SDP Connect: Back-to-School Edition
SDP CONNECT
Back-to-School Edition
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
- Malcolm X
In the Spotlight
Tristan Bouyer, high school senior and percussionist from Masterman High School, began playing percussion in fifth grade thanks to the free music lessons offered at his middle school. Since then, he has become a mainstay in various in-school and extracurricular music programs, including the Masterman Orchestra & Jazz Band, the All-City Orchestra/Band and the All-City Orchestra Summer Academy, the Music and Mindfulness summer retreat and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. This exposure has provided meaningful opportunities for Tristan to grow not only as a musician but as a person. Upon graduation, he plans to get into a good conservatory or music program and continue to hone his music skills.
WHAT'S NEW
First Day
Since Dr. Watlington became the new superintendent on June 13, anticipation for the first day of school has been high! On his first day of school, he visited six schools: Paul Dunbar School, Gloria Casarez Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Strawberry Mansion, Academy at Palumbo, and John Patterson School to welcome our students back into the classroom! See the inspiring photos here and be inspired to make every day this year a great one!
New Names, Who Dis!
This year, two District schools are showcasing brand new names that celebrate the identities and cultures of the students who attend them. Three cheers for Gloria Casarez Elementary (formerly Philip H. Sheridan Elementary) and Castor Gardens Middle (formerly Woodrow Wilson Middle) Check out their respective websites to learn more about their name changes.
It’s Playtime!
Research shows that structured recess can be a fun opportunity for students to build relationships and develop social/emotional skills, and have a positive impact on school climate and academic achievement. Aligned with our commitment to providing all students access to safe, fun, pro-social recess, the Office of School Climate & Culture has partnered with Playworks, a nationally recognized provider of high-quality recess training and support. SDP’s Playworks pilot, which took place last year, has marked us as a national leader in recess equity. This programming is available to ALL schools. The District’s goal – is that all K-5, K-8, and standalone middle schools would receive support for high-quality recess. To learn more about recess supports available through this partnership, contact Daniel Merin at dmerin@philasd.org.
SEPTEMBER FEATURES
BTS Bus Tour
The 2nd annual Back-to-School Bus Tour was an amazing success! The bus stopped at 11 events throughout the city of Philadelphia to provide students and families with the info and resources they needed to prepare to return to school. The SDP Street Team gave away nearly 17K backpacks and engaged over 10K families. Thank you to all who took the time to help to make this year’s Back To School Bus Tour a huge success!
Eye of the Tiger
On August, 28, Mission Tiger, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and CBS Sports hosted a rookie tackle flag football game between two SDP Middle schools – Hopkinson and M.Y.A. The organizations teamed up to provide new uniforms and sporting equipment for these schools. They also donated $75K to the Middle Grades Conference to support them in growing and expanding team sports for middle grades. Recruiting new coaches for teams that currently couldn’t participate during the 2021-2022 season due to staff shortages, as well as the ability to expand programs to schools that have been on the waiting list to start a football program. The game was recorded to create a commercial to be aired this fall. They’re great!
The Philadelphia Military Academy
Gold stars all around for The Philadelphia Military Academy (PMA). For the first time in at least ten years, PMA was recognized with the highest ranking by the Department of the Army as a Gold Star, which represents the Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD). There are over 1,700 Army JROTC programs and 3,400 total JROTC programs in the US and overseas. Less than five percent (5%) of the Army JROTC programs achieve this recognition. The Philadelphia Military Academy was awarded an Honor Unit with Distinction for the 2022-2023 school year. At ease cadets, you’ve done a great job! Read more about PMA’s prestigious honor here.
Health & Wellness
Launch of SDP’s Wellbeing Hub!
Welcome to the School District of Philadelphia’s new Wellbeing Hub Powered by On The Goga! The Wellbeing Hub is your one-stop shop for wellness resource libraries, self-care tips, workout plans, empowering articles and more. The hub is open for business but still under development, so we encourage you to sign up now and get excited about even more health and wellness content coming this fall!
Check out this introductory video to learn how to access all of the content, monthly workshop registrations and resources. Then, follow the steps in this one-page stepper to get started in the Wellbeing Hub. Finally, stay tuned for September’s updates about even more awesome options and opportunities for SDP employees!
Be sure to share this with your family so that everyone can benefit!
Sign Up Today!
Use Custom Sign-Up Code: philasd
*Note: You can use your personal email or company address
Get Connected and Maximize Your Health Plan Benefits!
