Focus on FACE Newsletter |  October 2023

The School Selection Process allows pre-kindergarten through 11th-grade students to apply to any school with available space outside their neighborhood or catchment area. Learn more about your child's school options and how families can participate today.

Check out our Families Asking Questions (FAQ) blog post to understand the quick basics of School Selection and visit the official School Selection website to learn the details of getting started.

Family Engagement Conference: A Roadmap to Student and Family Success

Saturday, October 21st 2023 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

440 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130

The FACE Office warmly invites you to the annual Family Engagement Conference: A Roadmap to Student and Family Success! This event is a chance for District families, community members, and staff to come together to empower parents and guardians as they support their child's academic success and wellness. 

Attendees will be able to attend family workshops with District offices to learn more about programs and supports for their children. The conference will feature a Resource Fair with community and District partners that provide critical resources for families.

We'll also have:

• A winter coat giveaway*
• Free books with a variety of grade ranges and languages
• Grab and go lunch*
• Raffles
• and more! We'll see you there!

Research shows that daily school attendance is critical for every student’s academic success and social-emotional well-being. Visit the new attendance website to view family checklists, calendars, and other resources to support your child’s attendance success.

The Student Well-being Survey (SWBS) is a 5-minute survey we ask each student (in grades 3-12) to complete, three times a year. The survey asks the students how they feel about their experiences and relationships at school. The answers they provide give us insight on the question “and how are the children (Kasserian Ingera)?” The first survey window ends October 20th.

The Philadelphia Board of Education has partnered with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to develop a Strategic Communications Plan. A key part of this work is to hear from a wide range of voices, including students, teachers, staff, families, and administrators, to identify opportunities to improve the Board’s overall communication to community members. Fill out the anonymous, community wide survey and have your voice heard.

Schools are invited to apply for “mini-grants” to implement data-informed initiatives that address an area for improvement in family engagement identified in their school’s Philly School Experience Survey (PSES, or District-Wide Survey) results. School leaders can learn more about the opportunity and apply by visiting this information document.

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!

Helping Families Experiencing Homelessness Navigate the Education System

The School District of Philadelphia and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) have teamed up to provide onsite assistance or elementary and secondary school registration issues. Meet Wendy Pereira, our Education Relief Liaison, who helps families connect to education resources (and more!) during the intake process. Read the rest of Wendy's story to find about more about how Wendy helps to navigate the enrollment process!

October is Bullying Prevention Month!

In recognition of October being Bullying Prevention Month, the Offices of Climate and Culture and Student Rights and Responsibilities are taking time to remind all of our school community members that bullying is prohibited and should be reported right away. Learn more about the District's Bullying Policy on the bullying and harassment homepage.

Philly's fourth annual family literacy festival is back and bigger than ever. Each year, community leaders design and host literacy events for families in their neighborhoods—increasing access to educational resources and promoting positive, joy-filled reading habits along the way. Over 70 free events are giving away 16,000 books citywide. And you're invited!

Children today use technology to learn, socialize, create, and more. The National PTA's mission is to support all children and help them reach their full potential. The Smart Talk tool increases the depth and success of your digital safety conversation with your child and as a family.

Internet access has become an essential part of fully participating in school, and the School District of Philadelphia wants to ensure your student has reliable, affordable access at home. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) allows District families to receive a discount on broadband service and computer devices. Learn more about how to start the process and find other options here.

The Art-Reach ACCESS Program allows Art-Reach ACCESS Cardholders and people receiving benefits from the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware to visit over 80 cultural sites for just $2! Check out their website to see the full list of sites you can visit with your family TODAY!

Help Your Children to Develop Better Peer Relationships!

Learn how to gain new strategies on how to prevention bullying and promote positive peer relationships through this engaging workshop. Join this free open discussion with Courtney Calloway, MSEd and Dai'jah Diggs, MA in partnership with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Eureka! October Workshops Offerings from Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. has some exciting workshops in the month of October, completely free for girls and families. Need help navigating FAFSA or maybe you wondered how eating and sleeping can affect your mental health? Register now for these two incredible workshop opportunities.

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