This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Wed. Apr. 1. North Region Music and Arts Festival. 6–8 p.m. Grover Washington Middle School, 201 E. Olney Ave, (B St. & Olney Ave). Featuring the Regional Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, Chorus, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Girls’ High Jazz Band, Dance Ensemble and performers from Birney and Lowell Schools. Free admission. For information, email Joseph W. Showalter at showal@philasd.org.
Fri. Apr. 3. Promising Practices Symposium. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Cira Center, 2929 Arch St. The Project U-Turn Promising Symposium will feature local and nationally proven strategies to support dropout prevention and re-engagement efforts. Event is free. For information, call Folasshade Laud-Hammond at 267-502-3706.
Sat. Apr. 4. Zulu Nation Citywide Youth Movement. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent & Community Resource Center (first floor), 440 N. Broad St. Educational workshop about college preparation, completing the FAFSA, financial aid, dual enrollment, advanced placement, and preparing for the ACT and SAT exams. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Sat. Apr. 4. District Community Meeting on Imagine 2014. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Benjamin Franklin High School. 550 N. Broad St. The School District of Philadelphia needs your input in improving and planning the future of public schools. For information, call Denise Hurst at 215-400-5837.
Tue. Apr. 7. North Star Spoken Word Café. 4–6 p.m. Jimmy John’s, 1601 N. 15th St. (on Temple’s campus). The Art Sanctuary North Stars students invite Philadelphia youth to join them for a spoken word café. Bring your rhythm and your rhymes. Free admission. For information, call M. Palmer at 215-232-4485.
Wed. Apr. 8. School Reform Commission’s Oath of Office Ceremony. 1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. New SRC commissioners Robert L. Archie Jr. and Johnny Irizarry will be sworn in to their new positions.
Wed. Apr. 8. Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum. 8–10 a.m. Harrisburg Hilton Hotel, 1 N. Second St., Harrisburg. The forum will feature a presentation and discussion about Project GRAD USA. Guest speakers will include Tycene Edd, vice-president of Project GRAD USA, and Dr. Gregory Thornton, superintendent of the Chester Upland School District. Continental breakfast will be served. No registration fee, but seating is limited. RSVP at http://www.eplc.org/news.html.
Thur. Apr. 9. Mayor Michael Nutter Addresses Budget. 6 p.m. Temple University’s Anderson Hall, Room 17, 1114 W. Berks St. State Senator Shirley M. Kitchen, and state representatives Jewell Williams and Tony Payton Jr. join Mayor Nutter for a discussion about the current economic crisis and its impact on the city’s budget. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Tue. Apr. 14. Philadelphia Home and School Council General Meeting. 6–8 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Room 1075. All parents and caregivers welcome. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Tue. Apr. 14. PAL Teaches Life Skills. 12 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent & Community Resource Center (first floor), 440 N. Broad St. The Police Athletic League (PAL), a nonprofit organization, will share life skills and experiences to help youth become more successful productive citizens. Session will be supervised by a full-time member of the Philadelphia Police Department. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Wed. Apr. 15. School Reform Commission Planning Meeting. 2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. To register to speak, call 215-400-4040 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Wed. Apr. 15. Autism Sharing and Parenting. 6:15-8 p.m. 8th & Market Sts., 7th floor. Workshop will present information that can help you and your family deal with autism on a daily basis. Light meal and child care provided. To RSVP, call 215-413-7106. For information, email nasya06@msn.com.
Thur. Apr. 16. Annual All Philadelphia High School Music Festival. 7:30 p.m. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St. Concert will feature the All City High School Concert Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Over 500 students from 25 high schools in the District will be represented. Concert is free and open to the public. For ticket information, call Virginia T. Lam at 215-400-5974 or email vlam@philasd.org.
Fri. Apr. 17 & Thu. Apr. 30. Center for Community and Professional Services Pennsylvania: School for the Deaf. 1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent & Community Resource Center (first floor), 440 N. Broad St. Workshop will provide parents with information about the educational, social, and personal services that deaf students are receiving. Gail Bober, the school’s director, will provide instruction. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Sat. Apr. 18. Project Alpha/Project AKA. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.Thomas Jefferson University, Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust St.A free yearly program designed to educate youth about sexual health awareness, prevention and abstinence issues, self-esteem, and responsible decision-making. Parent workshops are also available for information on how to talk to teens about sexual health issues. For information, call Linda Medley at 215-869-1163, or email LindaAMedley@aol.com.
