From: "Hill District Consensus Group" <hdcg@wildapricot.org>
Date: Mar 4, 2013 3:11 PM
Subject: Mar 4, 2013 - HDCG News & Events
To: "Mark Rauterkus" <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:
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As fit citizens, neighbors and running mates, we are tyranny fighters, water-game professionals, WPIAL and PIAA bound, wiki instigators, sports fans, liberty lovers, world travelers, non-credentialed Olympic photographers, UU netizens, church goers, open source boosters, school advocates, South Siders, retired and not, swim coaches, water polo players, ex-publishers and polar bear swimmers, N@.
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Many citizens gave great effort to save Schenley's building as an educational asset for city students. This was a noble fight. The public district used all its might and loads of misinformation to insure its eventual liquidation.
Now, I fear, it is safe to say that the only things left to do is watch, wait, wag fingers and say, "We told you so."
The deed to the building is almost gone from the clutches of its public trustees.
Fingers wag at Mark Roosevelt, Patrick Dowd (former PPS board member who greased the pathway to closing the school) and all other politicians who did nothing, little or mowed down the grass-roots opposition.
Eventually the building will be filled with student housing.
Perhaps there will be a tweet or media story about the first resident to the Schenley Dorm who also uses some Pittsburgh Promise funds to pay for college. Perhaps the ownership of the building will flip from PMC. Perhaps historic tax credits will come too -- or a TIF like "development deal" tied to another project bundled with this rehab. Perhaps the union workers will get an elevator job and taxpayers get the shaft.
Let's live to fight another day.
Sold!
Wag on the ready.
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AMS PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY STATEMENT |
THE FOLLOWING REVISIONS TO THE AMS PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY STATEMENT ARE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY....
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The 2013 Lights On Afterschool poster contest is now officially underway! The winning poster could come from YOUR program—but only if you enter! Each October, 1 million Americans and thousands of communities nationwide celebrate Lights On Afterschool to shine a light on the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. Last year, more than one million people gathered at more than 9,000 sites across the country and at U.S. military bases worldwide to participate in the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs. Encourage all of your program participants to submit artwork that celebrates afterschool programs and conveys the importance of keeping the lights on afterschool. The winning poster design will be printed on tens of thousands of posters sent to Lights On Afterschool celebrations across the country, not to mention that the winning artist will be featured on our website, blog and Afterschool Storybook! This contest is a great opportunity for an afterschool program to gain national recognition for the great enrichment opportunities it offers, since the young artist's program will be credited on the poster, too! The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2013. Click here for contest details and submission guidelines. Keep in mind that the winning artwork will be scanned to become a digital image, so avoid using textures or raised materials. We love bright colors that jump off the poster, so materials that won't smear or rub off—like markers, paint and pens—often work better than crayons, watercolors or chalk (or why not try your hand at some digital art?). The artwork or design should generally promote or convey afterschool or Lights On Afterschool. Abstract or realistic drawings are welcome. Some examples of ideas might be:
We're already excited about the 14th annual Lights On Afterschool on Oct. 17, 2013, and can't wait to see what our afterschool artists come up with to help us celebrate! Afterschool Alliance
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CALL TO ACTION!
It is not over- really! But an affirmation of continued support for Schenley as a school is key.
We need 100 people to come to Monday's public hearing beginning at 6:00 pm at the Board of Education Building on Bellefield (near Forbes Avenue). Wear black and red and support those speaking in favor of Schenley as a school and/ or speak yourself (call (412) 622-3868 before Monday at 12:00 to sign up). Do not leave it to others- it's now or never. Email to schenleyschenley@gmail.com to let us know you will be there.
If you would like to speak, points to cover may include:
Equity
It is easy to say not to spend money on a building, but other city HS buildings have windows and do not require middle and HS students to share one set of athletic facilities.
Board members representing the relevant area of the East End support this facility.
An actual cost/benefit analysis is needed
Cutting air conditioning and the extra electrical capacity it requires would cut many millions of dollars from the estimate and reduce energy consumption. Other nonessential items may also be cut. East End families need the opportunity to offer input and prioritize.
How much will it cost to make comparable like new renovations at Peabody- all new systems, all new doors, all new finishes, acoustic tiles, etc. especially given the "building within a building" structure that was created when Peabody was bricked over; what is the cost of adding windows?
What is the cost of providing equitable athletic facilities to Hill students?
To what extent has the loss of Schenley increased charter enrollment, and what is the yearly cost of charter tuition for students who would have otherwise chosen Schenley?
What are the benefits to the city and the district of the educational offerings by some of the bidders (there were no educators on the sales agent's panel, limiting the usefulness of its recommendation).
Logic- it makes no sense that conversion to a totally different use would cost half as much as keeping the building a school. A requirement to use separate contractors might add a few percentage points to the cost of the project, maybe even 5%, but not 80%+.
How has the closing of Schenley affected achievement of students in affected neighborhoods?
Strong schools/ strong city
The school building is the first thing a family considering PPS or a transfer to Pittsburgh sees; if they don't like what they see their inquiry may stop right there. The building is a visible sign of a city's commitment to its schools. We need options that will attract families.
Schenley was the only high school with 100% enrollment and has a proven ability to attract students.
Upcoming changes in the Board
Many Board members do not plan to return. The next board is the one that will have to deal with the consequences of this decision so why not leave it to them. For example, where would students go while Peabody is renovated?
With building closed almost 5 years, what is the rush to sell now rather than waiting for input of new Board members in a matter of months?
The building is not well suited for housing
There is a very real concern it will be used as student housing, which is not a good fit for the neighborhood.
Due to large hallways and common spaces the building is not a strong candidate for residential use.
From an environmental point of view the existing use is best.
PLEASE COME OUT ON MONDAY EVENING- IT IS AN HONOR TO FIGHT FOR SCHENLEY
This message is from Concerned Citizens who started the petition "Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors: Investigate if important information about Schenley was withheld at the time of closing ," which you signed on Change.org.
Approve. Keep the Ron Morris legacy alive
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