The Coalition for the Revitalization of Wm Penn High School
Posted by Bob Shipman on May 13, 2009 at 9:18pm

Last night Tuesday 5/12/2009 there was a historic meeting at the historic friends Neghighborhood guild located at the corners of 8th Fairmont. This group will meet every Tuesday at 6 pm, until June 17 vote by the SRC the governing board of the School District of Philadelphia, they meet every Wednesday at 4440 N. Board open to the public.

The Coalition for the Revitalization of Wm Penn High School group members shared the reasons that they were there. The parents, alumni, future students representative from city government, this reporter included. The group of 35 people shared the scope of lost that they felt and the experiences it had on their individual lives. They are asking the community to extend your hand and help us in this effort to stop the planned closing. The SRC will not vote on the future of the site until June 17, 2009.

The senior member of the group was the current Wm Penn Alumni President. Ms. Evans she stated that the school produced outstanding citizens including Pearl Baily, she outlined the history and was joined by another parent that stated she was a alumni of the class of 1966, she stated that she sent 8 children to the Wm Penn high and was devistated when she heard the plans for the school.

I was the Home and School president 1998-2000. Other alumni from years such as 1998,200,2005, were in attendance. Lets look at the history and we need to here from the organizers that are growing daily. I was so proud of my son Ronald and Tony, and Bumni and partial list of supporters includes.Abel Robinson ,
Alexes old block ,
Alista Williamson ,
Andre Corbett ,
Angela Johnson ,
Angelo ,
Anthony Thomast ,
Bahiyah Abdul Malik ,
Bobby Robert Shipman ,
Carl Allen ,
Cece Williams ,
Kevin D <,
Dad Robert Shipman ,
Daynieces daniece mcclellan,
Debra Perks ,
Donte DeBrow ,
"E. Mack Roberts" ,
Ebony ,
Errikka Black ,
George Smith ,
Hakim Haqq ,
Imala ,
Ismail Amir ,
Jamison Rogers ,
Javar Gholson ,
John Clark ,
Karen G,
Keith M,
Kim ole Whitfield ,
Lamar Brooks ,
Lamar Douglas ,

Larry Conway ,
Lewis Tilman ,
Lola Stubbs ,
Marisa ,
Mayori ,
Mia Harvey ,
Mimi my sis ,
Mom Carolyn ,
Natalie ,
Patrick Michael ,
Phil Pagliaro ,
Poochman ,
"Pro. Scrugg" ,
Rashad Faltz ,
Richard Cheek ,
Robert Paige ,
Rochelle Woodson ,
Roosevelt tre Turner ,
Shante Moore ,
Shareef Blackwell ,
Shauna Howard ,
Shawn Jackson ,
Stan ,
Tene Fletcher ,
Thai Richards ,
Tracy Jones ,
Trevis Willingham ,
Trina ,
Troy Mitchell ,
Vanessa ,
madlabent,
ashauntie,
monicacmoses,
Wadebelser,
Erika phillystudentunion.org,
eldershawn,
1DJHandz,
friendsdirector@gmail.com,
jrmusicexec,
Charesse ,

"Frank rev. Smart" ,
Mckinly Brown ,
Naji Scott ,
Ricky Johnson ,
ronald.shipman,
Miriam Evans ,
micahsimsshow@aol.com

I am asking the community to read and support the folks with your experience. A brief history is stated below. I ask the members of the group to chime in and do your thing...this is the generation that we have been missing, to see them take the leadership role is amazing. The floor is your, my future and current leaders.

In 1848, The Girls Normal School was established as the first secondary public school for women in Pennsylvania. It was also the first municipally supported teachers' school in the U.S. The first instructional session was held on February 1, 1848. By June 1848, there were 149 enrolled students which was an incredibly large enrollment for a school at that time. The school continued to grow forcing a move in 1854 to Sergeant Street between Ninth and Tenth Streets.
In April 1854, the name of the school was changed to the Girls’ High School of Philadelphia. By June 1860, 65 graduates had received diplomas bearing the Girls’ High School name. In 1860, the name of the school was again changed to The Girls’ High and Normal School(Wm Penn) to better define the “design of the institution” as a school for an education confined to academic subjects and for future teachers.

(In April 1854, the name of the school was changed to the Girls’ High School of Philadelphia. By June 1860, 65 graduates had received diplomas bearing the Girls’ High School name. In 1860, the name of the school was again changed to The Girls’ High and Normal School(Wm Penn) to better define the “design of the institution” as a school for an education confined to academic subjects and for future teachers.
In October 1876, a new school which “for convenience and comfort will probably have no superior” was constructed at Seventeenth and Spring Garden Streets. At the time it was surpassed in size only by Girard College and the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1893, the High School and Normal School(Wm Penn) were separated into two distinct institutions. It was at this time that the institution became known as the Philadelphia High School for Girls.)

The school has been downsized to the level that the school is only using 2 of the five buildings, classes is held in the open outside of the auditorium. The bridges to other sections of the school are barricaded off. The school was state of the art with a Olympic size pool, Basketball courts, gymnastic equipment a agriculture garden was located on the roof, a comprehensive day care the campus held a football and Baseball field , large enough for soccer as well.

Members of the group have organized a fundraiser...