spoken here. The brokenglass tile skyline is simplistic, yet instantly recognizable as pure Philadelphia. Sitting in the Principal’s Office with me is Karen Brown, president of Southwark Civic Association. Brown’s group has adopted the school because it is on the low rung of the School Board’s ladder. “This school got a raw deal over the years. This building is a safe haven for the kids. It never had a sign. People thought this building was where you paid the gas bill or part of Bok HS. The civic group wants this school to thrive. I got together with Super Signs at 9th & Passyunk. The owner was generous to discount the sign’s cost, and made the wonderful multi-cultural graphics based on a front vestibule rug.” The “diamond in the rough” attitude has some surprising results, too. President of Student Council Lloyd Moore, who is also captain of the basketball and volley ball team, will be attending a Leadership Program in England and France this summer.
OFFICER Dennis Quinn with son, Tyler Quinn. Eighth-grader Tyler wrote essay about his greatest hero, his dad, and read it on stage.
Incoming Principal Perry Robinson, Principal Jill D. Silverstein, 8th-grade teacher Lynn Daisey, President of Southwark Civic Association Karen Brown and Councilor Van Tsang standing in front of the student-made mural. Photos by Maria Merlino
Heroes
“I had no idea that Principal Silverstein submitted my name. I was shocked when she told me about it. My first thought was that there was no way that I could go, but after discussing it with my parents, they wanted me to have a new experience. I’m now getting a passport and very excited about traveling.” By the way, Moore was competing with students all across the nation. Unfortunately, the school’s library is still in need of funding. Books are the scaffolding of learning and help to maximize each student’s unique potential. Your contribution can be a brick to keep scholarship from crumbling.
The Christopher Columbus Charter School at 9th & Christian Street is housed in the Andrew Farnese Building. Reminiscing through the 10 years that the Christopher Columbus Charter School has been in service, Principal Rosemary Dougherty remembered the horrific day of Sep. 11, 2001. “The school was devastated and in a horrendous mood. We invited Police, Fire, and Armed Forces in the area to let them know that we cared. It was our first Hero Day. We needed to memorialize it and decided that an annual Hero Day would be appropriate.”
WITH Special Liberty from the US Navy, seamen from the USS Enterprise, PSSN (SW) Ben Reznik, MM2 (SW/AW) Anwar Barnes, IC3 (SW/Aw) Osmin Rosario from Virginia.
THEIE HEARTS still tender from the pain of an unfathomable loss, the widows of Officers Cassidy and Liczbinski take comfort in the outpouring of support and love.
The South Philadelphia Public Record • April 9, 2009
“I hope that people will understand that public education is good,” expresses Principal Jill D. Silverstein, “Southwark ES has been here since 1909, that’s 100 years, and it will still be here in 2109.” Silverstein, who will be retiring this semester, wants everyone to know that as much as things are different now, the dedication of its staff and students remains the same, outstanding! To memorialize the century mark, in conjunction with the Fleisher Memorial Art Museum, an eighth grade class was picked to paint a mural and make a mosaic of the Philly Skyline. “We’re so proud of the work that was done,” teacher Lynn Daisey tells me. “The title of the work is From President Taft to President Obama (19092009). None of the students are professional but we had professional help from Fleisher to guide them. It’s a work in progress. We think it’s phenomenal!” Part of the mural design is the school mantra “a smile is the same in every language” painted in the many languages that are
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New Principal at Southwark; Columbus Salutes Our Heroes
South Philadelphia Cleanup www.phillyrecord.com
MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER joins volunteers from Lower Moyamensing Civic Association as he helps plant one of 14 trees, as part of Philly Spring VOLUNTEERS line up outside Southern Hs after Philly Spring Cleanup in our area. Cleanup project.
1ST-GRADER Joe Fitzpatrick shares a quiet moment with uncle, Police Officer Joe Moresi. The younger Joe is son of Conestoga Bank VP, Jackie Fitzpatrick and Officer Moresi is Jackie’s brother.