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John, I've spent my life fighting for public schools, because I know that public education is the single biggest investment we can make in our future.

As a teacher, activist, and mom, I took on a status quo that slashed school budgets, demonized teachers, and tried to leave our children behind. This morning I visited Steel Elementary School to outline my Schools-First Agenda to Support Philadelphia Children and Families.

I’ll share more on my plan in a moment, but it’s based on my belief that great teachers, strong mentors and fully-resourced school communities can change the course of young people’s lives. We know that investing in a transformative vision for our public schools and our children isn’t just possible, it is a necessity.

If we want a safer and stronger Philadelphia, then it starts with restoring our city by investing in our schools. Add your name in support of my bold vision for strengthening families and growing our city by delivering safe, quality schools for all children. [[link removed]]

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Here are the pillars of my plan:

Fighting for a Fully Funded School District with Strong Schools in Every Neighborhood
This means partnering in a statewide coalition to fully fund public education, crafting budgets that reflect Philadelphia’s actual needs, and devoting more City resources to our public schools.

Launching a 10-Year Effort to Modernize Every Philadelphia School
Toxic, dilapidated public school buildings are far too common in Philadelphia. I will kick off a Green New Deal for Philadelphia schools, lead a school repair plan, design schools to meet 21st century learning needs, and provide real playgrounds for every school.

Keeping Children Safe from Morning to Night
Every parent wants a bright and healthy future for their child, and achieving that goal will be my foremost priority. I will lead a mobilization effort to protect every single child while they travel to school and return home, give young people safe places to go year round, address the mental health crisis facing youth, expand social workers in schools, and interrupt violence by supporting the kids most at risk.

Providing an Enriching, Engaging Education for Every Child
I will deliver on the promise of public schools that don’t just improve test scores — but inspire, motivate, and engage children. As Mayor, I’ll expand access to pre-K, champion culturally responsive curriculum, invest in CTE, and expand bilingual education programs.

Fully Staffing Schools with the Talented, Diverse, and Culturally Relevant Workforce Children Need
I’m determined to create pipelines to increase the numbers of teachers of color, eliminate leveling, restore librarians to every school, and invest in school support staff.

Restoring Trust, Increasing Accountability, Promoting Transparency, and Growing the District
I will ensure that both the City and School District engage in a united effort to deliver the schools that Philadelphia deserves. Our priorities include growing enrollment in District schools, providing a responsive partnership with parents, overhauling the high school selection process, improving school transportation services, and engaging neighborhoods to support their schools.

I’ve been delivering solutions like this since long before I had a formal title or political power, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Will you add your support of my vision to fulfill the promise of education in our city? [[link removed]]

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I will lead a schools-first agenda that doesn’t just apply band-aids to long-overlooked crises, but aggressively pursues new streams of state and federal funding to heal our young people and remake our public schools into joyous places to learn and work – where safety is guaranteed, classrooms are fully-staffed, and buildings are equipped for 21st-century learning.

This city will rise or fall with the success of our schools. I’m determined to see it rise.

— Helen
Helen Gym is a Philly mom, a school teacher, a community organizer, and former City Councilmember. She has been fighting for Philly families and communities for decades — winning more resources for our schools, safer communities, and a more affordable Philadelphia. Our efforts are supported by everyday people like you who give what they can, whenever they can, because they want to see a safer, more prosperous, equitable Philadelphia that works for all of us. If you’d like to donate to Helen and help elect her as Philadelphia’s next Mayor, click here:
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