Letters to the Editor | July 22, 2024

Six years ago, I founded Amigos Preschool, a woman-owned Spanish immersion preschool in Old City, serving 100 students and employing nearly 30 Latina teachers. The regulations and costs involved with operating a childcare center in Philadelphia are tough. However, they do not compare to trying to work with the city since it announced it was considering placing a major intercity bus terminal directly next to our preschool.

Recently, after months of asking representatives from the city to come out to see our school and hear directly from the parents and teachers, they arrived to a crowded meeting and left before it had even started because members of the local community and press were present. If they had stayed, parents would have shared that locating a major bus terminal directly next to a school places small children and their families in danger. Our street is a small, one-way street that is already congested with SEPTA buses, foot traffic, and tourists.

A bus station next to a preschool would cause serious health concerns — not just that students could be run over, but that they could have long-term health impacts from the fumes they would be exposed to every day entering and exiting the school. As the city reevaluates its next move, I am asking Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to prioritize our children and make a commitment not to locate the bus terminal next to a school. This should not happen to us or to any other school in Philadelphia. As an educator, a parent, and a female entrepreneur, I hope our city can put children first.

Cloe Levin, executive director and founder, Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool

The recently released Inside Out 2 poignantly illustrates the complexities of emotional development and mental health in children and adolescents. Just as the first film introduced us to the intricate world of emotions, the sequel dives deeper into the challenges faced by today’s youth, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health education and support in our schools.

In Pennsylvania, House Bill 1367 presents a crucial opportunity to make significant strides in addressing the mental health crisis among our young people. This bill mandates the state Departments of Health and Education to collaboratively develop or identify a list of resources to provide mental health awareness education. These resources will be accessible on the Department of Education’s website, and schools will be required to notify all relevant individuals of these resources twice a year. Additionally, coaches will be mandated to complete mental health awareness training.

This crucial piece of legislation can provide the necessary resources and training to address the mental health crisis in our schools. By passing HB 1367, Pennsylvania can lead the way in creating a supportive environment for students, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive emotionally and mentally.

Mekkai Williams, Lancaster

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.