The School District of Philadelphia has temporarily shifted dozens of schools to virtual learning due to staffing shortages stemming from the omicron-related spike in COVID-19 cases. The 81 school buildings have closed for students starting today until at least through Friday, Jan. 7. The full list of these schools can be found here.

Principals were expected to communicate directly with students and families with information regarding virtual instruction. Staff at these 81 schools are still expected to report to work in person unless they are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID testing or exposure, have COVID-like symptoms and are awaiting test results, or have an approved leave.

All other District schools were expected to reopen after winter recess for in-person learning starting this morning.

The School District of Philadelphia’s superintendent, William Hite, will transition from his role at the end of the 2021-2022 school year after 10 years of service. The District will officially begin the search, both locally and nationwide, for the next superintendent in the next two months.

Hite, 60, announced his decision to step down in September.

The Philadelphia School Board of Education began hosting a series of 17 listening sessions – in-person and virtual –  this week to collect input on hiring the next superintendent.

Two in-person listening sessions will take place in West Philadelphia at People’s Emergence Center (325 N. 39th St) this week. This is a great opportunity for West Philly families and all interested individuals to make their voices heard by providing input on the skills, talent and foresight the next Superintendent needs to bring to the District. Continue Reading

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

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