Bracket Challenge returns, page 30
s o u t h p h i l l y r ev i ew.c o m
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MARCH 8, 2012
Passionate parishioners As two schools attempt to halt their closures, the archdiocese continues its plan to combine the pair with another location. By Samantha Byles Review Intern
T
he Archdiocese of Philadelphia said it has made its final decisions regarding the closings and consolidations of schools across the city, but community members in Pennsport and Whitman have not yet backed down. More than 1,000 parents, teachers and students, alumni and neighbors came together at Third and McKean streets Feb. 23 to protest against the closing of two community schools. The Blue Ribbon Commission announced the closing and combining of several schools within the area, due to declining enrollment and the increased presence of charter schools, Jan. 6. Included See FIGHTING CLOUSURE page 8
Sports
Kindergartener Nicholas Cooks, left, applied a gentle touch to carrot seeds. He and students from four other grades will make the spring a constant reflection of their commitment to proper nutrition.
Rooting for roots
S ta f f P h o t o b y G r e g B e z a n i s
A West Passyunk school’s students tended to the state’s rst Teaching Garden.
Copper plenty
A basketball prodigy helped her West Passyunk squad to claim its rst city title. By Joseph Myers..........Page 29
By Joseph Myers R e v i e w S ta f f W r i t e r
S
econd grader Laniyah McNeil excels in the three Rs at Stephen Girard School, 1800 Snyder Ave., and showed that her West Passyunk colleagues can likewise excel if they emphasize such vegetables as her beloved three Cs, carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers. She and nearly 150 pupils spent Friday
afternoon engaging in produce projects, with their biggest being an outdoor planting. Their top endeavor kicked off their management of a Teaching Garden, a seven-plot expanse that continues their facility’s relationship with the American Heart Association and aims to promote increased self-esteem and decreased waistlines. “This is my first time planting,” Laniyah, a resident of the 2200 block of South Bonsall Street, said shortly after carrot, onion,
radish, spinach and turnip seeds had left her fingers and entered the earth. “I can’t wait to plant other foods I like.” The 7-year-old’s enthusiasm and similar zeal touched Jed Bordner, a physical education teacher who has aligned his site with the Center City-based association for seven years. The instructor beamed as much as the kindergarten through fourth See TEACHING GARDEN page 10