Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON CHERELLE PARKER'S VICTORY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR MAYOR

May 17, 2023 PHILADELPHIA--"I offer my sincere congratulations to Cherelle Parker on her victory in the Democratic primary election for Mayor. The first female Mayor in our city's history will be an important role model for our youth--especially young Black girls who see themselves reflected in the highest officeholder in our beautiful city. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CW HENRY BUILDING

4-22-2023

PHILADELPHIA--"Time and again, we see the very real consequences of a failure to invest in our young people and their right to a thorough and efficient system of public education. The ongoing facilities crisis, which would never be tolerated in a wealthier, whiter school district, is a searing example of the impact of decades of disinvestment.

"The closure of CW Henry-- the fourth District school to close due to damaged asbestos in just the past two months--is upsetting, disturbing, and emblematic of the urgent need to resolve this facilities crisis.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON ONGOING FACILITIES CRISIS

April 14, 2023 In response to the ongoing school facilities crisis and recent asbestos-related closures, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA--"The seriousness of the ongoing facilities crisis and its impact on our students and staff cannot be overstated. This year, in the span of just a few weeks, three schools have been shuttered due to damaged asbestos. These discoveries are particularly glaring because they come in the wake of incorrect assessments from over two decades ago. "Immediately before the pandemic, more than ten schools were closed in a single school year due to damaged asbestos. In fact, during that time, the District's previous leadership was so recalcitrant that it was only due to our collective advocacy that we were even able to ensure that students and staff were relocated in the events of these emergent situations. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON ON SHOOTING NEAR ROWEN ELEMENTARY; MASS SHOOTING IN KY

April 10, 2023

PHILADELPHIA--"The unrelenting devastation wrought by gun violence should be unthinkable--but it's horrifyingly far too common. We learned earlier today of a mass shooting in Kentucky that left at least four people dead and a community shattered.

"This afternoon, students and staff at Rowen Elementary were traumatized as a by a shooting nearby the school while children played in the yard. To think that children cannot feel safe in their school yard is a disgrace. The impact of this shooting is incalculable.

"My thoughts and my condolences are sincere, but they are wholly

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON MAYORAL CANDIDATE HELEN GYM'S EDUCATION PLAN

April 6, 2023 "The education plan put forth by Helen Gym, PFT's endorsed candidate for Mayor, is incredibly comprehensive and thorough. The plan incorporates commonsense and visionary solutions to issues; it is rooted in the priorities that we have collectively organized around for years; and it is what is needed to meet this moment. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE SHOOTING NEAR HESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

March 9, 2023 "I am absolutely horrified by the shooting near Heston Elementary School yesterday afternoon. Three individuals were in the school office that was hit with bullets. To think that our young people and their educators are not safe while carrying on their daily lives is just outrageous and deeply disturbing. My thoughts are with the person injured and their loved ones, as well as to the staff and community members who witnessed or are otherwise impacted by this horror. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON FATAL SHOOTING OF 15-YEAR-OLD CHILD ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL

March 28, 2023

In response to the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old child on his way to school in Nicetown, PFT President Jerry Jordan shared the following:

"A devastating loss. I am so sorry for the child whose life was stolen from him, for his family, and for everyone who knew and loved him. The unrelenting scourge of gun violence must end." #phled #EndGunViolenceNow [Twitter link.]

PFT's social media shared the following:

A 15-year-old child's life was stolen as he walked to school this morning. Our hearts are heavy for him, his loved ones, and all impacted by this loss. We can, and must, do

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE

March 27, 2023

In response to the deadly school shooting in Nashville, PFT President Jerry Jordan shared the following:

"Devastating. Lives shattered, again and again and again. My deepest and wholly insufficient sympathies are with the loved ones of the children whose lives were so cruelly stolen today, and with every person impacted by this horror." [Twitter link.]

PFT's social media shared the following:

Absolutely heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the six people whose lives were so cruelly stolen from them, and to all whose lives are forever changed by this devastation. We

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON TRIPLE SHOOTING INJURING THREE CHILDREN, ONE CHILD EXTREMELY CRITICALLY

March 20, 2023 In response to a triple shooting in West Philadelphia this afternoon leaving three children injured, including one extremely critically, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA--"Day after day, the scourge of gun violence continues to devastate our city. I am horrified and enraged that three children were shot in West Philadelphia this afternoon, leaving one child in extremely critical condition, and two others now reported in stable condition. "My wholly insufficient thoughts are with the children injured this afternoon, with their families, with their friends, and with all who were impacted by today's shooting. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF WILLARD ELEMENTARY

March 15, 2023

"For the second time this school year, Willard Elementary has been damaged by gunfire. This time, bullets fired through two classrooms during the school day. While the rooms were empty at the moment, this so easily could have been an even greater catastrophe.

"I am enraged for our students, staff, for the entire Willard community, and for our entire city. The ravages of gunfire have once again shattered a school building and community, and that should horrify us all.

"I am once again reiterating my call for meaningful action on gun reform and sustainable investment in our