School Notes

Services provided will include: primary care, well-child checks, acute injury and illness treatment, chronic care management for conditions such as asthma and diabetes, treatment for common concerns like acne, weight management, menstruation, mental and behavioral healthcare and immunizations.

The Clinic at Gideon is the first such health clinic to open as part of the City’s Community Schools initiative.

Students enrolled in James G. Blaine, William D. Kelley and Richard R. Wright can also visit the clinic.

Independence Charter School West Wellness Fair

Independence Charter School West in West Philadelphia hosted a Wellness Fair on May 8 in conjunction with “Every Kid Healthy Week,” an annual observance that shines light on efforts schools are doing to improve the health and well-being of their students.

After school was dismissed, the school community was treated to homemade smoothies. Volunteer for the event included parents and employees from ALDI, which provided a parent-led grant through Action for Healthy Kids to Independence Charter this school year.

Mastery Charter student wins Math Championship

A seventh-grader from Mastery Charter Cramer Hill Upper Elementary in Camden, New Jersey recently won the national NBA Math Hoops Championship.

The competition features a basketball board game, mobile app and curriculum that allows students to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball. The national competition was held in San Francisco.

Antonio Gonzalez played four rounds against 20 students from across the country, and won by two points.

Prior to that, Antonio beat out 120 students to become the region’s champ. His prize was a trophy and a media party at the Sixers Training Complex facility.

Mastery Charter Cramer Hill Upper Principal Jessie Gismondi described Antonio as a having an electric personality and as a student who loves to play basketball and is invested in his education. Antonio plays on the boys basketball team and the flag football team.

19 adults beat odds to receive diplomas

Nineteen graduates who overcame tremendous obstacles, but chose to take the necessary steps to change their lives, graduated Friday morning with their high school diploma during a ceremony at the Mayor’s Reception Room in City Hall. In addition to being caught in the criminal justice system, some of the young adults were either in foster care, lacked family support, turned to drugs or had violence in their lives, but thanks to JEVS Human Services and Penn Foster were able to graduate from high school.

The Penn Foster High School graduates include: Keyon Bonaparte, Joy Campbell, Demitrius Chamber, Daishune Edwards, Rafael Jabree, Michael Johnson, Zaire Johnson, Jefry Lopez, Raekwon Macey, Kenneth McCorey, TaBreya Newsuan, Dymir Perry, Michael Saunders, Keon Smith, Nhizeyk Smith, Eric William Sullivan, Christopher Thomas, Albert Vasquez and Darlene Ward.

JEVS Human Services enhances the employability, independence and quality of life of individuals through a broad range of programs and Penn Foster helps build the skills and knowledge of students to power the 21st century workforce.

College Possible to honor Temple professor

College Possible Philadelphia honored Temple University professor Sara Goldrick-Rab during its Champions for College Completion at Temple last week.

Goldrick-Rab, a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple, was recognized for her research and thought leadership on college affordability.

Goldrick-Rab has written “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream,” and founded the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice Center and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab.

— Compiled by Ryanne Persinger