Storm-related Updates for District Schools

Posted on September 2, 2021
Categories: News from SDP

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Dear School District of Philadelphia families and staff,

First, thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work through the many impacts of yesterday’s inclement weather on our School District operations. Our communication earlier today was shared later than we would have liked and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our families. Please know that decisions were made based on the best information available at the time, and plans were in place to support the staff and students who were already en route to schools as well as those with later tiered start times.

Our goal at this time is to share additional updates regarding school operations with our families as quickly as possible. Here’s what you can expect for today and tomorrow:

For today, Thursday, September 2

  • All schools will dismiss at their normal time. All staff will remain in schools until all students have been safely picked up or dismissed.
  • All after-school activities are cancelled. This includes practice, games, extracurricular activities, and after-school care.
  • Please note: SEPTA has confirmed that at this time they will continue to provide transportation support across all areas of the city, excluding the flood-prone Manayunk and Roxborough areas. All families and staff should expect SEPTA and yellow bus delays throughout the remainder of today.
  • School staff will be communicating directly with families about dismissal for the following schools in flood-prone areas: Shawmont Elementary School, Cook-Wissahickon School, AMY Northwest, Thomas Mifflin School, Academies at Roxborough and Walter B. Saul High School. SEPTA has confirmed that their services will be available at that time to support the safe transport of students and staff.
  • All schools should ensure students are taking their Chromebooks home with them today and provide students with the needed Google or Zoom link in order to support digital learning tomorrow.

For tomorrow, Friday, September 3

The City has shared that road conditions and other impacts from the storm are not expected to improve by tomorrow. Therefore:

  • All District schools will engage in 100% digital learning. School buildings will be closed and there will be no in-person learning or instruction.
    • Instruction will align to schedules here and teachers will continue to use the Academic Framework to plan and implement lessons.
  • Students who participate in quarantine learning, will join their school’s course, or class, for Friday.
  • All after-school activities are cancelled. This includes practice games, extracurricular activities, and after-school care.
  • The District’s Education Center at 440 N. Broad Street will also be closed, staff are expected to work remotely.

The impact of the storm to our entire city is a continuously evolving situation. We will remain in close contact with all key City of Philadelphia agencies, and will provide further information and updates as needed as we continue to monitor the effects of the storm. Thank you for your continued commitment and support of our students and schools at this time.

Sincerely,

The Office of Communications