This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Tue. Jan. 5. Student Religious Involvement Council (SRIC). 4:30-5:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. This student-based initiative consists of representatives from different high schools who would like to establish bible clubs, gospel choirs, and religious activities in the city’s high schools. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Tue. Jan. 5. Philadelphia Home and School Council General Membership Meeting. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Room 1075. All parents are welcome. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Tue. Jan. 5 & Thu. Jan. 7. How to Do Business with the School District of Philadelphia. 5 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. This information workshop in advance of the upcoming release of the Renaissance Schools initiative will provide specifics about how to respond to a request for qualifications from the School District of Philadelphia. To register and for information, call 215-400-6925 or email cjbolger@philasd.org.
Tue. Jan. 5. Obama’s Job and Economic Growth Forum. 12 & 6:15 p.m. Salvation Army, 1340 Brown St. The White House has established Community Job Forums to gather ideas for continuing to grow the economy and putting Americans back to work. The Salvation Army Learning Zone will hold two forums to collect community feedback about the job crisis. For information, call Khampasong Saysana at 215-787-2812.
Wed. Jan. 6. Eating and Feeding Difficulties in Children with Autism. Time TBA. Elwyn Seedlings Center, 3300 Henry Ave. Jennifer Dawson, clinical director of the Southeastern PA Autism Resource Center, will facilitate the discussion. Workshop held in partnership with West Chester University. For information, call 215-400-5151.
Thu. Jan. 7. Fatherhood Engagement Discussions. 6-7:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Jan. 7 & Thu. Jan. 21. Daddy Universe City Inc. 5:30-7:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. Discussion group on fathers’ rights and involvement. Event will address issues such as parenting skills, communication with partners, child support/custody, legal rights, and financial literacy. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Fri. Jan. 8. Effective Communication: At the Heart of Education. 6 p.m. Chestnut Hill College, the Rotunda, St. Joseph Hall & the Social Room of Fournier Hall. This program will provide information on how to sharpen a teacher’s communications skills. The interactive presentation will cover how a teacher’s visual, vocal, and verbal presence affects success in the classroom with parents and the school community. Participants will learn techniques for Montessori or any classroom setting. Pamela J. Holland, former chief officer of Brody Professional Development, will offer the keynote address. Tickets are $55. For information, call Michelle Carr at 215-416-2320 or email aquamburns@hotmail.com.
Fri. Jan. 8. First Friday Series. 5-7 p.m. Community Behavioral Health, 801 Market St, 7th floor, large conference room. Workshop will provide an overview of the new Young Adult Programs within the Department of Behavioral Health and how they meet the unique needs and characteristics of aging-out youth. The workshop will also include the stories of the young adults and a video documentary of their lives. Space is limited to the first 80 responses and you must bring your own lunch. For information and to register, visit www.phillyparents.org/opportunities and click Special Ed.
Sat. Jan. 9. The New Year, The New You! Keeping Parents Engaged and Children Motivated. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. High School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave. Author and motivational speaker Les Brown will talk about how to keep parents engaged and children motivated in the New Year. Event is part of the District’s Parent University and is co-sponsored by Radio One. For information, 215-400-4180.
Sat. Jan. 9. Free SAT Prep for Teens. 9:30 a.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St. Classes are open to all high school students. Space is limited and registration is required. To register Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., call 215-686-5372 or email collegeprep@freelibrary.org.
Mon. Jan. 11. Community College of Philadelphia. 12-3 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. This presentation will focus on the benefits of attending Community College of Philadelphia, and ways to finance your college education. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Tue. Jan. 12. 2010 Pennsylvania Alternative System of Assessment (PASA) Training Series. 3-5:30 p.m. at PaTTAN offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and King of Prussia, and various sites across PA. This session will provide information about the administration of the PASA in 2010. It will also serve as a refresher of key information for teachers and those needing to provide support and training to teachers. For information and to register, visit www.pattan.net and enter the Registration Online page.
Wed. Jan. 13. 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.
Thu. Jan. 14. Superheroes: A Philadelphia Youth Graphic Arts Exhibit Reception. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ryan John Art Salon, Studio 51, 1050 N. Hancock St. To RSVP, email martinc@congreso.net.
Fri. Jan. 15. Parents Free Health Trainings. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aramark Tower, 1101 Market St. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention will offer free training and technical assistance for chronic disease-related program development. For information and to RSVP, call Tifanie Hudgins at 215-685-5678 or email tifanie.hudgins@phila.gov.