Sat. Apr. 18 Autism Awareness Night with the Phillies. 3-6 p.m. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, 1800 Pattison Ave. Come enjoy food, fun, and the Phillies. You can bring your favorite covered dish or food for the grill. To RSVP, call 215-413-7106 or email nasya06@msn.com.
Sat. Apr. 18- Sun. Apr. 19. Free Library Festival. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St. The Free Library Festival connects book lovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region with the culture makers of the literary world. For information, call 215- 567-4341, or email authorevents@freelibrary.org.
Mon. Apr. 20. Title I Parent Advisory Committee Meeting. 5:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. The Title I PAC meets every month to discuss parent involvement in Title I issues.
Wed. Apr. 22. School Reform Commission Action Meeting. 6 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. Immediately following the meeting, a special SRC session will be held to take public testimony about the District’s 2009-10 operating budget, the 2009-10 budget of the Philadelphia Intermediate Unit, the 2009-10 School District Capital Budget and Program, and amendments to all three. To register to speak, call 215-400-4040 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting. To testify at the budget hearing, call the Office of Chief Business Officer at 215-400-4500 by 4 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Thu. Apr. 23. Philadelphia Home and School Council West Region Meeting. 9:30–10:30 a.m. West Region Office, 3543 Fairmount Ave. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Thu. Apr. 23 & Fri. Apr. 24. Families First. 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Kencrest South, 540 Morris St. If you have a special needs child, come learn about Individual Family Services Plans, Individual Education Plans, the Early Intervention System, and how to get help for your child. For information, call Cathy Roccia-Meier at 215-204-1772, or email cathyRM@temple.edu.
Thu. Apr. 23. ELWYN’S Philadelphia Autism Network. 6–7 p.m. Elwyn SEEDS Early Childhood Center, 3300 Henry Ave. For families and professionals living and working with autism. Meetings are free. No registration required. For information, call 215-254-2001/2069.
Sat. Apr. 25. Site Selection and Special Education. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Room 1075. Sessions will provide information about how teachers get selected for schools and supports for kids with autism and other learning challenges. Open to all parents/guardians, with the exception of the September Officer Training and March President’s Summit. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Home and School Council. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Sun. Apr. 26. Legs Against Arms 5 K Run/Walk and Celebration of Youth. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave. Help support the elimination of youth violence in Philadelphia. Hosted by Physicians for Social Responsibility, this event includes interactive educational displays and speakers. All proceeds benefit violence prevention. Children 14 and under will get a free hot dog and drink. For information, call 215-765-8703 or visit www.legsagainstarms.org.
Sun. Apr. 26-Tue. Apr. 28. Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools 2009 Annual Conference. Ritz-Carlton and Lowes Hotels, 10 Avenue of the Arts (Broad St.) and 1200 Market St. Philadelphia. Receive professional development and meet with decision-makers who are exploring better ways to provide a quality education for the state’s children. For information and to register, visit www.pachartercoalition.com/main/upcoming_events/conference_2009.html.
Mon. Apr. 27. SRC Parent and Community Roundtable. 5–7:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Room 1080. Groups focus on recommending new policies to the School Reform Commission based on concerns brought by parents. For information, call Arenda Bethel 215-549-9356.
Mon. Apr. 27. Philadelphia Home and School Council Central Region Meeting. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Central Region Office, 540 N. 13th St. For information, call 267-912-4056 or 215-351-3807.
Tue. Apr. 28. Community Forum Hosted by the Interfaith Social Change Movement. 6 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent & Community Resource Center (first floor), 440 N. Broad St. This community-based organization of various religious leaders throughout Philadelphia will talk about its business and career exploration program. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Tue. Apr. 28. The Arc of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Vision. 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. The Cast Iron Building, 718 Arch St., 6 N. Find out what’s new in Chapter 14 regulations, how it affects you and your student, and what inclusion looks like. To register, call Ana Pacheco at 215-923-3349 or email apacheco@visionforequality.org.
School Calendar
Mon. Apr. 6 – Fri. Apr. 10. Spring recess. School closed. Administration offices open, except Friday.
Mon. Apr. 13. High School report cards.
Mon. Apr. 13 – Fri. Apr. 24. TerraNova testing, grades 1-2
Wed. Apr 22. Half day (professional development)
Mon. Apr. 27 – May 8. PSSA testing, grades 4, 8, and 11 (Science).