The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Parent, Family, Community Engagement, and Faith-based Partnerships

Parent Newsletter
May 27, 2011 / Vol. # 2 Issue #11
In This Issue
PREP Workshop
ParentUniversity’s Parent Lecture Series
GEARing UP for High School
Half-Day Kindergarten
Online Petition to Stop PA Budget Cuts

Student from South Philadelphia
High School Wins Princeton Award
Duong Nghe Ly, Vietnamese immigrant andsenior at South Philadelphia HS, has been awarded The Princeton Prize in Race Relations from Princeton University for his work in co-founding the Asian Students Association of Philadelphia and for his leadership in exploring solutions to racial violence.
CONGRATULATIONS!

WORKSHOPS
440 N. Broad Street
Call 215-400-7272 to register.
Parent University’s ParentLecture series: “Building Partnerships Between Parents & Schools” with Dr. Adelaide Sanford
Part Two: Wednesday, June 1st at 6:00 pm
ParentUniversity’s Summer Course Catalog Available
Visithere for more information.
Positive Quote
“The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Office of Parent, Family, Community Engagement, and Faith-based Partnerships
Karren Dunkley, Deputy Chief
Quibila A. Divine, Director of Parent and Family Engagement
Linda Maldonado, Coordinator
Yves Marie Desir, Office Assistant
215 400-4180
Did you know…?
Public Comments Are Sought on Race to the Top Early Learning Program: Visit to share your thoughts.A full press release regarding the announcement can be found at / Announcements
SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION TO STOP THE PA BUDGET CUTS: Visit for more information.
Title I Parents Are ‘R’ Equal Partners (PREP) Training: Thursday, June9th at 5:30 pm at 440 N. Broad St.; Barry Conference Room 1080. Receive FREE training to become a Graduation Coach. Dinner for those who register by June 7th; all District parents are welcome. Call 215 400-5594 to register and visit for more information about the Graduation Coach Campaign.
Art Sanctuary: Presents the 27th Annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival; May 23rd to June 4th. To see the schedule, visit
Empowerment Week 2011:May 28th- June 4th; FREE activities that will bring a greater awareness to the impact of diversity and inclusion. Call 215 985-3220 or visit for more information.
Town Hall Meeting: Thursday, June 2nd; 8:30 pm at Bible Way Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall; 1323 N. 52nd St. Senator AnthonyH. Williams and State Representative Vanessa Brown are scheduled to attend. Call 215 492-2980 or visit here.
FREE “Living on Mission” Workshop: Saturday, June 4th; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia; 7500 Germantown Ave. You must register to attend by e-mailing or calling 267 918-1145 for more information.
How to Master Interviewing Workshop: Wednesday, June 8th; 5:00 to 6:00 pm at 440 N. Broad St.; Parent and Family Resource Center.To RSVP (by June 7th), call 215 400-7272.
GEARing UP for High School: Saturday, June 11th; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Benjamin Franklin High School; 550 N. Broad St. Call 215 400-4130 for more information about participating schools.
Immigration Roundtable Breakfast: Saturday, June 11th; 9:00 to 10:00 am at the Community Learning Center; 6401 Elmwood Ave. Afterward, celebrate the 2nd Annual Event Day of African and Caribbean Children; 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Youth Summer Opportunities Fair:Tuesday, June 14th; 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Philadelphia Charter School; 1100 E. Erie Ave. Call 267 702-4244 or for more information.
Opportunities
The School District of Philadelphia offers Summer Learning and More (SLAM):Available to all District students, from Tuesday, July 5th to Thursday,July 28th. Registration closes June 16th; contact your local school for an application or call 215 400-4180 for more information.
Poster Contest for Lights On Afterschool Event: Entries accepted for 2011. For contest guidelines, visit and for more information.
Employers Needed for Delco Summer Youth Program: High school students ages 16-18 will be placed in a paid, professional internship in Delaware County for 6 weeks; students interested in this program should call 610 891-6327.
Kindergarten Half-Day: As a result of the budget cuts, kindergarten will be reduced to half-days for the 2011-2012 school year. Letters were sent to parents. Selection for the AM or PM session ends Tuesday, May 31st. For more information, e-mail
G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training ) FREE Summer Camp: Two locations; Ford Recreation Center; 609 Snyder Ave. and McVeigh Recreation Center; “D” & Ontario Sts. Registration is June 6th to 24th; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for ages 10-14. Call 215 686-3380/3381 for more information.
One Week Police Camp: For boys & girls in grades 3-5 who are interested in law enforcement; June 20th-24th; and for grades 6-8, June 27th-July1st at Philadelphia Police Academy; 8501 State Rd. Registration deadline is June 4th. Visit download an application.
FREE Series of College PREP Workshops for High School Students and Parents: Visit here to get the dates of the workshops. For more information about the sponsor, visit this link.
City Unveils New Website for Government Civic Data to provide statistics of government and otheraspects of civic life to all. The unique thing about this site is its catalog of data tools focused on Philadelphia. To view the site, clickhere.
Streamside Camp: Affordable Christian camping experiences for your child or teen, provides an exciting week of learning and new experiences; June 27th to July 30th. For more information visit or call 570 629-1902.
Single Parents Workshops: Series of FREE workshops for mothers and grandmothers raising boys. Free food, child care, and giveaways will be available. Call 215 851-1795 to RSVP or visit here.
Work Ready Application Available. Summer experiences for youth ages 14-21 will be offered. For more information, visit
Resources
The National Title I Associations: Will host a series of short updates on pertinent Congressional activities regarding budget issues that may affect Title I Programs. The 30-minute sessions will be held on alternate Tuesdays at 3:00 pm and require pre-registration Call 800-256-6452 for more information.
Find out if you have unclaimed property: Unclaimed property can include dormant back accounts, stock and dividends, uncashed payroll, and uncollected utility deposits. Call 1800 222-2046 for more information or visit search the state's unclaimed property database.
Senate Bill 1 Information: Follow what’s going on with School Vouchers. Visit here to keep up to date.
Scholarship for Students with Disabilities: The deadline is September 23rd. Call 215 686-2798 for more information. An application, two letters of recommendation and transcripts are required.
For the Top 2011 Scholarships for Black Students, visit

