November 2020 | Focus on FACE Newsletter
FEATURED
Get the Latest Updates Regarding the Return to Hybrid & In-Person Learning
As of the initial publishing of this newsletter on November 9, 2020, Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade students whose families have opted-in to hybrid learning are set to return to school buildings on November 30. At any time, the Health Department may require us to halt our plans OR temporarily close a classroom, school, or the entire District to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Stay up-to-date with the latest information through the links and resources below!
FAMILY RESOURCES & INFORMATION
November Has a Short but Sweet List of Family Academy Online Offerings - Join Us!
November Sessions Include:

  • Virtual Wellness: Parent Tips for Helping Student Athletes to Stay Mentally and Physically Prepared During the Pandemic
  • Fostering Caregiver-Child Communication: Sexuality & Sexual Health
  • and Grant Writing 101!

Session descriptions, meeting entry information, and the translation request form can be found at www.philasd.org/FACE/FACT!
Please note important changes regarding multilingual sessions: There will no longer be multilingual Family Academy Online workshops on Thursdays. Instead, families can request interpretation for workshops in English on Tuesday and Wednesdays in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, French, Portuguese (Wednesdays Only), Russian, and Spanish.
The Get Help Page: Your One-Stop Shop for Assistance from Your Child's School
The Get Help Page is designed to assist families with getting the help they need with their student's education, classroom, and school. Find contact information and resources on this page for support.
School District of Philadelphia Hotlines
The School District of Philadelphia Hotlines remain open to answer general questions about the District. They are available in 10 languages, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
English:  215-400-5300
Albanian:  215-400-8480
Arabic:  215-400-8481
Chinese:  215-400-8482
French:  215-400-8483
Khmer (Cambodian):  215-400-8484
Portuguese:  215-400-8474
Russian:  215-400-8485
Spanish:  215-400-8489
Vietnamese:  215-400-8486
Reminder: Report Card Conferences to Take Place November 23-25, 2020
While report card conferences will look different this year, they are still a great time to reflect on your child's progress with teachers, as well as triumphs and challenges they may be facing during digital learning. This article from the Focus on FACE archives presents questions for both families and teachers to ask in order to have productive conversations.
Provide Your Feedback on the School District of Philadelphia’s Revised Annual Performance Report
The District is developing a new report on student and school performance, which would replace the School Progress Reports (SPR) beginning for the 2020-2021 school year. This report will align closely with the Board of Education's Goals and Guardrails. As part of the planning process, the Division of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability (ERA) is gathering feedback about what information to include in the report and how to present that information. Click here to provide your feedback!
A Family Engagement Liaison's Tips for Digitally Engaging Families
It’s already been two months of school, and we know that staying glued to your computer all day can be tiring work. Victoria Trower, Family Engagement Liaison at multiple schools throughout the city shares some tips and tricks that she’s seen schools use to continue to stay engaged with families!
New this Year: Find Your Future Fit with the Career Pathways Tool
The Collaborative Office of Postsecondary Readiness is proud to share our newest postsecondary tool: the School District of Philadelphia Guide to Career Pathways. This pathways tool will help students in grades 7-12 identify, build, and navigate a future career pathway by increasing their understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to begin a future career.
The Guide to Career Pathways presents a new and interactive way to explore careers and programs within the School District of Philadelphia. It features eight distinct, yet in-demand careers clusters highlighting current Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, military guidance, and postgraduate opportunities to help you plan for the future you!
November SAC Tip of the Month: Combining Title I and SAC Meetings
SACs in many different schools have adapted to meeting virtually and have continued the strong work of having meaningful conversations about school needs and growth. In this month’s SAC Tip of the Month, we want to remind you that your school’s Title I meeting and SAC meeting can be merged into one and the same meeting!
Free Library of Philadelphia Fall Resources for Students and Families
Check out the digital learning resources the Free Library of Philadelphia is offering for students and families this autumn. This includes a guide for selecting a high school, a fun Fall Reading Challenge, and more!
Choose a Healthier You This Holiday Season!
Celebrations are an important part of connecting with family members, especially during this time of year. However, we often end up overindulging and eating too much food at these gatherings. Eat Right Philly is here to help you “Choose a Healthier You” and avoid that this year! Read more for more information on portion control, healthy recipes for holiday favorites, and ways to be active as a family.
Meaningful Meals – FREE Healthy Food Boxes for Families!
The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia has been awarded $100,000 by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to launch the new Meaningful Meals program to provide Philadelphia families in low-income neighborhoods with boxes of healthy food. Families will be able to pick up 20-pound food boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy as well as sign up for a five-session series of virtual cooking classes to create healthy and delicious meals with their food boxes.
Grandfamilies of Philadelphia: Make Your Voice Heard!
Generations United, a nonprofit agency based in Washington, DC that seeks to improve the lives of children, youth, and older adults through intergenerational programs, policies, and strategies across the country, is conducting the Grandfamilies Project of Philadelphia.
Kinship caregivers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) of Philadelphia public school students are invited to share their experiences with the project and are eligible to receive gift cards for their participation. The deadline for participation in the online survey has been extended to November 15, 2020.
Stay Connected to FACE
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