On Blast

Zion and Josh break down the top 5 things they hate about underfunded schools. There's a lot going on with PA school funding right now, between a major lawsuit for equitable funding in PA to Gov. Wolf's proposed budget which provides much needed money to schools. For more information or ways to support the fight for equitable funding in PA please follow @fundourschoolspa on IG, @edlawcenterpa on Twitter and @215studentunion on all platforms.   

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools. Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! Editing support team: Piao, Yifan, Sahal, and Bhargav GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

The Philadelphia Student Union's On Blast team is honored to feature guest work from GW Radio, produced by PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success) at George Washington High School and JEVS Human Services (with support from Yowei Shaw & The School of Rock). Up with youth media for all! GW Radio is an original mini-podcast series produced by seniors at George Washington High School. After identifying many possible issues through a community mapping exercise, students chose the topic of education for their series because they all have a lot to say about what they want in their schools.  Students engaged in a story-storming process to identify their own stories as well as other stories that they would like to feature. In small groups, they planned, recorded, and edited eight episodes exploring various aspects of their educational experiences in Philadelphia. Throughout this series, you will hear students share stories that express both positive interactions in school as well as injustices that they demand be made right. As you tune in to GW Radio, we hope that you are inspired by the strength and vision of students in Philadelphia and challenged to take action to improve our schools. Original soundtrack ​introduction: Alen

In the fall of 2014, PSU member and On Blast producer, Mahala Papadopoulos set out to learn more about high stakes standardized testing in the School District of Philadelphia. Through an analysis of student perspectives, the profitable business of testing and the growing Opt Out Movement, Mahala gets deep into the unresolved issues of high stakes standardized testing.

PSU members perform a radio theater piece to show the ways that bad communication can break apart friendships.

Students interviewed each other on their different communities and the ways that the media portrays their communities. Darnell spoke about one of his communities, the LGBTQ community.

On September 23rd, 2014, Parents and teachers picketed at Masterman's Back to School Nite. Mahala Papadopoulos, On Blast reporter and PSU member, reported live from the scene.

On September 10th, 2014, the Philadelphia Student Union traveled to Newark to support the Newark Students Union. Students in Newark face many of the same struggles as students in Philadelphia, such as budget cuts and school closures. PSU member and On Blast reporter, Brian Burney, interviewed students at the action and describes his experience.

On Blast youth radio producer, Mahala Papadopoulos, reports live from Benjamin Franklin High School on the first day of school. PCAPS held a rally and Mahala spoke to some of the participants about why they chose to attend.

The Benjamin Franklin High School Chapter of the Philadelphia Student Union has been working hard on organizing a Big Listen at their school. Want to know what a Big Listen is? Listen to Shane and Minh's radio piece about it!

February 26th, 2014 was the second anniversary of Trayvon Martin's murder. On Blast radio team members, Jaylena Campbell and Brittany Clancy, attended a vigil for Trayvon and the many victims of racial violence.

Jaylena Campbell discusses the topic of bullying in Philadelphia schools. Now that we have fewer counselors in schools, this problem is much worse and impacts the learning of everyone.

Before the beginning of the 2013-24 school year, nearly 4,000 staff were laid off by the School District of Philadelphia. In this segment, Devonne Fisher, a senior at South Philadelphia High School, shares his thoughts on the recent wave of teacher layoffs. He interviews a fellow student to get more perspective on the topic.

The fight over public education in Philadelphia escalated Monday, June 17th, when two local parents and two school district employees began to fast to protest the closure of 23 schools and firing of 3,783 education professionals. On Blast member, Jeremy Olivieri, went on location to learn more about them and their demands.

Abu Kanu is a radio producer for On Blast. In this segment, Abu explores the complicated nature of student-teacher relationships. At the Philadelphia Student Union, we support students AND teachers.

On Blast Radio Producer, Jeremy Olivieri, created a radio piece about the lack of nurses at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia. With more budget cuts looming, schools in Philadelphia stand to lose even more nurses. Students want nurses and students want nurses to keep their jobs. The Philadelphia Student Union chapter members at BFHS are organizing a campaign to keep nurses in their school.

Young People's Oppression might not be something that you have heard of. But for members of the Philadelphia Student Union, it is a part of daily life. When young people are stereotyped as unruly and violent it keeps us all down. In this piece, Tiana shared her experiences of young people's oppression and lays down the basics of the steps in the cycle of oppression.

The School-to-Prison Pipeline is a disturbing national trend wherein children are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Members of the Philadelphia Student Union created the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools (CNS) to work towards improving school climates and ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline. On Blast youth radio producer, Julian Roessler, explains a youth perspective on the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Julian interviews Josh Glenn, an organizer with YASP (Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project) and Decarcerate PA. Josh is also a member of CNS. Together, they explore the deeper roots of the School-to-Prison Pipeline.

