Following up on my earlier post about the School District’s layoffs, I thought I’d excerpt this stunner of a letter from one of those 3,800 laid-off employees.
Photo credit: Alice Heller
Good Morning, Sir,
I received my notice Saturday. I got it early in the morning, so it could stick in the back of my brain all weekend like a splinter in a finger….
The letter mentions to let someone at the School District of Philadelphia know if you are a veteran. I served honorably for 21 years in the Pennsylvania National Guard and have deployed twice in service to my country. I am honorably discharged and hold the status of retiree from the army….
I successfully completed the Troops to Teachers Program and I have been teaching in the District since January of 2009….
Since coming to the District, I found equipment when there was none, I created curriculum when there was nothing, I did without when we needed supplies….
For the last four years, I have struggled, alongside the most courageous and honorable people I have ever worked with, to teach the students, feed the students, clothe the students, protect the students, and lead the students….
I realize that there are always forces beyond my control, but know that if you break up our team at Crossroads, you will damage one of the few systems in the School District of Philadelphia that is actually working. We are strong because of the integration of our curriculum, the dedication of our small but determined band of educators, and because we have the proper leadership to carry us through.
I understand that every school and employee will claim the same, but we are truly different. If you break us up now, you will lose one small program that is making a profound impact on the fabric of our city.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Harvey Scribner
Teacher
Crossroads Accelerated Academy at Elverson
Read the whole thing, as they say. (Note: I am the one who added the link in Mr. Scribner’s letter above — it goes to a prior article published in The Notebook about Crossroads Accelerated Academy, where he teaches.)
Then check out Faces of the Layoffs, a new blog featuring stories of people who have been laid off.
I am all too intimately aware of the School District’s many failings. I could write a book about all of the screwups and idiocy I have witnessed.
But the solution to those problems is not to abandon our commitment to the very concept of public education.
Update: Per the comment below, the photo should be credited to Principal Alice Heller. Many thanks!
BetterPHL 
Reblogged this on berealblack.
Photo taken by our Principal Alice Heller.
Ah, thank you! I’ve added a credit to the original post.
And good to know about Alice. I didn’t know where she went after Southern….
I should also say: If you are the Mr. Scribner who wrote the letter: Thank you. I can only imagine how lucky your young people are to have you as a teacher.