School Days Coimnng Sooner

DUKES FANS: “Up in the morning and off to school” Chuck Berry Tuesday I was in town and taking the train home from Center City when I became aware of schoolkids…tons of schoolkids. At 11th and Market Streets there were dozens of kids from the charter schools in that area, and they were laughing, shouting, and being silly. When the 2:52 Chestnut Hill West train pulled into Suburban Station dozens more students piled in, probably from the Masterman School. I was suddenly aware that Philadelphia public schools had started on Tuesday. It is a week before Labor Day, and that start date for school still feels strange to me. I’m an oldster, and I vividly remember when Summer started on Memorial Day and ended on Labor Day. Of course, that wasn’t correct by the calendar, and school was still in session after Memorial Day. But there would be a week of exams or such, moving up days, and graduation. Labor Day BBQ’s and parties meant it was time to get ready to go back to the “real” world, and that is when school would start. But the word has changed, and I need to get used to the new public school calendar. When they first announced changes to the school year, I was upset. I thought it may have been a reaction to and a response to President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind policies which mandated standardized tests and, to me, led to an over-reliance on teaching to the tests. Bush also advocated longer school years, even asking educators to think about establishing year-round school. However, when I looked into it I found out that I was wrong. There were several factors that figured into the decision, and the most important of them were wonderfully surprising Stakeholders-parents, teachers, custodial staff and more- were consulted in several meetings and surveys, and most of them felt that starting before Labor Day would allow for extended winter breaks and fewer snow days. They also thought it would allow for more recognition of cultural and religious holidays that more truly reflect the diversity of the district’s students and staff. So not only Christian but some Jewish and Muslim holidays are now built into the calendar. Finally, they wanted a full week available at the end of the year to prep for the mandated state tests that have come to matter so much in both student and school lives. The District agreed, and that is the calendar we will have at least for the next two years. The most amazing thing about this for me is that this seems to be an example of an actual government organization working the way we would hope they would. Before instituting a change, they actually consulted all of the people who would be affected by the change, and they actually listened to them. Wow! While I do not approve of everything the School District of Philadelphia does, by any means, this is something that worked the way it should; an agency actually listening to the people involved and affected by a possible change and responding affirmatively to them. This should be a great model for all agencies; our government taking us into consideration and listening to us. What a refreshing happening! And I will get used to seeing more schoolkids on the train the rest of this week. DUKES OF DESTINY GIGS www.dukesofdestiny.com 1)Friday, September 5, The Royal Glenside; 1 South Easton Rd; Glenside, PA 19038; Doors 7:30PM; show 8PM; $20 adv-$25 door; https://www.theroyalglenside.com/ Our September gig has us back at The Royal, a wonderful listening and dancing room in Glenside. We love this place for its ambiance, its mission, and its staff. Great sound system, space to dance, space to sit and listen, and a great vibe. We are super happy to be back. For info on food and drink go to https://www.theroyalglenside.com/faq BROTHER JOHN-JOHNNY NEVER & JOHN COLGAN-DAVIS ; www.BrotherJohnBlues.com 1) Sunday, August 31 1-4PM Lock 29 127 Bridge Street Mont Claire PA 19453 https://www.lock29montclare.com/ 2)Thursday, September 4 7PM - 10PM Hummingbird to Mars 1930 Speakeasy (ring the bell--it's around back!) W 16th St, Wilmington, DE 9806 http://catherinerooneys.com/hummingbird Reservations recommended 3)Saturday, September 6 8PM Brother John opening for Mikey Junior The Fallser Club 3721 Midvale Ave Philadelphia PA 19129 tickets $20adv; $ 25 door https://thefallserclub.com/ Next week finds us in two new places wrapped around an old favorite. Sunday we are making our debut at Lock 29 in Mount Clare, Pa. for a Sunday brunch. We have not played here before, and we are looking forward to it. So come on out and welcome Brother John to this new venue. Saturday finds us at the Fallser Club in East Falls opening up for the remarkable Mikey Jr. Again, a new place for Brother John, although I have caught some great shows there. And Thursday finds us back at Hummingbird to Mars, one of our favorite spots with great food, wonderful waitstaff, and bartenders who somehow know how to shake the mixed drinks glasses in time to the music. Three places to feed your palette, wet your whistle, and catch some great acoustic blues. Come on out. The Sunday Blues Jam at Jamey’s House of Music; 32 S. Landsdowne, Ave; Lansdowne, PA; jamey@jameyshouseofmusic.com Blues lovers and players have made Jamey's Sunday Blues Jam the place for great blues jamming, inexpensive and tasty eats, craft brews on tap, fresh brewed coffee, a great waitstaff, and friendly people who love the blues.  Each Sunday features an hour long set by a different house band, and then there is an open jam until 3PM. This month the jam features The Philly Blues Kings with various guitarists and singers. The 2nd Sunday of each month features The Roger Girke-John Colgan-Davis Project as the house band, and our next gig there is Sunday, September 14th . Got an instrument? Sing? Just want to listen to some exciting blues and have some good food? Come on out and take part in this great blues jam with great food and liquid refreshments. $5 minimum to be spent