An Interview at Penn Treaty Middle School

Posted by on May 17, 2013

By Kate Boccella-Perras

An endearing school in the heart of Fishtown called Penn Treaty Middle School is one of the four schools selected to receive PHENND’s School-Community Partnership Coordinator AmeriCorps*VISTA program. Currently about 300 students attend this traditional Philadelphia 6^th to 8^th grade middle school. However, Penn Treaty is rapidly transitioning into a completely new environment. At the start of the 2013 school year, the neighboring Carroll High School will close, and Penn Treaty will transform into a 6^th to 12^th grade school. The addition will nearly triple the amount of students and staff that currently reside in the building. Penn Treaty has a challenging road ahead and Mr. Samuel Howell is taking it upon himself to increase professional development and maintain an excellent staff that knows the value of collaboration…

Currently, most Penn Treaty students travel from the adjacent Kensington neighborhood, and overall the school has a 96% economically disadvantaged student body. The school met Adequate Yearly Progress in 2010, community satisfaction is higher than ever and the staff and students effectively utilize a number of community partnerships. A recipient of a federal School Improvement Grant (SIG), Penn Treaty has been able to purchase certain enriching programs like the AVID college access and preparation program as well as adding certain support staff to work on parent engagement.

The school social worker, Ms. Sarah Touma conveys the remarkable attitude that currently resonates throughout the school, “climate has become better than it’s been in years. We can do more things like a school-wide field day, after school programs, and iron chef competitions.” For guests that walk through the school’s doors, it’s difficult to say why, but Penn Treaty truly is special.

When asked what it is that makes Penn Treaty unique, Ms. Touma says, “we have the best staff around. Everyone is willing to chip in and do anything to help our kids. Penn Treaty has a strong family culture amongst staff, and everyone genuinely cares about each other.” The staff at Penn Treaty demonstrates this by being willing to work Saturdays; at least half of the students stay for the extended day program. Teachers even stay late and come early to make sure the kids get home safe.

The dedicated staff is managed by principal, Mr. Samuel Howell, who is a man striving to “constantly become better and more effective.” He is has developed his own “case management” program so he can continue to track and guide his middle school students to college.

A huge obstacle for Mr. Howell will be the, “ability to maintain current high standards as a middle school principal while also creating an excellent high school experience for the older students”. He recognizes that community partnerships will be more valuable than ever for the success of the shifting school. Penn Treaty is not the kind of school that waits for a miracle; instead, Ms. Touma and Mr. Howell learned how to successfully apply for grants and incorporate community partnerships into the school.

PHENND will allocate a full time AmeriCorps*VISTA to work as a liaison between community organizations and the school. The VISTA will help with the day-to-day communication and incorporation with these partners. This will allow for people such as Ms. Touma and Mr. Howell more time to dedicate to the expanded student body. The program will strive to create a more accessible entry point for quality services to help students at Penn Treaty.

The many challenges in the near future are creating feelings of excitement, but also apprehension. Questions about whether there will be enough space and staff are huge, as well as how best to prepare high school students for college and careers (and even how to organize a high school prom!) There is definitely much gratitude from teachers and staff towards community partners that commit to their students, providing services and support to this transforming Philadelphia public school.

Despite all of the potential obstacles, Ms. Touma proclaims, “everyone at Penn Treaty Middle School is always willing to step up”. Penn Treaty is staying positive and preparing for the change. One of their first steps is to welcome the School-Community Partnership Coordinator VISTA into the building this August, 2013.