Lorene Cary named to School Board

[billy ross]

Lorene Cary named to SRC | Philly | 10/10/2011


"Ron Tomalis, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, said, “I am pleased to welcome Lorene to the SRC, as I believe her experience will be beneficial to the school district and the Commission. I look forward to working with her and her colleagues in the coming months as we address many of the critical issues facing the district.”

“I am honored to serve Philadelphia’s students, teachers, and school leaders, and through them, our entire city. My parents were both Philadelphia public school teachers; I attended elementary school here; our children have spent about half their school life in District schools; and as a writer and arts organization director, I’ve worked with schools and with kids, parents, and grandparents who know that a good education is their only real hope for success. I am grateful to be called to serve them on this committed and talented team,” Cary said in the statement."

I am pleased that the PA Secretary of Education is paying so much attention to the Philly schools. Hopefully we'll see them move in the right direction.

[annie]

The Notebook has more info on her and honestly I'm scratching my head:
Cary: SRC 'a calling, service' | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

SWCC folks, is it true that the HQ of her Art Sanctuary organization at 638 S. 16th is a boarded up building?

[raider.adam]

Her two daughters, one who is grown and another who is a senior in high school, have attended a combination of public and independent schools, depending on "what each child needed at the time and where we were."

That sounds like school choice talk.

[five apples]

I like it. Not a typical political crony. I liked Nutter's other appointment to the SRC as well. I give him Kudos.

[OldMama]

That sounds like school choice talk.

Sounds more like they can afford Penn Charter.

[billy ross]

Sounds more like they can afford Penn Charter.

She was specific that geography played a part in the family's decision-making. Their home immediately abuts the school, so much so that to get to school you go out through the backyard and through the gate into PC's campus. It's awfully hard to not take advantage of a situation like that; if we didn't I don't think that we'd live here. Not surprisingly their daughter is super-involved in the school.

[annie]

It's awfully hard to not take advantage of a situation like that; if we didn't I don't think that we'd live here.

And if you have $20,000-30,000 a year to spare.

[Spicoli]

The Notebook has more info on her and honestly I'm scratching my head:
Cary: SRC 'a calling, service' | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

SWCC folks, is it true that the HQ of her Art Sanctuary organization at 638 S. 16th is a boarded up building?

Completely renovated is a better description. Yes, if you Google map it, it shows a boarded up building. But since that picture was taken, its been completely rehabbed and looks very nice.

[Eames]

Although I know nothing about her, she can't be any worse than the boobs who've been bounced off the SRC in recent weeks/months. I like her focus on the Arts and her apparent openness to Charter schools as alternatives.

[annie]

Completely renovated is a better description. Yes, if you Google map it, it shows a boarded up building. But since that picture was taken, its been completely rehabbed and looks very nice.

Oh that's good to hear, someone should tell the Philly.com trolls.

Also: A novel choice for school panel | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/11/2011

"Cary, who lives in East Falls, was born in West Philadelphia and attended Lea Elementary. Lea was an integrated public school, and Cary's mother petitioned its principal for special permission so her daughter could attend."

This makes up a bit for my disappointment that she's not a K-12 teacher.