WE C(TE) YOU!

This month is also Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month — a time to celebrate the powerful impact and value of CTE and the accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. The District’s CTE program provides learning opportunities for Philadelphia students to develop professional skills and provides intensive training and instruction outside the traditional classroom curriculum — setting them up for success in high-demand careers. You can learn more about the incredible work of our CTE students and staff on the CTE Month website.

440 FARM STORE

To kick off CTE Month 2022, Fox Chase Farm has officially opened a student-run Farm Store inside the District Central Office at 440 N. Broad. This store, a satellite to the original Fox Chase Farm Store, offers products created by the District’s culinary and agriculture students or products that directly represent the work done on the farm. All goods are produced right here in PA. To celebrate CTE month, through March 11th services and products will be expanded to include wares created by additional CTE programs including construction and manufacturing and graphic design. Starting this week, the 440 Farm Store will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm through the rest of the school year. Stop down and support our CTE students — all proceeds directly support the District’s CTE programming.

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK!

February 7-11 is National School Counseling Week – a time to recognize and celebrate the critical work of our school counselors who support the social and emotional well-being and academic success of our students. Our counselors make tremendous impact on our schools and city every day by actively engage in helping students examine themselves; partnering with parents and families; and collaborating on the development of educational systems that allow students to realize their potential. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page that week as we’ll be honoring some our counselors every day by sharing their stories online. And make sure to say THANK YOU to our school counselors on social media using #SDPThankACounselor and #PHLed.

JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINES DAY!

Today the Office of Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) launched the I ❤️ Parent Portal campaign, which will encourage families to sign up for Parent Portal — the best way to stay connect with student progress and District news. Families who open a new Parent Portal account between now and March 27 will be entered to win iPads and $50 gift cards. There is an incentive for schools as well! The eleven schools that increase their Parent Portal signups the most will receive monetary rewards at the end of the campaign! Gotta ❤️ it! Share this kickoff video and start spreading the word today!

YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE

…Your colleagues that is! Nominations are still open for the 2021-2022 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals and Teachers. You are encouraged to nominate a colleague who you have seen going above and beyond and serves as a source of inspiration for peers and students!  Nominations for the principal award close on Friday, February 11, 2022 at noon, while applications for the teacher award close on Monday, March 14, 2022 at noon.

LOOKING FOR A NEW PATH?

The brand new Pathway to Leadership Principal Preparation Program might be for you! This unique program, a collaboration with Temple and UPenn, will combine traditional principal certification preparation classwork, coaching and mentorship, as well as tailored and specific training to prepare strong leaders within the School District of Philadelphia. The programs seeks to develop equity-centered leaders, diversify the pipeline of leaders seeking assistant principal and principal roles within the District and encourage retention and growth by helping talented staff attain certification. Applications are due to the participating universities by February 20 and applications for the District’s summer 2022 cohort are due by March 1. For application instructions and more information, view this program information document or contact Lauren Miller at lemiller@philasd.org.

GEAR UP!

This year, the District was awarded a $29.5 million GEAR UP grant to support college-planning and readiness services for twelve School District of Philadelphia high schools and 30 middle schools. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a competitive grant program of the U.S. Department of Education that aims to bring college preparation and awareness to students in low-income communities, helping them to bridge the economic gap between themselves and their more financially advantaged peers by getting a college education. Read more about this year’s grant here.

WE ALL NEED A LITTLE!

Congratulations to the students of Hill-Freedman World Academy‘s Hill-Freedman Records for releasing their studio record “Love and Healing”. The 32 track album intends to amplify students’ perspectives on the challenges of the past two years, from the pandemic to racialized violence, and showcases how music can be used for healing. Make sure to watch the music video for the title track and to listen to the entire album here.

EMPOWERING OTHERS

W.D. Kelley Elementary School  Principal Crystal Edwards is not just a fantastic school leader. She’s also an inspiring entrepreneur who founded Empowering Single Moms Inc. Motivated by her own experiences as a single mom, Principal Edwards stood up the organization to educate, house and restore single mothers receiving federal assistance through self-sufficiency training, conflict resolution and educational programs. Single moms are empowered through a variety or programs and training including career and goal analysis, parenting classes, health & wellness support and employment networking. Principal Edwards was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show in January. Here’s more of the story.

SHE’S VERY (FUL)BRIGHT

Congratulations to Science Leadership Academy alum Megan Doe on being selected as a Fulbright scholar. The scholarship is a prestigious award that provides grants for research projects or English teaching assistant programs. Megan, who is pursuing a master’s degree in global studies and international relations through Northeastern University, will teach English in Germany with her Fulbright. She believes language and cultural exchange are critical to creating mutual respect between people of diverse backgrounds. We agree! Congratulations Megan!

WHO’S GOT THE JUICES FLOWING?

The U School graduate Tyler Riddick. Now 21, Tyler was recently featured in KYW’s Philly Rising column for her entrepreneurism. This year, she opened a multi-functional creative studio — Hilvl Studios — that is rapidly becoming a home for local musicians, podcasters, photographers and designers to explore their own creativity and make their dreams come true. Tyler credits her role models, including her mother and a teacher from The U School, Mr. Reed, for inspiring her to be a role model and support to others. Read the full story here.

Dec. Teacher of the Month – Stacey Siegel

Watch the video HERE.

Dec. Senior of the Month – Bendu Borbor

Read her profile HERE.

Dec. Senior of the Month – Kadiatou Sacko

Read his profile HERE.

Jan. Teacher of the Month – Shawn Comfort

Watch the video HERE.

Jan. Senior of the Month – Anyelo Taveras-Marte

Read his profile HERE.

Jan. Senior of the Month – Malcolm Miller

Read his profile HERE.

The Equity Coalition is helping to lead the District’s celebration of Black History Month. Check out the newsletter for a list of everything that’s happening and information on how you can get involved!