Message from Dr. Hite – July 31, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

I want to provide a quick update after yesterday’s reconvened Board of Education meeting where the proposed changes to our Advancing Education Safely reopening plan and the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar were approved.

The academic year will start on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, and end on June 11, 2021. All K-12 students will engage in digital learning five days per week and receive instruction from teachers from their enrolled school through the first marking period which ends on November 17, 2020. Students will then transition to a mix of in-person and digital learning as long as guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other indicators support that it is safe to do so. A 100% digital learning option will be available at that time, and we will continue to explore opportunities for students to be taught by teachers from their enrolled school. PreK students in District PreK programs will also receive digital instruction five days per week through the first marking period.

To view the approved 2020-2021 Academic Calendar, please click here.

In the coming weeks, we will share more details about key aspects of our planning, including: our Healing Together initiative to support the social-emotional needs of our students and staff; school bell and instructional schedules; Chromebook distribution and supports for students and staff; meal distribution for students; facilities improvements in schools; the plan for staff to return to in-person work; and more.

As I’ve said many times before, this school year will be unlike any other we have experienced. Creativity, collaboration, determination and flexibility will be critical skills we must all demonstrate in order to provide our students with the educational opportunities they need and deserve despite the unprecedented realities of COVID-19. We’re in this together and I truly believe that together, we can support a safe and successful school year for everyone.

Sincerely,
William R. Hite Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
The School District of Philadelphia