Philly public educators wear PFT red on the steps outside of Rhawnhurst School.

Happy #RedFriday from Rhawnhurst School! PFT members are #PublicSchoolProud to fight for what students need in every community ❤️💪🏽

From City Hall to Harrisburg, the PFT is ready to win strong education budgets that ensure kids have learning spaces that are inspiring, healthy, & safe! #PhlEd

More than 10,000 free books are distributed to hundreds of Philadelphia students The books were delivered as part of "It's a Lit Day" book fair.

Nothing better than watching a child's imagination light up as they hold a brand-new book in their hands 🥰📚
6abc.com/post/america... @aft.org @firstbook.org #PhlEd #ROTW

Fix our facilities. Fund our facilities. Do not close public schools. Tell your state Representative and Senator to pass Governor Shapiro's education funding package!

Philly deserves real investment in public education and communities after decades of unconstitutional starvation by the Commonwealth. You can take action to support a #PAbudget that funds our schools here: actionnetwork.org/letters/save... #PhlEd #FundOurSchools

PFT President Arthur Steinberg helps distribute books to K-3rd students at the PFT & AFT's Reading Opens the World literary fair at Dobbins High School

PFT staff reps help distribute books to K-3rd students at the PFT & AFT's Reading Opens the World literary fair at Dobbins High School

PFT staff reps help distribute books to K-3rd students at the PFT & AFT's Reading Opens the World literary fair at Dobbins High School

Books titled "My First Bedtime Storybook" are on display for K-3rd students to bring home at the PFT & AFT's Reading Opens the World literary fair at Dobbins High School

We teamed up with @aft.org @firstbook.org to distribute 10,000 books to K-3rd #PhlEd students at the Reading Opens the World literary fair at Dobbins HS! Dobbins CTE students did a great job setting up the fair & welcoming their littles for a fun & educational morning 🥰📚🥹

PFT President Arthur Steinberg speaks at a press conference in a public school in South Philadelphia. Mayor Cherelle Parker is seen to his left.

PFT President Arthur Steinberg speaks at a press conference in a public school in South Philadelphia. CASA (school administrators union) President Dr. Robin Cooper is to his right, and Board of Education President Reginald Streater is to his left.

Thrilled to join Mayor Cherelle Parker as she leaned in to her proposal to tax rideshare companies to fund our schools - from 20 cents to $1 per ride! Successfully managing the School District's growth – not decline – must be our goal. Our students deserve nothing less. #PhlEd #PHLbudget

WATCH LIVE: Mayor Cherelle Parker to make major announcement on Philly school funding Mayor Cherelle Parker is set to make a major announcement on funding for Philadelphia public schools on Monday, May 23, at 2 p.m. ET.

BIG #PhlEd news, watch live! www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/m...

Mayor Parker now wants a $1-per-ride tax for Ubers and Lyfts to lessen Philly School District classroom cuts Parker pitched a 20-cent-per-ride fee in her budget address and is now moving to increase it to help the school district, which is poised to make $225 million in cuts as it faces a budget deficit.

Mayor Parker is proposing upping the Uber/Lyft tax to $1-per-ride to raise $48m for #PHLed - offsetting some district classroom cuts. Developing scoop: www.inquirer.com/education/ub...

This small West Philly school is mostly full and outperforms its peers. The Philadelphia School District is trying to close it — again. If the school board ultimately endorses Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.’s recommendations, Overbrook Elementary would shut permanently in 2027

"Joell... said she worries about the district creating an 'educational desert' and threatening the character of the leafy neighborhood, which she described as 'beautiful, family-oriented, excellent, powerful.'" www.inquirer.com/education/ov... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

Lankenau students, staff and parents continue to fight proposed school closure A school district leader told Lankenau students and staff that no final decisions have been made about closures during a press conference Wednesday.

"The Philadelphia Inquirer found that enrollment dropped at Lankenau and several other schools following a 2021 change to the district’s special enrollment process..."

