Philadelphia superintendent unveils scholar security measures after shootings

Within the wake of shootings exterior two excessive colleges this yr, Superintendent Tony Watlington has introduced new measures by the district to enhance scholar security, which he known as “precedence one.” 

Watlington introduced Friday that the district will add 12 colleges over the subsequent two years to the “secure paths” program that gives “further supervision for college students touring to and from faculty.” This system, which entails neighborhood members in addition to native companies, at the moment operates at six areas. 

As well as, the district will use $600,000 from a grant from Pennsylvania Fee on Crime and Delinquency to pay for extra metropolis police round some faculty buildings “that warrant an elevated police presence,” Watlington stated. 

And the district will enhance psychological well being companies for college students and workers, working with the town to offer college students within the sixth by twelfth grades entry to psychological well being counseling by the net supplier Kooth. That might be along with in-person companies already accessible.

Talking to reporters Friday Watlington stated that folks, the neighborhood at giant, and regulation enforcement want to return collectively “to get our arms across the violence downside. We will and should win this violence conflict.” 

Excessive-profile shootings close to faculty grounds have traumatized college students and others this yr, and have underscored the gun violence plaguing the town and its younger individuals. In September, 5 college students have been shot — one fatally — exterior Roxborough Excessive College after a soccer scrimmage. Police have arrested 4 youngsters and an grownup in reference to the incident. 

Then, on the day earlier than Thanksgiving, 4 college students have been shot after an early dismissal a couple of blocks from Overbrook Excessive College. There aren’t any arrests but in that case.

Watlington stated he’s nonetheless understanding particulars with the police division about growing regulation enforcement’s presence within the neighborhood of colleges.

“We all know that we simply should have extra law enforcement officials round a few of our colleges. So we’re working with the Philadelphia Police Division to determine the place are the locations we have to develop first,” he  stated.

The police division, just like the district, is dealing with a workers scarcity. However Watlington stated that they’re working collectively to take care of the “challenges” of vacancies and attrition amongst lecturers and officers. 

Usually, with regards to scholar security, Watlington famous that he plans to collaborate intently with the district’s worker unions. 

Watlington conceded that Kooth, the net psychological well being supplier, “doesn’t change what a conventional counselor does,” he stated. 

On his summer time “listening and studying tour” and visits to greater than 50 colleges, he stated college students advised him that the counselor-student ratio doesn’t afford them the chance to see steerage counselors when they should. He additionally needs to develop peer counseling packages and 0 in on the wants of particular person colleges.

The district’s student-to-counselor ratio is 357 to 1 this yr, an enchancment on final yr’s ratio of 371 to 1. 

Watlingon stated he plans to check attendance and dropout information. When college students attend faculty day by day and don’t drop out, “they’re much less prone to be the victims or the perpetrators of violence,” he stated. 

Watlington stated that on his visits to varsities, most have been working easily, however that he additionally  witnessed struggles with scholar attendance and habits. 

“The purpose proper now’s to maintain kids secure,” he stated.

Though his announcement Friday centered on security, Watlington continues to work on his broader strategic plan for the district that’s due subsequent yr.  

Watlington stated that he’s in search of 25 dad and mom and guardians to kind a council to advise him on what “what do we have to cease doing and to begin doing” to make Philadelphia “the quickest enhancing giant faculty district in America.” 

Purposes to be on the father or mother advisory council might be taken on the district web site beginning on Dec. 5 and operating by Dec. 18. As soon as finalized, the group will begin work in January. 

Watlington stated he plans to “defund issues that don’t work,” whereas investing in issues that do. 

“We is not going to simply be asking for a clean test,” he stated. 

Dale Mezzacappa is a senior author for Chalkbeat Philadelphia, the place she covers Okay-12 colleges and early childhood schooling in Philadelphia. Contact Dale at dmezzacappa@chalkbeat.org.