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United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
CISP, INC.'S DONOR CHOICE NUMBER IS 6075
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Philadelphia Freedom Schools (PFS) provide year round literacy enrichment programming for students in grades K-12. The program exists to build intellectual, cultural, civic and political capacity of children and young adults in order to make meaningful change in themselves, their families, their schools, communities and larger society. PFS is governed and managed through a federation of local community based organizations, with Communities In Schools of Philadelphia (CISP) as the lead agency, helping to offer developmental activities for children in need of academic, social and emotional enrichment.
Vision
The Philadelphia Freedom Schools’ vision is to create an excellent, physically and emotionally safe learning environment where children and adults integrate a love of reading and math with the need for cultural democracy, intergenerational leadership, and family alliances. Professionals, college students and high school students prepare exhaustively for the classrooms of children and youth. Reciprocally, those that work within the Philadelphia Freedom Schools are enriched by the children and youth that they serve. Students of all ages learn and teach in an intensive, strength-based environment of love, respect, safety and excellence.
Each summer, children throughout the city of Philadelphia have the opportunity to engage in a curriculum designed with books and lessons that reflect their own images and experiences. The curriculum also explores pathways to stronger futures.
The wide array of literature, activities, field trips, and projects all relate to and reinforce each other over the course of the summer. Local college and high school students serve as team teachers and positive role models in PFS classrooms. This ladder of leadership gives the younger students inspiration and support for setting positive goals.
A DAY AT PHILADELPAHIA FREEDOM SCHOOLS
The Junior Servant Leaders (JSL) component of Philadelphia Freedom Schools offers high school students the opportunity to learn and earn by offering jobs at PFS After School Program and Summer Camp sites.
High School students participating in Philadelphia Freedom Schools benefit from two overall objectives: Along with assisting with classroom instruction and management, these Junior Servant Leaders are also responsible for attending weekly academic lectures, college and career exploration sessions, and completing a portfolio of work each year.
In the summer, JSLs function as Classroom Assistants to Servant Leader Interns (college students) during the morning PFS Pathways™ Curriculum and engage in afternoon instruction and coaching in the completion of their Service Learning Project. The goal of the JSL component of Philadelphia Freedom Schools is to encourage high school students to embrace servant leadership as a force to heal and foster positive growth in the community.
During the school year, the JSL's work to enrich the lives of children in the PFS sites by providing tutoring, community service, academic and enrichment activities. JSL's provide after school classroom support to the sites through homework help, mentorship and special project implementation.
On Wednesdays during the school year, JSL's attend Think Tank Meetings. The meetings are designed to help them chart a course to success. The JSL's participate in history, computer, college and career exploration courses and are exposed to scholars and programs that can aid in their dream fulfillment. Educational field trips are taken by JSL's throughout the year as a means of enhancing their experiences and exposure.
During summer months, the JSLs also participate in Wednesday Academies. During the Academies, young people engage in a curriculum that incorporates history, writing, life skills, job readiness, college preparation, computer and service learning activities. Additionally, the curriculum includes a book that the JSLs read together throughout the summer.
- At Least 14 years of age
- Presently High School Students(9th, 10th & 11th Graders)
- Must have willingness to work constructively with young children
- Willingness to learn and grow.
- You must be able to participate in all Literacy Servant Leader activities including:
- JSL Orientation and Training
- Satisfactory completion of Philadelphia Freedom Schools Servant Leader Training (June 3-6)
- Wednesday Academy (Every Wednesday in July)
Learn More About Philadelpia Freedom Schools
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Servant Leadership at Philadelphia Freedom Schools
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This federation of organizations, the PFS Advisory Council, works together to insure that Philadelphia Freedom Schools continue
to be an available opportunity for Philadelphia children and youth. |
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Local Sponsoring Agencies, Philadelphia
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