What is the deal with furness?
Having just celebrated its 100th birthday in 2014, Furness is certainly a dying breed these days. Although the building's age has become apparent from maintenance issues, it's facade still reminds you of the long history of Philadelphia neighborhood public high schools. Neighborhood schools are district-run high schools that serve students from a certain area and have no admission requirements. The explosion of charter schools has left neighborhood schools half-filled with the most high-need students, and thus many have closed. Furness has refused to go quietly.
Indeed, although Furness has its issues, compared to other neighborhood schools, Furness is known for having a sense of community, a harmonious and incredibly diverse student body, and some degree of academic success. The school promotes a "student-centered approach to problem-solving and personal empowerment." Their mission statement also refers to "developing a social awareness in a multi-cultural environment designed to endow [the students] with the ethics of productive citizenship". Despite its creaky exterior, Furness still displays the undying wisdom of the value of quality neighborhood public schools.
Indeed, although Furness has its issues, compared to other neighborhood schools, Furness is known for having a sense of community, a harmonious and incredibly diverse student body, and some degree of academic success. The school promotes a "student-centered approach to problem-solving and personal empowerment." Their mission statement also refers to "developing a social awareness in a multi-cultural environment designed to endow [the students] with the ethics of productive citizenship". Despite its creaky exterior, Furness still displays the undying wisdom of the value of quality neighborhood public schools.
Wait, did you say furnace?!
One unique and contentious aspect of Furness High School is the very clear division between the two ways that people actually say Furness.
In one of our interviews, a parent said that people who pronounce it "fir-NESS" tend to be "more snobby," and another community member who dated a Furness student said he would laugh at her for pronouncing it "fir-NESS." A teacher in the school (who is a native of South Philadelphia and has taught at Furness for over 20 years) said that he grew up with it being pronounced "furnace."
Yet, several of the people in the community and the school say that they pronounce it "fir-NESS."
They all acknowledged that they know that others say "furnace." Perhaps the true answer will never
- The first pronunciation is said like the word "furnace." It is the popular choice for natives of South Philadelphia, and for members of the community at large.
- The second pronunciation, pronounced "fir-NESS" emphasizes the "ness" portion of the word. It has fewer adherents in the neighborhood and school.
In one of our interviews, a parent said that people who pronounce it "fir-NESS" tend to be "more snobby," and another community member who dated a Furness student said he would laugh at her for pronouncing it "fir-NESS." A teacher in the school (who is a native of South Philadelphia and has taught at Furness for over 20 years) said that he grew up with it being pronounced "furnace."
Yet, several of the people in the community and the school say that they pronounce it "fir-NESS."
They all acknowledged that they know that others say "furnace." Perhaps the true answer will never