Grantees (2016-2018)

THE ACADEMY AT PALUMBO

Principal: Kiana Thompson
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: James Jordan
Project Title: High School Musical

The purpose of this project is to provide students with an afterschool arts program that is singularly focused on producing a professional caliber artistic work on the stage. The project involves 100 students in the orchestra, choir, drumline, rock-band, theater and visual arts programs in a full scale musical production. The main project goal is to create a student-oriented musical that is collaborative, productive, rigorous and of high artistic quality.

ALEXANDER K. MCCLURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (2016-2017)

Principal: Sharon Marino
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Sarah Bower-Grieco
Project Title: Improving Student Attendance

McClure staff and community members created an “Attendance Agenda” for the year that includes assigning mentors to children and families identified as being chronically tardy or absent, hosting monthly parent meetings for chronically absent/tardy students, and providing incentives for students to reduce tardiness and improve attendance. Outcomes for this project consist of improving the school’s daily attendance rate and reducing the number of chronically absent and tardy students.

ALEXANDER MCCLURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (2017-2018)

Principal: Sharon Marino
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Shawnette Brown
Project Title: Literacy@Home Initiative

This project provides online tools to families so students can practice reading at home and also by celebrating and acknowledging students at school for meeting their goals. Students will be able to read or listen to a book and then answer comprehension questions, via their Raz-Kids account. Families will have access to books to read together and students can be more accountable for their progress. The project is particularly focused on improving early literacy.

BARTRAM HIGH SCHOOL

Principal: Damond Warren
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Robert Thomas
Project Title: Composting through Common Core

This project will integrate Bartram’s existing gardening program with new approaches like blended and project-based learning.  As a result of increased opportunities offered through the gardening program, student engagement and academic performance will increase.

C.C.A. BALDI MIDDLE SCHOOL

Principal: Luke Hostetter
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Theresa Capecci
Project Title: Creating a Library Media Center

Baldi Middle School’s project created a multi-functional space that provides students with access to technology for computer-based tiered interventions, inquiry-based learning, and a tutoring center. Project outcomes include increased student writing proficiency and literacy, improved student engagement, and improved language skills for English Language Learners.

CONSTITUTION HIGH SCHOOL

Principal: Brianna Dunn-Robb
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Chloe Leech
Project Title: Blended Learning

This project will pilot a blended learning model of teaching at the 9th grade level starting in Algebra 1. The goal is that the incoming freshman class, comprised of 98 students, will have an opportunity to close the achievement gap by improving math performance and raising Algebra 1 Keystone passage rates.

COMLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Principal: Kate Sylvester
Teacher-Leader Project Leads: Robyn Desher and Christopher Nevrincean
Project Title: Full STEAM Ahead

This project involves selecting a team of teacher-leaders across grade levels to analyze the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and—based on the analysis—purchase research-based, hands-on materials to support student mastery of key concepts necessary to meet the standards. The goals of this project include achieving higher levels of conceptual understanding, measured through quarterly assessments and higher achievement on the Science PSSA.

FELTONVILLE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Principal: John Piniat
Teacher-Leader Project Leads: Carlyn Skipworth
Project Title: FSAS STEM Collaboratory

The teacher team at Feltonville will create a STEM collaboratory at their school. This space will boost math and science proficiency by providing an opportunity for teachers to demonstrate and monitor hands-on science and math activities for and with students that might not be carried out in a traditional classroom setting. The laboratory will also house and support the robotics team, a junior robotics team, as well as other clubs.

FOLK ARTS-CULTURAL TREASURES CHARTER SCHOOL (2016-2017)

Principal: Pheng Lim
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Noga Newberg
Project Title: Collaborative Reflective Practice through Videotaping

Through collaborative debriefing of lesson videos and working with a literacy coach and literacy coordinator, this project provides literacy teachers with rich opportunities for professional development and support. The project goal is to improve teachers’ practice in literacy, ultimately producing gains in student achievement.

FOLK ARTS-CULTURAL TREASURES CHARTER SCHOOL (2017-2018)

Principal: Pheng Lim
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Noga Newberg and Jill Benowitz
Project Title: Convening of Educators to Improve Literacy

The Convening of Educators to Improve Literacy Project will build a collaborative network with other schools to share best practices and resources and discuss challenges surrounding literacy. Participating in the network will include scheduled workshops and mini-conferences where teachers will have the opportunity to develop, monitor, and revise an action plan that maps out teachers’ deliverables at their schools. The ultimate impact of the network will be to increase reading proficiency of students by building the capacity of teachers to deliver high-quality reading instruction.

