CAMPUS CURRENTS
JOYFUL SERVICE Penn Charter juniors and seniors spread out across Philadelphia in late September for a day dedicated to service and the wider community, showing up in a big way for local organizations and PC partners. “The pandemic laid bare the needs in our communities that have existed for years, and those needs—food insecurity, access to housing and clothing, and environmental issues—continue," said PC’s Assistant Director of the Center for Public Purpose Sharon Ahram. "Without missing a beat, these organizations continued to provide services to the community. And they give us the tremendous opportunity to be part of that.” Students prepared, sorted and packed food at several different organizations that address food insecurity. They worked outside to remove invasive plants, tend trees, build picnic benches and clear debris left by Hurricane Ida flooding, all addressing environmental issues. Several groups organized furniture and clothing at organizations that support individuals who lack stable access to housing and clothing. The day was a mobilization of PC students into the community, but not a one-off event. PC students continue to spend time at these organizations and on their behalf, addressing pressing issues. At lunch just days later, the PC Service Council made more than 75 sandwiches to be placed at the East Falls Community Fridge, where individuals experiencing food insecurity can find free food any time. PC
More photos at flickr.com/photos/penncharter/sets.
BEYOND THE BIRDS AND BEES Emma Cohen-Westbrooke describes herself as someone who “benefited from excellent sex education from home and mediocre sex education from school.” This adolescent experience drew her to sex education and motivates her in her new role as Penn Charter’s first Health, Wellness and Human Sexuality Educator. In response to painful accounts and constructive criticism from current and former students, Penn Charter established a Gender Equity, Sexuality & Consent (GESC) Task Force and, last year, launched a national search for this newly created position. Cohen-Westbrooke will not only teach comprehensive sexual education, she also is reviewing the current pre-K to 12 health education curriculum and the work of the GESC Task Force, and getting to know students and teachers.
Upper School students spread out across Philadelphia for a day dedicated to service and the community.
She plans to put students, and their questions, at the center of her work at Penn Charter. “For sexuality education to be effective,” she said, “students need to see the information as personally relevant and meaningful in their own lives.” Encouraging students to engage, discuss and ask questions is critical to Cohen-Westbrooke’s teaching. “I ask students questions that require them to consider their own values and perspectives on a topic,” she explained. “If I'm up in front of the classroom lecturing on a topic, I am not creating opportunities for my students to see themselves as intimately connected to the topics we're covering.” PC
6
•
FALL 2021
