Philly schools poised to offer full in-person learning this fall
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Philadelphia schools Superintendent William Hite announces plans to return to full in-person learning for the 2021/2022 school year. He is joined on the stage at Spring Garden School by Mayor Jim Kenney (left) and teachers union President Jerry Jordan (third from left). (Emma Lee/WHYY)
School District of Philadelphia and city leaders say they are optimistic about offering full-time, in-person learning in the 2021-22 school year.
During a press conference Wednesday morning, Superintendent William Hite said the plan is contingent on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxing its physical distancing guidance, which currently calls for three feet of space between students in schools. Hite expects that guidance to change in the coming weeks.
School District of Philadelphia students could return to in-person classes five days a week by the fall semester, district officials announced Wednesday.
Philadelphia’s Indoor Mask Mandate to Be Lifted June 11
The mask mandate in the City of Philadelphia will be lifted on June 11 for fully vaccinated persons, city health officials just announced. Meanwhile, masks can be ditched outdoors as soon as this Friday.
This is contingent upon the COVID-19 case numbers continuing to trend positively, the city s officials said a Tuesday morning press conference.
COVID-19 cases continue to decrease across the city and country. The mask mandate was immediately lifted for vaccinated persons in the state of Pennsylvania following the CDC s updated announcement last week, however, the City of Philadelphia did not immediately act.
Of the students who made it through four years, 95% are graduating with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. Parkway Middle College students also have the option to graduate with another kind of career certification.
The program reduces some of the financial burden that usually comes along with attending a university. The students ideally only have to pay for two years of school to earn an undergraduate degree.
About 52% of the middle college students come from low-income households in Philadelphia.
So far, students have received over $7 million in college scholarships, and more money is still coming in, according to Principal Anh Nguyen.
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In this March 18, 2021, file photo, a student listens to a presentation in Health class at Windsor Locks High School in Windsor Locks, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
School District of Philadelphia students in grades 6-9 and other high school students with complex needs can return to school buildings two days a week starting May 10, the district announced Monday.
Officials say this is the third and final rollout for in-person learning this spring. That means all high school students without complex needs will remain fully virtual for the rest of the school year.
Eligible families can register for the hybrid program between April 20 and April 27. Those who do not opt in to the program, will remain completely virtual.