Nearly all of the public schools in Philadelphia received significantly less money this year, and John S. Jenks, a public K-8 school in Chestnut Hill, is no exception. Students returning to classes this week will notice some changes in staffing as a result of the state and district budget crises.
An art teacher will be on site only two days each week, instead of fulltime. One of the school’s counseling positions was reduced from full-time to half-time, and a part-time special education position was eliminated.
“Additionally, we saw drastic cuts in our funding stream,” explained Jenks Principal Mary Williams Lynskey.
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Despite the belt-tightening, many things will remain the same at Jenks. The Jenks Arts and Music (JAM) Program will continue. The Foreign Language Experience (FLEX) will also continue to provide a sampling of foreign languages, including French, German, Madarin, and Spanish.
“Our Principal, Ms. Lynskey, worked tirelessly through last spring and summer to ensure that our excellent teaching staff stayed intact as much as possible during the budget crisis,” said Haviva Goldman, a Jenks parent and Vice President for Public Relations and Advocacy in the Jenks Home & School Association.
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Students may also notice some upgrades and additions at Jenks, including improvements to the library and physical education resources.
“Our school library has adopted an automated system and received a make-over during the summer, including the addition of over 3,000 new books,” said Principal Lynskey.
A rock climbing wall and a Wii Fitness center have been added to the school’s physical education program.
There are also plans for an outdoor school garden. “Our School Beautification committee is starting a new garden project,” said Ms. Goldman. “Volunteers will be out on Saturday morning planting some new plants around school grounds, and children at the school will be helping to keep them watered through the fall.”
Other special activities and events planned for this year include Friendship Week during the week of September 26th, an Open House for prospective families on October 5th, and a series of workshops for parents offered throughout the year on timely topics, including high school selection, empathy, academic support, building character, and responsibility.
Back to School Night at Jenks will be spread over two evenings. Sept. 15 will be for students entering grades six through eight and their families. A reception for parents of 8th-graders will immediately precede the meeting. Sept. 22 will be for students entering grades kindergarten through fifth and their families. A reception for kindergarten parents will precede that meeting.
For more information about the John S. Jenks School, to arrange for a tour, or to register your child, contact the office at (215) 248-6604 or visit the school’s website. To volunteer or to learn more about the Jenks Home & School Association, email the association at jenkshsa@gmail.com.
