Focus on FACE Newsletter | November 2023
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This month we're recognizing and celebrating: | |
Caregivers that get their children to school on-time, ready to learn, and support student learning at home | |
Families who give their time through volunteering, partcipating in School Advisory Council and Home & School, and attending report card conferences | |
School staff members who invite families to take part in their children's education as genuine partners | |
ALSO: Starting November 18th | |
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Celebrate with us at the first Family Academy: Courses & Training (FACT)
sessions of the year!
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Join us for all new family workshops this year, offered in TWO great formats: | |
In-person Family Saturdays with workshops for the whole family at 440 N Broad Street | |
• Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, November through May
• Held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Education Center at 440 N Broad Street
• Interactive, hands-on, and fun workshops for the whole family and parent-only topics
• Registration is required - find the form HERE
• Childcare, parking, SEPTA reimbursement, refreshments, books, raffles, and other giveaways available!
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Engaging virtual workshops, offered morning and evening and recorded to view later | |
• Held on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, November through May
• Held live on Zoom at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on the days they are scheduled
• Recorded for families to watch later on our YouTube channel
• Interactive and engaging presenters and content
• Registration is highly recommended
• Raffles and other takeaways!
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Interpretation is available for all workshops by request. Request by registering HERE at least eight days before the workshop you want to attend. | |
Check out our in-person AND virtual workshops happening in November! | |
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In-Person (440 N. Broad Street)
Healthy Meals for a Deal
Saturday, November 18th at 10:00am
Presented by Eat Right Philly
Building Math Fluency Through Joyful Experiences
Saturday, November 18th at 10:00am
Presented by the Office of Curriculum and Instruction
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Virtual (Via Zoom)
Paying for College: Just the Basics
Tuesday, November 28th live at both 10:00 am and 5:00 pm
Presented by Philadelphia Education Fund
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Take a Look at the New and Improved Welcome Center at 440 N. Broad Street! | |
The School District of Philadelphia’s Welcome Center has undergone renovations to improve visitors' experience and service. The makeover includes new furniture, upgraded technology- smartboard and 8 computers, a private consultation area, workshop space for large group presentations, and a children’s play area complete with toys, games, and books; and other remodeling improvements paint, signage, and carpeting.
The Welcome Center offers a welcoming and engaging environment for parents/caregivers, community members, and employees to access information and resources to support the success of all students.
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Welcome Center staff can support with:
• Navigating District resources & processes
• Questions about enrolling and transferring of students
• Parent Portal registration &
training
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• Volunteer paperwork
• Brainstorming strategies and possible solutions to help address concerns
• Information on bus schedules
• School programs & activities information
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• Graduation requirements
• Referrals and community resource information
• Interpretation or translation services
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Families Asking Questions (FAQs): Report Card Conferences | And just like that, the first round of Report Card Conferences are just around the corner! Are you prepared? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Report Card Conferences and visit our YouTube Channel to hear more about how you can rock your report card conference! | |
Explore Your Options at the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair | Interested in attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and don't know where to start? Explore all your options at the largest HBCU college fair on the East Coast. On Wednesday, November 15th, School of the Future will be one of many sites hosting this fair and will feature panels, workshops, scholarships and much more. Register here to secure your spot! | |
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Learn more about the Student Well-Being Survey (SWBS) | |
The Student Well-Being Survey (SWBS) is a 5-minute survey each student (in grades 3-12) is asked to complete at least 3 times a year. The SWBS gathers information on students’ use of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and competencies and how they feel about their experiences and relationships at school. Window 1 officially closed in October with 79% of students completing the survey!
The next window will open starting February 12th. For more information, visit Student Well-Being Survey website.
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Updated Spectator Guidelines for Athletic Stadiums | As we continue to rally behind and support our student-athletes, coaches and teams, we want to share updates to our spectator guidelines that prioritize the safety of our student-athletes, families and spectators, while allowing our competitions to take place safely and without interruption. | |
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Board of Education October Action Meeting Recap | |
At its October 19th Action Meeting, the Board of Education voted to add four new policies, amend 13 policies and eliminate one policy. The updates to the Board’s Policy Manual align Board policies to current law and practices, reflect the promise of local control and align with the policy revision timelines the Board expects of the School District.
The new policies focus on:
• The Parent and Community Advisory Council
• Principles of Governance and Leadership,
• The Office of Auditing Services, and
• The Office of Inspector General.
To see all Board policies, please read more here.
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Board of Education Goals & Guardrails Progress Monitoring Meeting - November 9, 2023 | |
Would you like to learn more about school-based vacancies and restroom and hydration station repair rates? Join the Board of Education for a Goals and Guardrails Committee Meeting on Thursday, November 9, at 4:00 pm, in the Education Center Auditorium (located at 440 N. Broad Street.)
The meeting will be devoted to Goals and Guardrails progress monitoring on Guardrail 1, Welcoming and Supportive Schools. For more information on meeting materials and speaker registration, please follow this link or contact us at schoolboard@philasd.org.
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District Partners: Connect with Parents and Guardians at our New Family Saturdays | Interested in sharing your organization's resources and services with District families? Every third Saturday of the month starting in November, FACT will host in-person workshop sessions with the hopes of providing learning opportunities to empower personal and professional growth for our families. Complete the Vendor Interest form to be considered! | |
COMMUNITY PARTNER MESSAGES | |
Are you a community partner interested in sharing resources? Click here to submit your resource! | |
A Podcast for Parents, by Parents: Notes From the Backpack | |
Friendships are a cornerstone of childhood, but some kids have an easier time making friends than others. Listen to psychologist, author and friendship expert, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore discuss how families can support their children in building and maintaining healthy relationships with their peers and how parents can coach from the sidelines. | | |
As new state & local laws target LGBTQ+ students, what can families do to ensure schools treat all students with care and empathy? Teen transgender activist Harleigh Walker and her father, Jeff Walker, share their advocacy experience and highlight how harmful policies are impacting school life for kids around the country and what you can do to help. | | |
First Book: Book Wish Grant Applications are OPEN! | |
The second round of the Book Wish grant is now open for applications! This is the grant supported by the William Penn Foundation that allows partners to request up to $5,000 to purchase books from the First Book Marketplace Stories for All Collection. Information sessions are Thursday, November 2 at 6:00 pm, and Friday, November 3 at 1:00 pm.
Applications are due Sunday, November 19. To register for the information sessions or to submit an application, click here.
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Learn how to gain new strategies on how to prevent bullying & promote positive peer relationships through this engaging workshop. Join this free discussion with Courtney Calloway, MSEd and Dai'jah Diggs, MA in partnership with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Register >>
Create Your Own Fall Tree "Salt Painting"
Get into the fall spirit with this cozy activity for the entire family. Students and Caregivers are invited to join artist, Gina Rice, to create beautiful fall-themed works of art! Register now to receive FREE art supplies will be sent directly to your door. Register >>
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