A different tone at DVHS grand opening
By Jon Campisi
Star Staff
News that an alternative school would be moving to East Falls may have drawn its share of criticism, but judging by the turnout at the school's grand opening, it also drew its share of supporters.
Delaware Valley High School, which offers alternative middle and high school programs for students with disciplinary problems or those in need of academic assistance, held its grand opening Oct. 6 at its new East Falls campus at 4300 Ridge Ave.
The school recently relocated to the site after decades of operation in Northeast Philadelphia. The private school also has a campus in Bucks County.
David Shulick, president of the school's board of directors, spoke at the grand opening and reception, saying he was instilled with the importance of education from young age, having been reared by two professional educators; his mother taught in North Philly, his dad in Frankford.
"By 1995, I knew I wanted to be more than just a lawyer," Shulick told the crowd, which included a who's who list of prominent Philadelphians, including deputy mayors and Philadelphia School District officials.
The new campus, named in honor of his mother, Judith Shulick, contains two buildings, one housing a middle school program, the other a high school program. During the ceremony, representatives with City Year's Greater Philadelphia chapter offered tours of the site.
City Year, an organization that unites young people of various backgrounds for a year of community service, has offices on the new campus since it will be working with students.
"We function on the principal that young people can make a difference," said Alyssa Phillips, a 23-year-old City Year core member who led the Star on one of the tours. "We're there to be that listening voice, to hear them for what they are."
Phillips touted the school's focus on technology as an example of what it's doing right, and something that makes it stand out, not just from other alternative private schools, but schools in general. That technology includes a fingerprinting scanning system that students, staff and visitors must use to enter the school.
Shulick said security measures such as this were taken to both ensure the safety of students and staff, and to appease the community at large.
"It sure doesn't look like a reform school," Shulick said in a brief interview before he went on stage.
Some in the community, such as the East Falls Development Corp., initially opposed the school, and raised concerns that it would affect the property value of developable land adjacent to the site.
But, to Shulick, the fact that people such as the development corp.'s executive director and board president showed up signals the community is ready to move on.
Shulick even pointed out that an EFDC board member brought flowers to the ceremony, a sort of peace offering.
While addressing the crowd, Shulick was flanked by his grandparents, ages 95 and 92. Shulick said they had helped him through tough times, such as the loss of his mother, a woman who was a great role model.
"Each of us has a responsibility to give back," Shulick said, noting why he got involved with DVHS in the first place.
The grand opening also included music from East Falls' own Limelight Arts music and dance studio. Frank Machos, the school's founder, said while some in the neighborhood opposed the school, he rallied behind the venture from the beginning.
"I think it's great," he said. "I know what they're going through. Right now they're experiencing growing pains."
Machos, who teaches music at a high school in West Philadelphia, said when the "backlash" started, he opted to get behind the school because he understands firsthand the importance of helping students who might otherwise be shunned.
"I'm glad they're here," he said.
According to Phillips, the City Year representative, DVHS Kelly, as the campus is being called, has the capacity to hold 400 students. Currently, there are 250 onsite - 190 at the high school, and 60 at the middle school. She said it's possible the school could reach the 400 figure by the end of this school year, but that is purely a guess.
Both the middle and high school buildings contain classroom space, cafeterias and administrative offices. The high school also has a multipurpose room, a space used for meetings. There are two computer labs in each building, and every classroom comes equipped with a mounted flat-screen TV, which is hooked up to a computer. This enables teachers to project things like PowerPoint presentations to classes.
"There is plenty of technology available to these students," Phillips said. "They're trying very hard to make this technologically savvy while managing the youth."
There are no physical education facilities, so DVHS has contracted with area organizations, such as the nearby Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center, in which students can get in their gym time.
Students at DVHS have four academic periods plus a lunch period and what is known as an "enrichment period." The latter, Phillips explained, is the last period of the day, and can include offerings such as student government, or participation in football or cheerleading programs.
Phillips, who previously taught at a high school in suburban New Jersey, said she is excited to be able to work with at-risk students at an alternative school because it will enable her to help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
"I've already made some really good relationships with the kids," she said. "They realize we wouldn't be here if we didn't care."
Phillips said the fact that she is only 23 - City Year core members must be between the ages of 17 and 24 - enables her to better relate to the students.
"It's a different kind of rapport," she said.
As she walked around the campus, it was clear Phillips is proud of her work. And the fact that the students have been so receptive so far tells her she, other City Year members, and DVHS staff, are doing something right.
"These kids are so proud of what they're doing," she said.
Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com