PHSC Statement

First and foremost, our prayers go out to the Belance Family as they grieve the loss of their 11-year-old son, as well as the family of the 14-year-old who was injured. We, the Philadelphia Home and School Council are deeply saddened and troubled by the news of this tragedy.

Our mission is to stand publicly with schools, their families, and staff that are being affected by school or community hardships.

Gun violence has a devastating impact on our whole community. It is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem that we can not afford to grow numb to.

The Philadelphia Home and School Council is focused on the safety and mental well-being of our school children both in and out of school and we will be available to support in this situation in any way that we can.

We will be gathering more information to help us determine how we can be of service to the school, the family, and the community.

For the longer term, we are looking to work with our school communities, other organizations, and City Council to work on a proactive plan so we are positioned to respond in a greater capacity as it pertains to other traumatic events involving our children in Philadelphia.