Fri. Jan. 15. Web 2.0 Tools for Teaching and Learning. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Chestnut Hill College, Martino Hall, Room 216. This one-day seminar will provide hands-on instruction in Web 2.0 tools for teaching higher and K-12 education, with an emphasis on how educators’ goals can be achieved using Web 2.0 technology. Education technology expert and author Pamela Livingston will conduct the seminar. Cost, $50. Computers will be available for use. For information or to register, email Ralph E. Swan, Ph.D. at swanr@chc.edu.
Sat. Jan. 16. MLK Jr. Family Chess Day. 2-4:30 p.m. African American Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. Hosted by the museum and After School Activities Partnerships, ASAP’s Chess Challenge students will honor Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence by participating in this family chess day. Congressman Chaka Fattah will participate in multiple games and Philadelphia freedom fighter Kenneth Salaame will share his experiences working with Dr. King. All welcome. Anyone new to the game will have an opportunity to learn. Registration is required by Jan. 11. For information, call Windsor Jordan at 215-545-2727, ext. 17 or email wjordan@phillyasap.org
Sat. Jan. 16. Building a Future Plan for Children and Adults on the Autism Spectrum. 1-3 p.m. Center for Autism, 3905 Ford Rd., Suite 6 (enter from Ellington Rd.). This event will provide information about wills and special needs trusts, government benefits, guardianship, power of attorney, selecting an attorney, letters of intent, and more. Michael Byrne, a chartered financial consultant, will facilitate the discussion. Event hosted by Autism Sharing and Parenting in collaboration with Autism Society, Greater Philadelphia Chapter. For information and to RSVP, call 215-413-7106 or email nasya06@MSN.com.
Mon. Jan. 18. MLK Day-Call to Witness and Action. 3-5 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St. Young people will spread the message of peace and justice during this event. Participants will meet at the District headquarters and march to Arch St. Methodist Church in a visible demonstration of the power of youth and community. Event is free and hosted by the Philadelphia Student Union. For information, call 215-253-4586 or email erika@phillystudentunion.org.
Mon. Jan. 18. MLK Book Drive. Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service. Philadelphia READS will collect books in a regionwide book drive, record books on tape, and hold reading coach trainings. To view a list of book drop-off points click here. For information and to learn about other service-oriented programs on this day, call 215-665-2475 or email mlkdayofservice@globalcitizen.us.com.
Mon. Jan. 18. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Concert. 3 p.m. Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave. For the 20th consecutive year, the Philadelphia Orchestra will put on a free concert in honor of Dr. King. Guest conductor Thomas Wilkins will lead the orchestra. The School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Choir and narrator Charlotte Blake Alston will also participate. For information and tickets, visit www.philorch.org/performance/9792/2010/01/18/.
Tue. Jan. 19. Providing Accommodations for Students with Visual Impairments Who Take the PASA. 6:30-8:30 p.m. This video conference/webinar will provide information about the use of accommodations for students with visual impairments. Emphasis will be placed on the use of the adapted version of the PASA tailored to students who use other senses in place of vision. For information and to register, visit www.pattan.net and enter the Registration Online page.
Tue. Jan. 19. Empowering Staff to be Leaders. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. United Way, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Out of School Time Resource Center will hold this peer networking meeting for staff of out of school time programs. Come share challenges and victories, exchange resources, and develop new relationships. Free lunch is included. For information, call 215-898-0793.
Wed. Jan. 20. 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.
Thu. Jan. 21. Philadelphia Right to Education Task Force General Meeting. 2:30-5 p.m. Location TBA. Meetings are open to all parents of students with special needs and other concerned individuals. For information, call 215-400-5151.
Thu. Jan. 21 & 28. Parents as Authors and Children as Authors. 4-6 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. This workshop is designed to help parents write and publish books with their children. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Thu. Jan. 21. Parents Empowerment for Advocacy through Knowledge. 4-6 p.m. Lincoln High School Library, 3201 Ryan Ave. A program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, this free eight-week educational workshop will teach parents and caregivers how best to advocate with all the systems that serve children and adolescents in Philadelphia. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call Dwane Dykes at 267-507-3867. To reach a Spanish speaking representative, call 267-507-3868.
Thu. Jan. 21. Of Mythic Proportions. 4-6 p.m. The Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave. B. Someday Productions in partnership with Mariana Bracetti Academy High School will put on this performance of 9th-12th grade students sharing personal stories about growing up in Kensington and how violence has become a part of their lives. A short discussion will follow the performance. Event is free. For information, call Michelle Pauls at 215-427-9255 or email info@bsomeday.org.
Sat. Jan. 23. PHSC Special Education Training. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Room 1075. This training session will provide information about gifted, autistic, emotional, and learning supports. For information, call 215-400-4080.
