PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It's back to school already for 14,000 students in the Philadelphia School District who signed up for summer enrichment classes.
Most students are in these six-week summer programs, which started Monday at 39 district sites, not because they failed a subject, but because it gives them academics and city-run recreational programs in a safe space.
"Certainly, there are some students who need that extended runway,"
Superintendent Tony Watlington told reporters Monday at Prince Hall Elementary School in Ogontz.
"We want to change the narrative and think about how do we have continuous learning in the summer."
Watlington added that it will help prevent the “summer slide," a type of learning loss that occurs when students are out of school for elongated periods, and allow students to get a jump start on next school year.
Danielle Womack's son is entering seventh grade at AMY Northwest in Roxborough. She said he's ready to be in a classroom again.
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"I'm excited, he's excited. I'm glad he's going to keep that education part so when he goes back to school in September, he'll be prepared," Womack said. "I think it's more so with the pandemic I've seen that. Last year into this year I think, like, he was a little behind."
Brandon Coleman, who usually teaches at Henry H. Houston Elementary School in Mount Airy, is the summer physical education teacher at Prince Hall. He's looking forward to teaching new students during the summer.
"There's still some instructional rigor to it," Coleman said. "I hope they take something where they A) meet new friends, and B) learn some new activities."
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Students in the six-week program spend the morning sessions in enrichment classes, then attend city-run recreational programs in the afternoon.
The district says there are a few slots left at selected locations, but most of the summer programs are now full.
Watlington said preventing the “summer slide” is a major reason his five-year plan includes a pilot of up to 10 year-round schools.
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