The Interfaith Children’s Sabbath will be observed in Pittsburgh and across the nation for the 11th year on October 19-20.

On the Children’s Sabbath, instituted by the Children’s Defense Fund, religious congregations hold special worship services, education programs and congregational activities aimed at inspiring people of faith to respond to children’s needs, making this a better and safer world for all children.

In Pittsburgh, the observance will begin on the evening of Saturday, October 19, with an interfaith service at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill. The speaker at the service will be the Rev. George Clements, a Roman Catholic priest and founder of the program One Church One Child.

On Sunday, October 20, special services and programs are to be held in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship in the area.

Planning for the events is now underway. The next planning meeting will be Thursday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the Children’s Institute, 6301 Northumberland St. in Squirrel Hill. Those interested in helping to plan the observance should call Wanda Guthrie, coordinator of the children’s advocacy programs Roots of Promise and Stand for Children at the Thomas Merton Center, at 412-361-3022.

"Help us plan; help us prepare; create the vision; bring your ideas," Guthrie said.

"This is a call to action," Guthrie added, citing goals espoused by the the Children’s Defense Fund. "We can build a nation where families have the support they need to make it at work and at home; where every child enters school ready to learn and leaves on the path to a productive future; where babies are likely to be born healthy and sick children have the health care they need; where no child has to grow up in poverty; where all children are safe in their community and every child has a place to call home - and all Americans can proudly say, ‘We leave no child behind.’"

For more information and to order a set of Children’s Sabbath materials, contact the Children’s Defense Fund by calling 202-662-3589 or visit the fund’s web site at www.childrensdefense.org.

Good Schools Pennsylvania’s gives the State Legislature a mixed set of grades for its work on school issues. Here’s the report card, issued on June 12:

Reading – A

The legislature earned an A in Reading, because they have demonstrated that they read their local newspapers, most of which have called on the Legislature to pass sweeping school reform legislation to equalize funding and enable a quality education for every child regardless of where they live. The legislators also get an A in Reading because we know that they’ve read the more than 2,500 letters that were sent to them by Good Schools Pennsylvania supporters from the Campaign’s 238 chapters across the state.

Math – D-

The legislature earned a D- in Math skills, because they have demonstrated significant problems with the basic math of school finance. Most of these students are in districts without the ability to raise taxes. The math is simple, in most districts less personal wealth means fewer school services which inevitably means lower student performance

Current Events – D-

The legislature earned a D- in Current Events, because in the last year the legislature failed to enact any legislation that would move Pennsylvania’s schools into the mainstream with the rest of the states in this nation. Pennsylvania remains one of only nine states that does not fund pre-k or full-day kindergarten. Pennsylvania does not support efforts to reduce class size nor does it pay for extra help for students who are falling behind. These are the programs that the overwhelming majority of other states are using to boost student performance. We are leaving too many students behind in Pennsylvania.

Problem Solving Skills – D

The legislature earned a D in Problem Solving Skills, because after a full year of hearings on the crisis in public education the members of the House Select Committee on School Funding could not find a solution to the school funding crisis. They are now on their third extension and do not propose to offer a solution until next fall.

Effort – B

The legislature earned a B for Effort, because many members of the legislature participated in the fifteen hearings of the House Select Committee on School Funding. Others attended the four hearings sponsored by the Senate Policy Committee. And, many legislators participated in town meetings and special community events focused on school funding

Listening Skills – B+

The legislature earned a B+ for Listening Skills, because many legislators have shown patience in listening to the 1,700 Good Schools Pennsylvania members who have come to Harrisburg over the last six months to advocate comprehensive school reform.

Creative Thinking Skills – C-

The legislature earned a C- for Creative Thinking Skills. They did not fail this subject because some members of the House have actually proposed solutions. For instance, Representative Nick Micozzie prepared a plan that would address the school funding challenges of all districts in the state

Team Work Skills – F

The legislature earned an F for Team Work Skills, because throughout the year, the members have demonstrated that they will work harder for the power of their party than they will work for the improvement of our schools. None of the party leadership on either side of the aisle has proposed any legislation to address the funding or performance needs of our schools. At no point during the last twelve months have the leaders come together to speak clearly about the need to find a solution or work for school reform. Nor have they agreed to work together on the very issue that their constituents consistently say is their number one concern.