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April 12, 2021

Dear School District of Philadelphia Parents and Families,

We know that this year has been filled with many uncertainties for our families so we want to share some important information about what you can expect for the remainder of the school year.

Hybrid Learning Plan Phase III Rollout

For Phase III, students in the following groups will be able to opt into the hybrid learning model, beginning the week of Monday, May 10, 2021:

• all students in grades 6-9 who have not yet returned, and
• students with complex needs in grades 10-12.

The Phase III Learning Model Selection Survey will open on Tuesday, April 20^th, and close on Tuesday, April 27^th. Phase III families will receive an email with instruction on how to sign up. If you choose hybrid learning, your child will be assigned a schedule to attend school in person two days per week and engage in digital learning three days each week, beginning the week of Monday, May 10, 2021. To prepare to welcome students, all staff will return to school buildings on Monday, April 26^th. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers will complete its readiness reviews for all remaining school buildings before staff return. For more details, please visit philasd.org/aes.

Phase III will be the final rollout of our Hybrid Learning Plan for this school year. Students not covered through Phase III will remain with 100% digital learning for the rest of the school year.

High School Graduations and Other End-of-Year (EOY) Celebrations

We know that being distanced from friends and teachers at school has been especially difficult for our seniors who envisioned a very different final year of high school. While nothing can make up for your experience this past year, we are happy to announce that:

• you will be able to safely celebrate with your friends and family (as safe capacity limits allow) at an in-person, outdoor high school graduation ceremony, as long as COVID-19 conditions allow for safe school gatherings, and
• as a special gift, the School District will be providing free caps and gowns for graduating seniors in the Class of 2021. If you have already paid for your child’s cap and gown, you will be reimbursed. Schools will share more details once the process is finalized.

Principals at schools with transitional grades will have the flexibility to safely hold Move-Up Day ceremonies. Other EOY events may be coordinated by each school’s leadership team.

All EOY activities will be held outdoors and strictly follow the safety guidelines established by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, including: universal mask wearing, self-screening of attendees prior to the event, and social distancing.

In-Person Summer Learning & Enrichment Opportunities

We’re also offering students across all ages and grade levels the opportunity to connect with their peers by providing an expanded menu of in-person learning and enrichment programs this summer. There’s something for everyone. Details about these programs and how to enroll your child will be sent to you or you can find details here.

I hope this information helps you to plan ahead for the rest of the school year, and gives you something to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you for continuing to be great partners in your child’s education.

Sincerely,

William R. Hite Jr., Ed.D.

Superintendent

The School District of Philadelphia