This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Mon. Oct. 5. Introduction to Word and the Internet. 6:30 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Library, 1901 Vine St. Learn how to create a document and find quality information on the Internet. Space is limited to 12 people. Tickets are available at the Parkway Central Library main lobby desk 30 minutes before each class. A Free Library of Philadelphia library card is required to receive a ticket. For information, call 215-686-5322.
Mon. Oct. 5. Access and Affordability: How Expanding Pell Grants Will Offer Higher Education to More Americans. 1-3 p.m. Temple University, Sullivan Hall, 1330 W. Berks St. Sen. Robert Casey will chair a congressional hearing on college affordability to highlight the problems facing students and their families trying to meet the rising cost of higher education. For information and to RSVP, email Philadelphia_Intern3@casey.senate.gov.
Tue. Oct. 6. Home and School Council General Membership Meeting. 6 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Room 1075, 440 N. Broad St. School District of Philadelphia parent Jay Cohen will discuss how to view your child’s grades from your home computer and how to get a free web page, calendar, and email list for your school. For information, email Jay Cohen at jay@weisscohen.org.
Tue. Oct. 6–Sun. Nov. 8. Philly Plays Scrabble. You are invited to play scrabble at the following library locations: Chestnut Hill, Falls of Schuylkill, Fox Chase, Greater Olney, Independence, Kingsessing, Lillian Marrero, Overbrook Park, David Cohen/Ogontz, Northeast Regional, Parkway Central, Philadelphia City Institute, Queen Memorial, Charles Santore, Walnut Street West, Widener, and Wynnefield. For information, visit the ASAP Web site at www.phillyasap.org or call the Library’s Office of Public Service Support at 215-686-5372 or 215-545-2727.
Tue. Oct. 6. Community Love Gathering for Education. 6 p.m. Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church, 4500 N. Broad & Belfield Sts. Several panelists will discuss "bringing people together to develop awareness of new plans for a better education, a better community, and a better future for Philadelphians." Among them, District Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and the Mayor’s Education Chief Lori Shorr, plus remarks from Judge Doris Smith. Also, receive information about millions of dollars in grants. Non-profits, faith based organizations, and individuals can apply. For information, call Mama Gail at 215-425-7875.
Wed. Oct. 7. Parent, Family, Community Together Night. 5– 7 p.m. Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. Target First Wednesdays. Family, fun, and learning through play. Admission, $2. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Oct. 8. Movie Night: Mothers in Charge presents “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.” 6– 8 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Atrium, 440 N. Broad St. Family fun and interactive discussion of the award-winning documentary movie. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Oct. 8. Youth, Media, and Identity. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This workshop held by the Temple University Community Collaborative of Philadelphia (UCCP) Leaders’ Corps will discuss stereotypes about today’s youth and how they affect the interaction between youth and adults in organizations and in society. The goal is to engage youth in critical discussions about how media portrays them and the role it plays in constructing individual and collective identity. To register, click here. For information, call Catalina Gonzalez at 215-204-6185 or email catalina.gonzalez@temple.edu.
Fri. Oct. 9. Introductory Computer Skills. 2 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Library, 1901 Vine St. Learn how to use a mouse and a keyboard, and get started using Microsoft Word and the Vista operating system. Space limited to 12 people. Tickets available at the Parkway Central Library’s main lobby desk 30 minutes before each class. A Free Library of Philadelphia library card is required to receive a ticket. For information, call 215-686-5322.
Sat. Oct. 10. Community Flea Market. 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 5200 Wyalusing Ave. (on the tennis courts). Bring your new and used items and promote your business or services at this all-day flea market. Enjoy food, fun, and free face painting. Cost to rent space, $20 and $50, depending on the size. For information, call the Mill Creek Recreation Center at 215-685-0186 or 267-278-1142
Sat. Oct. 10. First Person. 7-9 p.m. Green Street Friends Meeting, 45 W. Schoolhouse Lane. Come enjoy this documentary and discussion series about six Philadelphia high school students. In first person, each will tell a story about their journey through the last two years of high school toward their goal of obtaining a college education. For information, call 215-844-4924.
Sun. Oct. 11. Family Gallery Tour: Cubism (ages 6-10). 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. The Philadelphia Art Museum, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Children and their families are led on a gallery tour to explore themes and discover works of art. For information, call 215-684-7580.
Sun. Oct. 11 & 25. Drawing Together (all ages). 12-3 p.m. The Philadelphia Art Museum, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Try your drawing skills in the museum galleries. An artist will be on hand to provide materials and encouragement. Drop in to sketch, doodle, or create a masterpiece. For information, call 215-684-7580.
