Peter Arrell Brown Widener was a man of prestige. Being a part of one of the wealthiest families in the US and Philadelphia, Widener kept the prominence flourishing. Widener and his wife, Hannah Josephine, opened The Widener School for Crippled Children in 1902. This building was a residential school that mostly held polio children. Initially private, in 1950 the Widener family sold the school to the School District of Philadelphia. The money gained through the deal was given right back to the school district, which the district used to build the second location. This is where Widener Memorial School came in.
That being said, Widener Memorial School is something truly different. By being a school within a declining school district, Widener …show more content…
Besides its dominating factor, it is just any other public school in the Philadelphia and the school district treats them as such in everyway. This includes budgets.
The School District of Philadelphia has been known for its budget cuts. Unluckily, they treat all the schools as equal.
Weird to hear? Yes, the school district has every right to equally cut the budgets of their schools to make it fair. However, Widener being a part of the same cut may be unfair considering their stature.
Sharon Glodek, the principal at Widener Memorial, understands the districts can’t play favorites, but that doesn’t stop her from fighting for her school to get the help they need.
“The school district looks at us as any other school district school,” Glodek said. “That’s where my advocacy has to come through very forcefully. Otherwise, we won’t be …show more content…
Prior to accepting the position, Glodek visited the school, and after meeting the children she finally made her decision.
“I said, ‘Not only do I love these children and will I accept these children, but I will also be an effective principal at this school,’” Glodek said. “It took a lot of soul searching to take this job.”
The budget evaluation is on a data-driven basis instead of opinion. With the budget cuts, Widener faces cuts with staff and resources, which is a primary need at Widener. Because of the physically and mental disabilities, students need extra care versus a student without any type of disability.
“We can’t short change these children,” Glodek said. “Not only for the niceties of life, but to be in compliance.”
Due to the intensity of the work, Glodek works around the clock, and she is not the only one. Jim Scanlon, the swim director at Widener Memorial, works hard to teach the children the elements of swimming and other physical activities, proving that they are capable enough to do so.
“I love the kids!” Scanlon said. “The kids are the primary purpose I’m
That being said, Widener Memorial School is something truly different. By being a school within a declining school district, Widener …show more content…
Besides its dominating factor, it is just any other public school in the Philadelphia and the school district treats them as such in everyway. This includes budgets.
The School District of Philadelphia has been known for its budget cuts. Unluckily, they treat all the schools as equal.
Weird to hear? Yes, the school district has every right to equally cut the budgets of their schools to make it fair. However, Widener being a part of the same cut may be unfair considering their stature.
Sharon Glodek, the principal at Widener Memorial, understands the districts can’t play favorites, but that doesn’t stop her from fighting for her school to get the help they need.
“The school district looks at us as any other school district school,” Glodek said. “That’s where my advocacy has to come through very forcefully. Otherwise, we won’t be …show more content…
Prior to accepting the position, Glodek visited the school, and after meeting the children she finally made her decision.
“I said, ‘Not only do I love these children and will I accept these children, but I will also be an effective principal at this school,’” Glodek said. “It took a lot of soul searching to take this job.”
The budget evaluation is on a data-driven basis instead of opinion. With the budget cuts, Widener faces cuts with staff and resources, which is a primary need at Widener. Because of the physically and mental disabilities, students need extra care versus a student without any type of disability.
“We can’t short change these children,” Glodek said. “Not only for the niceties of life, but to be in compliance.”
Due to the intensity of the work, Glodek works around the clock, and she is not the only one. Jim Scanlon, the swim director at Widener Memorial, works hard to teach the children the elements of swimming and other physical activities, proving that they are capable enough to do so.
“I love the kids!” Scanlon said. “The kids are the primary purpose I’m