Posted on January 9, 2022
Categories: News from SDP

At this time, 88 School District of Philadelphia Schools Will Have Virtual Learning for Students This Week Due to COVID-Related Staffing Challenges

7 p.m. update: 3 additional schools were added to the list for a total of 91

  • Kenderton Elementary
  • Building 21 Philadelphia
  • John Moffet School

Dear School District of Philadelphia families,

The Omicron surge continues to impact staffing in our schools and central offices. We will continue to keep as many of our school buildings open as consistently as possible as long as we are confident we can maintain safe and orderly school operations. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continually review data to identify any school(s) where we will need to temporarily shift to virtual learning in the best interests of our students and staff. Based on today’s data review, an additional 33schools will be 100% virtual for students this week, Monday, January 10th through Friday, January 14th, 2022. The 33schools, which are in addition to the 46 District-operated schools and nine Opportunity Network schools we announced on Friday, are as follows:

Alexander Mcclure School Julia De Burgos Elementary Randolph Technical High School
Allen M. Stearne School Mayfair School Richard Wright School
Bridesburg School Mitchell Elementary School Robert B. Pollock School
Frankford High School Murrell Dobbins High School Robert E. Lamberton Elementary
George Sharswood School Northeast Community Propel Acd Roxborough High School
Gilbert Spruance School Ombudsman Nw Samuel Gompers School
Hancock Demonstration School One Bright Ray – Mansion Day Samuel Powel School
Henry C. Lea School Overbrook Educational Center Strawberry Mansion High School
High School Of The Future Overbrook High School The U School
John Bartram High School Philadelphia Military Academy Thomas M. Peirce School
Jules Mastbaum High School Prince Hall School Warren G. Harding Middle School

Principals and teachers will be contacting students and families directly with more information about virtual classes. Staff at these schools are still expected to report to work in person unless they are ill, self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID testing or exposure, or have an approved leave.

As a reminder, starting Tuesday, January 11th, the number of grab-and-go meal sites will expand from 12 to 24. Five-day meal boxes will be available for pick-up on weekdays from 9-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. for any School District student who is temporarily learning virtually or quarantining at home. Visit philasd.org/covidupdates for the up-to-date list of schools that will provide virtual learning this week and details about grab-and-go meal sites.

All other schools beyond the 88 now listed on the website will provide in-person learning at this time. We are committed to making school-by-school decisions based on the most current staffing data, which can change quickly. Any changes to in-person schools based on overnight data will be shared with families and staff at the impacted schools by 6 a.m. each day. Any changes based on changes throughout the day will be shared by 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day. 

Please know that we are doing everything we can to safely keep as many of our schools open as possible. We understand that planning in this rapidly changing environment is challenging for our families and staff, and ask that you continue to prepare for the possibility of either in-person or virtual learning at any time. Thank you for your ongoing flexibility as we work through this process together in the best interests of our students.

Be safe and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

With appreciation,

Dr. William Hite
Superintendent