Two School District of Philadelphia schools – the West Philadelphia based Penn Alexander School and South Philly based Girard Academic Music Program School (GAMP) – have received the 2021 National Blue Ribbon designation, according to an announcement by the District. Both schools are among the nation’s highest performing based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates. These are two of 13 schools in Pennsylvania – and the only two schools in Philadelphia – to achieve Blue Ribbon status this year.

Penn Alexander received the 2021 National Blue Ribbon designation for “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.” The school was also recognized as National Blue Ribbon School in 2016. Penn Alexander serves just under 600 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is the result of a historic partnership between the University of Pennsylvania and the District. Continue Reading

Philadelphia public schoolchildren returned to schools for full-time in-person learning on Aug. 31, first time since March 2020. Since the beginning of the current academic year, the School District of Philadelphia has been experiencing a shortage of school bus drivers, according to a recent announcement by Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite. This problem, actually, has been reported nationwide.

To mitigate this problem, the School District has launched a pilot program (Parent Flat Rate Program) that will offer a monthly payment to families who will opt out of bus, van or cab assignment and will transport their kids to and from school. All eligible families who will choose to enroll in this program will be offered $300 per month ($3,000 for the school year). Continue Reading

New Powel/SLAMS school building (photo from RogersArchitects.com)

A new public school building opened this morning in the Powelton Village neighborhood, as the 2021-2022 academic year begins and students return to full-time in-person learning for the first time since March 2020.

The new building, located at 3610 Warren St., houses the Samuel Powel Elementary School and the Science Leadership Academy Middle School (SLAMS). The 87,000-square-foot, two-story building is a joint project by Drexel University and developer Wexford Science and Technology.

To celebrate the opening of the new school building and the start of the new school year, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and School District Superintendent William R. Hite stopped by the school this morning. They greeted students and families and participated in the Opening Bell ceremony. Continue Reading

Summer Rock at The Green Tambourine.

The Green Tambourine is reopening soon for in-person learning!

Programs:

Beginning September 7th, the 9-year-old music studio located at 711 S. 50th St., will be offering in-person individual lessons for all ages, as well as group beginner instrumental classes for 2-4 kids and ensembles (vocal groups & rock bands). Go here for more info and to register.

Teachers:

• Julia is a vocalist and pianist with focus on classical and musical theater.

• Justin is a guitar player and classroom music educator who also plays bass, piano and ukulele. He loves funk, jazz and pop music.

• Evelyn is a pianist focusing on classical music. Continue Reading

UPDATE (8/25/2021): The School District of Philadelphia’s Board of Education voted on Tuesday night to approve a resolution to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all School District employees.

“It is the Board’s duty to protect our children, many of whom cannot get vaccinated, and being vaccinated is the best protection against the virus,” Board President Joyce S. Wilkerson said in a statement released Tuesday evening. “We believe that preventing COVID-19 infections through vaccines will lead to fewer missed school days, more in-person learning days, and ultimately, to improved student achievement.”

Following the Board’s resolution, School District Superintendent William Hite will develop a mandatory vaccination plan that would require employees, contracted workers and service employees who work in District facilities and on District property to be fully vaccinated and to submit proof of vaccination status. The plan would also include a process to request exemptions and accommodations for certain documented medical circumstances or “sincerely” held religious beliefs. Details of the plan will be developed and shared soon with District staff and school communities. Continue Reading

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