In a recent visit to Southwark Elementary School in South Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker highlighted the strides taken by her administration's Extended Day, Extended Year (ED/EY) pilot initiative. The initiative, which involves 25 schools across the city—20 District-run and five Charter Schools—aims to align school hours with the typical workday and offer supplemental care for students outside usual school hours. According to a statement from the mayor's office, this program is a joint effort with the School District of Philadelphia, embracing a $24 million budget for the 20 District schools involved for the inaugural year.
The Extended Day component of the initiative provides morning care for up to 1,400 students, nearly doubling the capacity for after-school care from 1,435 to 2,555 seats. During her visit, surrounded by students who reaped the program's benefits, Mayor Parker shed light on the enriching experiences offered after standard school hours, which included media and robotics workshops. Mayor Parker remarked, “Not only does Extended Day, Extended Year help close the opportunity gap, it also supports working parents by aligning school hours with a typical workday, creating greater economic opportunity for parents,” as reported by the City's official news release.
The initiative also ensures that pilot schools will remain open to students during scheduled breaks—with specific dates confirmed for the Winter and Spring sessions—alongside a yet-to-be-revealed summer schedule. In the words of Brianna Morales, a guardian whose sister is enrolled at Southwark, the program's impact extends beyond academic support. She expressed in the official news release, “Not only does it provide a safe environment outside of school hours that supports my work schedules, but it also has supported my sister in her emotional growth and development and building lifelong friendships with a diverse group of students and meet new mentors between school and before and after school staff.”
In her tour, alongside figures such as Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, and Dr. Debora Carrera, the City’s Chief Education Officer, the mayor visited the spaces where children grow their skills beyond the traditional curriculum. Dr. Watlington praised the partnership with Mayor Parker, describing schools as a safe haven for students and citing readymade support for working families, according to a detailed brief from Dr. Watlington himself in the recent news release. Additionally, Vince Litrenta of Sunrise of Philadelphia, a community partner with Southwark for over a quarter-century, echoed this sentiment, citing Mayor Parker’s commitment to student safety and support for working families as key reasons for joining the ED/EY pilot.
Principal Andrew Lukov of Southwark Elementary spoke on behalf of the school community, expressing gratitude for the expanded opportunities the program offered. “The Extended Day, Extended Year initiative will afford Southwark students and families the opportunity for additional programming that will have a positive impact on their school day success. More families now have access to before and after school programs that provide their children with an array of enriching activities, such as arts, athletics, and STEM. On behalf of the Southwark community, I thank Mayor Parker for this opportunity,“ Lukov said in a statement to the official news release. The full list of District-run and Charter Schools participating in this initiative was released, ensuring a broad reach for the program across Philadelphia.
