You don’t have to talk to me long to find out that I love Philadelphia.  I was raised in Philadelphia, and I love PHILADELPHIA.  Something I am proud to say even till this day and that is something that won’t ever change.

I attended Philadelphia public school my whole life, from Kindergarden to 12th grade.  My mom was a teacher in the district for over 25 years.

As a student, I can still remember walking into that big building on 67th and Elmwood for the first time, John Bartram High School, my alma mater.  Before that it was my middle school, George Wharton Pepper Middle School.  I can still remember singing that song at graduation.

“George Wharton Pepper Middle School, it is the best in the great Southwest.”

Unfortunetely, just like many of the other schools that I remember that school is gone.  CLOSED. No longer around, why? Budget cuts.

Philadelphia is a beautiful city, but the school system has been bleeding for a long time.

The schools I remember, the schools that my friends went to, the schools that made the city what it was diverse, full of options and opportunities for our kids are suffering, because of funding cuts.

Schools that were the pride and joy of Philly are closed, or have lost so much funding that most of the programs they were know for are long gone.  It’s time for all of us to act!

I know the high school that I attended looks nothing like it did when I was there.  The programs that provided exposure to business training and other unique opportunities are virtually non existent.  Several of the schools that gave kids options have closed down over the last few years, or have lost so much money they barely function at the levels they did when I was younger.  Why?  The formula for raising funds for schools is flawed!  How can we raise a new generation of leaders without properly funding their education? The problem in Philadelphia and many of the other places in Pennsylvania is the way school funding is raised.

As I look around the city, I see amazing changes to the infrastructure.  I hear conversations about how great opportunities and projects are opening up all around us.  We have built two large stadiums over the last 10 or so years, the convention center is another beautiful addition.  These are all great benefits for the “city”, but if we build great buildings, and don’t invest that same level of money and time into our children, will these building matter?  We all need to get involved if this is going to change.  Here are some of the ways that you can do just that.

• Go to the website http://www.fairfundingpa.org
• Speak out about the issues using the Hear Me Interactive website
• Speak out on social media on like out Facebook page and check out our Twitter #FairFundingPA

On Tuesday, June 23rd there is a rally to talk Fair Funding in PA.  It is not enough to say that we care, we have to show it by putting our money and time into something that can influence and change the outcome, so our children have a better chance.

Join the Rally on Tuesday and VOICE your concerns about funding in the state of PA.  If you are in the Philadelphia area, they are even offering free transportation.  You can find out more about Free Transportation by PCCY Here.

They are provide: FREE Transportation to and from the Capitol, a brief training, materials, a light lunch and schedule visits with legislators for you!  Are your kids off from school?  Bring them with you – after all, it concerns their future!

Bus will depart from in front of the United Way Building at 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  We will return to Philly by approximately 4:30pm.  (Discounted parking ($8) available at the Sheraton Hotel at 17th & Race)

You can say you care about children, education and opportunities, but are you willing to show it by being part of the larger conversation and showing up.  You can also add to the conversation on social media by tweeting Here are some ways you can get involved #FairFundingPA.