Kristen Graham

Two of 20 Philly schools slated for closure will be spared under a revised district plan Conwell Middle School and Motivation High will not close after all, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. announced at a Thursday school board meeting.

Watlington opts to remove 2 #PHLed schools from his plan, but still wants to close 18. Breaking: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Community members rally against school closures ahead of superintendent's presentation to school board The school board meeting will begin at 4 p.m.

Big #PHLed meeting today - w/facilities master plan recommendations. Follow along: www.inquirer.com/education/li...

Philly’s school closure plan targets middle schools. Here’s why the district is moving away from them. Of the 20 schools Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has recommended closing, six are middle schools. But others will stay open, or even grow.

On #PHLed's move away from middle schools: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

No ‘rubber stamp’: City Council grills Philly School District officials on plan to close 20 schools Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. stood by his plan, saying he could have recommended closing "twice as many schools and been able to defend it.”

On a a consequential #PHLed Council hearing on the facilities plan/20 proposed school closings. Updates to come!: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly’s teachers union has raised an alarm with City Council about school closing plan "You hold powerful levers that may be used to encourage the district to craft a more equitable [plan]", PFT president Arthur Steinberg wrote to Council's education committee.

Ahead of today's #PHLed City Council hearing on the facilities plan, @pft.org has sounded an alarm, saying the district hasn't released enough data to justify closures and other changes. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

These Philly schools are slated for big upgrades as the district works to modernize buildings The school district released details about modernization projects for schools in each City Council district as Council members express opposition to a proposal to close 20 schools.

Officials have released the marquee #PHLed modernization projects it wants to complete with the $2.8 billion proposed facilities plan. Here's the list: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Parents, educators, and organizers expected to sound off on proposed school closures at first Philly school board action meeting of 2026 Before the meeting Thursday, dozens of community members rallied outside the school district building to protest closings.

Super busy #PHLed day - pre-meeting rally, now a school board meeting. Follow along! www.inquirer.com/education/li...

Philly schools reopened Thursday. Some students returned to snowbanks, burst pipes and frigid classrooms “It’s a mess,” said a staffer at Mitchell Elementary, in Southwest Philadelphia. The school had no running water or school lunches.

Tough day inside many #phled buildings. www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly schools virtual for Tuesday, and here’s what other districts are doing as road conditions remain iffy Philadelphia city offices and courts will be closed Tuesday. The Philadelphia School District will have a virtual instruction day as the region continues to dig out of a significant snow storm.

Virtual instruction day for #PHLed tomorrow, w/offices closed. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philadelphia schools will be closed Monday because of snow; others will likely follow “Sledding is appropriate. Snow angels are appropriate, and [Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel] gave us permission to have one or two safe and fun snowball fights," the superintendent said.

Snow day, #PHLed! www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly could close 20 schools, co-locate 6, and modernize 159: Superintendent Watlington shares his facilities plan The 10-year blueprint comes with a $2.8 billion price tag, $1 billion of which would be covered by district capital funds. The rest would depend on philanthropy or state funds.

20 #PHLed schools would close, 6 would co-locate, and 159 get upgrades under the long-awaited facilities master plan proposed by Supt. Watlington today. More: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly’s school board will explore giving its vacant schools to the city, though some object One board member worried that the action "limits us to exploring the conveyance of our school buildings to the city without financial compensation" when the district is facing a deficit.

From the #PHLed special school board action meeting - the district is now moving forward with possibly transferring vacant buildings to the city, but not everyone agrees with the action. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/va...

A Philly judge’s ruling in a charter case has called into question Joyce Wilkerson’s seat on the school board People for People Charter and KIPP North Philadelphia sued the Philadelphia school board over its votes to non-renew the schools.

Attention, #PHLed watchers: a judge's ruling in a charter-school case has called into question Joyce Wilkerson's seat on the school board. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/jo...

Inside Philly’s newest school: AMY at James Martin, a $62 million middle school, will open in January The new AMY at James Martin, a four-story, 88,000-square foot building, will open to students in January. Its middle school students have been learning at Penn Treaty High School during construction.

