The Nomads

- -

Save our kids.

Save our schools, save our schools, save our schools.

It was an emotional evening as you can imagine

if your child's school was going to close,

you would be here to make that final plea before the vote.

- -

We want to thank everyone for coming out today

to share your thoughts and fight so passionately

for our schools.

No part of this process has been easy

or was ever taken lightly.

Bullshit!

These are children, you should be ashamed!

- -

Ma'am, please.

The fact remains that too many of our schools

are financially failing

and in an alarming state of disrepair.

Our first priority must always be to keep our students safe.

With that in mind, the board has voted

to close and integrate the following 23 schools.

Edward W. Bok Technical High School,

Carroll High School,

Community High School,

Douglas High School,

Germantown High School,

Lamberton High School,

Vaux High School...

What do you mean Vaux? Damn, man!

Alexander Wilfred Elementary,

Rideover School Elementary, Pat Elementary...

...after officials voted Thursday night,

to approve the closing of 23 Philadelphia public schools.

During a heated three-hour meeting,

19 protestors were arrested and charged for disorderly conduct.

Emotions ran high as teachers and students

shed tears for the schools they once called--

-Hey. -Hey.

Saw it on TV.

To the end of an era.

Not in the mood.

Fine, then to new beginnings.

You already got something, didn't you?

Let's just say charm goes a long way at Immaculate Heart.

Immaculate Heart, wow, look at you.

Yeah, they seemed really excited to meet a real, live Jew.

Whatever, I'll take it.

So, what are you thinking?

I hear Whitman needs a new history teacher.

-Rent is due tomorrow. -Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up.

You teach English.

Relax, I'll just brush up on it.

-OK, then Whitman? -Did you forget already?

23 schools just closed, I'll be lucky if Whitman takes me.

OK, I'm sorry.

I'm gonna get you into Immaculate Heart.

It'll take some maneuvering, but I will.

-Until then-- -What are you doing?

I am bequeathing you one of my most prized possessions.

Ah-ha!

Your favorite pepper spray, it's adorable,

but don't forget, I'm not a rookie.

I mean, how bad could it be?

[rapping drowned out by student chatter]

¶ Going to lit up the bong, it's night fall ¶

Excuse me.

Sorry.

Don't you just love first days?

Mark Nolin, nice to meet you.

Cassey McNamara, but everybody calls me Mac.

Any advice for my first day here?

Nice, I was about to ask you.

I'm from Lamberton High, rest in peace.

So, let's see, first days are tough.

Suddenly, I'm teaching 10th grade math

after a career as a science teacher,

but none of that's advice, is it?

All right, well I'll have to get back to you on that.

Thanks.

All that before 8:00 a.m.

Jeez.

I'll take the vodka.

Wow, here we go.

Did you get the flyer, did you get these? OK, good.

Everybody, let's get to class, OK?

-Watch it, Fishtown. -What'd you say to me?

I said, move first before I slap the shit out your fat ass.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey...

Let's get to class.

Get to class.

OK, first things first.

Does everyone have their trans pass?

I know some of you have a longer commute now,

but this card means you have no excuse not to be here.

Hey, sorry I'm late. I need mine.

Oh, sure.

-And, your name? -

- -Where'd he go?

Jeez.

- -All right, take a seat.

I'd steal my pass too, if I was that fast.

I can barely fit into this small-ass desk.

Excuse me?

I think you're smart enough to use better language than that.

Revise it.

All right.

Hi, what's your name?

Kahlil Smith. Sorry I'm late, I'm new here.

Lucky for you, Mr. Smith, a lot of us are new today.

Take a seat.

I think it's safe to say our Olympic sprinter was...

Banner, OK.

My name is Miss McNamara. Welcome to your senior year

and American History.

- -We'll be starting

with the War of 1812--

Yo, there's a fight in the cafeteria!

- -Wait no, all right!

Stay in your seats.

Stay in your seats, stay--

Welcome to Whitman.

¶ Scram track ¶

Trey, let's move.

Hey, hon.

Hey.

One of those days, huh?

Yeah.

I got a new local crafty, you'll like it, it's strong.

Mm, don't threaten me with a good time, Ellie-Sue.

And, can you put on 427 for me, please?

-You got it. -Thanks.

Goes back for the inside,

back against and he flashes through the line

as easy as he likes for a try.

This young man is a true testament to the power

of coaching forward against all odds.

Now, this is rugby at its finest.

Now, that's a try.

Knock, knock, we're still here.

How was your first week?

Let me see... a fire, three kids arrested and a cafeteria fight. You tell me.

I'll see those, and raise you 55 kids

in my second period class.

55, can they do that?

Not contractually, but that would suggest

we actually have a contract.

Kids are sitting on the window ledge.

Sittin' on the floor.

Is that you?

You're a rugger, I knew there was something I liked about you.

Do you play?

Yeah, at my last school I started a rugby program

with a friend of mine who, when the school closed,

went on to big time rugby coaching

and... I'm here.

I've been playing since I could walk.

I would go to all of my dad's games when he coached.

Where are you from again?

South Philly, why?

McNamara?

Is your dad Barry McNamara?

You're little Cassey, aren't you?

Oh my, your dad, your dad gave me my first coaching job.

I remember when you were adopted.

Everyone was so excited, oh my god, I am so old.

Your dad was the best mentor I had in my entire life.

Dad was happiest when he was playing,

but even happier when he was coaching.

-Totally. -I miss him.

Go, go, go, break it up, break it up.

-Enough! -Whoa!

It's done.

Hey, move, move, go!

-I'll see you later! -Go!

Turn those phones off, do you want detention later?

Wow.

That's why my friend KJ and I started the team,

as an outlet.

Moved the scrum from the hallway to the field

and the results, they were incredible.

It's a crime that program was cut short.

When I started my college team at LaSalle,

it was like a steam valve for frustrations.

I was focused, it improved my grades.

Yeah.

A lot of great memories.

Speaking of memories, how's your mom?

Love that lady, she was at every game.

I wouldn't know.

So, what does Mrs. Nolin think of you out drinking on a school night?

Ah, I've been divorced for years.

This guy doesn't have a curfew anymore.

I think Whitman this year is gonna kick my ass.

-I'm too old. I am. - No.

I gotta stay positive.

-Yes. -Here's to staying positive.

New friends,

your father, and rugby.

Rugby.