Facebook Twitter
Essential education reporting in Philadelphia
Reopening School safety Coronavirus Philadelphia

Tell us: As Philadelphia inches toward reopening some school buildings, what are parents and students thinking?

By  Caroline Bauman Caroline Bauman and  Carrie Melago Carrie Melago
 
Republish
Young girl in mask plays with blocks while masked and gloved woman watches

Chalkbeat Philadelphia wants to hear from families and students at this moment in time. Our short survey will be used to gain insight into what families are experiencing and what questions they may have. We plan to use the results of the survey to inform our coverage.

FatCamera / E+ / Getty Images

Philadelphia students in prekindergarten to second grade are supposed to head back to classrooms the week of Feb. 22, two weeks after Mayor Jim Kenney unveiled a vaccination plan for teachers and school staff. 

This would be the first time students and teachers have returned physically to a classroom since March — but the school district and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers are still at odds over the district’s plan to keep educators safe.  

Chalkbeat Philadelphia wants to hear from families and students at this moment in time. Our short survey will be used to gain insight into what families are experiencing and what questions they may have. We plan to use the results of the survey to inform our coverage. Know that this form is confidential and if you are uncomfortable with your name being used, please let us know at the end of the survey.

If you are having trouble viewing this form on mobile, go here.

The Latest
A group of people in red shirts hold signs that say “workers need a raise.”
Leadership & Management
Key Philadelphia school staff rally for higher pay as potential strike looms over district
A work stoppage among food service and school climate workers could present a major challenge.
By Carly Sitrin
 
Portrait of Constance Clayton in a beige suit
Leadership & Management
Remembering Constance Clayton, Philadelphia’s trailblazing former superintendent
Voluntary busing for desegregation, labor peace, standardized curriculum: Clayton left a palpable legacy but, like others, could not significantly move student achievement in one of the nation’s poorest school districts
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A woman at a podium speaks in front of a crowd of people.
Politics & Policy
Pennsylvania’s school funding commission kicks off hearings in Philadelphia
The commission will deliver a report to Gov. Josh Shapiro in November to guide development of a fairer, more adequate funding system.
By Dale Mezzacappa and Carly Sitrin
 
A group of teachers wearing lifejackets sit in three canoes
Outside the Classroom
Philadelphia teachers venture into the wild to hone their skills, build community
Outward Bound programs have taken on new weight after a series of difficult years for Philadelphia students and staff.
By Carly Sitrin
 
PA_08052023_CarolineGutman_first_day_29.jpg
standardized testing
Philadelphia students made minor gains on their state exams
The increases are relatively small, but they’re giving school leaders hope that Philadelphia students can continue to boost their scores in the years to come.
By Carly Sitrin
 
A boy in a black shirt high fives an older man as several people look on.
Tony Watlington
Excitement for back to school in Philadelphia tempered by heat-related disruptions
The new school year will also feature new curriculum materials and a revamped plan to make students safer.
By Carly Sitrin and Dale Mezzacappa