MAYOR NUTTER CONCLUDES EDUCATION WEEK

Philadelphia, September 16, 2011—Since the start of the 2011-2012 school year, Mayor Michael A. Nutter held events throughout the City with students, parents, educators, returning students and stakeholders emphasizing the importance of education. The Mayor participated in the first day of school festivities, read to a Kindergarten class, encouraged adults returning to college, toured a college with students and was trained as a graduation coach. During the week, the Mayor reinforced the goals set by his Administration to increase the high school graduation rate to 80 percent by 2015 and to double the percentage of residents with a four year degree to 36 percent by 2018.rnrn“Education is the key to ensuring Philadelphians have a high quality of life,” said Mayor Nutter. “Education impacts so many aspects of our lives—health, finances, family, crime—that it is important that we encourage young people, as well as returning students, to succeed in school and continue on to college. We must be innovative and vigilant regarding ways to improve our educational system and to ensure our children are afforded every opportunity to learn.”rnrnChief Education Officer Lori Shorr added, “The ambitious goals that the Mayor has set for this City around education can’t be met by only traditional school-day interventions. This year, for Education Week, we tried to highlight the significant work that is happening in the community around increasing educational outcomes in Philadelphia for both youth and adults.”rnrnSome 2011 Education Week key events included the following:rn • The Mayor, PA Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis and interim Superintendent Dr. Leroy Nunery participated in the bell-ringing ceremony with the School District of Philadelphia to mark the first day for public school students. This event was held at West Philadelphia High School, which also marked the official opening of the new high school building.rn • The Comcast Corporation announced its Internet Essentials program, which makes low-cost internet services available to families with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. This program complements the City’s Freedom Rings Partnership creating 77 public computer centers throughout the city. Additional information can be found at www.internetessentials.com.rn • Mayor Nutter visited a classroom of adult learners participating in a program made possible by a partnership between Harcum College, Institute of Leadership Education Advancement and Development (I-LEAD) and Calvary Baptist Church. He also was able to speak to graduates of the program who are currently enrolled in college.rn • The Mayor read to a kindergarten class and addressed the student body at St. Martin de Porres School, a parochial school located in North Philadelphia.rn • The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy launched a new workforce literacy initiative on International Literacy Day. The Mayor announced an ongoing commitment to integrate workforce development with adult literacy by building partnerships with service-providing organizations; creating an online referral system to match adult learners to classes, tutors and instruction; and by supplementing face-to-face learning with online learning opportunities.rn • The Mayor announced the 2011-2012 Graduation Coach anchor agencies. The Graduation Coach Campaign is an initiative to empower adults to help young people earn a high school diploma and to succeed in college. Mayor Nutter and his wife were also trained as graduation coaches. The anchor agencies are:rn o Catholic Social Servicesrn o Congreso De Latinos Unidosrn o Diversified Community Servicesrn o Education Worksrn o Mothers In Chargern o The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphiarn o Women’s Christian Alliancern • The Mayor also joined students from YESPhilly, a GED to college program, to take a tour of Philadelphia University. The students had an opportunity to discuss their educational goals, meet current college students and experience a college campus. The trip was organized by the PhillyGoes2College Office located in the Mayor’s Office of Education in City Hall.