For Your Information

Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger:
Learn more about the Food Stamp (SNAP) hotline and other services Visit
. / Just for Men
HIV Prevention initiative sponsor men’s basketball tournament: Saturday June 4th; at SheppardRecreationCenter at 5700 Haverford Ave. Visit herefor more information
FREE 6th Annual Philadelphia Fatherhood Festival: Saturday, June 18th; 9 am to 4 pm at the PA Convention Center; 1201 Arch St. Breakfast and lunch provided. Visit for more information.
Daddy Daughter Dance: Saturday, June 18th; 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the PA Convention Center; 1201 Arch St. Call 610 721-6757 or e-mail for more information.
The National Comprehensive Center for Fathers has two programs…Philly ReNew is for men aged 18 and over, with a GED or diploma, and either on active probation, parole or pre-release status. Broadband is for males and females who are over 18 and interested in participating in a week-long, basic computer class (lunch will be provided). Call 215 717-4000 or visit to get an application or more information about both programs.
SAVE THE DATE
Afro-Caribbean Festival: Saturday, June 25th; 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at School District of Philadelphia; 440 N. Broad St. Call 215 400-6268 for more information or email
Save Our Schools March & National Call to Action:Saturday, July 30th; March in Washington, DC at noon. It is time for educators and parents to organize and reclaim control of our schools. July 28th to 31st in WashingtonDC. Visit here for more information.
Training Camp for Philadelphia Eagles: Monday, August 1st; Tickets $20.00 includes transportation and all you can eat. Two Departure Destinations 1) Mt. Airy 2800-2900 Pickering Ave. and 2) West Philly 54th & Vine St. This is a family event. Call 267 804-3852 for more information.