The School District of Philadelphia is sending its Back-To-School buses to 31 city neighborhoods starting Monday, Aug. 9. This new program will provide important information and services to students and families, including free state-required childhood immunizations at four event sites, as they are preparing for the return to in-person learning on August 31st.

Students and families will also have an opportunity to communicate with the School District’s Street Team Ambassadors to receive back-to-school information, register for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, sign up for the Parent Portal and receive a free backpack and school supplies. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced updates to their Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Learning on August 31st. All students, staff and visitors, regardless of their COVID vaccination status, will be required to wear masks indoors, according to the revised plan, which follows newly revised guidelines from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) on Philadelphia Schools.

The School District will also have the following safety measures in place when the new academic year kicks off on Aug. 31: Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of Curio Theatre Company

Curio Theatre Company will hold two in-person summer camp sessions for children in grades K through 8th next month with a limited number of students due to COVID safety protocols. Session one will be held from July 5-16 and Session Two from July 19-30. Session One has mostly sold out, but some spots are still available for campers in grades K through 2nd.

Some of you may be familiar with Curio’s scholarship program. The 16-year-old West Philly theatre company has always strived to offer year-round theatre education to all area children, regardless of their financial situation. Especially in 2021, Curio believes in the power of “safe and responsible” creative outlets for kids and is offering in-person education with limited capacity. After being virtual for so long, Curio staff can’t wait to get back into playing spaces with creative campers. Since the number of campers this year is limited and to be able to give scholarships to kids who cannot afford camp tuition Curio needs to raise about $7,500. Continue Reading

Here’s some more exciting news from the historic Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion.

You may have noticed a new wood log installation near the road not far from the entrance where Tiny Circus usually holds its performances during West Craft Fests. By the way, that area is called a Community Welcome Zone. Here’s the story behind the installation, according to the Woodlands’ Program and Operations Manager Emma Max.

The Woodlands has recently completed tree work as part of the general tree upkeep and maintenance program. One large tree had fallen and two large trees died over the past year, which is not uncommon with over 1,000 mature trees onsite. Placing the large, hollowed out logs in the Community Welcome Zone was the idea of the Woodlands Arborist, Chris Arader of Arader Tree Service. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has come up with alternative ways to celebrate Halloween in the neighborhood this year after the annual Tot Parade was cancelled. A neighborhood scavenger hunt is currently underway with some great prizes for those who submit correct entries. Here’s how you can participate:

The 10 letters that spell “Spruce Hill” are spread throughout Spruce Hill (see map) and all you have to do is find them! Full instructions, along with clues and a submission form are available online here, or you can print out a hard copy of the form and submit your answers in the mail slot at the Spruce Hill Center, located at 257 South 45th St.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (10/24/2020): Spruce Hill Community Association has launched a neighborhood Scavenger Hunt. Here are more details:

Spread throughout Spruce Hill are the 10 letters that spell “Spruce Hill.” All you have to do is find all 10 letters! Full instructions, along with clues and a submission form, can be found online, or you can print out a hard copy of the form and submit your answers in the mail slot at the Spruce Hill Center, located at 257 South 45th St. The first 100 entries with all 10 correct locations will receive a small prize supporting one of neighborhood businesses after the hunt closes. Deadline for submission is Sunday, Nov. 1 at midnight.

Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has canceled this year’s Halloween Tot Parade, an event that had been held for 23 years. Instead, neighborhood residents are invited to participate in a virtual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade, which will take place online at www.sprucehillca.org. Submit photos of your Halloween costumes or decorations via email to shcahalloween@sharypic.com, or tag your Instagram or Twitter posts with #SHCAHalloween from October 30 to November 1 and you’ll appear in the virtual parade!

SHCA is also hosting a Spruce Hill neighborhood scavenger hunt, which will launch this weekend. There will be a bunch of great prizes to those that successfully complete the search.  Continue Reading