Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has taken a decisive stride towards enhancing the city's educational environment with the launch of the Extended Day, Extended Year School Initiative. This program, which aims to bolster economic opportunities across the populace, will pilot in 25 schools across Philadelphia, including 20 school district schools and 5 charter schools. In a recent announcement covered by the City of Philadelphia's official website, Mayor Parker stressed the importance of high-quality education as the bedrock for achieving her vision of a "Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia with Economic Opportunity for All."
The program is structured around the real-life scheduling pressures of working families, offering extended care that provides not just supplementary learning but also invaluable peace of mind. According to Mayor Parker, "Extended Day, Extended Year school is a high-priority initiative that is based on the needs of working parents, closing the opportunity gap, and expanding access to enrichment programs," as per the City of Philadelphia press release. Clocking in from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., five days a week, and continuing for six weeks into the summer, the program aligns with the broader academic objectives set by Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and is part of the Accelerate Philly agenda. Watlington commended the collaborative spirit of the endeavor, emphasizing its potential to create new prospects for students and communities.
Supporting the argument for the utility of extended learning, Mare Shipton of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia expressed excitement about the new initiative, highlighting the combined power of structured activities and free programming to positively impact student's lives academically and beyond. Shipton told the City of Philadelphia's official website, "The opportunity Mayor Parker is giving Community Based Organizations to partner with School District of Philadelphia schools will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia to help the children of Philadelphia reach their full potential, achieve academic success and have fun while doing it."
The program is an exercise in partnership, jointly funded by the City and the School District, and offers a voluntary commitment for families of K-8 students. Recognized community partners will deliver programs, tailored to the unique needs and interests of each school's student body, ensuring that the programming is as beneficial as it is enjoyable. Additionally, there will be no need for revisions to collective bargaining agreements, which maintains operational harmony across the participating schools. The holistic approach of the Extended Day, Extended Year program ensures that current out-of-school time programs can continue seamlessly alongside the new initiative.
