Office of Strategic Partnerships - School District of Philadelphia

Covid Updates – The School District of Philadelphia 77 District schools will temporarily shift to virtual learning due to COVID-related staffing challenges, at least through Friday January 7th. Read more HERE. Full list of schools HERE.

What qualities and capabilities does the next Superintendent need to bring to the job? 🤔

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We were happy to welcome Office Depot and their Start Proud! initiative back to the School District of Philadelphia for the 4th year in a row. This year over 1,000 backpacks were donated to students at Solis-Cohen Elementary. The local stores also collected $15,000 that the school can use toward additional supplies!!

A good day with great teams!

President of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia discusses tenure, accomplishments As students get ready to return to full in-person learning since the COVID-19 pandemic, the president and CEO of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, Donna Frisby-Greenwood, reflected

THANK YOU Bimbo Bakeries USA for donating $75K to the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia to support our students majoring in Culinary Arts.

More than half of this donation will go towards higher education and post secondary training scholarships for students who graduated from the Class of 2021. The rest of the proceeds will support a summer culinary arts training program run in partnership with C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program), plus equipment for culinary arts programs in a number of our schools.

Starting in August, healthy meal kits for families can be picked up at sites throughout Camden, Philadelphia, Norristown and Kennett Square. A list of sites can be found here: https://www.philabundance.org/pass-the-love/.

The Pass the Love campaign is coming to Philadelphia with 240k meals, inspired by , for our neighbors in need. Meals distributed in Philadelphia will help the campaign achieve its goal of distributing 1 million meals to families in need throughout the country. We’re excited to have the opportunity to partner with Partnership for a Healthier America and former First Lady Michelle Obama on this campaign that raises awareness about food equity and spreads the joy of cooking good food to families. Learn more and donate at WafflesAndMochi.org.

Great news! Btw, fare cards are valid M-F 5:30am to 8:00pm. Our students won't need to worry about traveling to and from extracurricular activities during out-of-school time. Read more at https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-students-free-septa-upgrade-changes-20210708.html

Starting in August, students who use SEPTA to get to and from school will use a new student Fare Card instead of a transpass. Eligible students can ride free on their first day of school and will receive their Fare Card when they get to school that first day. For more info visit https://bit.ly/3xv8Om3

Join our team! OSP is accepting applications for a Partnership Coordinator. If you're interested in developing tools and training, and enjoy building relationships with schools and providers, we'd love to meet you.

Apply now at https://aa080.referrals.selectminds.com/CENTRALOFFICE/jobs/partnership-coordinator-244

Visit http://bit.ly/sdpinpersonsurvey for more information on how to join the 5 focus group meetings via Zoom, and for the link to the reopening survey.

Join District leaders May 26, 27, & June 3 for a series of focus groups to share what excites & concerns you about returning to in-person learning this coming fall. Sessions in AM & PM. Interpretation available in Chinese & Spanish. Learn more & join: http://bit.ly/sdpinpersonsurvey

Join Healthy NewsWorks and former 6abc Action News reporter Vernon Odom for a virtual celebration on May 26 (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time). You’ll hear students interview Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, chef Michael Solomonov, ENON Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller, NFL player Malcolm Jenkins - NFL Defensive Back, and more. This year's theme is Doing the Undoable: What we endured, learned, and accomplished during COVID-19.

Registration is free! To learn more and register, click: https://healthynewsworks.org/2021-celebration/

Have you heard?? In just a few weeks our 10th anniversary book will be revealed! Join us for a special virtual event on May 26. We will have great interviews with amazing and of course, the kids! Register here TODAY: tinyurl.com/2021celebration
And please spread the word!

All 10-12th grade students are invited to register for one of many virtual sessions per day during Career Week 2021!

Career Week is a collaborative effort between the PA Office of the Attorney General, the School District of Philadelphia, and local businesses and government agencies designed to expose students to various career opportunities through shadowing, interactive experiences, and conversations with diverse, local professionals.

