 May/Summer 2000 (XXXVIII 3) |
he Saturday morning session of Yearly Meeting on March 25 was marked by the new vitality and energy that surrounds education within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, especially as it relates to the provisions of the Covenant on Education, which was approved at annual session last year. Friends discussed and shared their perspectives on several projects and concerns, affirming our desire to speak unequivocally on behalf of the children in our lives. As Clerk Arlene Kelly has said, our children are our greatest resource, and our concern for their right education must be at the center of our work.
Rachel Bull, clerk of the Standing Committee on Education, opened the session by reminding those gathered of the promise of the Covenant on Education: to support parents in finding a right education for their children whether it is in a public school or a Friends school, to support public education by advocating for full funding for all schools, to nurture the Quaker aspects of Friends schools, and to make certain that any PYM Quaker family desiring a Friends education for their child in a PYM school not be denied that opportunity because of finances. She then outlined the four groups working to fulfill the Covenant's promise: the Friends Schools Working Group, the Public Education Working Group, the Newsletter Working Group and the Friends Children in Friends Schools Project Group.
Friends heard from Marlene Santoyo of Germantown Meeting (PA), who has been a teacher of English as a second language in Philadelphia public schools for many years. Marlene discussed the inspiring work of the PYM Public Education Working Group [she is co-clerk] in support of Friends and Friends concerns in public schooling. She reminded us that the majority of PYM Friends children are enrolled in public schools, and many hundreds of Friends work as teachers and administrators. Marlene told the story of a Cambodian child at her school in South Philadelphia whose life chances have been dramatically enhanced by a high-quality, supportive public education. In addition to supporting our personal involvements, Marlene spoke of advocacy for the KEEPS Bill, currently in the Pennsylvania legislature, which promises more equitable funding of public education.
Ed Marshall of Germantown Meeting discussed the progress of the Friends Children in Friends Schools Project Group [he is clerk] toward fulfilling our shared vision that no PYM family seeking an education in a PYM Friends school for their child be denied that opportunity for financial reason. Barton Lewis of Radnor Meeting (PA), Jonathan Rhoads of Germantown Meeting, Susan Makler of Abington Meeting (PA) and Tom Farquhar of Westtown Meeting (PA) each has supplied key leadership in moving this concern forward in recent months. Ed indicated that an Educational Survey of PYM Friends Families is soon to be conducted. Thanks to the support of the Chace Fund, this survey promises to yield information about how to move forward with education services and programs that accurately reflect the priorities and choices of PYM families.
After hearing from the presenters, gathered Friends engaged in a rich and spirited sharing about their hopes, fears and concerns in the area of education. Several Friends said it was "miraculous" that such a conversation was taking place among us with virtually no rancor and a powerful spirit of togetherness and support for the many ways in which we witness and engage on behalf of our children. Evaluations indicated that Friends appreciated the balanced and positive tone of the session as well as the informative content. This writer felt a clear sense of the meeting that there is general support for working for the education of our children, and that there are specific concerns about special needs, geography, and scholarship availability that we can — and must — continue to pursue together.
Ed Marshall
Germantown Meeting (PA)
Clerk of Friends Children in Friends Schools Project Group
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM