Category: Press Releases
School District announces Plan for Summer Work, new Cleaning Standards to Ensure Safe, Welcoming Schools
Projects underway in 46 buildings will improve conditions for more than 26,000 students PHILADELPHIA – “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our students,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent. “When our students are excited to come to school because their classrooms are modern, clean spaces, they are best poised for success.”…
Black Male Educators at Bethune School nationally featured on NBC News
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School was nationally featured on NBC News on Saturday, June 16, 2018. The story focuses on the number of Black male educators at Bethune School compared to the national average. Bethune School has 13 African-American male educators which is nearly 30 percent of the staff ; the national average is 2 percent….
School District Distributes Summer Book Packs to 37,000 Elementary School Students City-Wide
PHILADELPHIA — As the 2017-2018 school year ends, The School District of Philadelphia has distributed free books to approximately 37,000 pre-kindergarten through second grade students across the District in an effort to encourage summer reading. “Children who read during the summer months keep their skills sharp and will be better prepared when school reopens for…
Mayor, Superintendent Break Ground on New, $50 Million Solis-Cohen Elementary School
New school in northeast Philadelphia to open in 2020 and prioritize learning, health and sustainability PHILADELPHIA – Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent; Mayor Jim Kenney; City Councilman Bobby Henon; and other invited guests today joined together at Solis-Cohen Elementary School in northeast Philadelphia to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new, environmentally-friendly elementary school to be…
Mayor, Superintendent Highlight Funding Needs for Capital Projects in Public Schools
PHILADELPHIA – In solidarity with Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, highlighted the need for the adoption of the Mayor’s entire school funding proposal during a visit to Woodrow Wilson Middle School in northeast Philadelphia. The visit came just weeks…
School District Announces Opportunity to Accelerate and Expand Critical Building Investments
PHILADELPHIA – The School District of Philadelphia has announced a plan to accelerate and expand critical investments within its capital program, which would become reality if Mayor Jim Kenney’s entire school funding proposal for Fiscal Year 2019 is adopted. “The health and safety of our students is fundamental, and must be a basic expectation when…
School District to Expand Pre-Kindergarten Registration Hours
PHILADELPHIA — The School District of Philadelphia will offer extended hours at its Education Center the week of May 14 for families to enroll their children in school-based, full-day, free pre-Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year. “Providing our students a quality early childhood education is key to unlocking their potential later in life,” said Dr….
Read Testimony from Dr. William Hite, Superintendent, and Student for City Council Budget Hearing
PHILADELPHIA — On Wednesday, May 9, Dr. William R. Hite and several School District of Philadelphia students appeared before City Council to discuss school funding. Dr. Hite yielded his time to student Alfredo Pratico, whose testimony can be read here. Dr. Hite submitted his testimony for the record. It can be read by clicking here,…
School District marks Kindergarten Open House Week
PHILADELPHIA – The School District of Philadelphia celebrated the beginning of Kindergarten Open House Week with a celebration with Mayor Jim Kenney, Assistant Superintendent Deb Carrera, Principal Kimberly Newman, teachers, parents and kindergarten students at Chester Arthur Elementary School. “Enrolling in kindergarten on-time so that students are ready to learn their first day of school…
School District of Philadelphia Hosts 2018 College Signing Day with Former First Lady Michelle Obama
8,000 high school seniors celebrate heading to college with A-list celebrities PHILADELPHIA — Former First Lady Michelle Obama served as keynote speaker at The School District of Philadelphia’s annual #ReachHigher College Signing Day (CSD) event at the Liacouras Center at Temple University. Each year, CSD celebrates high school seniors choosing to pursue higher education at…