Blog entries from nijmie

US Department of Education Visits PSU Wednesday

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:41:24 +0100

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL VISITS PHILADELPHIA TO

MEET WITH YOUTH TO DISCUSS COLLEGE ACCESS AND COMPLETION

Alberto Retana, the U.S. Department of Education’s director of community outreach, will travel to Philadelphia on Wednesday, Aug. 11, to meet with a diverse group of youth to discuss college access and completion. He will engage them in a discussion on how school, family and community can help them establish and promote a culture where college graduatiRead More...

YMCA offers free membership to every 7th grader starting January 2010

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:49:42 +0100

I think this is a great opportunity as a Y member myself. Please let 7th graders know!!

Starting January 1st, the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity will offer a free one year membership to every 7th grade student in the region.
As youth begin to face the varied challenges of adolescence, they are more likely to begin disassociating from formal organizations, to distance themselves from family and its support structures, and to experiment with unhealthy Read More...

Help Identify Science and Math Teachers for Philly Schools!

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:16:12 +0100

You can have a say in selecting new teachers for Philly Schools! You can speed date with teacher candidates and be part of a sample lesson, and then voice your opinion on the candidates. Breakfast and lunch will be served. All participants will also receive a $25 gift card!! The event takes place at Furness High School, 1900 S. 3rd St., on Saturday December 12, from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. To confirm contact Liz Palmer - lpalmer@philaedfund.org, or 215-655-1400 ex. 3335

Free Webinar on Saving for College

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:46:47 +0100

The PA Treasury is hosting a seminar for African American families who are thinking about college for their children – the reality is you can’t start saving for college soon enough and education about the 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) can help families save up to 50% of college costs including tuition, room & board, books and more. We are targeting families with children ages 0 to 13 yrs of age. Accounts can be open with as little as $25 and contributionsRead More...

Call Me Mister meeting, Thursday November 12 at 4 p.m.

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:13 +0100

The Call Me Mister program is an initiative with across the country to bring young black males into the teaching field by providing them with a free education in exchange for teaching in under-served communities of Philadelphia. Locally, PSU is partnering with the Southeast PA Network and Cheyney University to expose young people to this program. There will be a meeting on Thursday November 12 from 4-6 p.m. at 702 Market St. for young people that are interested in this program, whichRead More...

Community Love Gathering for Education

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:19:19 +0100

Mama Gail's Community Education Network and Parent Involvement Academy invites you to an event to develop awareness of new plans for a better education, a better community, and a better future for Philadelphians. The gathering is built around a forum of panelists that are dedicated to providing real solutions including Seth Williams, Dr. Charles Williams, Lori Shorr, youth leaders from the Philadelphia Student Union, and Dr. Ackerman. The event will take place on Tuesday, October Read More...

Syracuse has 10 full rides for Black Youth interested in Architecture

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:32:31 +0100

Syracuse University has 10 Full Rides for African American Men and
Women Interested in Studying Architecture. Mark Robbins, Dean of
Syracuse University's School of Architecture is desperately seeking
young men and women of color interested in pursuing a five year
professional degree in Architecture. He says he's deeply committed to
bringing diversity to his field and has scholarship money set aside to
fully cover education costs for 10 students. He says that HRead More...

Newsletter Overnight Friday evening

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0100

We're coming together to produce the spring/summer 2009 edition of PSU's newsletter The Union Rep. We've solicited ideas for articles from each of our chapters. We'll come together to get drafts of all the articles started, as well as graphics, cartoons, poetry, and more. The overnight starts this Friday May 1 at 5:00 p.m. and it will be held at 4625 Baltimore Ave. The overnght ends at 12 noon on Saturday May 2. Contact megan@phillystudentunion.org if you are intereRead More...

PSU Spring Retreat This weekend!