Students can register now at http://bit.ly/DareToDream2021

Hey listeners! Tune into WURD Radio tomorrow at 10 AM to hear from special guests Sean Vereen, President of Steppingstone Scholars, and OSP's Assistant Director Ayana Lewis! Learn about our partnership with Steppingstone Scholars and how they are helping to create college pathways for School District of Philadelphia students. Scholars Anyae Scott and Kai Whatley-Patterson will also be joining to share their experiences.

Listen at 96.1FM | 900AM or by visiting www.wurdradio.com

Phenomenal and authentic two hours gathering on zoom today with District staff and mentoring orgs!
Keeping it real. #100

Students Run Philly Style was excited to invite the renowned Dr. Torie Weiston-Serdan, who is the founder and CEO of Youth Mentoring Action Network, to hold a training on Critical Mentoring in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia Mentoring Community of Practice Group and the School District of Philadelphia Office of Strategic Partnerships. With over 220 people registered, the training reached Philadelphia School District staff and the majority of mentoring organizations from across the city!

It was an exciting opportunity to build a community and discuss this essential and relevant mentoring framework. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this possible!
Office of Strategic Partnerships - School District of Philadelphia
School District of Philadelphia
Summer Search Philadelphia
Girls Inc of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence
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On Tuesday, November 10th, from 4pm to 6pm, high school students are invited to the Meet the M.A.C College Fair. Students will speak to representatives from 18 colleges and universities.

Registration is required! Students can register at https://www.airmeet.com/e/403b4b10-1540-11eb-af82-fb5c5f3f9140

Meet the MAC is a series of events and programs sponsored by a consortium of 18 private Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Members of the MAC are comprised of Multicultural Admission Counselors dedicated to increasing awareness at small liberal arts institutions of higher education, foster academic excellence and opportunity for historically underrepresented students. Meet the MAC has provided opportunities for youth since 2003.

Meet the MAC and The Philadelphia School District Virtual College Fair | Airmeet Meet the MAC member colleges and universities in collaboration with The School District of Philadelphia present a Virtual College Fair

So happy to continue our partnership with OfficeDepot!! Their team donated 1,000 loaded backpacks to students at Forrest Elementary!! Congrats to our All-Star teacher Andrea Holton-Caison for winning a laptop, and classroom furniture.

In alignment with our mission to foster an antiracist culture committed to breaking down issues of systemic racism that contribute to social and educational inequities, we are proud to share the following racial equity guidance, which includes suggested action steps, reading and resources for our partners.

View our guidance in our most recent newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/dad7040cb51e/april-newsletter-from-osp-4761714?e=a250c2a2bc.

Guidance is also available and regularly updated on our website at https://www.philasd.org/strategicpartnerships/about/racial-equity-guidance/.

Your feedback is essential to the District’s plans for reopening schools in the fall. Please complete and share the survey with your student cohorts and their families by Monday, June 22nd!

REMINDER: Make your voice heard by taking 15 minutes and filling out the District Reopening Survey here: https://bit.ly/2N6xNqd

Class of 2020 Hotline for SDP students and families NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Phone: 215-400-4130
Tuesdays-Thursdays from 11-1pm

If you are looking for support with your postsecondary plans, college enrollment or financial aid, career and technical education (CTE), workforce or military opportunities, or have general questions about your transition after graduation, please call the SDP Senior Hotline at 215-400-4130 Tuesdays-Thursdays from 11-1pm.

You can also email the Office of Postsecondary Readiness at [email protected]

Teachers, students and families! Visit our Supplemental Learning Resources page via the District's Digital Learning Activities platform (scroll down), for FREE supplemental resources offered by our partners! https://t.co/YYVV4C1LKb?amp=1

Home We value your feedback! Let us know your input on the digital learning resources, navigating this website, and ideas for future trainings.

Sending a huge THANK YOU to our friends Office Depot!! Through a partnership with the National Parent Teacher Association, Strawberry Mansion High School will receive a generous $20,000 donation since has been postponed this year. Thank you for your continued commitment to School District of Philadelphia.

All Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. Visit www.philasd.org for details about the District’s K-12 Chromebook Loaner Program and resources for free and low-cost internet and wifi access.

