The Penn Community School Student Partnerships (CSSP) and the West Philly Recess Initiative program (WPRI) work on improving recess environment at Alexander Wilson and Henry C. Lea elementary schools in West Philadelphia. As part of this initiative, a campaign is underway to raise funds for new recess supplies. To donate, please visit this page.

WPRI is also looking for additional adult volunteers to work with Lea and Wilson students. WPRI volunteers help organize recess activities and assist the lunchtime staff. Their work includes encouraging interactive play, increasing physical fitness and outdoor play, and minimizing conflicts and bullying during recess. If you would like to help or for more information, please contact Kate Mills at: katewmills@gmail.com.

You can read more about West Philadelphia Recess Initiative here.

The Walnut Street West Library is hosting a Back to School Party (Facebook page) tomorrow from 4-6 p.m. Library staff will talk about the children and teen programs offered this school year, including LEAP Afterschool, Chess Club, Spanish, Robotics, Teen Book Club, Teen Movie Club and other fun stuff.

Supplies will be available for back-to-schoolers to make their own boomarks.

Free book bags with school supplies will also be available on first-come-first-serve basis. Rumor has it that there will also be free food and drinks.

Great news for the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools! The organization has achieved official non-profit status (501(c)3), which will allow it to apply for grants only available to registered non-profits and accept tax-deductible donations.

Here’s part of a statement from the WPCNS board: “Donations help [WPCNS] ensure that our neighborhood schools have the supplies they need, a full range of arts and music instruction, more after-school enrichment programs, and play areas that encourage activity while being environmentally friendly.”

The organization can now also submit grant applications to foundations in support of these initiatives. To read more about WPCNS initiatives and to donate, please visit their homepage. The website was recently redesigned and updated with lots of useful information, including School Catchment Finder.

The 2012/2013 school year is right around the corner as city schools prepare to welcome students back on Friday, Sept. 7. West Philly’s Samuel Powel Elementary located in the Powelton Village section was featured yesterday on local ABC Evening News. The news crew visited the school and interviewed some teachers and staff. See the video below.

iPRAXIS, a nonprofit located in the University City Science Center, is currently recruiting volunteer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) experts to work at their partner middle schools. Volunteers expose students to the STEM disciplines and increase their excitement for, and understanding of, science.

Different types of volunteering opportunities are available, including science fair presenters and project mentors and afterschool mentors. Mentoring begins as early as September 14 and the schools located in West Philadelphia are Belmont Charter at 4030 Brown Street, Martha Washington at 44th and Aspen, and Lea at 47th and Locust.

iPRAXIS volunteers range from students from the region’s universities to PGW engineers to CEO’s and leading surgeons. Click here to learn more about iPRAXIS and its impact over the years.

If you are interested in volunteering with iPRAXIS, please visit www.ipraxis.org and fill out a registration form. If you have questions, please call Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Program Director at 215-966-6253 or email: Meagan@ipraxis.org.

The Penn Alexander School last year warned parents hoping to register their children that there were “no guarantees” that spots would be available, even if they lived in the school’s much publicized “catchment.” This year, that warning became a reality for many parents. Not a single parent this year was able to get their child enrolled in grades 1-4, even those who waited in line for more than 24 hours.

Instead the parents were placed on a waiting list that includes students who were unable to secure a spot last year. Enrollment in Penn Alexander classes is capped lower than most other District schools as part of an agreement with the University of Pennsylvania, which subsidizes the school.

The School District of Philadelphia confirmed that the list includes students from last year who were unable to get a spot last year. A large number of parents in line last year were able to enroll their students, but not this year. Continue Reading