Rennie Parker is the community school coordinator for Samuel Gompers School. Gompers was designated a community school in July 2017 and is part of the City’s 2^nd cohort of community schools. Gompers serves students grades K-7 in West Philadelphia. Recently, we sat down with Rennie to ask him 7 questions about what it’s like to work with a newly designated community school.

1. First of all, what is something most people probably don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that one of my hobbies is making scrapbooks with and for my daughters.

2. This is your first year as a community school coordinator. What interested you in being a part of the community schools initiative?

For years, I served my community by volunteering with local organizations, serving as a block captain, and helping my neighbors. As a volunteer for the community, I did what I could to help those in need and to help others from the neighborhood progress. When I heard about the position of Community School Coordinator for Gompers, it was a no-brainer for me. I knew I had to be a part of something special in my neighborhood—the place that I love and call home.

3. Now that you’ve been at Gompers for two months, what has been the most surprising thing that you’ve learned about the school?

While working at Gompers for the past two months, I was surprised to know that the same xylophone that I played on as a former student at Gompers is still in use at the school!  To find a thirty-seven-year-old instrument in good condition is a testimony to the makeup of our school. It may be old, but it was built strong and still has its character and class.

4. What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me means I arrive in the morning to stand at the front doors of the school with Principal Deluca and greet students and their parents. As the day progresses, I make phone calls and send a lot of emails to partners and community members. I also like to walk around the building to make sure I get to know everyone: staff, teachers, students, and anyone else. Some days, I go out in the community and connect with neighborhood businesses and organizations to let them know about Gompers’s designation as a community school and to see if they’d like to get involved. At dismissal time, I assist with moving students out of the building and making sure our students are safe.

5. Right now, you’re working on completing a needs assessment for Gompers. What’s some of the early feedback you’re hearing?

Some of the feedback that I am receiving is that older students want basketball courts outside with a water fountain. Parents want resources for finding jobs. The school would like to update the gymnasium as well.

6. Tell me about your best day on the job so far. What made it great?

My best day so far was the students’ first day of school and getting to hang the Community School banner with Otis Hackney the Chief Education Officer for the City and Principal Deluca. I felt proud to have come full circle in giving back to my community. I loved greeting students when they came in, and giving them high fives when the day was over. I’m excited to be part of this initiative and to help make a difference. I feel like being a community school will have a huge impact on Gompers, the students, their families and the community. It’s going to be a great year.

7. How can people contact you if they want to get involved in the Gompers community?

If anyone wants to get in contact with me they can visit our school Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or feel free to email, call or text me at (267) 593-5590. I’m also on Twitter @rennieparker85.

Rennie Parker is a West Philadelphia native and a proud product of the public school system. Upon graduating from Overbrook High School, Rennie attended The Pennsylvania State University receiving his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice.  Over the course of 19 years, Rennie has worked with various organizations and programs serving children in the public and private sectors. Rennie is an active advocate in his community and served as a Block Captain, volunteers for Wynnefield Overbrook Revitalization Corp (WORC) and Wynnefield Business Association (WBA). He is also a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.