Mon. Oct. 12. NxtUp Education. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Solmssen Court, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St. (corner of Broad and Pine). Twelve educational organizations will each share a quick-fire presentation about their unique K-12 practices and programs. Event will also include a one-hour networking session with information tables and youth performances. Event is free. For information, call Josette Bonafino at 215-923-1415 ext. 1 or email josette@myxworld.org.
Wed. Oct. 14. School Reform Commission Planning Meeting. 2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. To register to speak, call 215-400-4180 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Wed. Oct. 14. School Reform Commission Oath of Office Ceremony. 2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 2nd floor auditorium, 440 N. Broad St. The oath of office will be administered to two new School Reform Commission appointees, Joseph A. Dworetzky and Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo, Ret. For information, call 215-400-4000.
Wed. Oct. 14. Perhaps, I Am What I See. 5:30-7 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, first floor, 440 N. Broad St. This workshop will give parents a glimpse of how the media can have an impact on their child. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Oct. 15. Superintendent’s Parent Roundtable. 5– 8 p.m. University City High School, 3601 Filbert St. Dinner served by the School District’s Culinary Arts Program. Child care will be provided. To reserve a space, call Arlenthia Shrieves at 215-400-6161 or email ashrieves@philasd.org by Oct. 14.
Thu. Oct. 15. Latino Education: National Challenges, Local Strategies. 6-7:30 p.m. Temple University, College of Education, Walk Auditorium, Ritter Hall, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave. This panel discussion will include a number of speakers, including College of Education Dean C. Kent McGuire and Heidi A. Ramirez, director of Temple’s Urban Education Collaborative. A reception will follow. For information, email Tiffany Tavarez at ttavarez@temple.edu.
Sat. Oct. 17. WHYY/APS Museum Video Production Teacher Training. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 104 S. 5th St. Teachers will learn to teach digital video production and non-linear editing, and receive tips for integrating these skills into existing curricula. Also learn about the WHHY/APS Museum Darwin video contest for Philadelphia high school students. Cost is $25. Act 48 available (8 hours). Space is limited. For information, visit www.apsmuseum.org/education.html or email jdrozdek@amphilsoc.org. Register by October 9 by calling Craig Santoro at 215-351-3318 or email csantoro@whyy.org.
Sat. Oct. 17. Art Speaks! 9–11 a.m. The Philadelphia Art Museum, Van Pelt Auditorium, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Free workshop for Philadelphia 4th grade classrooms and art teachers to help students practice literacy skills while exploring works of art. To reserve a space, call 215- 684-7580 or email educate@philamuseum.org.
Sat. Oct. 17. Philadelphia Cares Day: Volunteer-A-Thon. 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Help improve the city’s public schools by painting classrooms, restoring playgrounds, and creating green spaces. Philadelphia Cares Day is a marathon day of service that gives children attractive and more functional learning places. For information, email volunteer@gpcares.com or call 215-564-4544 to sign up.
Sat. Oct 17. 10th Annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant! 1-4 p.m., Paul Robeson House, 4949 Walnut Street, Hundreds of participants to take to the streets while celebrating diversity. Friends, families, individuals, and over 20 groups will gather at the Paul Robeson House and from there travel through West Philadelphia to Clark Park. For information, call the Spiral Q Puppet Theatre at 215-222-6979.
Sun. Oct. 18. Sundays on Stage: Souls of Freedom – Our Historic Philadelphia. 2 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium, 1901 Vine St. Storytelling by an ensemble group that informs, educates, and enriches while celebrating the African and African-American oral tradition. Performance will be interpreted in sign language. For information, call 215-686-5322.
Mon. Oct. 19. Overview of Back Logan Community Corporation and Importance of Networking. 6-7 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, first floor, 440 N. Broad St. Back Logan Community Corporation is an organization that provides leadership skills and other fundamental training programs for underserved children. This workshop will give an overview of BLCC’s success and discuss networking. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Mon. Oct. 19. Organizing Teams. 3:30-5 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, first floor, 440 N. Broad St. Families, school staff, and community organization representatives can work together to improve student achievement, but how can they come together? This workshop will identify major steps for team development and offer examples of ice breakers and team building activities that will welcome and energize teamwork. Karen Shanoski of the Pa. Parent Information and Resource Center will offer discussion. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Mon. Oct. 19. A Celebration! An Inspiration through the Arts. 5-8 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 440 N. Broad St. Come celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Visit an art exhibit of 18 local Latino artists and student artwork. Meet and greet the artists and enjoy cultural performances by students and community groups. Guest speaker will be School Reform Commissioner Johnny Irizarry. For information, call 215-400-4000.