Students shouldn't have to be separated from schools they love because the District screwed up whyy.org/articles/lan... #PhlEd

PFT President Steinberg Statement on District Announcement of School-Based Cuts

@artsteinberg-pft.bsky.social is right: Educators and students are sick of being told there’s not enough money to fill staffing positions and properly resource classrooms. Austerity only robs kids of opportunity and support. pft.org/press/pft-pr... #PhlEd #FundOurSchools

Philly’s plan to close a budget deficit doesn’t include teacher layoffs. Here’s what it would cut. The school district has to plug a $300 million budget deficit. Superintendent Tony Watlington’s plan to do so focuses on programs championed by past district leaders, the central office, and building ...

"Though no teachers will be laid off, eliminating building substitutes could mean headaches down the line for Philly’s larger schools." Educators will be forced to cover for each other at the expense of their prep periods and overall working conditions. www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia... #PhlEd

The Philadelphia School District will eliminate positions and make school-based cuts as it faces a $300 million deficit No layoffs are planned, but the Philadelphia School District will reassign 340 school-based employees.

"Class sizes are likely to get bigger in some places if the proposed cuts take effect." This won't improve the academic experience for students, no matter how much you try to spin it www.inquirer.com/education/sc... #PhlEd #FundOurSchools

PFT President Steinberg Statement on District Announcement of School-Based Cuts

SDP's announcement that there won't be any staff layoffs is no comfort when they've failed to fill so many staffing vacancies to begin with. #PhlEd students deserve far better than to constantly be told there isn't enough money to fund their futures pft.org/press/pft-pr... #PhlEd #FundOurSchools

The Philadelphia School District will eliminate positions and make school-based cuts as it faces a $300 million deficit No layoffs are planned, but the Philadelphia School District will reassign 340 school-based employees.

For the first time in years, #PHLed is bracing for budget cuts as it faces a fiscal cliff. Hundreds of positions are being cut, including school-based losses, - but no layoffs are planned. Advocates say the cuts are potentially "devastating." Story: www.inquirer.com/education/sc...

PFT members at Richmond School wear PFT red in solidarity for Red Friday.

Our members at Richmond are #PFTproud to work in a school that recently benefited from a $22M capital improvement project for modernization & upgrades. Every #PhlEd school should receive investments that make students & staff proud to belong to their school community! #RedFriday

Yo #PHLed! No school board town hall live blog today. I'll be tweeting out selected highlights on X: x.com/newskag. 90 speakers, buckle up!

"When a school is struggling, the honest question isn’t what’s wrong with that school — it’s what has that school been given to work with? What does the neighborhood look like? What does the funding look like?...

"The school is downstream of all of it." Exactly right #PhlEd

title of quote graphic reads: PFT President Steinberg Statement on Mayor Parker's FY2027 Budget Proposal. Quote begins: "“Proposed revenue increases from rideshare services and cell phone towers that could raise $12 million annually for public schools are modest, broad, and should not be controversial. Philadelphia cannot continue to grow in population and prosperity without deeper, sustained investment in public education...

“The PFT continues to urge the City to more immediately address system failures and repair needs in school facilities, and to direct the Board of Education to reinstate the moratorium on new charter school authorizations. The Facilities Master Plan as currently constituted will drive students and educators out of the District, and must be paused for further member and community input. “As the City is poised to rename a street for a giant of education equity – the late...

...uperintendent Dr. Constance E. Clayton – we are called to remember that ‘every school’s a good school.’ That is, every school tasked with educating Philadelphia’s young people is a good school that is deserving of public investment and institutional support. “We urge the City to be more transparent about the price tag for the facilities plan. Where are the funds necessary for repairing and modernizing dozens of school buildings across the city?

What is the strategy for reversing student enrollment drop-offs due to District changes in admissions processes and the alarmingly un-regulated growth of cyber charter schools – by one estimate, responsible for the exodus of 14,000 students from District schools? Our educators, students, and families across the city will continue to fight for the dignity of our school communities and students, who are already enrolled in good schools and simply lack the institutional and public support that every child deserves.”

