Category: Schools

bookmark_borderCelebration of Student Art in Philadelphia City Hall

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JOIN THE OFFICE OF ARTS, CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
IN CELEBRATION OF STUDENT ART IN CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 4-6 PM
THE ART GALLERY AT CITY HALL, ROOM 116
EAST PORTAL MARKET ST. ENTRANCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A-PLUS ART
Annual City Hall Celebration of Student Art

Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Comprehensive Arts Education presents “A-Plus Art”, a student art exhibition featuring some of the best works from Philadelphia’s public schools. The exhibition is located in the newly renovated Art Gallery At City Hall, Room 116 East Portal Market St. entrance. It runs thru October 1st. A reception is scheduled for September 29, from 4-6 pm.

“A-Plus Art” is a selection of some of the best art from students in Philadelphia’s public schools. Each year, The School District of Philadelphia organizes an exhibition of approximately 1,500 works of art at the School District Administration Building on North Broad St. 44 pieces were chosen by an independent panel, including group projects from grade K – 12 from a number of schools in all areas of the city. Each participating student will receive a Mayoral Certificate of Artistic Achievement.

The exhibition recognizes quality arts education as vitally important to the critical development of our youth. Dr. Dennis Creedon, the Director of Comprehensive Arts Education, and Tessie Varthas, Content Specialist-Art Education were instrumental in the organization of this exhibition.

Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer and Director of the Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy:
When I was a young public school student in New York City MANY years ago, I exhibited in a similar show of the best work by public school students. I still remember the pride and optimism it gave me as a young artist. I am honored to now be able to pass on that experience to this very talented group of students, and I wish them great success!

The new Art Gallery At City Hall was created by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy to further enliven City Hall with arts and culture. The exhibitions highlight the work of Philadelphia arts and cultural organizations, including an annual exhibition of student art. As Gary Steuer notes, “It is a tangible representation of the value this City places on its arts, culture and heritage community, and will bring the power of the arts to the many City workers and visitors who pass through City Hall every day.”

The mission of the Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy is to improve access to the arts for both residents and visitors and to expand arts education for young people. The Office also coordinates with relevant City agencies to unify the City’s arts efforts, oversees all the City’s arts programs, and serves as a liaison between the City’s many cultural institutions. Furthermore, the Office supports the growth and development of the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector, by promoting public and private investment. In addition to the Office’s focus on the nonprofit arts sector, it also focuses on the many aspects of the larger arts and culture industry including individual artists, design industries, music clubs and other entertainment ventures.

PRESS CONTACTS ONLY:
Tu Huynh, 215-686-9912 August 2010
artincityhall@phila.gov

bookmark_borderStudents to Help West Chester Businesses Save Energy

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a ceremony today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $149,992 grant to the West Chester Area School District for a project to help local businesses conserve energy, save money and cut harmful greenhouse gases.

The District’s Student Conservation Corps, made up of high school students concerned about the environment, will encourage and teach area businesses simple, no-cost measures to achieve 10 percent reductions in their energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases. The project is one of 20 nationwide funded by EPA to showcase how communities are fighting climate change.

“EPA is proud to support students who are taking responsibility for the future of our environment,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “Their efforts to engage businesses in conserving energy will have pay offs economically and for the larger community by improved air quality.”

The district already has an energy efficiency program, started and implemented by students, in operation in its 16 school buildings. The district spends $3 million a year for electricity. Last year, B. Reed Henderson High School, where today’s ceremony was held, used $300,000 of electricity. Now, as a result of its “Power Down Fridays” program the school has reduced its energy use by 22 percent – saving the taxpayers $60,000 annually.

Dr. Jim Scanlon, the district’s Superintendent, expressed excitement about this grant and in particular the way it is structured. “Our students are a great resource for ideas and care so much about the future of our community. That’s why they’re a key part of the implementation strategy.”

As a part of this EPA-funded project, the district plans to broaden its conservation efforts district-wide to achieve an additional 10 percent cut in energy use and greenhouse gases. Preliminary calculations estimate that by 2012 about 1,960 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions will be reduced annually through efforts by the businesses and the school district.

EPA will monitor the progress of grant recipients and will post quarterly updates about each recipient online.

More information on the grants and the grant recipients: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/

More information about the program: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate, and visit the website of the West Chester Area School District: http://www.wcasd.net

bookmark_borderRyan Reaching Out

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Archbishop Ryan High School is reaching out to the cause of childhood cancer. The faculty and school community are donating to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to honor the life of Jesenia Perez, the 11 year old sister of junior student, Jessica Perez. Jesenia was diagnosed with cancer at age nine and received treatment at St. Christopher’s Hospital here in Philadelphia. She passed away in November 2009.

On Friday, March 12, many of Ryan’s faculty will be shaving their heads in support of childhood cancer and the Perez family at Fadó Irish Pub located at 1500 Locust Street in Center City Philadelphia. So far, the faculty, students and friends of the school community have donated over $7,900 towards their goal of $10,000. Please help team A.R. in doing their part in the fight against cancer. For more information on Ryan’s involvement with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, contact John Farington at jfarrington@archbishopryan.com. If you would like to donate this cause you can visit: www.stbaldricks.org keyword: Archbishop Ryan.

Also, in April, Ryan’s world language teacher, Mr. Joseph Muto, will be walking approximately 75 miles to Ventnor City, New Jersey from Philadelphia to raise money for this cause. To support Mr. Muto, you can visit the website and type keyword: Muto.

Written by: Danny Clifton, Ryan Review Staff Writer
Editor’s note: I had the journalism teacher run a little contest with the students who are up for editor of the school newspaper next year.  He selected the one attached.