There’s a quick and easy way to get the most from your Independence Blue Cross (Independence) health plan benefits! Sign up for email or IBX Wire text messages to get important information including:
- Personalized reminders when it’s time for an annual check-up or screening
- Timely notifications and updates about your health plan
- Tips to save money when you use your health plan benefits
Have your Independence member ID card handy — you’ll need your ID number from the front of the card.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Important Dates
- 9/16 – Full Day PD
Schools closed for students. - 9/25 – Rosh Hashanah
Schools and offices closed.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month! We couldn’t be more honored to acknowledge the many contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans who have paved the way for others to succeed. Learn more.
Suicide Prevention Month
It’s Suicide Prevention Month and we want to do our part by helping to prevent suicide by bringing more awareness. We can all prevent suicide by educating ourselves more about mental health and suicide, aiding others in crisis; thereby changing the conversation around suicide. Learn more.
International Day of Peace
September 21 is International Day of Peace also known as World Peace Day. This day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. What are you doing to promote peace?
OFFICE SPOTLIGHT
Division of Operations
The Operations Division oversees a wide variety of work to maintain and improve the 326 buildings that support the students and staff in our School District. It includes the Offices of Capital Programs, Environmental, Facilities & Maintenance, Food Services, and Transportation. The collective work of these teams helps to ensure safe and healthy environments for our students, and contributes to the educational process, by providing healthy meals daily and coordinating the safe and efficient travel of students to and from school every day.
New Back-to-School Command Center
An Operations Division Command and Communications (C2) Center was established to support the opening of School Year 2022 – 2023. The C2 Center is designed to enhance situational awareness about operational issues, primarily in the areas of Facilities, Maintenance, Transportation Services, and Food Services, to bolster efficiencies in addressing and resolving issues throughout the District during the initial two weeks of this school year. Read More.
Summer Work Recap
The Operations Division was busy this summer! On top of the annual summer work to improve the learning and working environments in every school and office, the Operations team also supported the success of various summer programs, like credit recovery, extended school year, and more.
Operations Division Summer Successes
- Capital Programs – currently managing 77 active projects including the construction of 2 brand new schools; modernized 117 classrooms across 9 schools and are in the later phases of various improvement projects such as six ventilation upgrades, two playground additions, two bathroom modernizations, installation of more than 500 window air conditioning units in 42 schools this summer, and more.
- Facilities & Maintenance Services – completed 4,100 work orders across multiple schools and trades including painting, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical.
- Environmental Management & Services – installed 60 hydration stations, bringing the District total to over 1500 across all schools, and performed 14 separate asbestos abatement or remediation projects.
- Transportation Services – created a new route tiering system to maximize resources and efficiency, and delivered student fare cards to every school for students who ride SEPTA.
- Food Services – transitioned to a new food provider that offers healthier meal options for students and is in the process of repairing or replacing the walk-in refrigerators or freezers at 12 schools.
Learn more about our Operations Division and the amazing work they do by visiting the Operations website or reading their monthly Operations Newsletter.
DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTERS
Check out what's going on in other departments around the District
Check out the Equity Coalition newsletter for upcoming events, podcasts, professional development opportunities and more!
RESOURCES
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Exciting news for all teachers, school leaders, and central office staff! The US government has made changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that can result in student loan forgiveness for teachers, school leaders, and central office staff. Click here for more information on how to apply. Note: You must apply before October 31, 2022.
Get a Little Extra
See the Office of Grant Development’s list of grant opportunities on its website. View the newsletter for more information.
Observe & Report
Your help is essential in ensuring the School District runs efficiently and fairly. Report suspected wrongdoing within the district to the Office of Inspector General here.
Spread the Word
We’re hiring. Everywhere! Know someone who’s searching? Send them to workinphilly.com.
Keep Track
Follow the District’s progress towards the Goals & Guardrails.
Stay Sharp
Cornerstone has PD for all employees, some specific to Central Office.
TRIVIA
What is the estimated number of families that were engaged and estimated number of backpacks that were given away at this year’s Back-to-School Bus Tour?
The first central office employee and the first school-based employee with the correct answer will win a prize!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Boosting morale means thinking of fun and engaging ways to connect with one another. Which of these activities would you participate in?
Inter-Departmental/Scholastic Competitions (Ex. Family Feud, Trivia, etc.), District Sports League, SDP Staff Art/Talent Show
Communication's Corner
The Office of Communications strives to make news, information, and resources easily accessible. Every month we will provide information and reminders to help keep you connected.
Here’s a helpful hint: Working on a project or campaign in your office? The communications team provides helpful resources like branding and color guides, presentation templates, and photo catalogs, to help you keep your projects stylish and on-brand. Just click here!
Have a story to share or someone to celebrate? Submit your story idea click here