PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The end of the school year in Philadelphia is still a month away, but the district wants parents to know it’s not too early to sign their children up for free summer programs.
Six weeks of summer classes for students entering grades K -12 will start on June 25, with offerings that include a string orchestra and drumline as well as academic enrichment.
Superintendent Tony Watlington says a “Summer Achievers” full-day camp provides students in first grade through eighth grade with math and English classes. “We want to continue to make sure that our children limit that summer slide,” Watlington said Tuesday at Mayfair Elementary School. “This is kind of a first step in extended learning and our move toward more year-round programming, quality year-round programming.”
New career and technical programs, including agriculture, construction trades and digital media, are now available for students citywide. “[We’re having] about 10 to 12 students per teacher, so that they have a hands-on experience,” said Michelle Armstrong, the district’s executive director of career and technical education.
With the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funding that previously paid for summer programs, Assistant Superintendent Randi Klein-Davila said several district offices are paying for the $15 million effort. “We understand the importance of having safe spaces for our students,” she said. “As we always hear, if they’re not in our programs, they’re typically on the streets.”
Some 23,000 students are expected to take part in summer programs. Slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up online at the School District of Philadelphia website.