In case you did not receive last week's Superintendent's message, please read it HERE.  The district has also shared resources to support immigrant and refugee students and families, click HERE to access the toolkit. 

We welcome families to share their story for Black History Month! Please click HERE to complete an interest form and a staff member will reach out to you.   

All year long, we aim to support student learning by centering marginalized voices in the school community and uplifting opportunities for students to see themselves and others in their classrooms. This concept is often referred to in education research as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors. Approaching children’s stories through the lens of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors prioritizes diversity, honors many cultures, and promotes empathy and understanding. You can read more about windows and mirrors here or watch here. To learn more about the principles associated with this week of action, please visit Black Lives Matter at School Resources & Black Lives Matter at School DC Resources. For more on our curriculum framework, check out the SDP webpage for curriculum and instruction 

Resources for Parents/Caregivers

Online Read Alouds 

Lupita Nyong'o Reads "Sulwe" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Karamo Brown Reads "I Am Perfectly Designed" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Trombone Shorty Read By Angela Bassett

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen read by Oprah Winfrey

Misty Copeland Reads "Firebird" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Jill Scott Reads "Pretty Brown Face" & "Brown Boy Joy" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Caleb McLaughlin Reads "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Conscious Kid Book List

https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/early-childhood/racial-identity/

Social Justice Books

https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/early-childhood/racial-identity/

PBS Toolkit for Talking about Racism with Young Children

 https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism

Multiple Resources for Talking to Children about Race and Racism from the University of Washington https://ccfwb.uw.edu/resource/resources-for-talking-with-children-about-race-and-racism/

The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. This milestone highlights a quarter-century of dedicated efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongues. To learn more about this day and to participate in this year's International Language Day Poster Contest, click HERE, 

Talent Show will be on February 18 but buy tickets HEREby Thursday for discounted $10 rate. Sign up to volunteer HERE and get 2 FREE tickets!

Go Birds! Have a great week!  

Letter Day Schedule | Full PAS School Calendar

• February: Black History Month
• Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 PM: Talent Show. Buy tickets HERE by Thursday for discounted $10 rate. Sign up to volunteer HERE and get 2 FREE tickets!
• Wednesday, February 19: Teacher & staff breakfast sponsored by 5th and 6th grade families. Sign up to bake treats or bring in supplies HERE.
• Wednesday, February 19, 5:30 PM: Coffee with the Principal. Virtual only.
• Friday, February 21, 6-7:30 PM: HSA Meeting & viewing of newest edition of Screenagers film geared towards parents of elementary school students. Dinner and childcare provided. RSVP HERE.
• Friday, February 21, Language Day Poster Contest Deadline; 6-8 PM: Middle School Lock In. Tickets are $15 or pay-what-you-can and can be purchased HERE through Friday. NO tickets will be sold at the door! Sign up to volunteer or bring supplies HERE.
• Wednesday, March 19, 9 PM: Family Tech Talk webinar hosted by PTO Today, presented by an internet safety expert from Trend Micro's Internet Safety for Kids and Families Program.
• Thursday, March 20, 5-7 PM: Math Festival. RSVP HERE.
• Sunday, March 30: deadline to purchase Frozen JR. T-shirts ($20) and program shout-outs ($5) for cast & crew. Purchase HERE.
• Saturday, April 5, 9 AM-1 PM: Musical Build Day. Sign up to help HERE.
• May 13-15, 7 PM: Spring Musical, Frozen JR. Tickets available April 1.
• Friday, May 16, 9 AM-1 PM: Musical Strike / Clean Up. Sign up to help HERE.
• Sunday, June 8, 8:30 AM: PAS 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Flash sale for discount registration February 14-21.

Frozen Cast, Crew, & Choir: Due to the Superbowl, we WILL NOT be rehearsing on Monday, February 10.  

If you can attend, Choir B, please come to rehearsal on Tuesday, February 11 from 7:20-8:20 am.  Go Birds!

New PAS Gear is for Sale! Get your PAS branded (and uniform-compliant) sweatpants, hoodies, shirts, beanie hats, pencils, and more HERE.

The school district has announced the 25-26 PAS Kindergarten Registration process. Click here for instructions and application deadlines. If you need assistance with the process, please contact the PAS office at 215-400-7760.  

Help Needed with Sponsorships

We have two big events coming up that need sponsorships from businesses: the 5K and the spring musical. 

The 5K has sponsorships ranging from $250 - $3,500. Sponsors get their logo on the race t-shirt and potentially other perks such as providing their swag for the race bags and having a table presence at the race to promote their business. We also need prizes donated for the race -- gift certificates, free passes, tickets, products, etc.

The musical has program sponsorships ranging from $100 - $1500. Sponsors can create an ad for the program. The bigger the sponsorship, the bigger and more prominent the ad.

We also need help contacting businesses and asking if they are interested in becoming a sponsor. If you can recommend or solicit any businesses, please let us know by submitting the Sponsorship Form.

The programs listed below have either shared fliers with the school or are within a few blocks of Penn Alexander. These programs are not affiliated with Penn Alexander; as such, families should evaluate each program to ensure it is the right fit for their family.  

PAYSA Spring 2025 In-House Baseball Registration is NOW OPEN! Plus, 1 Day Camp with SE Elites

Dungeons and Dragons afterschool program at Redcap’s Corner 

Visit Philadelphia Black History Month 

Free Library of Philadelphia Adult Education and Language Learning Programs 

Spruce Hill Open House & Book Sale - 2/8

Black History Month at the Philadelphia Art Museum

2025 Summer Camps and Programs at Penn

Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Students and Families

 Free resource for families living with substance use disorder adolescents and teens

Early bird registration for Al-Bustan Summer Camp 2025 is OPEN!

Philly parents and students are joining a global movement to reimagine the school commute

Need in Deed Forum on Supporting Philly students, especially students from immigrant families, LGBTQIA+ students, and students of color - 2/19, 7pm

From Penn Cares: In an effort to bridge health care gaps in Philadelphia and in partnership with WURD Radio, Penn Medicine proudly announces the Black Doctors Directory: https://phillyblackdoctors.com/#

Neurodiversity Support Circle for Families

Penn Alexander School

School District of Philadelphia

Phone: (215) 400-7760

4209 Spruce St.

Philadelphia PA 19104