Dear Families,

It's our final week of the school year! Below is information about next school year that will be important to Lea families in planning for the 2021-2022 school year that starts on August 31st.

The School District of Philadelphia recently announced that school bus schedules are changing next school year across the District. This change in arrival time for our students means that most schools in the District will need to adjust their start and end times in order to make sure students arrive before and leave after the school day.

At Lea, this means that our start and end times for next school year will shift one half hour. Starting in the fall, school will begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:39 pm on regular school days, and we will open our doors at 8:30 am to provide students with breakfast. On early dismissal half days, school will start at 9:00 am and end at 12:39 pm. We understand that any change to routine is difficult and appreciate your patience as we make this adjustment. We will be providing information on resources for early morning care in the upcoming weeks and months.

In addition, we have learned a lot about technology in the last year, and have seen our students develop their computer literacy skills. As we return to in-person learning in the fall, we want to continue to build on the progress we have made with technology. To that end, we are continuing as a one-to-one laptop school and will ask that all 4th through 8th grade students bring their laptops to school with them each day next school year. For our K-3 students next school year, we ask that families ensure that their child’s laptop comes to school with them, and our K-3 students’ laptops will be housed at the school so they won’t need to transport them to and from school each day. We are confident that our program next year will see a return to the collaboration, active learning, engagement, and relationships that we love from in-person school while also allowing students to develop the digital skills that will benefit them in the future.

Please keep an eye on our school website (https://lea.philasd.org/) and the District’s website (https://www.philasd.org/) for any updates over the summer.

I wish our students, families, and staff a restful, safe, and happy summer, and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!

With love and respect,

Principal Gerwer

agerwer@philasd.org

Last Day of the School Year

This Friday, June 11, is the final day of the school year for Lea students. We hope that everyone has a happy, fun, and safe summer, and we look forward to seeing you next school year, which begins on Tuesday, August 31!

Information re: Next School Year (2021-2022)

Below is information about next year that will be important to Lea families in planning for next school year.

The School District of Philadelphia recently announced that school bus schedules are changing next school year across the District. This change in arrival time for our students means that most schools in the District will need to adjust their start and end times in order to make sure students arrive before and leave after the school day.

At Lea, this means that our start and end times for next school year will shift one half hour. Starting in the fall, school will begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:39 pm on regular school days, and we will open our doors at 8:30 am to provide students with breakfast. On early dismissal half days, school will start at 9:00 am and end at 12:39 pm. We understand that any change to routine is difficult and appreciate your patience as we make this adjustment. We will be providing information on resources for early morning care in the upcoming weeks and months.

In addition, we have learned a lot about technology in the last year, and have seen our students develop their computer literacy skills. As we return to in-person learning in the fall, we want to continue to build on the progress we have made with technology. To that end, we are continuing as a one-to-one laptop school and will ask that all 4th through 8th grade students bring their laptops to school with them each day next school year. For our K-3 students next school year, we ask that families ensure that their child’s laptop comes to school with them, and our K-3 students’ laptops will be housed at the school so they won’t need to transport them to and from school each day. We are confident that our program next year will see a return to the collaboration, active learning, engagement, and relationships that we love from in-person school while also allowing students to develop the digital skills that will benefit them in the future.

Please keep an eye on our school website (https://lea.philasd.org/) and the District’s website (https://www.philasd.org/) for any updates over the summer.

Summer Programs

Click on our "Summer Programs" section below for up-to-date information on options for students and families for summer programming!

Quarter 4 Report Cards

Report cards for our fourth and final marking period will be available soon through the District's Parent and Family Portal. Follow the links below to access your child's report card:

• How to view report cards in the District's Parent and Family Portal: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qlp3bJgLquwVoYj5EHzodm7Sh5wBFU7d/view

• How to view report cards in the District's Student Portal: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qlp3bJgLquwVoYj5EHzodm7Sh5wBFU7d/view

• How to access translations: https//www.philasd.org/face/fr/parent-and-family-portal/

Commencement Ceremonies

Some of our students, families, and staff will be celebrating commencements next week!

• 8th Grade Dance: Friday 6/4, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Lea small schoolyard

• 8th Grade Commencement Ceremony: Monday 6/7, 10:00 am, West Philadelphia High School Field

• Kindergarten Move-Up Ceremony: Tuesday 6/8, 9:00 am, Lea small schoolyard

• Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start Move-Up Ceremony: Wednesday 6/9, 9:00-10:00 am and 10:30-11:30 am, Lea small schoolyard

Family Surveys

We want Lea Elementary School students, families, and staff to participate in our school's strategic planning process as we prepare for the 2021–2022 school year and beyond. To do this, we want to connect with every Lea family before the end of the school year in the hopes of learning about your family's experience at Lea, as well as your hopes for your child's education and our school. We've created the FamiLea Survey linked below as one way to connect with our families, and ask that you take time to complete the survey (5-15 minutes) before the end of the school year.

• FamiLea Survey = https://tinyurl.com/familea-survey-spring-2021

HSA Book Fair

Many thanks to our Home and School Association (HSA) for hosting the Book Fair on Monday 5/17 and Friday 5/21!

UACS After-School Program

The final day of after-school programming for our UACS after-school program for students in Grades K - 8th will be the last day of school, Friday 6/11!

The UACS after-school program operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 6:00 pm online. Students can log in for homework help, tutoring, and different after-school clubs and activities, which are outlined in our K-5th grade schedule and 6th-8th grade schedule.

Visit the Lea UACS after-school program website for program information, activity descriptions, and to enroll your child. Please feel free to contact our UACS after-school program director, Ms. Arttia Watts, at arttiaw@sas.upenn.edu or 215-435-0314.

