In case you didn't know, the School Reform Commission of Philadelphia decided to cancel its contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers last week. It has already started to direct the "recovered" money to schools that are sorely underfunded. While this may seem like a good thing, there are still layoffs across the city as there are fewer students enrolled in public schools than previously thought. Current enrollment stands at 128,000 students for a District that used to top over 200,000 only 20 years ago. 

The healthcare costs that teachers are now required to pay are more substantial than advertised by supporters of the plan. It is not simply a $28-$76 dollar per pay-period decrease because there are co-pays, deductibles, and more. It is possible that a family will have to pay $12,700 per year out-of-pocket under the new plans, essentially reducing teacher salaries even more than they already are.

With this in mind it is quite impressive that others have started to protest in lieu of a teacher strike. On October 10 students from three area high schools - Science Leadership Academy, the High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and Franklin Learning Center - protested outside their building for hours. 

The dialog has shifted now to what the teachers and union can do to fight back more seriously. Jerry Jordan, president of the PFT, is attempting to wage a legal battle that will hopefully end on a positive note. There was even talk of a general strike by the other unions in the city - something that hasn't happened in years and was only threatened back in 1981 during the last major teacher strike.

Even Tom Wolf - democratic candidate for governor - has publicly stated that he opposes the existence of the SRC and would fight for its removal if elected. This could be a cornerstone issue in his candidacy. 

A lot is going on down there and I support the teachers and the union in this fight. There is a rally planned on October 16 in front of the School District building at 440 North Broad street. I will be there in spirit and await when I can come down to fight with a strike.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the first Public Education Nation sponsored by the Network for Public Education. Hosted in the auditorium of my school, it was amazing to see people like Wendy Lecker, Gary Rubenstein, Brian Jones, and Diane Ravitch talk about their passion for public education and what steps we should take to ensure a positive future for it. The conversations focused on the impact of the charter school network on American education, funding crises across the country, what alternative methods could be used to improve education, and more. The whole event was livestreamed at Schoolhouse Live (and I believe you will be able to watch it later).

There was such connection across the glove that the hashtag for the event was trending number one for a while across Twitter!

One of the more exciting parts of the day for me, however, was that I got to host a roundtable discussion with members of the Education Bloggers Network. Jonathan Pelto, a former legislator and blogger from Connecticut, has helped facilitate a group of 150 bloggers to share with each other on an online platform and yesterday was the first time we were able to convene. About 20 folks showed up early and had some food and drink while we discussed where we are going as a group and how to get there.

I am particularly excited to be a part of this group as it connects those from a wide variety of backgrounds in education - some work for official non-profit organizations, others are teachers like me, still others are from news outlets. One of our goals is to expand our reach and I think meetings like this will help support that in the near future. I look forward to seeing where this work will go.

As anyone who can read or hear the news around the Philadelphia area knows, the teachers contract has been canceled. For the past 21 months, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has been negotiating in good faith that there would be some kind of compromise reached between its membership and the School Reform Commission (the governing school body in the city). While I gripe about unions plenty, this is a perfect example for why they are necessary: to protect those who may not be able to protect themselves. 

Citing funding concerns and stating that negotiations were at an impasse, the SRC decided to impose new health care provisions in order to save money. These provisions will require cash-strapped teachers to pay into their insurance to keep it afloat. Moreover, the old insurance deals have been cut and new ones imposed on educators across the city. The Caucus of Working Educators has created a great spreadsheet to explain the new costs imposed on teachers. Some people will have to pay up to $8,000 per year for insurance that used to cost nothing. Add that up with the missed raises teachers have not received over the past two years and there is potential for $20,000 lost income since the contract lapsed. 

This is a sorry state of affairs but there is some potential for hope. Today, students in the High School for Creative and Performing Arts as well as Science Leadership Academy protested in front of their schools against the unilateral move of the SRC. 

There are others who propose that the teachers, themselves, strike. The only problem with that plan is teachers would risk losing their state certification if they do so - a rule that only applies to Philadelphia area teachers. 

The final blow in all this is the fact that even though it's possible a majority of citizens in the city want an elected school board (something every other district in PA has), they might not be allowed to get it - even through a vote! - because the only people who can disband the SRC are the commissioners themselves.

I hope there is a resolution soon. If there is a strike, I might be tempted to take a day off and go.

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and one of the High Holidays, took place last weekend. During the holiday, Jews offer prayers of forgiveness to friends, family, and any kind of spiritual deity they believe in, all the while refraining from eating. There are a variety of prayers spoken and readings from the Torah, including the Book of Jonah, the story of a man who flees God instead of following his commands. 

During the break-fast I attended Saturday night, I had a chance to dialog with a friend of mine who is also a rabbi of a local synagogue. Amongst other things we discussed the merits of community and what we each see as our definition therein and what the role of community organizations are in order to foster it. I brought up the fact that my students often see themselves as individuals in a sea of individuals who do not need a relationship with each other in order to succeed. I also mentioned my dream of one day living on a city block with friends and family on the same block, with one building reserved as a community center of sorts. I see this as a pinnacle of achievement for those who want to create their own space. 

Rightly so, he pointed out that even though I was attempting to create a community space, it was reserved exclusively for people I know. His argument that community is something larger - a place where 20-something college graduates can coexist with 85 year-old great-grandparents in a way that each person is offering something to the other. While I do not fully agree with his premise, I concede that especially in the Internet generation we need to make sure to include those we might not normally view as "in our community" in order to proper in the future. He took aim at what I was saying in parallel to what my students say - community is defined by them and them alone; whosoever is outside of that is disregarded or swept aside.

One of the concerns I had last year and now in this new year is how I see the relationships between certain students in the community and how they might be drawn closer or ostracized based on actions that I take or do not take. Additionally, I realize that sometimes I offer "solutions" that involve removing a certain person from the community in order to make it "better" instead of attempting to integrate that person or try to figure out what the real issue is underlying whatever complaint he or she might have. 

It is truly a wondrous idea to make community with anyone. I am still on the fence of whether or not I believe it is possible with anyone, but I hope I am more open to it in the future.

As many of you know, three years ago I ran a fundraising drive to acquire laptops for students in my classroom. That project was an immense success with students over the past three years having unparalleled access to the Internet, Microsoft Excel, Geometer's Sketchpad, and Google SketchUp for projects in my classroom. I had students design and create 3D models of houses based on monetary restrictions, they analyzed functions using manipulatives, and created model budgets for themselves.

I am now asking again for updated computers to serve the next generation of student. While these laptops fulfill the same purpose as the former, they are more modern, not prone to shut down accidentally (as the old ones are now) and come with better software for more function in my classroom. Please help by donating through this DonorsChoose link. Use the code SPARK until Friday, October 10 in order to double your donation (up to $100). I am hoping to get these laptops soon as my old ones are quickly becoming large paperweights.

Thank you to all those who have donated already - I appreciate the help!

I teach three Algebra 1 classes, one of which occurs directly after lunch. Since our students are allowed to go off-campus to buy their lunch, this is often one of those periods where many students show up late. Last year in the small class I had (12 students) maybe 1-2 were late every day. They were apologetic and sat down quietly (usually).

This year I have a class of 30 after lunch and on a regular basis about 8-10 of them show up late. One day this past week, 18 showed up late! Unfortunately, there is no lecture in the world that will convince a 14 year old boy that he can't be late to class because he "had to buy lunch at the Chinese store." 

I am wont to find a way to teach the kids who are on time while working with those who come in late. It is unfair to all of them because class is delayed, I get a bit upset, and less gets done. It's unfortunate and I had to share. Rant over.