Sammy Caiola

Sammy Caiola

Sammy Caiola is a text and audio journalist covering gun violence for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. She most recently served as a reporter and editor at Kensington Voice, and before that as the first gun violence prevention reporter for WHYY News. There, she co-reported and co-hosted a national Edward R. Murrow award-winning podcast about stop and frisk. She is also the reporter and host of "After the Assault," a seven-part podcast about justice and healing after rape, produced by Capital Public Radio. She was a 2023 Ochberg Fellow at Columbia University. She is passionate about bringing trauma-informed journalism and community engagement into newsrooms. When not doing journalism, she runs a musical theatre troupe and cuddles with her dog.

FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Philadelphia school board will consider school closure plan in February, with a vote coming later

Many school communities hope leaders will soften the district’s proposal to close 20 schools beginning in 2027.

By 
Rebecca Redelmeier
,
Sammy Caiola
and
Carly Sitrin
 | January 30
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
‘Think before you act’: Philly chess clubs helps kids focus and avoid gun violence

The Checkmate Violence tournament and other activities aim to give students safe and productive places to be after school.

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | January 27
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Tips about threats to Philly schools are on the rise, state data shows. That could be a good sign.

The state’s Safe2Say Something tip line launched in 2018 as a way for kids to report drug use, bullying, and other issues.

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | January 27
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Close 20 Philadelphia schools? District’s plan meets swift pushback

A key member of the Philadelphia City Council has already expressed opposition to parts of the district’s plan to close, relocate, and co-locate several schools.

By 
Rebecca Redelmeier
and
Sammy Caiola
 | January 22
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Thousands of Philly children are grieving someone lost to gun violence. What’s helping them heal?

After shootings, children can become ‘the forgotten mourners.’ Helping them process their emotions could also be a violence prevention strategy.

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | December 19, 2025
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
A Philly violence prevention program didn’t return to most of its schools this fall. Here’s why.

The Safe Path program puts trained adults on and off school campuses to defuse fights and keep students safe in local neighborhoods.

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | November 26, 2025
FROM chalkbeat National
New support service by and for teachers aims to address trauma after school shootings

Teachers who survived school shootings are banding together to form a crisis intervention team

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | November 12, 2025
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Gun violence is a complicated and dismal topic. Here’s why I keep covering it.

Gun violence is down in Philadelphia, but kids are still getting shot. Here’s why we’re covering solutions to the problem and the role schools can play.

By 
Sammy Caiola
 | November 6, 2025