UPDATE: West Philadelphia High School and 62 other public schools will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13) due to staffing shortage after Governor Wolf’s announcement earlier today regarding measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Montgomery County. Eleven percent of Philadelphia School District employees live in Montgomery County.

On Thursday, the School District of Philadelphia announced a plan that should help keep its students and staff safer as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health matter evolves. Beginning Friday, March 13, activities where large groups are gathered will be limited, including athletic contests, plays, concerts, as well as work-related travel for staff and school-sponsored trips through spring break.

Athletic practices will be permitted, but games will be postponed until further notice. All school-sponsored trips and work-related travel is postponed at this time unless approved by the superintendent.  Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association has canceled this year’s May Fair – scheduled for Saturday, May 16 in Clark Park – due to public health concerns associated with the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The decision was made based on the City of Philadelphia’s guidance to limit large gatherings in an effort to slow down the spread of the deadly virus.

“It’s not a decision we take lightly,” reads a statement from the May Fair Planning Committee. “May Fair has been a community tradition for 62 years and we hate to disappoint our neighbors, local organizations and businesses who look forward to this annual spring event. However, considering any emerging health risks, and our responsibility to the community, we feel this is the right decision.”  Continue Reading

UPDATE (Thursday, March 12, 2020): Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier has postponed all upcoming Community Conversation meetings (see below) due to increasing concern over potential spread of COVID-19 at social events. Stay tuned for updates once new dates are confirmed.

Community members in West and Southwest Philadelphia have a chance to meet newly elected City Councilmember (3rd District) Jamie Gauthier. She is organizing a series of community meetings, beginning this Wednesday (March 11) in Cobbs Creek. Residents are invited to share their thoughts on issues that are important to them and to help inform Gauthier’s legislative agenda. Food and childcare will be provided.

The following meetings have been postponed until further notice:  Continue Reading

Penn has extended its spring break for a week for all students and is preparing to switch to virtual instruction for the remainder of the spring semester beginning Monday, March 23 due to the coronavirus-related health concerns, according to a message from the administration sent Wednesday to university students, faculty and employees.

Students who are currently out of town are asked to not to return to campus. Students who are on campus are asked to depart effective Sunday, March 15, according to the announcement. University staff will be assisting departing students. Students in health-related schools and programs, who have already had their Spring Break, will continue their clinical rotations.

For more information and details, read the full message here.

UPDATE (3/11/2020): The 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for this Sunday, March 15, has been canceled.

(3/10/2020): Mayor Jim Kenney and city health officials have announced the first confirmed new coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Philadelphia and advised city residents to avoid large events.

City officials didn’t disclose any personal details about the infected person, but said it’s an adult who had been exposed to a previously confirmed case of the virus. This person has been quarantined at home, according to the announcement. Several coronavirus cases were reported in city suburbs, including Montgomery County, over the weekend, and multiple cases in Pennsylvania.

Despite the coronavirus spreading, city officials said that they’re not canceling large events in Philadelphia, including this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but urged residents to avoid large public gatherings with more than 5,000 people.  Continue Reading

The Penn Alexander School (PAS), the public K-8 school located in the Spruce Hill neighborhood, is searching for a new principal after its previous principal, Michael Farrell, accepted a post with the School District of Philadelphia at the end of last academic year.

A Consultative Committee has been formed to aid in the national search for the new principal. A public meeting with the Consultative Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 6-8 p.m. in the PAS cafeteria (entrance on 43rd St. between Locust and Spruce). This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the search process and to voice perspectives and ideas.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can provide input using a Community Feedback Form or you can email your input directly to Criterion Search Group at administrator@criterionsg.com.