Thank you to McCall Elementary and the Home and School Association for another successful Backpack Giveaway event!

The best part of this yearly event is meeting the families and students in the district as they are getting ready to start back to school. This event not only provides necessary tools for the classroom, but also security for families knowing their student is ready for the school year!

I wish all the students of the district a happy, healthy, and productive school year. I also want to give my thanks to the staff, administration, bus drivers, and everyone else that makes a school community whole.

Sincerely,

This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order on data centers aims to hold developers and tech companies accountable, all while protecting Pennsylvanians.

The executive order directs the Department of Environmental Protection to review permit applications only if developers have received local approval and made a legally binding commitment to meet the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards. Requirements under GRID hold strict standards in areas like energy affordability, environmental protection and community engagement.

It’s critical that we protect Pennsylvania consumers and ensure that big tech developers cannot run roughshod over our communities. This executive order gives us several vital tools I’ve been fighting for in Harrisburg, including empowering local leaders in the decision-making process and providing more stringent requirements for developers. I thank the Governor for his action, and I will continue fighting to hold big tech accountable.

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced a new round of PAsmart grants, including $140,000 to the School District of Philadelphia. The district will use its grant to boost more middle schoolers’ exposure to high-growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and construction industries. The district will also partner with community organizations to help more students in grades 6-12 discover their interest in priority industries.

I appreciate the support this funding provides, allowing the district to diversify its learning opportunities and put more students in a position to succeed than ever before.

The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation are reminding residents of the updated penalties for illegal dumping activities. The city began more proactive enforcement after launching the Illegal Dumping Task Force, and you can help get debris off our streets by calling 311 to report illegal dumping. To find ways to dispose of items in the correct fashion, you can visit phila.gov/recycling-donation-finder.

For anyone looking to properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste, you can visit Phila.gov/Sanitation to find a list of disposal events in your area.

Visit the Community Room at Society Hill Towers next Wednesday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Blood Drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-733-2787 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Society Hill Towers” to schedule an appointment.

If you haven’t had the chance to make it out yet, you now have two more weeks to visit the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square! The festival has been extended through August 30, plenty of time to make plans for a summer night out under this year’s all-new lanterns.

My free community shredding and e-recycling events will return for the fall on the following dates:

• Saturday, September 26th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 511 S. Front Street
• Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 343 Fairmount Avenue
• Saturday, October 31st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Mummers Museum, 1100 S. 2nd Street

This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of personal and sensitive documents.

My fall Senior Fair is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Holy Name Church, bringing resources to seniors and caregivers like information on healthcare, volunteer opportunities, prescription drug plans, preventing identity theft and more.

District Office

610 North Second Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 503-3245

Pennsylvania State Capitol
300 Main Capitol Building

P.O. Box 202175

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-8098