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Spring Retreat 2009; You Must Attend Day 1 in order to attend Day 2

Saturday April 25; Day 1: Meet at 5011 Baltimore Ave, 9 a.m. sharp!
-Workshops on: The Criminalization of Poverty, The Role of Drugs and Alcohol in undermining social movements, The Drug War, Education and Globalization, Global Social Movements, Organizational Discipline
Sunday April 25; Day 2
Laser Tag at Laserdome! Meet @ 5011 Baltimore at 11 a.m. sharp!

Food and transportation will be proviRead More...

Insurance giant AIG to pay $165 million in bonuses

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0100

By Martin Crutsinger
Associated PressPosted: 03/15/2009 12:01:00 AM CDT
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Saturday Meeting - b there!

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0100

This Saturday we're doing our famous "Ideal School" workshop, which will lead into our discussion about whole school transformation, in preparation for some important meetings next week. We'll also be talking about the Alliance for Educational Justice, the national organizing coalition that PSU is helping to launch.

Community meeting Thursday at School of the Future

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Turn-out is important. Come make your voice heard about the strategic plan -

Access the link to the strategic plan here:

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/strategic-planning

Community Meeting Thursday 6-8 at School of the Future

4021 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

YLT meeting rescheduled to Tuesday

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Cuz of weather. 5:30 see you there

More news from Chi-town

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

People need to know what is happening in Chicago because it is a preview
of the national agenda for urban schools. Since 2004, under Arne Duncan,
Chicago has been closing neighborhood schools in African American and
Latino working class communities and turning them over to charter schools,
selective enrollment schools for new gentrifiers, or to an outside
“turnaround specialist.” We have been fighting for quality neighborhood
schools in every neighborhooRead More...

Important Planning Meeting at the office on Thursday

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Join us to plan next week's Celebration of Black History Month, PSU style! 4 p.m. at 5011 Baltimore Ave. (Thursday Feb. 19) Se you there.

Parent in Oakland's appeal

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Saturday, February 14, 2009 Parental Appeal for Charter Moratorium in Oakland Below is a letter posted by Perimeter Primate on February 11 by a concerned parent in Oakland. It sheds light on the anti-democratic blitzkrieg of Broad-inspired operatives, Jeanne Allen, Kevin Chavous, John Chubb, Chris Whittle, and other corporate socialists, who are still attempting to take over the clean up operation in Oakland after NCLB blew up the schools.

With the rest of the American economy Read More...

Chicago Teachers Organize Against Privatization

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Chicago Teachers Organize Against Privatization — Jackson Potter Parents joined teachers to protest another round of school closings in Chicago, announced in late January. photo: Jackson Potter.

As the CEO of Chicago Public Schools heads to Washington to run the nation’s schools policy, a new reform caucus of Chicago teachRead More...

PA judges jail kids in privatized detention centers for payoffs

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Chalk another one up for privatization!

Pa. judges accused of jailing kids for cash By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARYCLAIRE DALE
Associated Press Writers

For years, the juvenile court system in Wilkes-Barre operated like a conveyor belt: Youngsters were brought before judges without a lawyer, given hearings that lasted only a minute or two, and then sent off to juvenile prison for months for minor offenses.

The explanation, prosecutors say, was corruption on the bench.

Saturday meeting

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Hey folks

We decided at last night's YLT meeting that based on member feedback we are going to try to devote more time on Saturday meetings to political education, and do more strategy meetings related to campaigns after school. So this Saturday's meeting is going to be about the role of art and music in organizing. We're going to be looking at murals, listening to radio segments, and other forms of art to explore the role that art plays in social movements. We're alsRead More...

Philadelphia Youth Commission needs to fill vacancies

Nijmie Zakkiyyah Dzurinko — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Youth Commission seeks to fill vacancies
   The Philadelphia Youth Commission <http://www.phila.gov/youthcommission/> is looking for individuals to fill four vacancies. Appointments to the Commission are made by local district councilpeople.
   If you live east of the El (Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Tacony, etc.) contact Councilwoman Joan Krajewski at 215-686-3444 or City Hall Room 591, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
   If you live in North PhiladRead More...