24-25 Philly School Experience Survey for Staff is Open!

The Philly School Experience Survey, formerly known as the annual District-Wide Survey, is open now for teachers, school staff, and school leaders! The Philly School Experience Survey is one of the best tools we have to gather your feedback and assess your perspective on numerous topics that impact school communities. School-based staff can take the survey by clicking the tile in their employee portal. The last day to take the Philly School Experience Survey is June 13, 2025.

Open Enrollment is Here!

Open enrollment for employee benefits starts May 1st and will run through May 31st. Making benefit elections has never been easier with the district’s new online enrollment system. Simply login to the District’s Oracle ERP open enrollment site: https://www.philasd.org/benefits/. For step-by-step enrollment information, go to the Oracle ERP help site: ERP help

Senior & Teacher of the Month Nominations are Open!

This school year – October through May – we are celebrating seniors and teachers who are consistent exemplars of determination and commitment to education. The nomination window for May is now open and will close on Friday, May 9th at 5 pm. Click here to submit your nominations today!

Equity in Practice: Asian American & Pacific Islander Culture

Join us on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 12pm – 1pm for a panel discussion celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. The discussion will highlight the AAPI community’s culture, traditions, and history. Panelists will include School District of Philadelphia staff and Community Advocates. Those who are interested can Register Here.

Equity in Practice: Jewish American Month Panel Discussion

Join us on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 12pm – 1pm for our Jewish- American Heritage Month Panel Discussion, in celebration of Jewish American Heritage month.This discussion will highlight the diversity and history of the Jewish community in America.Panelist will include School District of Philadelphia staff and Community Advocates. Those who are interested can Register Here.

Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest

Spread the word! Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest. 2025 Theme: Turn Awareness into Action. All submissions are due by May 23!

Visit bit.ly/sdpposter25 for entry details.

Exciting Micro-grant Funding Opportunity

The Fund has partnered with The Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle and is excited to announce a new micro-grant funding opportunity for all Philadelphia public schools! These micro-grants, ranging from $250-$500, are designed to support impactful projects like classroom supplies, field trips, student celebrations, and other initiatives that benefit our incredible students. Applications are now open and will remain so until May 5th, offering school leaders and teachers a chance to secure funding quickly and easily. Projects must be achievable within a short timeframe and align with the circle’s goal of enhancing student experiences. To learn more and begin your application, please visit HERE.

Our Class, Our Future!

Get ready to cheer on the future—our graduating seniors are stepping into their next chapter! Join the “Our Class, Our Future” celebration on May 29, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM at The Dell Music Center. Register your school by April 25, 2025, to secure a spot and enjoy provided transportation for far-off schools. Let’s make this a day to remember— Register now!

9th Grade on Track

We know that 9th grade is a critical time for students and an important factor in their long-term high school success. To ensure our students are “On-Track” and prepared for graduation in four years, we’ve implemented our 9th Grade On-Track (9GOT) strategy as part of Philadelphia Academies, Inc.’s 9th Grade Success Network (9GSN). The District is pleased to announce the expansion of our 9th Grade On-Track strategy.By expanding the 9GOT strategy and growing the number of schools within PAI’s 9th Grade Success Network, we are collectively able to reduce dropouts and increase four-year graduation rates. To learn more about our 9GOT work, including access to resources and recent success story profiles of Mastbaum’s students, educators, and administration, please visit our website here. Be sure to check out the latest story in The Philadelphia Inquirer about the 9th Grade On-Track initiative as well!

Recharge & Restore: Weekly Mindfulness-Based DeStress Sessions

The Office of School Climate and Culture is excited to offer For You, For Now, a stress management series, brought to you by our partner, Inner Strength Education. Each week, you’ll have two opportunities to practice simple, effective, evidence-based techniques to help you relax and recharge. Each session offers a variety of exercises and reflections, helping you release stress and tension through breathwork, movement, journaling, and more. Thirty-minute sessions will be offered at both noon and 1pm on Thursdays.

If you’re interested, please sign up through PowerSchool. Invest in your short-term peace and long-term well-being with these weekly sessions tailored for educators.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every year during the month of May, many join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). JAHM is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews’ achievements and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month. This was a result of a concerted effort by American Jewish leaders to introduce resolutions in both the U.S. Senate and the House urging the President to proclaim a month specifically recognizing Jews in America and their contributions to the United States.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Each year, May presents an exciting opportunity to learn about and pay tribute to the enormous and diverse contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made throughout American history.

National School Nurse Appreciation Week

National Nurses Week is an annual celebration held from May 6th to May 12th, recognizing the vital role nurses play in healthcare. It’s a time to express gratitude and appreciation for nurses’ dedication, hard work, and sacrifices. The week-long event, including May 6th, National Nurses Day. Thank you, school nurses!