WeArePCAPS

Community Schools Forum: Register Now!

wearepcaps — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:44:16 +0000

Come learn all about community schools as an alternative to school closures and privatizing our schools. Bring a friend!

Download the flyer here: PCAPS June 15 20130523

Don’t wait – Register now!

Rally Against the Doomsday Budget

wearepcaps — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:24:29 +0000

Yesterday’s Student Walkout

wearepcaps — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:17:35 +0000

Pictures from Philadelphia renown photographer of social movements, Harvey Finkle

PCAPS in the News:

wearepcaps — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:06:19 +0000

What You Should Know About the Philly Student Walkout

James Cersonsky and StudentNation on May 17, 2013 – 11:48 AM ET

Students walk out on May 9. (Credit: @215studentunion)

Running a massive deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, Philadelphia’s school system is planning to eliminate all sports, extracurricular activities, counselors and libraries—beyond which, for schools eviscerated by austerity politics, there’s not much left to lose. At noon today, May 17, thousands of students are expected to walk out of class and flood downtown.

Day of Action at Schools, Council Chambers and the Streets

wearepcaps — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:40:42 +0000

PCAPS was out in force today. PFT members had informational pickets in the morning at their schools. PCAPS members went to Council to demonstrate and testify in favor of the Use and Occupancy Reform bill sponsored by Maria Quinones Sanchez which takes away the tax breaks for big corporate landlords under AVI while offering protection to small businesses, a measure that will raise money for our schools. And thousands of students, responding to a call for a walkout by Philadelphia Student Union, Youth United for Change and other student groups, marched on the School District and City Hall. PCAPS also helped organize marshalls for the event.

The clear message in all these actions is we will not tolerate further cuts to schools that are on life support. Nor is it is acceptable to solve the budget crisis on the backs of teachers and working people while big business reaps tax cuts from the City.

The U & O reform bill was voted out of committee which means Council will vote on it. With major opposition from the Chamber of Commerce and its allies and the Mayor focused on regressive sin taxes, we will need to continue to press for the passage of this bill along with the rest of our platform.

PFT members at Greenfield Elementary

Students approach City Hall

In City Council sign targets winners and losers with AVI

wearepcaps — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:43:49 +0000

Who Profits? Who Pays?

wearepcaps — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:41:41 +0000

The ten biggest corporate property owners will realize tax savings of over 16 million dollars next year thanks to AVI. Meanwhile school children will go to schools on life support.

Here are some big winners.

Franklin Mills Associates: Property has market value of 180 million dollars, will pay 3,446,496 dollars less in property taxes next year

1650 Market St. owned by Phila. Liberty Place, market value: $207,713,500, will realize a tax savings of $2,797,936 thanks to AVI next year

Nine Penn Center Associates, Market value: $232,575,800

Tax Savings next year $2,465,338

Meanwhile the biggest losers: Philadelphia Schools, Budget next year slashed by 40%

And Philadelphia Teachers and support staff who next year are being asked for 133 million dollars in wage and benefit concessions.

Things are upside down and we need to set them right. Come to City Council on Friday at 9:30 to demand corporate landlords pay their fair share to fund our schools. And support our students when they walkout to protest this doomsday budget on the same day.

Let’s Pack City Council!

wearepcaps — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:40:11 +0000

UNITE HERE kicks off campaign for good food and safe schools

wearepcaps — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:04:31 +0000

Fight the Doomsday Budget

wearepcaps — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:17:00 +0000

Join teachers in informational picketing at schools on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 8:00 A.M.-8:30 A.M. Some times may vary for schools that start earlier (like our high schools).