One of the root causes of the conditions and problems that we see in Philadelphia's public education system, that has now resulted in the potential for school closures, is the chronic and systematic underfunding from the state. Members of the Philadelphia Student Union traveled to Harrisburg to hear Governor Corbett's budget address on February 5th, 2013. On Blast radio producers asked other attendees why they came to Harrisburg as well.

Tiana Stokes, Basil Hasan, and Marquan Bond are all new PSU members. Hear what they have to say as they share their experiences and thoughts on PSU.

School closings have become an epidemic across the nation. Reporting for On Blast, Nuwar Ahmed and Julian Roessler discuss violence as a possible result of the new wave of school closings that may happen in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia School District released a plan to close schools, dismantle the school district as we know it, eliminate union jobs & and privatize schools.The people who are the most affected by school reforms -- parents, teachers and especially students -- had no say in designing this plan.So what do parents, students and teachers think about the proposed plan? Kim Reed Hyman went to a recent SRC community meeting to find out. Listen now.

The School District of Philadelphia is proposing a plan for drastic changes to our schools. There was no student, parent, teacher or community input on this plan. Come out to this meeting and speak up!Community Meeting with District OfficialsThursday, May 10.  6 - 8 p.mWest Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut St. SIGN THE PETITION TO RESTORE SAFE NUMBERS OF SCHOOL NURSES.

In Philadelphia, young people are starting a crucial conversation about how to make schools safer for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students.  Youth from the Attic Youth Center are working with the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools to identify the root causes of why LGBTQ students are being pushed out of schools. In this radio piece, we hear from a few of the youth who are organizing to create student-centered solutions; Timothy Miller, Tevin Kirk and Azeem Hill. Shayla Johnson, a senior at Overbrook High School, produced this piece.

The search is on for the next Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District. What qualities are students looking for in the next leader? Students from several high schools share their priorities in this vox pop produced by Kim Reed.

How can we make schools safer without criminalizing youth? How can we confront bias violence? What kinds of restorative practices should we implement in place of harsh discipline policies? What role should students play in finding solutions? These are some of the questions that were discussed and answered during the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools' MLK Day event.  The Campaign for Nonviolent Schools hosted an expert panel of youth and adults, to offer solutions for ending structural, interpersonal, and bias violence in our schools and communities. Panelists included: Steve Korr, International Institute for Restorative Practices; Helen Gym, Asian Americans United; Bummi Samuels, Philadelphia Freedom Schools; Josh Glenn, Youth Art and Self Empowerment Project and Campaign for Nonviolent Schools; Neil Geyette, Philadelphia High School Teacher; Azeem Hill, Philadelphia Student Union and Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Here are some highlights from the event. This piece was edited by Andrea Jobe, and narrated by Shayla Johnson.

On this month's show: Experts share insights on how to create nonviolent schools. Students from across PA unite against education budget cuts. Young people are growing the Food Justice movement in Philly. Philly teachers banned from administering PSSA test to their own students. Plus music and other news.

On Valentine's Day, more than 400 students and parents from across Pennsylvania held a rally for public education at the State Capitol. This action came a week after Gov. Corbett announced his plan for the next state budget -- a proposal that would carry over last year's $1 billion cuts to education funding. Students demanded that Gov. Corbett restores the cuts and makes equitable school funding be a top priority in the next state budget. The action was organized by Philadelphia Student Union, Project Peace, Chester student leaders, and A+ Schools' TeenBloc. It was co-sponsored by Juntos and the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. This radio piece features highlights from the action. It was edited by Ericka Johnson.

In South Philadelphia High School, students are coming together across racial & language barriers. As the School Safety Collaborative, Philadelphia Student Union, Asian Americans United, Boat People S.O.S, and Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia, are making positive changes inside the school with the support of Principal Otis Hackney. Keith Lomax interviewed members of several organizations to produce this report.

On this month's show: A look at school closures on a national scale School nurse layoffs put students at risk An uncertain future for Chester Upland School District Students organize across language barriers at South Philly HS The search for the next Philly Superintendent Plus music and other news.

In an effort to save money, the School District of Philadelphia has laid off 47 school nurses. This means that there are now 32,900 additional students without a nurse on any given day. Apparently, students' safety is the latest casualty of Governor Corbett's education budget cuts. Bernard Nesmith interviewed nurses who have been holding a weekly protest in front of the school district building and produced this story. SIGN THE PETITION TO RESTORE NURSES TO SCHOOLS.