Here's what they were celebrating! www.inquirer.com/education/ne...

Welcome to the new AMY at James Martin, a brand-new #phled MS in Port Richmond. That’s the sounds of a HS of the Future jazz combo, welcoming folks in.

Philly principals get raises; some defend educators in the crosshairs of a congressional investigation: school board roundup The school board on Thursday night reelected its president and vice president, approved a new contract for principals, and more.

From the #PHLed school board meeting: a new contract - and 12% raises over 4 years - for CASA, declarations of support for educators in the crosshairs of a Congressional investigation, and board president & VP elections. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly principals’ union has a tentative contract Nearly 1,000 Philadelphia principals, assistant principals, climate managers and other workers will get pay raises if they approve a tentative four-year pact.

CASA, #PHLed's principals' union, has a new contract. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly principals, working without a contract for months, demand action: school board roundup Superintendent Tony B. Watlington told the school board he needed more time to present a facilities plan. "We’re committed to not fumbling the football on the 2-yard line,” he said.

It's been nearly 3 months without a contract for #PHLed principals. They can't strike, but they are ratcheting up the pressure. Notes from the school board mtg: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

At Philly school board meeting, concerns could bubble up over the school closing process and principals working without contracts The Philly school board is hosting its monthly action meeting, which began at 4 p.m. Follow live coverage from reporter Kristen A. Graham.

It's #PHLed school board meeting day! Follow along here: www.inquirer.com/education/li...

Philly students got to be food critics, and their reviews of school lunches ranged from ‘mid’ to ‘bussin’’ Hundreds of Philly public school students got to taste test dishes that might be added to their school lunches next year. Vendors came to offer samples to the student taste testers.

Should you ever feel down on life, I highly recommend interviewing #PHLed students about almost anything. Exhibit 3,293: food criticism of school lunches. www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

Philly school board will hear from public on potential school closings, wellness policy, and more The Philly school board is hosting a public hearing, which began at 4 p.m. Follow live coverage from reporter Kristen A. Graham.

Hey! It's #PHLed board hearing today - not an action meeting, but a listening session. Follow along here: www.inquirer.com/education/li...

Philadelphia school closure decisions have been delayed Instead of releasing a facilities master plan in November finalizing it in December, a survey will go out to families this month and a draft plan delivered sometime in the winter.

Interrupting your election day for some #PHLed news - the facilities master planning process timeline has been pushed back. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

When I was new to covering #PHLed, I went to speak to a class at Julio deBurgos ES. The kids were amazing, and they sent me the loveliest letters. Today, at Mastbaum HS, I met Ms. Morales - a first-year algebra teacher, and one of the kids in that 3rd grade class. Chills!

This Delco school district says it will run out of cash by January without a state budget The school system encompasses Aldan, Colwyn, Darby, East Lansdowne, Lansdowne and Yeadon boroughs.

This Delco school district says it will run out of cash in January if the Pa. state budget deadlock continues. Story: www.inquirer.com/education/wi...

Tony Watlington talked about Philly’s ‘groundbreaking academic improvements’ on a national stage. Here are 3 takeaways. Top education leaders from big-city districts around the U.S. are gathered in Philadelphia this week. On Thursday, they heard from Tony B. Watlington Sr. about "groundbreaking academic improvements."

Big week for #PHLed, with the district hosting leaders from around the country at the Council for Great City Schools annual conference. Supt Watlington was front and center today, talking about the district's "groundbreaking academic improvements." Story: www.inquirer.com/education/to...

Well. I get half of my genetic material from this man. This is how we’re feeling pre-game. Go Phils.

beloved heroes!!!

Same. I was telling my kids: this is a test of our mettle as fans. We can be angry that they're not producing and still love them.

Phils fans feel “hopeless” after the team’s 4-3 loss in Game 2 of the NLDS The Phils aren’t out of the National League division series — yet — but optimism is hard to come by.

Phils fans feel “hopeless” after a crushing 4-3 loss pushing them to the brink of elimination. Story: www.inquirer.com/news/phillie...

Phils on the board. The crowd woke up.