The School District of Philadelphia
440 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
Press Contact: Vincent Thompson - (215) 400-4040
The School District of Philadelphia Host Second Annual Back-to-School Block Party
The block party is the start of the District’s "Imagine Greatness" back-to-school campaign for 2009-10 school year
PHILADELPHIA – Thousands of Philadelphians attended the Second Annual Back-to-School Block Party today, hosted by The School District of Philadelphia and Radio One Philadelphia. The free all-day event was held at the School District’s Education Center, 440 North Broad Street.
The inside and outside of School District headquarters was transformed into a fun and informative one-stop location where parents received valuable information so their children are ready to go back to school. The first day of school for District students in grades first through 12 is Tuesday, September 8.
The Back-to-School Block Party featured information tables staffed by nearly 100 different District departments and community groups, fun activities for the family, food, student musical performances, give-aways and prizes.
"The beginning of a school year is full of promises and possibilities," School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman said. "Imagine the high hopes every child brings to the first day of school and think about how the children are depending on us to make them happen. That is how we measure our success. With teamwork, collaboration, dedication and the conviction that student success is our top priority, I believe we can look forward to a great year. Meanwhile, let’s not forget what President Barack Obama often says, "It’s cool to be smart!" "
The School District’s back-to-school theme for the 2009-10 school year is "Imagine Greatness." The District is implementing next month phase one of Imagine 2014, a five year plan to transform Philadelphia’s public schools. Imagine 2014’s key priorities are Student Success, Quality Choices, Great Staff, Accountable Adults, and World-Class Operations.
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to making sure:
- Every child deserves a great teacher
- A great teacher in every classroom
- A great principal for every school
- A great system of supports for every school
- Every great teacher deserves to be rewarded
The Back-to-School Block Party is part of the School District of Philadelphia’s overall commitment to getting the 2009-10 school year off to a great start and making sure parents get vital information about the upcoming year and how the District’s new Imagine 2014 plan will work for their children.
During the 2009-10 school year, The School District of Philadelphia will invest tens of millions of dollars to implement Imagine 2014, which will impact every classroom and school in Philadelphia.
Among the investments parents will see when school open in September includes:
- The most dramatic single year reductions of District wide class sizes in recent history. The average class size in grades kindergarten through third will be one teacher for no more than 26 students.
- Providing additional counseling staff to reduce the current student-counselor ratio of one counselor for every 500 students down to one counselor for every 250 students in the District's middle schools and down to one counselor for every 300 students in District high schools.
- Revising the high school roster in the District's comprehensive high schools to allow for more electives and an improved curriculum.
- Expanded social service supports for the parents and caregivers of Philadelphia students so medical, psychological, economic and social problems do not become barriers to learning.
- Expansion of early child hood programs.
"The active participation of parents is growing stronger every day," Dr. Ackerman continued. "As a result, our children are achieving at higher levels and District initiatives are more responsive to school, family and community needs. So long as we continue to work together, our children’s dreams will no longer be deferred but delivered. Nothing less than the engagement of the entire community will help us to realize every promise and possibility outlined in our strategic plan, Imagine 2014."
The School District of Philadelphia wants to thank the Philadelphia Housing Authority, CIGNA, Bank of America and PECO for supporting this year’s Back-to-School Block Party.
The Back-to-School Block Party is the second consecutive year the School District of Philadelphia has teamed up with Radio One Philadelphia and the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) to be part of Joyner’s nationwide one-day Back-to-School initiative that places an emphasis on education at any age. TJMS radio personality Jawn Murray broadcasted live from the School District Education Center throughout the Back-to-School Block Party.
"Radio One Philadelphia is excited about our continued partnership with the School District of Philadelphia," Radio One Philadelphia Vice President/General Manager Andrew Rosen said. "The Tom Joyner Back-to-School Block Party is an entertaining yet necessary vehicle to disseminate information, book bags, and other vital materials to parents and children who are preparing for the upcoming school year. WRNB 107.9 FM, 100.3 FM the Beat, and PRAISE 103.9 FM are delighted to support the community, parents, and children of The School District of Philadelphia."