Mayor Kenney's Promise Of 'Community Schools' Gets Step Closer To Reality
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's ambitious plan to turn schools into community centers took a step forward, today.
The mayor announced the first nine schools that will receive additional services for children and families.
The group includes five elementary schools: Cramp, Edmunds, Gideon, Logan and Southwark; three high schools: Dobbins, South Philly and Kensington Health Sciences; and Tilden Middle School.
Located in neighborhoods from the Southwest to the Northeast, Kenney's Education chief Otis Hackney says they were chosen with an eye on certain factors.
"The prevalence of child poverty, chronic health risk factors, crime rates and access to resources like medical services, recreation centers and libraries."
The school communities will decide which actual services they want but they could include vision and dental care, adult literacy and legal help, among others.
Dobbins principal Toni Damon spoke for those chosen.
"I standing here all composed, but on behalf of my colleagues we are super excited."