A Message from the FACE Office |
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The FACE Office sends a sincere thank you and congrats to all school communities as another unprecedented school year ends. Everyone, especially families, should be proud of their care and service to our students over the past 15 months! Learn how to find support and stay connected during the summer months below, and find other resources for families and students. Have a safe and restful summer! |
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Stay Informed During the Summer Months! |
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The School District of Philadelphia's website, www.philasd.org, is the best place to find the latest information about the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
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You can follow the School District of Philadelphia on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest updates on your social media feed.
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The School District of Philadelphia's Hotlines remain open during the summer months to answer general questions about the District. They are available in 10 languages, Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
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Families can sign up for a Parent & Family Portal account at any time to opt-in for text, email, and robocall communications and stay connected to your child's future grades, attendance, and more!
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CALLING FAMILY LEADERS: Apply for Select Seats on the District Family Engagement Action Group by Friday, June 4, 2021! |
The District Family Engagement Action Group is an opportunity for family leaders to become more informed about School District of Philadelphia policies and initiatives. In turn, members will provide input to District leaders and build relationships to amplify family voices. Members will champion the work of family engagement in their school communities by sharing information, best practices, and District news.
Applications are currently open for vacant seats in the District Family Engagement Action Group! Find schools that are eligible to apply HERE. Engaged families from those schools who are interested in serving should nominate themselves HERE by Friday, June 4, 2021! Questions about this opportunity? Email familyaction@philasd.org or call 215-400-4180, Option #3 for assistance.
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Provide Your Feedback on the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and Be Entered to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! |
Every year, the School District of Philadelphia conducts an evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the District-wide Parent and Family Engagement Policy. It is essential to gather input and feedback from District stakeholders on the policy to make the final version of the policy clear, accessible, and reflective of positive family engagement.
We are asking for a few minutes of your time to review the policy and complete a brief survey. Submit your response by Friday, June 18, 2021, to be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!*
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*One entry per person. Raffle entries close at 11:59 PM Friday, June 18, 2021. Randomly selected winners will be notified by June 30, 2021. |
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Join Us for the Last Return to In-Person Learning Reopening Focus Groups on Thursday, June 3, 2021! |
Welcoming students back to our classrooms five days a week, surrounded by caring educators, is the best opportunity to help them heal and recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join District leaders on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 11:00 AM or 5:30 PM to share with us what excites you and concerns you about returning to in-person learning.
There is no need to sign up in advance and interpretation is available in Chinese (Mandarin) and Spanish. By participating in these focus groups, you can help us to best meet your child’s in-person learning needs and plan for a successful 2021-2022 school year!
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ALSO IN JUNE: School Selection Survey & Community Focus Groups |
This Fall, PSSA scores will not be used as a part of the school selection process. So, we need your help in considering different admission requirements and alternative ways to match students with good-fit schools. We thank you in advance for providing your input by completing a 10-minute survey, found here.
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You can also join District leaders on Tuesday, June 8 or Thursday, June 10, 2021, for School Selection Community Focus Groups. Small group sessions will be offered at 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM on both days via Zoom. Registration is not required and interpretation will be available in Spanish and Chinese. We hope to see you there!
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Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) Updates |
Pennsylvania was approved to issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to families of school-age children who have not had access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures. |
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- All K-12 School District of Philadelphia students are eligible to receive the P-EBT benefit.
- Families who currently receive EBT benefits will begin noticing the additional funds, for each of their District students, added to their existing EBT card beginning in early May.
- For those who do not currently receive EBT benefits, the state will mail a P-EBT card to the household address on file in the District’s student information system (SIS).
IMPORTANT: If the address the school has on file for your student is correct, no action is needed.
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***Please Note: All student address information has been sent to the PA Department of Human Services. Requests submitted after April 16, 2021, may not be included in the P-EBT cards that began being mailed in May.
If necessary, families should continue to update their addresses on file through the website linked above. Updated addresses will be sent to the state in June. Families should then receive a new card at the corrected address as long as the previously mailed card has not been activated.
