Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Spring 2009 Education Guide - Index

Principal David Lugo rallies the junior class before they begin
the PSSA.
PAGE 10 / March 24, 2009
Melanie R. Holmes
Tribune Staff Writer
School spirit driv
Thomas A. Edison High
Thomas A. Edison High School is just a building — only the people in it can
make a difference. Administrators of the second largest comprehensive high
school in Philadelphia attribute the overwhelming enthusiasm of its 2,100 students
and staff to the caring and conducive learning environment the school
maintains.
“We’re a family,” said Assistant Principal Lydia Gonzalez. “When things take
place that should not have, we all hurt. In spite of all the challenges, part of our
goal is to work on their mindsets to focus on their strengths and build on their
shortcomings.”
Being a young administrator, Gonzalez said it is easy to show students she has
school spirit. She recently supported last Monday’s PSSA pep rally by donning
the uniform of an Edison cheerleader.
“The kids love to see you full of energy,” she said.
Similarly, Principal David Lugo jogged into the gym throwing light jabs into the
air to the “Rocky” theme music, hyping up the junior class before the
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA).
“My school is amazing and I want more people to see that,” said tenth-grader
Glenda Colon. “It has students who are dedicated to passing … and the teachers
help us a lot. They care for us, not as students, but as individuals.”
Although Edison has been on corrective action for six years, in the two years
he’s been at Edison, Lugo says the school has made significant academic gains
due to his leadership and the relationships between staff and students.
Cheerleaders perform at a pep rally to encourage the junior class to do their best on the PSSA.
“We create a very warm a
three stations where stude
tioned at each, not to super
kids are just outstanding. [
high expectations of them.
Edison is the only high sch
(CTE) program, which of
with a high school diploma
through CTE.
For students who do not ha
have yet to earn their diplo
King coordinates the Edu
from 17 to 65 years old are
diploma.
Lugo is also proud of the
school district, Edison w
Education Clubs of Ameri
month. From 200 schools
title: Stephanie Adorno, fir
lion winner for sports and
lion winner for sports and
place for public speaking;
and accessories event.
“Wow,” Lugo said. “Our k
He also said his Edison ha
“Almost every sport has e
went undefeated during th
have this year, came in se
league competition and tw
wrestled before.”
As an incentive to do we
Edison’s pep rally by dona
Locker, AMC and Regal c
receive them, he is confide
the rally, “it is up to you to
I believe in you!”
Regardless of the results, L
“They judge the school by
There are so many good th
a culture conducive to lear