Penn highlights collaboration with School District of Philadelphia February 5, 2024 – Posted in: Uncategorized

A new Penn initiative, Penn & Philly, will showcase the university’s engagement with the local Philadelphia community, according to an article in Penn Today. Programs like the TIP, which support Philadelphia’s public schools, are a major part of that engagement.

University of Pennsylvania’s Senior Executive vice President Craig R. Carnaroli noted that “Penn & Philly provides a platform to improve transparency into the multitude of ways our schools and centers leverage their missions to address Philadelphia’s social challenges.” As well as improving the city’s public education system, other focus areas for Penn-Philadelphia engagement include increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the health and well-being of local residents.

The launch of the Penn & Philly initiative closely follows Penn’s unprecedented commitment to contribute $100 million to the School District of Philadelphia in 2020. Led by former President Amy Gutmann, Penn pledged to donate $10 million yearly for 10 years to the School District. These funds will be used for the environmental remediation of public-school buildings, many of which are filled with hazardous asbestos and lead. This pledge exemplifies Penn’s commitment to creating safe and conducive learning environments for students and educators.

Initiatives like Penn & Philly play a pivotal role in advancing Penn’s mission of increasing community engagement and impact. TIP is a noteworthy beneficiary of Penn’s commitment to the Philadelphia community. Supported by Penn, TIP offers professional development opportunities for educators within the School District of Philadelphia. By investing in initiates like Penn & Philly and programs like TIP, Penn demonstrates its continued dedication to improving the School District of Philadelphia’s education system and improving the social welfare of Philadelphia residents.