Pew auds U.'s K-8 school

The local philanthrophy's $325,000 grant will fund planning the for the school. The University got some financial help last week in its quest to build a new public school in University City, in the form of a $325,000 Pew Charitable Trust grant. The money will be used to help plan for the opening of the pre-K-8 school, to which Penn will contribute about $700,000 a year while the School District of Philadelphia pays for its construction. "We are in support of what Penn has decided to do in terms of their commitment to the school," said Barbara Beck, a Pew spokesperson. Steve Schutt, the University's pointman for the school project, called the grant "generous" and said that he is "very grateful" for the support. Penn announced its intention to build the school last June, as a joint effort with the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. It will enroll about 700 students when it opens in September 2001. Beck said that this grant is one of many ways that Pew, a Philadelphia-based philanthropic organization, hopes to strengthen the city. "The trusts have long supported community revitalization and school reform in Philadelphia," Beck said. Pew Charitable Trusts, consisting of seven individual charitable funds established by heirs of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph Pew, gave out 359 grants last year totalling more than $213 million. In a press release, Pew President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Rimel said she thinks this grant will help improve public education. "Our investment in West Philadelphia is one way to get citizens mobilized and engaged in creating solutions to community problems, and to improve the quality of public education," Rimel said. The money will go directly to the school's three planning committees, which are planning various aspects of the school's creation including building plans and curriculums. The committees are composed of over 70 people including community residents, teachers and Penn representatives. Community members have previously raised several concerns regarding the new public school, including the fate of the three institutions currently residing at the proposed site. Penn has agreed to help relocate the three institutions --the University City New School, Parent Infant Center and Penn Children's Center -- currently residing on the Penn-owned land at 42nd Street in between Spruce and Locust streets, where the school will be built. Although the new locations of these institutions have yet to be announced, Penn officials expect to resolve the issue this week. Another important issue has been the catchment area from which students will be allowed to attend the school. Philadelphia Superintendent David Hornbeck has not yet announced what parts of West Philadelphia will be served by the school.

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