Now that we are well into the last month of summer it’s time to start thinking about getting the kiddos back to school. Are the parents out there breathing a sigh of relief? We know the teachers aren’t! None the less this time inevitably comes around every year so we’ve gathered some resources to hopefully make the transition a little easier on kids and parents alike!
What to Wear and Where to get it
Philadelphia public schools have uniform and dress codes, click here for the complete list. Colors for the dress code depend on which school the child attends. Click here to find your child’s school and uniform colors. To save on uniform pieces this year head to your local thrift store, here is a list of great Philly thrifts that will be sure to have clothes for your little one!
Buffalo exchange
1713 Chestnut Street
Village Thrift Store
2917 Kensington Ave
2nd Ave Value Store
163 Franklin Mills Blvd
For Catholic and Private schools in Philadelphia you must check with your schools policy to find the specific uniform for your child. Click here to access the Archdiocese of Philadelphia website. Uniforms can be purchased at the stores below.
Cramers – Main Location
4533 Frankford Ave
Cramers –West Philly
5226 Market St.
Cramers- South Philly
12th & Passyunk Ave
Flynn & O’Hara
6801 Frankford Avenue Unit G
After School Activities
After school activities are important for so many reasons. Whether a parent needs care for their child that stretches beyond the school day or a student is looking to beef up their school resume in order to get into a great college some day, after school programs can help keep kids out of trouble and help them learn life skills that schools often don’t have time for in the regular day.
Check with your child’s school to see what programs they might offer but if they don’t work for you here are some great resources:
ASAP/After School Activities Partnerships’
With everything from Drama to Chess ASAP’s mission is to develop high quality after school activities and resources to empower youth and strengthen communities in Philadelphia.
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
CSFP is a privately-funded program whose mission is to provide children from low-income Philadelphia families with financial access to quality, safe, K-8th grade, tuition-based schools, thereby increasing their long-term economic and social success.
Police Athletic League
PAL is “Cops Helping Kids.” We aspire to be the premier youth-serving organization in the city, by reducing crime, promoting character development, and improving educational outcomes. We do this by having Philadelphia Police Officers, supported by civilians, offer sports and other programs to youth in 17 centers in some of the city’s highest crime and lowest income neighborhoods.
Educational Summer Trips
It’s not too late to get a little bit of learning in this summer. An educational trip is also a great way to get the kids back into school mode without giving up on summer fun. Philly is filled with educational opportunities, here are just a few!
The National Parks Service in historic Philadelphia is taking part in a country-wide trading card activity so when you take the kids downtown to see things like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and America’s first Post office, they are encouraged to ask the Park Rangers for collectable trading cards. The rangers will ask the child a question based on their grade level to earn the card. This is a great and fun way to get the kids ready for history class, and best of all, it’s FREE!
Throughout the historic district there are benches with “Once Upon a Nation” signs. If you see a storyteller at the bench, they wear a light green polo, have the kids ask them to tell a story. These storytellers will act out a great historic tale for you and the kids and once again it’s absolutely FREE!
The Eastern State Penitentiary is not just for haunted house Halloween fun. The tour is actually very cool and quite educational. Probably a good activity for older kids who can use the opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system.
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