On February 7th, Gov. Corbett will announce his plan for the next state budget. A week later, on Valentine's Day, students and parents from across Pennsylvania are coming together to demand that Governor Corbett make equitable school funding a top priority in the next budget.Valentine's Day Rally for Public EducationFebruary 14, 2012 - 12pm - Harrisburg Capitol Building  Register to reserve a seat on one of the Philadelphia buses: www.showloveforeducation.eventbrite.comRally sponsored by: Philadelphia Student Union, Project Peace (Reading PA), TeenBloc (Pittsburgh PA), Juntos, Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Contact megan@phillystudentunion.org for more information.

On December 14, voucher supporters couldn't find enough support for a school vouchers bill to bring it to a vote. With this defeat, it looks like school vouchers will likely not come up for a vote again anytime this year. In a short roundtable discussion, PSU members Bernard Nesmith, Andrea Jobe, Daesya Parker & Keith Lomax reflect on this victory for public education. The students talk about the role they personally played in turning public opinion against vouchers.

The school to prison pipeline starts early. It has been said that you can predict the prison population by looking at how many third graders perform poorly on standardized tests. But has anyone ever asked third graders what they think about this? Kim Reed did. This is her report.

On this month's show: Students, parents & teachers untite to form One Voice Students reflect on their defeat of school vouchers A third grader speaks about the school to prison pipeline The importance of art & music in school Plus music & other news.

Cities across the USA are closing schools rapidly. This story features interviews with parents and students from New York City & Philadelphia, who shed light on the effects of school closings. This piece was made to encourage people to continue to fight for pubic education and their human right to learn. Produced by Ericka Johnson.

One Voice is a new formation emerging in Philadelphia. The purpose is to get parents, students and teachers talking about issues that affect our schools. Each of these three groups have been working to improve education in their own ways, but over the past year some key students, parents & teachers have seen the need to come together. Especially in this time of transition in the Philadelphia School District -- with new School Reform Commission members, & the search for a new Superintendent -- One Voice believes that now is the time for students, parents & teachers to have a voice in the new leadership. Shamiah Williams interviewed One Voice members to produce this report.

On this month's show: Chester schools feel the pain of budget cuts Students speak out about the conditions that push them out of school Furness High School stays off the closure list after pressure from students Youth across the country see victory as a new Congressional Youth Caucus is created Plus music & other news! This show features Pushed Out, a track produced by PSU's Movement Music, and segue music by Koby Murphy, a PSU alum.

Students all over Philadelphia are being pushed out of schools and right into the school to prison pipeline. This is happening because of the lack of resources inside schools and the use of harsh discipline practices that force students into the criminal justice system. But students from several organizations are fighting to end the school to prison pipeline, as members of the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Many of these students shared their experiences at an event called Youth Speak-Out Against Push Out. It was a part of the Dignity in Schools National Week of Action on School Pushout. This radio piece features students' voices from this powerful event. It was produced by Shayla Johnson and Andrea Jobe.

State budget cuts have hurt the Chester school district in many ways: Class sizes have grown beyond capacity, two high schools merged into one overcrowded building, some elementary school grades have been combined due to lack of staff. In this report, Chester students, parents and community members speak out about how the massive cuts to state education spending are affecting them. This piece was produced by Keith Lomax.

When students at Furness High School found out that their school was on the School District's list of potential school closures, they were shocked. This radio piece, produced by Furness senior Bernard Nesmith, features interviews with students and Principal Tim McKenna to shed light on how Furness High School rose to become one of the best neighborhood high schools in the city. This is also the story of how the Philadelphia Student Union Furness Chapter fought to keep the school open. Photo by Harvey Finkle

Kim Reed joined hundreds of youth from across the country in Washington DC, to report on the historic launch of a new Congressional Youth Caucus. For the first time, the U.S. Congress will have a Caucus where legislators will be talking and thinking about youth issues. This victory was won through the work of the Alliance for Educational Justice (AEJ) and the Leaders Investing For Equality (LIFE) Campaign. Kim Reed produced this report for On Blast.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers organized a rally in front of a center city Trader Joes and the Philly Student Union was there to help support. Immigrant farmworkers across southwest Florida have been working under low wages and have been treated unfairly for many years. Back in 1993 they began organizing and between there hunger strike and their historic 230-mile march in 2000, their organizing ended over declining wages in the tomato industry. By 1998 they won industry-wide raises but wages still remained below poverty level. Today they are called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and they are currently fighting for big chain companies like Trader Joes, Walmart, Stop and Shop, ect to sing off on their fair food agreement. This radio piece was produced by Ericka Johnson and it includes a interview with Oscar from the CIW.

Devon Henderson & Felix Baez interviewed Ron Blount, the president of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance. Ron explained the struggles that taxi drivers in the city face, including unsafe conditions, getting paid below minimum wage, and not having any health benefits.

Daesya Parker & Imani Curtis interviewed two members of the Urban Nutrition Initiative to find out what food justice means to them. To learn more about the Youth Food Bill of Rights, you can go to www.youthfoodbillofrights.com.