What 2024 will bring for Philly schools | Morning Newsletter
🎄 And our holiday bar scene
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The Morning Newsletter
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Another Sunday, another storm due to arrive in the afternoon. A flood watch is in effect for the entire region from 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday. The Inquirer’s Tony Wood says this rain-and-wind storm will be a bit different from last Sunday’s.
A new era of the Philadelphia school board started with a bang last year, with the district taking the unprecedented step of suing the city administration that created the board. But board president Reginald Streater and vice president Mallory Fix-Lopez believe that 2024 will bring smoother sailing — and continued progress for the school system.
The Inquirer sat down with Streater and Fix-Lopez this month to discuss the future of Philly’s schools. Our lead story brings you the highlights of that interview.
— Paola Pérez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Deep academic challenges, an uncertain financial future, and the possible reconstruction of the school board itself under a new mayor. These are just a few obstacles facing the school district in the months ahead.
Below are some key points that Streater and Fix-Lopez touched on in their chat with The Inquirer.
What were some bright spots of 2023? “I think the year started with challenges,” Streater said. He mentioned the lawsuit, as well as asbestos concerns and the displacement of students. But, he said, the district is moving in the right direction in most key indicators.
What’s on the horizon for next year? “In 2024, there’s going to be some tough things to grapple with,” Fix-Lopez said. Among them: a looming financial crisis, expiring contracts, deteriorating facilities, and empty seats.
What about the upcoming mayoral transition? This is new territory; it will be the first mayoral transition since the district returned to local control in 2018. But both Streater and Fix-Lopez say they’re in it for the long haul, and Streater said that he has “a laser focus on ensuring that this transition, that [Cherelle Parker], is successful, period.”
Keep reading to get a look ahead at what’s in store for Philly schools under their leadership.
A holiday arms race has been brewing in Philly’s bar scene in recent years.
Before, bars and restaurants would decorate to make things a little cozier and more jolly than usual. Now, they make a concerted effort to go all out and deck their halls (and menus).
This year, bar-goers have more than a dozen themed venues to choose from. Some spots are wall-to-wall booked, while others hit the cozy-winter mark. But is it worth it to plan your day around a holiday bar crawl? Are they magic, or maddening?
We visited four holiday bars, two ski lounges, and one all-pink popup bar to figure out if the holiday-drinks crowds are worth the hassle
The Inquirer’s Jenn Ladd was determined to find out. Follow along with her as she stops by seven of them across the city.
What you should know today
The transit police strike ended on its third full day Saturday afternoon as a tentative contract agreement was reached between the officers’ union and SEPTA. SEPTA CEO Leslie S. Richards credited Gov. Josh Shapiro with “playing a key role bringing people together to forge this agreement.”
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party postponed voting on a resolution to formally declare the party opposed to private school vouchers — a priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat in his first term.
Philly-born coffee purveyor La Colombe was acquired for $900 million by Chobani, a company known for its Greek yogurt. La Colombe will continue to function as an independent brand.
Ronald Andrulonis, an Amtrak employee from Philadelphia who pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol building during the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced to three years’ probation.
For the second time in two weeks, one of Philly’s independently owned coffee shops has reached a contract deal with its union — averting a strike.
Eagles starting cornerback Darius Slay had arthroscopic knee surgery last week and will miss Monday night’s matchup against the Seahawks. Jalen Hurts and Josh Sweat missed practice, but are expected to play.
Tossing your Christmas tree is never an easy or fun task. But you can make it a tradition that benefits others, and in return, perhaps brings you a little post-holiday joy by repurposing or recycling it.
For $200 a head, D.C. sushi master Minoru Ogawa will feed you 23 courses at his new Old City restaurant.
❓Pop quiz❓
A Philadelphia native and rapper appeared alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro at the National Constitution Center after he signed criminal justice reform bills into law last week.
Who was it?
A) Freeway
B) Meek Mill
C) Beanie Sigel
D) Lil Uzi Vert
Think you know? Check your answer here.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: One of the city’s five watershed parks now offers maps in seven languages
COPY KNACKER RATE
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Email us if you know the answer. Cheers to Nancy Gale who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Polar bear plunge.
Photo of the day
🎶 For today’s Sunday track, we’re listening to: “A warm December, our hearts will see / A world where men are free.” 🎶
👋🏽 Thanks for starting your morning with us. Stay dry and take care.