Wed. Oct. 21. School Reform Commission Action Meeting. 2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. To register to speak, call 215-400-4180 by 4:30 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Wed. Oct. 21. Parent, Family, Community Together Night. The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th St. Free third Wednesday event at The Franklin Institute. Family fun and learning through play. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Wed. Oct. 21. Breakfast with Breakthrough Champions. 8:15-9:30 a.m. Philadelphia Cricket Club, 415 West Willow Grove Ave. Come learn about Breakthrough of Philadelphia’s academic enrichment, skill building, and leadership development programs. Event is free. RSVP by Oct. 15. For information, call 215-951-2398 or email development@breakthroughphilly.org.
Wed. Oct. 21. 2009 Education Policy Leadership Center Awards Reception. 5:30 p.m. Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd, Harrisburg, Pa. Come celebrate the work of various education policy leaders. $75 per person, $500 per table of eight. For information and to purchase tickets, visit www.eplc.org/awards/reception.html.
Thu. Oct. 22. BAEO: Parents with Power – Student Learning Style. 5-7:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, first floor, 440 N. Broad St. This workshop will help parents discover their child’s learning style and identify ways to help him/her receive and retain information. Also, hear suggestions to help a child whose learning style is different from their teacher’s instructional style. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Oct. 22-Sun. Oct. 25. History of Education Society Annual Meeting, Doubletree Hotel, 237 S. Broad St. This conference, featuring Thomas Sugrue of the University of Pennsylvania, will discuss education and race in the postwar North. Philadelphia teachers are eligible for a discounted rate and can receive Act 48 hours for attending. To register, contact Robert Hampel at hampel@UDel.edu. For questions about Act 48, contact Micahel Clapper at mclapper@sju.edu. For information about the program, contact Jonathan Zimmerman at JLZIMM@aol.com.
Fri. Oct. 23. Take a Parent to Work & Dress 4 Success in the Superintendent’s Closet. 12–4 p.m. & 4– 6 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Atrium, 440 N. Broad St. Various parents shadow 440 employees during the workday and participate in a fashion show. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Sat. Oct. 24. Men’s Call to Action/Parent University Grand Opening. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. Opening event for Parent University and to encourage male involvement. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Sat. Oct. 24. Halloween Spooktacular! 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th St. Get healthy Halloween treat recipes for kids, see live special Halloween-themed cooking demonstrations, take a walk through the Haunted Heart to see if your heart can handle it, and more. Free admission for each child in costume between the ages of 4-11 (does not include BODY WORLDS 2, IMAX or Franklin Theater). For information, call 215-448-1200.
Sun. Oct. 25. Family Gallery Tour: Adventures in American Art (ages 6-10). 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. The Philadelphia Art Museum, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Children and their families are led on a gallery tour to explore themes and discover works of art. For information, call 215-684-7580.
Sun. Oct. 25. Sundays on Stage: Bharatanatyam. 2 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium, 1901 Vine St. This original dance production "Chaat" celebrates the traditional Indian dance Bharatanatyam in its contemporary form, as well as its cultural context. For information, call 215-686-5322.
Mon. Oct. 26. Teacher Appreciation Night. 5-7 p.m. National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Come celebrate the "Art of Teaching". Meet educators from nearby sites. A drawing for a free class tour, 76ers tickets, and other prizes will be held. Also, enjoy free freshments and gifts. Free admission. To RSVP and for information, call 215-925-2800, ext. 140 or email nick@libertymuseum.org.
Fri. Oct. 30. Improving Student Achievement for African American Male Students.
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Rutgers University Newark Campus, 350 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ. Staff training for youth professionals, including teachers, coaches, counselors, social workers, youth ministers, and police. $100 per person. For information and to register, click here.
Ongoing
Every Mon. and Wed. Free GED Classes. 5:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Meehan Conference Room, 440 N. Broad St. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Every Tue. and Thu. English As A Second Language Class. 2 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Independence Branch, 18 S. 7th St. Increase your ability to communicate and interact with others more successfully. For information, call 215-685-1633.
Every Tue. Teen Tuesdays. Afternoon. Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Library, 1901 Vine St. Teens meet at the Central Library for activities, fun, and snacks. Popular programs include hip-hop dance workshops, conflict resolution, teen talent shows, SAT prep, teen open microphone, poetry slams, teen art exhibitions, and more. For information, call 215-686-5415.
School Calendar
Wed. Oct. 7. Half-day for students – professional development
Mon. Oct. 12. Columbus Day. Administrative Offices and Schools Closed.
Wed. Oct. 21. Half-day for students – professional development
Mon. Oct. 26–Fri. Oct. 30. PSSA Grade 12 Retest (math, reading, science, and writing)
Full calendar for the 2009-10 school year is available here, and en español here.