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FAMILY & SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT |
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June 2021 SAC Tip of the Month: Transitioning from One School Year to the Next |
As this school year comes to a close, we’ve pulled out an article from our archives to review how to wind down the school year with your School Advisory Council (SAC). This is a great time to think about how to wrap up projects and discussions, transition leadership roles, and prepare for next year. Read on for helpful suggestions! |
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Families Get Creative Together at Crayola Workshops! |
Students and their families enjoyed time spent together creating STEAM-inspired artworks during FACT workshops led by Family Engagement Liaisons Dalila Bedoya and Melanie Oeun-Greenhalgh. STEAM was a two-part series of FACT workshops; the first was called “The Future Me” facilitated by Family Engagement Liaison Joy McIntosh. |
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STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math is more than a lesson or class; it is a culture focused on engaging students to solve real-world problems. It prepares children for 21st-century careers by promoting creativity. We open our minds to new possibilities when we practice the habits of observing, imagining, and creating. Through this session, educators and families were able to learn how to promote creativity for their students, and students created STEAM-inspired art pieces!
Look out for more information from the FACE Office on how you can attend a Crayola workshop or other exciting family workshops in person or virtually next school year!
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FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS |
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Families: Get $250 or $300 Per Child, Per Month from the IRS Just By Filing Your Taxes! |
Most Philadelphia families with children qualify for a new monthly payment of $250 or $300 per child starting in July. This new benefit is part of the American Rescue Plan and could mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in direct payments to help pay for rent, utility bills, diapers, clothes, groceries, or anything else your family needs. |
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The good news is it’s really easy to receive! All families need to do is file their taxes, even if they don’t normally file or have no income. Most Philadelphia families can file for free with Campaign for Working Families, a safe and trusted partner of the City of Philadelphia.
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The Free Library of Philadelphia's Summer of Wonder Continues in 2021 |
Looking for fun ways to expand your mind and keep your summer fresh and engaging—even indoors? The Free Library has a Summer of Wonder experience for you! |
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From artistic inspiration to STEAM building projects, from writing groups to world exploration, connect with your favorite library activities, or try something brand new! Bonus: Participating in Summer of Wonder helps prevent out-of-school learning loss for kids and teens known as the “summer slide.” |
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Summer Employment for Teens and Young Adults - WorkReady Applications are Still Open! |
WorkReady Philadelphia is accepting applications from 12 to 24-year-old Philadelphia residents who are looking for paid summer employment.
WorkReady programs run from July through August and will include safe, in-person participation at least 3 days a week. Learn more about how a young person in your life can apply today!
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Applications for the Ellis Trust Enrichment Grants are Now Open! |
The Ellis Trust for Girls has opened its application for the 21-22 Enrichment Grant. Eligible public and charter high school girls can use the Enrichment Grant to fund extracurricular activities, high-impact programming, school supplies, and more throughout the 21-22 academic year. The application is available here and open year-round. For more information, visit their website www.ellistrust.org/enrichment-grants/. |
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#PlayItSafePHL: Connecting Children, Teens, and Families with Summer Activities and Information |
It’s important for students to engage in learning every day, all year round. That includes the summer! That’s why the School District of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia are proud to offer in-person and virtual summer learning and literacy programs.
Prepare your students for back to school in September by signing them up for educational support and opportunities this summer!
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Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective – Call for Student Advisory Council Applications |
The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective (PSEC) is calling for applications for its inaugural Student Advisory Council!
The PSEC seeks to create a social framework for change, specifically seeking to increase the number of Black, Latinx, and women Philadelphia students going into STEM careers by 2030. Learn how a young person in your life can get involved!
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Interested in reading more? Want to receive regular updates from the FACE Office?
Focus on FACE will come out on a monthly basis, but if you're interested in receiving regular updates from the FACE Office about programs, events, conferences, and more, you should sign up for our FACE Updates. Subscribe for FACE Updates by clicking the button below to the right.
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