaceful school system. Now it's time for the next one.
 

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Sayre High School Students Organizing Despite Obstacles
Philly Student Union
| Feb 02, 10

When I first started high school, I didn’t have any school pride.  After I joined Philadelphia Student Union (PSU), I started standing up for my school.  I want to make Sayre the best it can be and a place where every student wants to come to high school.

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Grow Your Own: A Community Based Model of Teacher Development
On BLAST
| Jan 31, 10

A new model of teacher development is emerging that could help 'hard to staff' neighborhood schools build and retain a base of effective teachers by recruiting young adults in the neighborhood to choose a career in teaching.  This model is called 'Grow Your Own' and it is happening in Chicago, thanks to the organizing work of students and communities. Dan Jones interviewed Rod Wilson of Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) in Chicago, about how 'Grow Your Own' is changing the way teachers and communities interact.

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MLK Day, PSU and the Cynicism of Reporting at The Philadelphia Weekly
Todd Wolfson
| Jan 24, 10

On Monday, January 15th, the amazing young leaders at the Philadelphia Student Union held a "Call to Witness and Action" to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. The event called for an end to all forms of school violence. The messaging that the students developed for the event aimed to broaden our understanding of violence. The students explained that structural violence, produced by underfunding our public schools, leads to all sorts of negative outcomes, from high drop out rates, to low levels of college access, and a school-to-prison pipeline. In order to develop this deep understanding of violence, which even college students struggle to develop, PSU members came together for hours to probe the system in which their schools exist, developing a deeper analysis of the situation. Amazing, right?

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Overbrook High School Students Rising
Philly Student Union
| Jan 24, 10

We, the students at Overbrook High School (OHS), have been working to improve our school for the last two years.  This is because we love our school, and we feel like students have to take responsibility for making it better.  We have been organizing students to come to school on time and attend their classes, meeting with district officials, elected officials, and community members who are all as committed as we are in transforming our school to educate each and every one of us for our future.  But the road has not been easy.

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UPDATED PSU's Call to Witness and Action: Highlights from MLK Day
MMP
| Jan 21, 10

On Monday, Philadelphia Student Union celebrated Martin Luther King's vision with a spirited rally outside the School District, a 600-person march down Broad Street, and a powerful service at Arch Street Methodist Church. Led by the young leaders of PSU, the event called for peace, justice and an end to all forms of violence. It was co-sponsored by 19 other organizations and attended by students, parents, teachers, and community members from every section of the city--as well as State Representative Vanessa Brown, Democratic candidate for Governor Joe Hoeffel, candidate for State Representative Will Mega, and Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams. There were so many inspiring speeches, songs and other moments--what made the biggest impression on you?

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Call to Action to End School Violence in All of Its Forms!
Dan Jones
| Jan 09, 10

Date: January 18th (Martin Luther King Day)
Time: 3pm
Location: 440 North Broad St. (School District Headquarters)

Dr. King spent his life using non-violent organizing to combat violence and violent systems and institutions.

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"It's not an afterschool program; it's my life!": How Philadelphia Student Union Affects its Members
On BLAST
| Jan 07, 10

Student leaders speak about how Philadelphia Student Union has affected their lives and their futures, in this youth-produced radio piece. Zakia Royster, Lawrence Jones Mahoney & Khalif Dobson talk about how they became part of this youth-led organization and how their identity as organizers and their sense of purpose has been shaped through their work with PSU.
 

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New Years Resolution for the School District of Philadelphia
Philly Student Union
| Dec 18, 09

At PSU, students have put together some important New Years Resolutions for the School District of Philadelphia. 
 
Happy New Year! We have worked so hard on improving our schools that we should take time to relax (thou short lived) and reflect. So…  as we are all equal contributors of the Philadelphia School District (students, teachers, PSD Officials, and community members) here’s what we should be both reflecting upon and working on for the New Year.

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Dozens of Students Prepare to Walkout of South Philly High School
MMP
| Dec 06, 09

 
Dozens of students have committed to walking out of South Philadelphia High School due to on-going concerns for their safety. A meeting on Friday with District officials did not satisfactorily address their concerns, students said. Instead, the students will be spending a week working on their own plans and conducting research and study as well as meeting with community and district leaders.

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