Green Woods Says Hello to New Neighborhood

Manayunk has a reputation for young renters. On Saturday, the neighborhood will get a chance to meet several hundred new, school-aged, tenants at a park cleanup event.

As the temporarily moves into the former St. John's and St. Mary's Catholic schools, the environmentally conscious facility will host a Pretzel Park cleanup Saturday so residents and the school community can introduce themselves to each other.

"We connected with the Friends of on their big day, and we wanted to be able to show our support for the community with the school," Green Woods CEO Jean Wallace said.

The city holds its annual "Love Your Park" day May 12, with cleanups and community events scheduled throughout Philadelphia. New to Manayunk, Green Woods has pledged 500 volunteers for the event.

"On Saturday, we'll be remulching the dog park, painting benches—any work we can provide. Plus, it's a chance for us all to get to know each other," Green Woods PTA contact Megan Keel said.

Currently located at the , Green Woods will hold classes for the 2012-13 school year at the two Manayunk facilities while a new school is constructed on Domino Lane at the site. The  that new school, and the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment will evaluate plans this Wednesday at 2 p.m.

The move allows the school to add 200 students and 10 faculty members to expand beyond one class per grade in some levels, Wallace said. In addition, she said Green Woods will look to add to its community collaborators.

"Coming out of the woods gives us the opportunity to partner with more resources at the school," she said. "Being in the Manayunk community allows us to expand our options, look more at the the watershed."

Partnership are in place or will be for the Philadelphia Zoo, Manayunk Canal, and Franklin Institute, in addition to keeping ties with the Schuylkill Center.

"We are part of Philadelphia and moving to Manayunk is just another outlet to be part of the community," Keel said.

The Green Woods mission for its K-8 students is for them to be "active, knowledgeable and conscientious young investigators by fostering a keen understanding of the interrelatedness and interdependence of our local and global existence."

Seats for the 2012-13 class are already filled. 

On Saturday, volunteers will pitch in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Students and parents are curious to see what the new school looks like, and it gives everyone a chance to look at it," Wallace said.

Green Woods wanted Main Street to be aware of the cleanup and the school itself so everyone can benefit from the experience.

"We just to in some way to alert them that there's 500 people converging that day on the Manayunk community," Keel said.

Food will be provided at the St. John's site. Visit the Green Woods Charter School website for more information.