Resolution 260067

..Title Recognizing January 20 - 23, 2026 as "Social Justice Week" in the City of Philadelphia, and further honoring Friends Select School for its contributions and dedication to being an antiracist school with a culture and a curriculum that encourage and empower awareness of and response to issues and events in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Social Justice Week is a student-led examination of equity and social justice that has taken place at Friends Select School each year since 2019; and WHEREAS, Friends Select School is the only all-gender, pre-K-12 Quaker school in the heart of Center City that uses Philadelphia as a dynamic living classroom with unparalleled access to universities, science institutes, arts and cultural organizations, social service agencies, grassroots organizers, businesses, and government; and WHEREAS, Friends Select School is led by Head of School Michael Gary, whose transformative vision over the last 10 years partly focused on and wholly embraced diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion and being "In the City and of the City"; and WHEREAS, Director of Equity and Inclusion Toni Graves Williamson and Director of City Curriculum Margaret Smith and Upper School Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ian Lockey work closely with upper school students each year to design immersive learning experiences that explore contemporary issues like indigenous rights, gun violence, the opioid crisis, and more; and WHEREAS, Friends Select School's inspiring faculty are always exploring new ways to add nuance to their courses through City experiences, and students bring their curiosity, passions, and concerns for our world to their learning; and WHEREAS, Friends Select School, in partnership with The Children's Education Initiative, will support full tuition and an all-inclusive financial aid package for two students per year, ensuring families who could not afford private education can take full advantage of all educational, extracurricular, athletic and other activities at no cost, K-12; and WHEREAS, Friends Select School students are prepared to become active citizens for their whole life. now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, January 20 - 23, 2026 as "Social Justice Week" in the City of Philadelphia, and further honoring Friends Select School for its contributions and dedication to being an antiracist school with a culture and a curriculum that encourage and empower awareness of and response to issues and events in the City of Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Friends Select School as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body. ..End