While school buildings are closed, learning can and will continue for students. The School District’s remote learning plan will officially begin on April 20th. Teachers will help students review what they learned earlier in the school year and learn new content and skills that they would have learned during the 4th marking period. All K-12 students will need a computer and internet access to participate.

If you need to borrow a Chromebook, you can pick it up for free at your child’s school. Each school will share the specific pickup date and time for their school. Please visit www.philasd.org for more information, including how to access free or low-cost internet and wifi resources. Together, let’s have all students ready for remote learning on April 20th.

The School District of Philadelphia – Philly Elementary, Middle & High Schools

Coronavirus – The School District of Philadelphia The School District of Philadelphia will remain closed indefinitely. More about the closure, and other updates, in the letter from Dr. Hite HERE, provided in 10 languages.

Where to find free, nutritious food during COVID-19 | Managing Director's Office The City of Philadelphia and partners are providing free food for pickup at sites across the city.

The School District of Philadelphia – Philly Elementary, Middle & High Schools K-12 Learning Guides continue to be available online and at meal sites. A new set will be available starting Wednesday March 25. More info is HERE.

Coronavirus – The School District of Philadelphia K-12 Learning Guides continue to be available online and at meal sites. A new set will be available starting Wednesday March 25. More info is HERE.

Find free meals for students while schools are closed | Office of Children and Families Find meals for youth while schools are closed.

Families can access online math, ELA, science, and social studies Learning Guides for grades K – 12 at https://www.philasd.org/curriculum/home/supplemental-resources/.

Printed copies of Learning Guides will be available at all grab-and-go meal sites starting Tuesday, March 17th.

The District is providing a call center to provide tutorial support & answer questions from students who may be having trouble completing assignments in the guide.

This Learning Guide Hotline will operate Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., starting Tuesday, March 17th.

Call 215-400-5300.

Learning Guides – Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Grab-and-go meals and drop-in activity spaces for all Philadelphia students are being provided while our schools are closed. Details, including the list of sites, are available here.

Information on Assistance to Students During School Closure from the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia

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Good Morning Directors and Supporters:


It has been a busy weekend for District and City officials as they’ve been preparing for the two-week closure of schools.


Beginning this morning, breakfast and lunch will be available for pick up by students in 30 school buildings. These buildings have been designated because they are in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty. Any child can pick up breakfast and lunch from any of the locations between 9 am and Noon, Monday through Friday. Students will also be able to pick up academic packets for English and Math and pencils to work on those packets while at home.


In addition, the City of Philadelphia will have 50 recreation centers open across the City from 10 am – 6 pm and a late afternoon meal will be available. You may see the list of schools and recreation centers here.


Many of you have graciously offered financial support. At this time, the School District of Philadelphia does not require any outside financial support. We will, therefore, not request any at this time. Should the 30 schools find they need additional supports or the closure goes on beyond the two weeks, we may reach back out to you. For now, Superintendent Hite asks that you support Philabundance. There will also be Funds set-up at The Philadelphia Foundation and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey to provide additional supports to direct service non-profits that feed and house families. United Way will also provide rent and mortgage assistance for those families who are displaced from work during this period. More information about these efforts will be available by Wednesday and I will share a link with you at that time.


If you or members of your company wish to volunteer, we ask that you contact: Amanda Gamble, Chief Service Officer, Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service
215-686-3684, [email protected] .


As I’ve shared with our Board of Directors, we will get through this because of the support of caring Philadelphians like you. Thank you for your continued support of our schools and children and for your concern during this time. Please take care of you and your families as well.


The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia will remain open during this period. We are, however, working virtually. Please feel free to reach out to us via email or by calling. You may reach me directly at 215-979-7101.


Best Wishes,
Donna Frisby-Greenwood
President and CEO
The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia

While schools are closed March 16-27, the School District of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia Government will provide meal service and drop-in activity space for students at 80 locations.

• Meal sites (schools): Open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - noon. Two grab-and-go student meals will be available (breakfast and lunch).
• Activity sites (recreation centers): Open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Activities will be available and limited meals served at 3 p.m.

