Harrisburg Day of Advocacy

Our Students, Our Philly, Our Future is once again preparing to take our cause to the halls of the State Capitol Building for a day of advocacy on behalf of public school students in Philadelphia. 

Gov. Tom Corbett's budget proposal should serve as a wake up call to everyone that in order to save and protect Philadelphia's public education system, we must urge our lawmakers to take decisive action.

Join us on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 as we travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Buses will leave at 7:30 a.m. from the School District Building, 440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130.  Buses will return at 2:30 p.m. 

For more information, contact Evelyn Sample-Oates at 215-400-5801 or e-mail esampleoates@philasd.org. Either we pay now or we pay later.

Public Rally for Our Future

Are you willing to stand up in support of Philadelphia's public education system? Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett released his budget proposal Tuesday, and as a result, public school students in this city stand to lose the most. Are you willing to let those in charge know that we will not stand idly by and allow crucial educational resources and programs to fall by the wayside?

Tomorrow, at 4:00 p.m., on the front steps of the School District of Philadelphia’s headquarters, join members of Our Students, Our Philly, Our Future - parents, teachers, students, and community members – for a rally to build momentum and public awareness for our cause.

The future of our children is at stake and the economic viability of our city, state and nation hangs in the balance if public education does not receive the adequate funding. Either we pay now or we pay later.

We Pay Now, or We Pay Later

Yesterday, we took our message to the halls of the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to implore our state legislators to stand up for the future of our children and continue to fund Philadelphia's public education system.  Several coalition members from throughout Philadelphia visited the offices of more than 30 state legislators, including State Representatives Michael McGeehan and Angel Cruz of the 173rd and 180th Districts, whose aides informed coalition members that they were not available to speak with them.  Coalition members also visited several State Senators, including Senator Larry Farnese of the 1st District and Senator LeAnna Washington of the 4th District.

Legislators were urged to put education funding at the top of their list of priorities and to remember that when it comes to our children's future, we either pay now or we pay later.

Below are photos from the trip and a glimpse at what our legislators in Harrisburg can expect in the coming weeks and months.