Summer is just around the corner, and there is a new permanent federal child nutrition program designed to keep kids fed during the summer months when school is not in session: SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT). SUN Bucks can be used to purchase groceries and will be issued to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card. For the summer of 2024, eligible children will receive $40 per summer month, $120 total.



While SUN Bucks might look similar to P-EBT, a pandemic-era program to support kids, the rules for qualifying are slightly different. Many children will qualify for this benefit automatically, but some will need to apply directly for SUN Bucks. Visit the SUN Bucks website for more information.

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) conducts the Philly School Experience Survey (PSES) in the spring of each year. The PSES is administered to five groups—students, parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, and principals/assistant principals—to measure key topics related to school improvement:

The PSES is one of the best tools for assessing different perspectives across topics. Your responses each year are essential measures of progress related to the Board of Education's Goals & Guardrails and Accelerate Philly: The School District of Philadelphia's Strategic Plan.

The end of the school year is quickly approaching! Before you reach for that sunscreen, though, we’d like to take a moment and talk about learning loss – otherwise known as the “summer slide”.

It’s no secret that summer break can have negative effects on student achievement. Test scores in mathematics and literacy often flatten or drop after this period. But it’s not guaranteed! There are strategies that families can use to mitigate the risk of learning loss:

• Read with your student! - Whether they’re a child or a teenager, this activity can be a fulfilling experience that brings you together and strengthens literacy. Choose a book from the District’s list of suggestions or use the read aloud guides and summer reading programs offered by the Free Library of Philadelphia.
• Play math games at home! - There are card games, online games, graphing games, and even daily Sudoku puzzles!
• Check out the District’s summer activities! - These cater to a variety of interests, ensuring that your student has a meaningful and enriching summer.

Join us for a series of virtual sessions to learn more about the District's Special Education Services and Programs. Tune in on Wednesday, June 5th, live on Zoom from 4:00 PM. - 6:00 PM on on each workshop day. Find workshop details and register here.

The Office of School Climate and Culture has been working diligently to collect information about our students' experiences and implement changes that are significant for our school communities. We are pleased to announce that 73.2% of our students district-wide participated and provided valuable feedback on their overall school experience. Our survey window coincides with the Philly School Experience Survey, in which families are invited to participate as well.

FREE Virtual Writing with Families Workshops in June - Join us!

The Center for Black Educator Development is enrolling rising 1st-3rd graders for the 2024 Freedom Schools Literacy Academy, offering both virtual and in-person programs. Our summer program enhances literacy skills, boosts academic confidence, and affirms racial identity.



Our curriculum fosters a sense of belonging, joy in learning, racial pride, and academic growth. This year, in-person programs will be hosted at Mary McLeod Bethune School and William D. Kelley Elementary. All School District of Philadelphia students are welcome. Enroll your child today!

Summer is here and so is #Right2ReadPhilly, a new campaign promoting ways Philly families can have fun while helping our children grow up to be strong readers—designed by and for every neighborhood across the city. Visit Right2ReadPhilly.org to learn about more about this exciting program and to sign the Right2Read Declaration. Check out their socials to gain updates:

Instagram: @righttoreadphilly

TikTok: @right2readPhilly

X/Twitter: @right2readPHL

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) is a collaborative youth workforce initiative sponsored by the City of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia, and PhiladelphiaWorks. Replacing the city’s previous WorkReady initiative, C2L-PHL seeks to connect young people to a range of paid experiences such as internships and career exploration. Youth will gain the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to enter the workforce, pursue careers, and engage in community life—and get paid! Registration is now open at www.phila.gov/C2L-PHL. 

June's warmth calls for nurturing early literacy and STEM skills in our kids. La Fuerza de Familias Latinas (LFFL) is offering free virtual workshops tailored to Spanish-speaking parents, empowering them with tools to cultivate these vital skills this summer. Using Univision's "La Fuerza de Creer" telenovela, our STORY ⤻ VOICE ⤻ ACTION approach engages parents in collaborative storytelling to enhance literacy and STEM learning in everyday moments. Facilitators guide discussions, reinforcing positive attitudes and behaviors through practical activities, nurturing a love for literacy and curiosity for STEM. To register, visit here.

The Raise Your Pay Initiative -- launched by PA State Senator Art Haywood -- connects working Northwest Philadelphians making less than $15/hr with opportunities that lead to higher paid employment. Through career readiness, academic and training programs, connections to employers across Philadelphia; Raise Your Pay aims to help you increase your pay within 12-18 months. For more information, call 215-242-8171 and ask about Raise Your Pay.

Stay Connected to FACE