Focus on FACE | September 2022
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Welcome to the Focus on FACE Newsletter!
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Welcome back to another year of Focus on FACE, the newsletter of the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE)! This newsletter will be distributed monthly to families signed up for notifications in Parent and Family Portal, those that opt-ed in through the FACE website and events, and all District staff (via SDP Connect).
Throughout the school year, we share important District announcements/news, blog articles on family engagement, and community resources. We especially love to highlight inspiring stories from parents, family members, staff, students, and community members across the School District of Philadelphia and all of the unique ways schools are supported. Have questions about Focus on FACE? Visit our website here or send us an email at face@philasd.org.
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Family Academy: Courses & Training (FACT) Is Back for the 2022-2023 School Year!
The FACE Office is excited to launch another year of family workshops, this year with live virtual, in-person, and pre-recorded sessions available. FACT workshops are specifically designed with School District of Philadelphia families in mind. They provide helpful information to support families, students, and school communities as well as resources, materials, and takeaways for bolstering student and personal success. Check out September's slate of virtual workshop topics:
- 9/15: Before and After School Programs in the District
- 9/20: Behavioral Health Supports in Schools
- 9/27: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- 9/29: Understanding the School Selection Process
These virtual workshops will be offered via Zoom at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on the dates listed. Interpretation is available in 10 languages but must be requested at least one week before a session. Visit the FACT website to learn more or email fact@philasd.org with questions. We hope to see you soon!
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Crossing “Back-to-School Anxiety” Off Your Back-to-School List
If back-to-school anxiety is a concern in your family, check out FACE's article HERE to get advice from two experts that work in our District on navigating these first few weeks of school.
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Families: Ways to be Involved, Engaged, and Informed This School Year!
There are a variety of ways to get engaged in your school's education and school community. Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions for getting started at both the school and District levels. The FACE Office is here to guide you through whatever questions you might have about supporting families and schools.
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School-Based Support
- Look for communications from your school(s) about upcoming Back-to-School nights and other important academic and wellness resources.
- Connect with your child's teacher(s) to establish a positive relationship at the top of the school year.
- Get in touch with your school's Family Engagement Laision to learn about school-based family workshops and others way to be engaged.
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District-Wide Opportunities
- Opt-in for email and text updates through Portal to receive reminders about workshops and District-wide events.
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News & Constituent Support
- Follow the District's official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts to get up-to-date and accurate information about the District.
- Use FACE's Get Help page to find contact information for support staff at your child's school and links to other helpful resouces.
- Contact the District's hotline at 215-400-4000, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or email ask@philasd.org with general questions. (Language hotlines here)
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The K-12 School Selection Process for the 2023-2024 School Year Opens at 4:00 PM on Friday, September 16, 2022 | |
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The School Selection process allows students currently in pre-kindergarten through 11th grade to apply to attend any school for the 2023-2024 school year with available space other than their catchment school. A catchment school is a school that corresponds with your address. The District’s school selection process:
- uses a centralized lottery and waitlist system,
- applies school-specific grades and attendance criteria,
- makes the online application available in 10 different languages.
Students, staff, and families can learn more about the School Selection process, school criteria, how to apply, and more at schoolselect.philasd.org.
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Student Immunizations, COVID-19 Vaccines, and More Health and Safety Information
Keep your child safe by staying up to date on their vaccinations. Pennsylvania law requires all students (K-12) to be vaccinated while attending school. Students that do not have the required vaccines may be excluded from school until they have received the appropriate vaccines or an exemption form has been submitted to your school nurse. Families can view immunization requirements on the Office of Student Health Services website. There, families can also view this year's Health and Safety Protocols and find where students can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
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COMMUNITY PARTNER MESSAGES | |
Are you a community partner interested in sharing resources here? Please contact us at face@philasd.org. | | |
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Want to Help Grow Strong Readers in Your Community? Learn About the Neighborhood Literacy Fund!
The best solutions for the community come from within. That’s why Read by 4th and Vanguard Strong Start for Kids are partnering with literacy advocates like you to support projects that change the narrative and lives of young readers in our city. The Neighborhood Literacy Fund supports community-driven solutions to the early literacy crisis by awarding up to $2,000 for projects that help grow Philadelphia’s young readers. Learn more and apply HERE.
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Find Free Food Near You!
Philadelphia residents can search for free food and meal sites through multiple programs and sites throughout the city. No identification or proof of income is needed for food sites, general meal sites, or student meal sites. Learn more today and use the flyers below to spread the word!
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Stay Connected to FACE
Interested in reading more? Want to receive regular direct updates from the FACE Office?
Focus on FACE comes out on a monthly basis. But if you're interested in receiving regular updates from the FACE Office about programs, events, conferences, and more, sign up for our email updates!
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