Extra! Extra!

Summer Communications - posted: July 01, 2010

We just launched a Back-to-School page for returning families on the Parent Portal. All summer communications - from summer assignments to back-to-school forms to classroom lists - will be posted on the Back-to-School page. Students can access their summer assignments without a password on their unit's Resources page.

New families can access summer information by clicking on the New Family Information button on the home page; access to the Parent Portal will be available to new families in August. -

Let's Start "Thinking School" - posted: July 23, 2010

Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 7. It’s a short day for all of our students.

1st-8th graders: First grade through eighth grade students will attend from 8:20 a.m. to noon, with regular drop-off and pick-up in the yard.

Preschoolers and kindergartners: We are asking our preschoolers and kindergartners (both new and returning) to come in two groups to make it a bit more intimate and less overwhelming for the children. Children whose last name starts with A-K will attend from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.; students whose child’s last name starts with L-Z will attend from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Drop- off and pick- up will be in the “yard” on 25th Street. The teachers will greet you and your child there, and we’ll walk up to the classrooms together.

Wednesday, September 8, will be a regular full day for all TPS students. There will be a New Parent’s Breakfast right after drop-off in the Multipurpose Room. It’s a great way to meet other new families and have a chance to talk with some experienced TPS parents and staff. -

Mayor Nutter Addresses Our Graduates - posted: June 10, 2010

There is absolutely nothing like a TPS graduation!

Each graduating eighth grader has an opportunity to make a personal speech, sing a song, or play an instrument to give expression to feelings about his or her experiences as a student at The Philadelphia School. Our three choruses serenaded the eighth graders, as they awaited the moment they were "transformed" from TPS students into alumni.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter was the speaker at our Closing Ceremonies on June 9. In his congratulatory remarks the mayor reminded the students how much they had to thank their families for their support and encouragement. The teachers and staff of The Philadelphia School are grateful as well.

-

Puerto Rico 2011 - posted: July 09, 2010

The 8th grade Spanish trip is an important culminating experience for students at The Philadelphia School. In March, our students will be spending five days in Puerto Rico, where they will not only put their Spanish skills to use but will also see first-hand the cultural and environmental sites they have learned about in the classroom. They will attend classes with 7th through 12th graders at an independent middle and high school on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico. They will be challenged to use their Spanish language skills as they connect with people their own age in an authentic learning experience and stretch themselves as both learners and global citizens.

- Here is the itinerary.

Why I Teach - posted: June 01, 2010

by Judith Parker, Middle School teacher

The question of why I teach can be answered, at least superficially, in two words: kids and books. But, of course, the reality is more complicated than that. As a child, I never wanted to be a teacher; I first wanted to be a farmer, and then I wanted to save the world. By the time I got to college in the sixties, I would have expressed that thought in a more sophisticated fashion, but basically I still wanted to help the world, particularly this country, solve the tremendous problems of inequality and poverty. As it was the sixties, I had plenty of company, although more people talked about these issues than did much about them. Still, I marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and worked as a community activist and felt that I had found my niche in the world. - Please read more . . .

Indiana Jones – TPS Alum-style! - posted: July 01, 2010

Perhaps archaeologist Mac Marston ’93 didn’t set out to emulate Indiana Jones, but a list of Mac’s travels through areas such as Turkey, Egypt, and Albania can’t help but call Steven Spielberg’s hero to mind.

As if his travel itineraries weren’t exciting enough, this year Mac won three prestigious academic awards for his research. - Please read more . . .

Associate Head of School Appointed - posted: April 22, 2010

Matthew Eskin, an experienced teacher, coach, advisor, and administrator, has been named Associate Head for Middle School and Junior Unit. Matt has worked with adolescents throughout his career, teaching mathematics at independent and charter schools in the Washington, D.C. and Boston areas. Most recently, Matt has been the Director of the Middle School at the Rashi School in Newton, Massachusetts.

Matt holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester, where he majored in comparative religious studies, and a master’s degree in school leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. - Please read more . . .

A Dashing and Victorious Debut - posted: April 25, 2010

By Elizabeth LaBan

Last year they were spectators; this year they are winners.

In front of up to 40,000 people at the Penn Relays held last week at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus, four members of the TPS track and field team ran the 4X100 meter relay race against five other independent and charter schools.

Watch the race!

Working together, seventh-grader Samir Taylor and eighth-graders Javi Flores, Sam Valerio-Sacks, and Jaquay Scott came in first. Their final time was 50.3 seconds. That was 1.6 seconds ahead of the second place team. - Please read more . . .