PAEP After-School Program

Our PAEP after-school program for students in Grades 5th - 8th operates Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 6:30 pm online! If you're interested in signing up and attending, follow this link for program information and to enroll your child. And please feel free to contact our new PAEP after-school program coordinator, Coach Eric Middleton, at emiddleton@philasd.org.

University City Arts League

University City Arts League (UCAL) is offering daily arts after-school programming to provide accessible activities in a safe and quarantined environment. Follow the link for details.

• Days: Monday - Friday

• Times: 3:00 - 6:00 pm

• Dates: Spring 2021

• Class Info: Families can visit our website for more information regarding prices, agreeable payment plans, and our full safety procedures: http://www.ucartsleague.org/classes/after-school-classes/

After-School Programs Page

Lea hosts various extended learning opportunities and out-of-school-time programs (programs during after-school hours and/or the summer) for our students.

We list information about these programs on our Partners @ Lea website on the After-School Programs page.

FamiLea Survey

We want Lea Elementary School students, families, and staff to participate in our school's strategic planning process as we prepare for the 2021–2022 school year and beyond. To do this, we want to connect with every Lea family before the end of the school year in the hopes of learning about your family's experience at Lea, as well as your hopes for your child's education and our school. We've created the FamiLea Survey linked below as one way to connect with our families, and ask that you take time to complete the survey (5-15 minutes) before the end of the school year.

• FamiLea Survey = https://tinyurl.com/familea-survey-spring-2021

School Advisory Council (SAC)

We encourage ALL families to participate in our School Advisory Council (SAC), which is a peer-elected, collaborative team composed of family members, the school principal, teachers, and other school-based staff, students and community members. Our SAC champions the work for improved student achievement, effective teaching in the classroom, family and community engagement in the educational process, and communication and support between home and school. Our SAC focuses on data-driven, strategic conversations that center on the three primary focus areas mentioned above.

Next SAC Meeting: TBD (August or September 2021)

• Link: SAC Zoom Meeting

• Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm

• Fall 2020 dates: 9/17, 10/15, 11/19, 12/17

• Spring 2021 dates: 1/21, 2/18, 3/18, 4/15, 5/20

Last SAC Meeting

Click on the link to read a summary of the last SAC meeting: Lea SAC Meeting Summary

If you want to get involved in SAC:

• Come to one of our monthly Zoom meetings!

• Contact our SAC Organizer, Molly McGlone (mcglone.molly@gmail.com, 608-213-4443), or our Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Mr. Brown (antbrown001@gmail.com).

Home & School Association (HSA)

The Home and School Association (HSA) of Henry C. Lea Elementary aims to provide support to Lea students, families, and staff, and we encourage ALL families to participate in the HSA! Whether it’s managing the school book fair, supporting school events, raising money, or rounding up volunteers to help clean teachers' rooms, we are ready to help.

Next HSA Meeting: TBD (August or September 2021)

• Link: HSA Zoom Meeting

• Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm

• Fall 2020 dates: 9/23, 10/28, 11/10, 12/9

• Spring 2021 dates: 1/27, 2/24, 3/24, 4/28, 5/26

Last HSA Meeting

Click on the following link to read a summary of the last HSA meeting: Lea HSA Meeting Summary

If you want to get involved in HSA:

• Come to one of our monthly Zoom meetings!

• Email us: leahomeandschool@gmail.com

• Visit the HSA website: https://lea-hsa.wixsite.com/support

West Philly Book Bins

Looking for FREE BOOKS and for something fun to do? Check out the network of BOOK BINS in West Philly! You can get free books at these bins any time, and if you want a prize, visit all the bins in your grade group and unscramble the letters you find on each bin. See the attached flyer to learn more or read on below!

Philly Hope Line

Please see attached a flyer for the Philly Hope Line, which is available to all District students and families. The Philly Hope Line connects people with counselors to help provide support with stress and mental health concerns, including coping during the holidays and coping with COVID-related stress and loss.

Family Programs Page

Lea hosts various programs, events, and activities for our families. We list information about these family programs on our new Partners @ Lea website under the Family Programs page. Use the links below to explore and learn about our current family and adult programming and partners.

1. PennSmiles Mobile Dental Clinic

2. Family Stabilization Programs

3. Family Academy Courses and Training (FACT)

Family and Community Engagement Liaison

Our Family and Community Engagement Liaison is Mr. Anthony Brown. He is responsible for providing Lea families, parents, and caregivers with support in many ways. Mr. Brown is always here to help solve issues, address concerns, provide information, connect the right people, and generally make things work more smoothly for our families.

Mr. Brown's contact information is:

• Email: antbrown001@gmail.com

• Phone: 215-400-7660

Health Office Updates

1. Shout out to all the hybrid students for doing great job with masking & social distancing!

2. The COVID vaccine is now available to kids aged 12 & up! With the vaccine, kids can get together safely for the first time in a year. Whoot! Philly youth have also organized Philly Teen Vaxx Events.

3. The CDC has also recently recognized how safe it is to be outdoors. Check out this CDC Guide to Choosing Safe Activities for more information.

4. The COVID vaccine is free & available for all Philly residents 16 & older! Click this link to set up an appointment or visit the Convention Center walk-up sites. The University of the Sciences (USciences) will also have 2 walk-up clinics on April 13 & April 22 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ 730 S. 43rd St.

PennSmiles Dental Bus

Bad news: Cavities have sky-rocketed since COVID-19 quarantine!

Good news: Penn Dental Bus is still providing excellent, free, and safe dental care at Lea! 🦷

If your school-aged children need dental care, call to make an appointment: 267-463-6571