Find meal and activity sites in your neighborhood ➡️ http://bit.ly/2TPka2J

Happy AmeriCorps Week to our VISTA, Sydney Edelson! Sydney started her service year with OSP back in August and has since contributed much value to our team and work within the District -- the successful launch of the LEAD Initiative being one of her many projects. Thank you Sydney for your charisma and dedication to our students!

An Astronaut's view of Philly from 254 miles above Earth! We see you, partners! 🚀

Astronaut shares stunning photo of Philadelphia from space Astronaut Jessica Meir took a photo pf Philadelphia from the International Space Station, shouting out cheesesteaks and the Liberty Bell from above. Meir is currently aboard the ISS for NASA's Expedition 61 and 62.

OSP is excited to announce the launch of our LEAD Black Male Mentoring Initiative. The Spring pilot will begin in 3 School District of Philadelphia schools, with mentors coming from our partners in the Office of School Safety and the Pennsylvania State Police Heritage Affairs Commission.

Last week, our officers attended a formal Mentoring 101 training led by Mentor Independence Region where they demonstrated how passionate they are about mentoring our young people.

"It was one of the best trainings I've been to at the District, top notch," said Officer Ryan Smith. "It was organized and the message was crystal clear. I think it was also personal for everyone, there was a realness and authenticity around it. Sometimes these types of initiatives come up, and you can tell it won't be sustainable. This doesn't feel that way - there's fire behind it."

We are so grateful for the Office of School Safety, SDP's Director of Student Leadership and Involvement, Tyler Wims, Mentor Independence Region, and the PA State Police for making the launch of this initiative a success.

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our amazing Project Assistant Marianna Sann!! Our office would not be what it is without you!!

Thank you to the Philadelphia 76ers and PECO for celebrating black entrepreneurship with the School District of Philadelphia. Students from Edison, Clemente, Duckery and Dobbins got to visit the 76ers practice facility and learn about what it takes to run your own business. We appreciate Tobias Harris for stopping through!! Young entrepreneurs Trey Brown CEO and Founder of Spergo and author Aniyah Ayres of Aniyah's Mission were very inspiring!!

"Principals who have overseen improvements credited the gains to a variety of factors: from community partnerships bringing resources into their schools, to an emphasis on professional development for teachers and activities and clubs geared at bolstering student enthusiasm and attendance."

https://www.inquirer.com/education/best-schools-philadelphia-most-improved-district-charter-2019-20200210.html?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwAR3A6W26oZ5c6p6otoFo_X97thX4xYmUO6YIGGQkycGfMGoXMDqdzL9iUwU

Which are the best, most improved Philly schools? District reveals 57. As a group, district and charter schools in 2018-19 scored a 44 out of 100 on the School Progress Report, or SPR, a system-created assessment, weighted heavily on improvement.

Steppingstone Scholars in partnership with Temple University College of Education and the School District of Philadelphia hosted an exciting Career and Technical Education (CTE) Fair on Monday, February 3rd and Tuesday, February 4th.

Students from various CTE programs at Randolph HS, Mastbaum HS, Swenson HS, and Dobbins HS showcased their technical (hands-on) and academic skills to hundreds of 7th grade students as they considered their high school options. Programs included the culinary arts, automotive repair technology, dental assisting, health related technology, cosmetology, digital media production, plumbing technology, and many more!

High school students also got a tour around Temple’s campus, and heard from a panel of current and past Temple students on their experience in college.

Thank you UrbEd for organizing a wonderful screening of Just Mercy for our students at Carver HS, Constitution HS, and the Philadelphia Military Academy. After the screening, there was a Q&A with Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey from the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Councilmember Kendra Brooks from the Working Families Party, State Representative Joanna McClinton from the Pennsylvania House Democrats, Detective G. Lamar Stewart from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, and SDP's Director of Student Leadership, Tyler Wims. Students even got a chance to network with panelists and connect on how to be advocates for their communities. School District of Philadelphia

An incredible day celebrating Dr. King with Global Citizen, Repair The World Philadelphia, and the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia!! Building ‘Commit to Count’ boxes to spread the word about and designing ‘I Voted’ stickers.