The summer break for Philadelphia schoolchildren is coming to an end, as the 2018-2019 school year for public schools is set to begin on August 27. This Thursday (Aug. 16), the School District of Philadelphia is hosting its annual Back-to-School event at the High School of the Future (4021 Parkside Ave), from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The first 8,000 students will receive free book bags filled with school supplies. The event will also feature an on-site free Cuts and Curls salon, student enrollment services, children’s eye testing, on-location dental services, information tables, educational workshops, free giveaways and a fun Kids Zone.

For more information, please call the Office of Family and Community Engagement at (215) 400-4180 (option 5) or visit the School District website.

The School District of Philadelphia is inviting parents and guardians of prospective students to Kindergarten open houses this week. During the District’s Kindergarten Open House Week, running May 7 through 11, schools across the city open their doors so that prospective students and parents can visit and get acquainted with their neighborhood schools, ask teachers and principals questions, and even register for school.

A full list of Kindergarten Open House Week events and schedules can be found online here. Children are eligible for kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year if they will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2018. More information about kindergarten registration can be found here.

Superintendent William R. Hite talking to students at Alain Locke Elementary School (Photos courtesy of Philadelphia School District).

The School District of Philadelphia has announced an expansion of its early literacy pilot program and will provide modernized classrooms and materials to pre-Kindergarten through third grade students at 11 additional schools, including in West Philadelphia.

One of the schools already participating in this pilot program is Alain Locke Elementary School in West Philly where the announcement was made earlier this week during Superintendent William R. Hite’s visit. Due to its low performance in reading proficiency at the beginning of the year, Locke received upgrades from the District, including: desks, chairs and seating options better suited for students’ age groups; improved lighting, new paint, new cabinets and new closets in classrooms; and new technology in classrooms to support small-group instruction.  Continue Reading

Mayor Jim Kenney announced the nine members of the Philadelphia Board of Education, which will govern the city’s schools after 17 years of state control. The board will officially begin work on July 1.

The new nine-member board, which includes six women and three men, was chosen from dozens of candidates. Check out the full profiles of all the members here. Social worker and administrator Julia Danzy will chair the board. The board also includes two members – Joyce Wilkerson and Chris McGinley – of the School Reform Commission, which was appointed by the state to run the school district. SRC members voted to dissolve the commission in November 2017. It will cease to exist on June 30.

The new board will embark on a “listening tour” around the city later this month. Members will be at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library at 52nd and Sansom on May 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Do you want to support early childhood education and have a great night out? Would you bid on a Cape May vacation or some original artwork? How about a birthday party package to University Family Fun Center or a new bike? These are some of over 100 items featured at the 14th annual Saint Mary’s Nursery School (SMNS) annual fundraiser:

Spring For Our School Silent Auction & Party

Saturday, April 21 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Harnwell College House Rooftop Lounge
3820 Locust Walk
Tickets: $45 (adults only) at www.stmarysnursery.org/sfos

Who is Saint Mary’s Nursery School? SMNS is a diverse, non-denominational school with a 54-year history in West Philadelphia, home to 150 children between 18 mo – 10 yrs and involve many active family members in our co-op program.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (March 22, 2018): The Snow Emergency declared in the city on Wednesday morning was lifted at 6 a.m. on Thursday, so it’s now safe to park vehicles along snow emergency routes.

Due to Wednesday’s snowstorm, all School District of Philadelphia schools will open on a two-hour delay on Thursday, the District has announced. All buses will operate on a delayed schedule pushing morning pick up times back by two hours. All District-operated early childhood programs will also open on a two-hour delay. After-school activities including athletic programs and professional development sessions set for Thursday will continue as scheduled.

District administrative offices will open on time as regularly scheduled.