Ackerman & union join in effort to end violence against teachers

Philadelphia's schools chief and the head of its teachers union have united in a battle to eliminate bullying and violence against adults.

In a letter dated Nov. 8 and e-mailed to school and district staff on Tuesday, Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said disruptive behavior of students would not be tolerated.

Jordan said he raised concerns with Ackerman about the problem after a number of union members suffered serious injuries - including two with concussions - from attacks by students this school year.

"Teaching is not a contact sport," he said when reached at union headquarters last night. "Schools cannot be places that are unsafe for kids and staff."

He urged any federation member who is assaulted by a student to report the incident immediately to the principal and union representative.

"If we tolerate disruption, disrespect and violence, this kind of behavior will continue to escalate and effective teaching will become impossible," he wrote in a message posted yesterday.

Students who violate the district's zero-tolerance policy can face immediate 10-day suspension, expulsion or arrest.

The district has pledged to reduce the number of persistently dangerous schools to none during the next two years. Twenty Philadelphia schools are on this year's list, which is compiled by the state.