The School District of Philadelphia has announced today that 35 more schools can re-open for in-person learning starting next Monday, March 22, according to the agreement with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT). The following school buildings have been approved for re-opening:

Bache-Martin School
Clara Barton School
James G. Blaine School
Bridesburg School
George W. Childs School
James Dobson School
Paul L. Dunbar School Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced reopening of 45 more schools for in-person learning, in addition to the first cohort of 53 schools that have reopened today. The following schools will reopen for in-person learning on Monday, March 15:

A.L. Fitzpatrick School

Abram Jenks School

Alexander Adaire School

Andrew Jackson School

Benjamin B. Comegys School Continue Reading

Pre-K through second-grade students will begin returning to school buildings for in-person learning on a rolling schedule beginning Monday, March 8, according to an announcement today by the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

The announcement was made following the conclusion of the mediation process between the District and the PFT, which will allow the union to review the safety plan for each school building.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia public school students in grades preK-2 who had opted for the hybrid learning model were supposed to return back to school buildings on Monday, March 1. However, due to the ongoing dispute between the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the mediation process by a third party currently underway, virtual instruction for all District students will continue until further announcement.

The City-led third-party mediation process between the School District and PFT on the phased reopening of the city’s public schools is nearing conclusion, according to today’s announcement by Mayor Jim Kenney. Details will be finalized over the next few days, and will be announced publicly at a joint press conference with the City of Philadelphia, School District of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on Monday, March 1, at 1 p.m.

The School District of Philadelphia has postponed the reopening date for its schools from Feb. 22 to March 1. The decision to delay the reopening, which is part of the District’s hybrid learning model, was made due to the ongoing third-party mediation requested by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT). The organization has instructed teachers earlier this month not to return to school buildings until it is decided by a third party that it is safe to do so.

The District is now planning to begin the first phase of the hybrid learning plan, which includes welcoming students in PreK-2 back to school buildings, on Monday, March 1. Older students will be phased in later. No additional dates have been provided yet.  Continue Reading

Public school teachers and staff were supposed to return to school buildings today ahead of the students’ return to schools as part of the School District’s hybrid learning plan set to launch on Feb. 22. However, as instructed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) on Feb. 4, the staff didn’t report to school buildings due to COVID safety concerns.

Since the District has announced the return to the hybrid learning model, which includes a partial instruction inside school buildings, the opposition to the plan has been mounting. PFT has issued a few statements opposing the plan until building safety conditions are met.  Continue Reading