Tue. Jan. 26. Speaking Up. 1-3 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. In this workshop parents will discuss ways to speak up for their children, and children in school and the neighborhood. Characteristics of effective advocacy will be identified. Karen Shanoski of the Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center will facilitate the discussion. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Wed. Jan. 27. Resilience in Action: Addressing Risk by Building on Strength. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. United Way, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This free workshop will focus on resilience-building communication techniques that recognize the strength of youth and guide them in developing strategies to deal with stress. For information and to register, email citi@uwsepa.org.
Thu. Jan. 28. Public Hearing on School Violence. 4-7 p.m. Guerin Recreation Center, 2201 S. 16th St. (16th and Jackson Sts.) The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations will hold its first of a series of public hearings to discuss violence motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, and sexual orientation. Hearings will be held in conjunction with each of the 11 regional offices of the School District of Philadelphia. For information or to sign up to testify, call 215-686-4670.
Sat. Jan. 30. One Book, One Philadelphia, One World Teacher’s Lab. 10 a.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, Skyline Room, 1901 Vine St. Educators are invited to learn methods for teaching the 2010 One Book selections and will be introduced to engaging techniques to enhance teaching about different cultures. Teachers will have the opportunity to earn professional development credit. Cost: $75. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. To register, call 610-566-0156 or email info@bigpicturesmallworld.com.
Ongoing
Fri. Jan. 8- Jan. 29. Superheroes: A Philadelphia Youth Graphic Arts Exhibit. Ryan John Art Salon. Studio 51, 1050 N. Hancock St. The Eastern North Philadelphia Youth Services Coalition presents this exhibit of young artists. For information, visit http://enpysc.com/.
Every Mon. & Wed. Peaches & Cream Foundation, Inc. (except Mon. Jan. 18). 4:30-6:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. Workshop will introduce teens and parents to the concept of becoming entrepreneurs. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Every Mon. & Wed. Free GED Class. 5:30 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Meehan Conference Room, 400 N. Broad St. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Every Tue. & Thu. Basic Computer Class. 1-2 p.m. School District of Philadelphia Education Center, Parent and Community Resource Center, 440 N. Broad St. Topics will include what to look for when buying a computer, Internet access, basic web browsing, and printing and saving information. More advanced topics are available upon request. For information, call 215-400-7272.
Every Wed. Building Self Awareness. Conestoga Recreation Center, 5300 Media St.
This workshop will give young women a place to talk, express their viewpoints, and hear from other women in the community. For information, call Ms. Judi at 215-519-2332.
Every Wed. thru Feb. 17. Teen Parenting Classes. 6–8 p.m. Columbia North YMCA, 1400 N. Broad St. Being an effective parent begins with understanding child development, personal development, relationship/communication skills, decision-making skills, healthy and unhealthy behaviors, and more. Come learn what it takes to be a good parent. For information or to register, call Vanessa Wilder at 215-496-9780, ext 206 or email vanessa@ecparenting.org.
Every Thu. starting Jan. 28. Mindful Parenting. 6-8:30 p.m. 3930 Chestnut St., 3rd Floor. The Penn Program for Mindfulness will help parents learn stress management techniques and bring more calm, clarity, wisdom and joy into their daily lives. Cost: $495. Deadline to register is Jan. 22. For information, call 215-615-2774 or visit www.pennmedicine.org/stress/.
Thru. Jan. 18. 14th Annual Winter Coat Drive. 100 S. Broad St. Greater Philadelphia Cares is partnering with St. Vincent de Paul to collect coats for seniors, public school children, and the homeless. For a list of dropoff sites, visit www.gpcares.com. For information, call 215-564-4544.
Thru Mar. WHYY/APS Museum High School Video Contest.The American Philosophical Society Museum and WHYY Learning Lab have launched a student video contest to answer the question "Why is Darwin still important?" The contest is open to all Philadelphia-area high school students. Student video submissions are accepted through March 1 and will be posted online. In May 2010, a screening of the finalists’ videos, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, will take place. Prizes will be awarded to finalists. For information, visit www.apsmuseum.org/education.html.
Arise Academy Accepting Foster Youth Applications. Arise Academy, 1101 Ludlow St. The nation’s first public charter high school designed for youth who are or have a history of being in foster care placement is currently accepting admissions applications. For information, call Verdell Ganges at 215-563-1656, ext. 126.
School Calendar
Mon. Jan. 18. Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Schools and administrative offices closed.
Full calendar for the 2009-10 school year is available here, and en español aquí.