We @pft.org urge Council to support Mayor Parker's proposal to raise new revenues for the School District, & also call on the City to direct the Board of Education to pause the plan to close schools & reinstate the moratorium on new charters. Fix our facilities, fund our schools! #PhlEd #PHLbudget

The @pft.org is a solutions-oriented union. From Career Pathways to TCAP, we're building out the staffer-to-teacher pipeline in Philly #UnionStrong #PhlEd

PFT members are seen holding signs for a fair contract in the background. In the foreground is the text: "The Special Education teaching shortage in Philly is a crisis. Our CBA creates the 'Special Education Teacher Certification Assistance PRogram' (TCAP). Eligible members receive full financial assistance from the School District." Followed by the PFT tagline: Nothing about us, without us.

In addition to raises and better benefits, our CBA expands opportunity for members while offering solutions to public ed's biggest problems. We're proud to have negotiated full financial assistance for #PhlEd teachers to earn special ed certification! ❤️💪🏽 #UnionStrong #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

PFT members at Prince Hall School wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at Lincoln High wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at CAPA wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at Ziegler School wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

Click & share - we need the General Assembly to know that public schools must be a priority! actionnetwork.org/letters/save... #PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools #PAbudget

Despite great recent progress, Pennsylvania still has a long way to go #PhlEd #PAbudget #FundOurSchools #edusky

Continuing plumbing problems meant some kids couldn’t use the bathroom at Southwark Elementary. Parents and staff are furious. The Philadelphia School District said it fixed last week's plumbing issues, but parents say the district also needs to address problems with cockroaches, mice, and more.

The District's inability to address ongoing facilities failures makes it even more difficult to buy into a grand 10-year plan with so many unknowns. www.inquirer.com/education/so... #PhlEd #FixOurFacilities #FundOurSchools

Philly’s superintendent calls these schools ‘boutique.’ Not everyone likes his plans for them. Superintendent Tony Watlington wants to close or co-locate several small Philadelphia high schools. But some argue they are indispensable alternatives to neighborhood schools.

“What I love about [Robeson] is that we teach children to build their own brand,” said Elana Evans, Robeson’s special ed compliance manager. Due to the close relationships, teachers can help students figure out “who do you want to be,” & “help you get there.” www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia... #PhlEd

This Philly elementary school isn’t on the closure list, but parents are fighting plans to turn it into a middle school The plan for Moffet "will have an inordinate impact on a thriving, ingrained, multicultural elementary school that does not exist in many other places across our city," one teacher and parent said.

“As a small school, it has a really cozy community feel,” [parent] Canary said. “But it’s been academically successful — my kids have been challenged, their teachers are really experienced.” www.inquirer.com/education/mo... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #SaveOurSchools

What If They’re Gone Tomorrow? The “public schools are failing” narrative isn’t an observation. It’s a strategy.

Attn: #phled readers katherinebike.substack.com/p/what-if-th...

Superintendent, teachers’ union leader talk controversial Philly schools plan Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington and teachers' union leader Arthur Steinberg discussed the controversial plan for Philadelphia schools.

Families of students being sent into schools with worse building conditions deserve detailed plans from the District for repairs/upgrades that will be made before day 1 of that school year. www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politic... #PhlEd ##FixDontClose

Fix our facilities. Fund our facilities. Do not close public schools. Tell your state Representative and Senator to pass Governor Shapiro's education funding package!

This #RedFriday we're reminding the Commonwealth that it cannot prosper and compete without strong, consistent investment in public education. Let's keep the momentum going and win the strong #PAbudget our schools and students deserve! #PhlEd #PublicSchoolProud actionnetwork.org/letters/save...

Two Philly high schools are still fighting their proposed closures, even after officials tweaked plans to appease them Lankenau and Robeson high schools are still among the 18 schools slated for potential closure, but the district changed which schools they would merge into. The schools' supporters still aren't happy.

100% graduation rate and students who just won prestigious honors at the Philly Flower Show. So much about the District's school closure plan makes no sense www.inquirer.com/education/ro... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose

Community members rally to save Lankenau Environmental Science High School Students, teachers and families gathered at Lankenau Environmental Science High School on Wednesday to call for increased state education funding.

"The rally urged state lawmakers to approve Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed $18.7 billion budget for K-12 education.

"'Every dollar that goes into our schools is a dollar that is desperately needed,' said @artsteinberg-pft.bsky.social" 6abc.com/post/communi... #PAbudget #PhlEd #FundOurSchools