FREIRE CHARTER SCHOOL

Principal: Christopher Zagacki
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Sherill Hill
Project Title: Freire Dragons Mentoring Program

The Freire team launched a mentoring and support program for middle school students at high risk for suspension. The anticipated program outcomes include a reduction in suspensions, reduction in referrals to the Dean, improved student retention, higher academic grades, and the creation of an in-house support team for students needing behavioral supports.

JOHN H WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Principal: Sherri Arabia
Teacher-Leader Project Leads: Maria Binck and Bridget Devlin
Project Title: Lexia Intervention

The project will implement a reading intervention program, called Lexia Reading Core5, for students who are reading two or more levels below grade level. Using Lexia Reading Core5, students are automatically placed at the proper level and work independently on online activities to develop their skills. The intended outcome of the project is to boost reading proficiency for the school’s lowest readers.

HANCOCK DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL – LABRUM MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS

Principal: Bill Griffin
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Stacy Schwab
Project Title: Building Literacy through Specialized Reading Enrichment

Teachers will use a program called Newsela—an online platform that provides students with engaging non-fiction content that adapts to their reading level—to provide differentiated literacy opportunities for approximately 30 students who have scored at the basic or below basic level on the English/Language Arts PSSA test. The aim of this intervention is to move this group of students to the proficient level in reading and writing.

HILL-FREEDMAN WORLD ACADEMY

Principal: Tony Majewski
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Jane Cordero
Project Title: Independent Skills Center Project

The purpose of this project is to provide students with moderate to severe disabilities a space to practice functional independent living skills. The Independent Skills Center will be a room in the school set up like a small apartment or dorm room with an area for laundry, an area for daily living, and a kitchen area. This project will directly impact student outcomes in the areas of personal maintenance, domestic maintenance, interpersonal communication, recreation and leisure, and vocational skills.

KENSINGTON HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY

Principal: James Williams
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Jodi Miller
Project Title: “Spark”-ing Increases in Student Attendance Rate and Success by Developing a New Curriculum

The Kensington Health Sciences Academy project created and implemented a research-based curriculum (Spark) to promote the development of students’ soft skills, confidence, grit, and career planning abilities. This project endeavors to reduce their students’ chronically truant rate and to increase student’s confidence and connection to the future.

LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Head of School: Sr. Kathleen Klarich
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Mary Berner
Project Title: Building Thinkers One Problem at a Time

This project seeks to improve problem solving skills in mathematics and science for approximately 150 ninth grade students and 100 11th grade students through the use of computer-generated problems offered by Web Assign. Project outcomes include increased student engagement, greater amounts of constructive time spent on homework as measured by usage analytics, an increase in the rate of assignment completion measured through actual course grades, and an increase in PSAT scores.

LOESCHE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Principal: Sherin Kurian
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Erin Furlong
Project Title: Recess Implementation

The Loesche team will partner with Playworks to impact 850 Pre-K through 5th grade students by providing safe opportunities for inclusive play during lunch and recess. The goal of the project is to decrease the number of discipline incidents and injuries during recess, thereby increasing students’ instructional time in the classroom.

MASTERY CHARTER SCHOOL SHOEMAKER CAMPUS

Principal: Sharif El-Mekki
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Megan Zor
Project Title: Expanding Reading and Mindset and Creating College Style Science Laboratory

Mastery Shoemaker is expanding an existing Reading and Mindset course, establishing a science lab, and broadening the school’s science program to include an Advanced Placement Physics Course. Project goals include: 75% of students increasing individual reading growth, a 10% increase in the number of students declaring a STEM related major in college, and 20% of students earning 3 or higher on the AP Physics exam.

MEMPHIS STREET ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

Principal: Antoinette Powell
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Michelle Green
Project Title: Wildcat College and Career Readiness Project

The Wildcat College and Career Readiness Project will prepare all scholars with the necessary knowledge and skills to apply to the high schools of their choice with increasing acceptance rates. When scholars begin the high school application process at the onset of their 8th grade year, they will be able to make informed decisions based on their college and/or postsecondary career trajectory pathway as determined by their participation in the project.

MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Principal: Sister Susan Walsh
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Melanie Stafford
Project Title: Developing 21st Century Skills Through STEM/STEAM-Rich Learning Environments

The purpose of this project is to engage students in problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration through the investigation of physical phenomena and the exploration of real-world occupational issues. During the project, students will learn basic music theory, basic coding concepts, mathematics, and physical science concepts as they relate to sound waves and electricity. Students will further develop 21st century “soft skills” such as collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL (2016-2017)

Principal: Shira Woolf-Cohen
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Jessica Thomas
Project Title: Working Towards Mastery of Standards through Standards-Based Instruction and Reporting

The project is working on facilitating the implementation of a schoolwide standards-based grading system. Outcomes for the project include: the consistent use of standards based-grading practices schoolwide, regular assessment of students’ progress toward mastery of standards, and regular use of formative assessments to provide students with feedback and differentiated supports.

NEW FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL (2017-2018)

Principal: Shira Woolf-Cohen
Teacher-Leader Project Leads: Jessica Thomas and Taylor Tracey
Project Title: Building Teacher Capacity and Student Achievement through PLCs

The focus of this project is to create ongoing Professional Learning Communities (PLC) that engage teachers at New Foundations as well as neighboring schools. The PLC topics include: student engagement, student discipline, family engagement in education, technology integration, and meeting the needs of students special education.

OLNEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL (2016-2017)

Principal: James Thompson
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Dan LaSalle
Project Title: The Student Leader Fellowship: Building Financial Literacy through Club Leadership

This project expands extracurricular club offerings and created a leadership and financial management course at the school. Students in the finance class run extracurricular clubs students with the oversight of 4 teacher leaders. Project goals include equipping students with basic financial literacy skills, improving familial knowledge of financial literacy and increasing student involvement in clubs.

OLNEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL (2017-2018)

Principal: James Thompson
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Dan LaSalle
Project Title: The Leadership, Identity, and Finance Training (LIFT) Fellowship

Through this initiative, students receive compensation for developing and leading a diverse set of after school clubs and gain financial literacy through investing their compensation in personal and college savings accounts.  Project goals include equipping students with financial literacy and leadership skills and increasing student involvement in clubs.

PAN AMERICAN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

Principal: Dr. Darcy Russotto
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Karen Rufino
Project Title: C.A.R.E. Plus Alternative Interventions Program

Through art therapy, animal therapy, and mindful awareness training, this project will target the 113 neediest students in the school, those students for whom other interventions have been unsuccessful. Through exposure to alternative therapies, at-risk students will receive decreased office disciplinary referrals and out-of-school suspensions, resulting in increased instructional time and consequent improved academic achievement.

PHILADELPHIA LEARNING ACADEMY SOUTH

Principal: Darryl Blackwell
Teacher-Leader Project Leads: Dawn McDonald and Michael Shore
Project Title: Wired 4 Success

Philadelphia Learning Academy South will implement the “Wired 4 Success” project, a new Career and Technical Education offering that will immediately increase the opportunities for students to gain relevant telecommunications and connectivity training. The project will allow for students to obtain an industry-recognized certificate that will support their job search upon graduation.

PHILIP H. SHERIDAN SCHOOL (2016-2017)

Principal: Awilda Balbuena
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Margaret Breen
Project Title: Effective Play Station

Sheridan kindergarteners now have access to a play space that is used to teach them how to play, work together, and collaborate with their peers while helping to promote development in language, classification skills, decision making skills, health literacy, gross motor skills, and numeracy through this project. The goals for the project include increasing student attendance, improving parental involvement, and providing opportunities for academic and social learning for parents and children.

PHILIP H. SHERIDAN SCHOOL (2017-2018)

Principal: Awilda Balbuena
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Megan Kolla
Project Title: Cultural Exploratorium

The grant provides funds to create a space for Sheridan first graders that will be used to help build social awareness and enable academic learning through play.  The space will also provide a forum for students and their families to share their unique cultures.  The goals of this project include increasing cultural sensitivity, positive and respectful student interaction, and parental involvement.

WILLIAM D. KELLEY SCHOOL

Principal: Amelia Brown
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Nicole Fisher
Project Title: Trauma Informed Education

Kelley partnered with Lakeside, a trauma responsive center, to provide ongoing training to staff on how to respond to students’ trauma-related physical, psychological and emotional needs. Project goals include increasing teacher knowledge about trauma informed care and how to respond to students and families facing trauma.

THE WORKSHOP SCHOOL

Principal: Simon Hauger
Teacher-Leader Project Lead: Kathleen Melville
Project Title: Student Advisors Project

This project aims to strengthen peer networks around academic and social responsibility by developing a cadre of 4 student leaders to mentor and support 65 incoming ninth grade students. The project seeks to realize two related outcomes: 1) the emergence and development of student leaders, and 2) a reduction in the number of academic or social challenges in ninth grade classrooms that require adult intervention.