Registration is now open for the School District of Philadelphia’s new “Digital Academy” for those Philadelphia public school students who would like to stay home while the COVID-19 epidemic continues. The digital academy allows families to opt in to a 100 percent virtual learning and instructional model for students enrolled in grades K-12.

Students registering for the Digital Academy must remain in that model throughout the first two terms of the academic year, and will only be able to transition out at the start of the third term.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia plans to open schools on Sept. 2 under a hybrid model that for most students will include two days a week in the classroom and three days a week online, officials announced Wednesday morning.

The plan calls for four-day-a-week instruction (Monday through Thursday) for special education students with “complex needs” and Pre-K students.

Students will also be able to opt-in to an all online “digital academy.” Registration for this program will begin at the end of July, according to the plan. Students who choose the digital academy will have to remain in that mode of instruction through the end of the first quarter and then can opt in to the hybrid model if they choose. More information on enrollment in the digital academy will be available later this month.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia is working on a school reopening plan for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year and will be hosting several one-hour Virtual Town Hall sessions from Tuesday, July 7 to Thursday, July 9. Students, parents/caregivers and community members are encouraged to participate and provide feedback.

Sessions will be hosted by a District leader and focus on a key planning area such as health and safety, cleaning practices, school schedules, and curriculum and instruction. Here are the details:  Continue Reading

As the School District of Philadelphia plans for the upcoming academic year, they are asking parents/guardians, students, community members and school and District staff members to participate in an online School Reopening Survey, which should take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey is seeking feedback on remote learning experience and what’s most important for the safe return to school buildings.

A final decision about the 2020-2021 school year is expected to be announced in July. The decision will be based on the following set of principles: the health and safety of students and employees, the consistent delivery of high-quality educational experiences for all students and the engagement of the School District community.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced some changes to the 2019-2020 academic calendar to reflect the new date for the primary election, which was moved from April 28th to June 2nd due to the COVID-19 health emergency. Students will now be expected to participate in remote learning activities on Tuesday, April 28. On Tuesday, June 2, District schools will be closed, and remote learning activities will not be required.

The District has also announced a change to its grab-and-go meal distribution program. Beginning Thursday, April 23, the distribution of student meals will be held once a week, instead of twice a week. Every Thursday, the District will provide students with 5 breakfast and 5 lunch meals as well as a half-gallon of milk. The one-day-per-week schedule is a proactive measure the District is taking to minimize social interactions and help flatten the coronavirus curve. Social distancing, the use of masks and gloves, and other safety efforts are practiced at meal distribution sites to ensure everyone’s safety.  Continue Reading

All Philadelphia public school buildings will remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year, according to an announcement on Thursday by the School District of Philadelphia. This decision was made in compliance with a new directive by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Instruction and learning will soon begin remotely. A “review and enrichment learning phase” for all students will take place for two weeks beginning April 20. Instruction will continue beginning May 4 with new lessons in all content areas, aligned to grade-level standards made available to teachers on a weekly basis.  Continue Reading