On August 17, 2016, Otis Hackney, Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia, hosted his first #AskPhilly twitter chat for the Mayor’s Office of Education. Community schools and pre-K were the main topics of the day, and Philadelphians were buzzing (and tweeting) with excitement to learn more about these two initiatives and how they can get involved.
Many organizations were interested in the types of services that community schools can provide for students and families.
@PHL_MOE @OtisHackney How will #adultedu be incorporated into #communityschools? #PHLed #AskPhilly
— MCOL (@PhilaLiteracy) August 17, 2016
If #adultedu is identified as community need, coordinator will work w/ partners to expand. #AskPhilly #ABE #ESL #GED https://t.co/0CcH2UjO43
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
How will community schools respond to and support trauma-impacted youth and families? #askphilly @PHL_MOE
— ArtWell (@artwellphilly) August 17, 2016
#CommunitySchools will work with @PHLSchools to ensure trauma-informed practices are a priority #AskPhilly #PHLed https://t.co/Mpa1FhMlYo
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
The roles of teachers and staff in community schools came up as well.
.@PHL_MOE @OtisHackney: Do you see the role of the classroom teacher changing in a community school? #phled #askphilly
— Jerry T. Jordan (@jerrytjordan) August 17, 2016
#CommunitySchools will work to align supports for students so teachers can focus on academics #AskPhilly https://t.co/1EBQBGYYhs
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
Otis shared how parents can enroll children in quality pre-K, and why quality early childhood education (ECE) is good for the business community.
When will new #PHL4PreK seats start becoming available for families? #AskPhilly .@PHL_MOE
— greatphillyschools (@GreatPhlSchools) August 17, 2016
.@PHLSchools has seats available NOW! City will have new seats in January. https://t.co/EeNHWDmfDn #AskPhilly https://t.co/QpY1XxXZzK
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
.@PHL_MOE Why is it important for business & civic leaders to continue investing in accessible, quality #ece? #AskPhilly #PHL4preK
— United Way GPSNJ (@PhillySJUnited) August 17, 2016
Quality pre-K gets kids ready for K-12 while helping parents participate in the workforce #AskPhilly #PHL4PreK https://t.co/XY4rYZuK7j
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
He also got to talk about his favorite part of his job and shared the importance of arts and culture education for students of all ages.
@otishackney What's your favorite part of your job as Chief Education Officer for @philadelphiagov? #AskPhilly
— SJ (@SarahAnnJ) August 17, 2016
As a life-long Philadelphian, the opportunity to positively impact our children's lives at a large scale. #AskPhilly https://t.co/50x0yRlFSw
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
How will arts and culture be a part of both #PHL4preK and #CommunitySchools? #AskPhilly @PHL_MOE
— GroundSwell (@GroundSwell_PA) August 17, 2016
Quality pre-K programs use proven curriculum that infuses arts education. #PHL4PreK #AskPhilly https://t.co/m3NjFkGj31
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
#CommunitySchools will create a plan and we expect many to identify arts & culture as a priority #AskPhilly https://t.co/m3NjFkGj31
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
He answered a question on charter school growth.
What are your thoughts on the NAACP'S recent moratorium on charter schools? #AskPhilly
— PennBat (@PennBat) August 17, 2016
All children deserve a quality education. Until we restore budget cuts, charter growth should be limited. #AskPhilly https://t.co/HDSdKrTrBu
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
And revealed himself to be a Philly foodie for anyone seeking restaurant recommendations.
Hey @OtisHackney… when you're not building out #CommunitySchools and #PreK seats… what do you spend your time doing? #AskPhilly
— Logan Peterson (@logpeterson) August 17, 2016
Good food and time with family. If you need a good restaurant recommendation, let me know! #AskPhilly https://t.co/GrTbNOqxCw
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016
Overall, Otis and staff of the Mayor’s Office of Education were excited to see the outpouring of interest and support for community schools and pre-k.
How can after school programs and nonprofits help in your #communityschool initiative #AskPhilly
— Corina Fiore (@CorinaFiore) August 17, 2016
How can someone get involved in #PHL4PreK #CommunitySchools, especially #PHLarts orgs? #AskPhilly @PHL_MOE
— GroundSwell (@GroundSwell_PA) August 17, 2016
.@PHL_MOE @OtisHackney What are ways for #phled educators, parents, community partners to get involved w/ #prek4phl & #communityschools?
— HillaryLinardopoulos (@MrsL132) August 17, 2016
Many & we're counting on community support! Get updates on opportunities: https://t.co/nCbL28rYIr #AskPhilly #phled https://t.co/EcgdQFmHhf
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) August 17, 2016