Mayor Kenney and Pre-K Students Celebrate at “PHLpreK Day of Play”
PHILADELPHIA – Today, nearly 1,000 PHLpreK students, families, and providers celebrated the end of the school year with a free morning of games and activities at Please Touch Museum. The PHLpreK celebration was co-hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Education and the Office of the City Representative.
Mayor Jim Kenney stopped by to congratulate the students, and was joined by Councilman Curtis Jones, Councilwoman Helen Gym, City Representative Sheila Hess, Please Touch Museum President and CEO Patricia Wellenbach, Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney, Philadelphia School District Superintendent Dr. William Hite, and Director of Operations for PHLpreK Shante’ Brown.
The morning’s activities highlighted the rich and diverse learning opportunities offered by Please Touch Museum, including a child-sized SEPTA bus and bus shelter, the Museum’s Creative Arts Studio, and a new Cents and Sensibility exhibit about money and financial literacy.
Launched in January 2017, PHLpreK is the city’s free, quality pre-K program funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. So far, the initiative has served over 4,000 students and their families, and it will expand to 3,300 seats next school year.
“I’ve always said that quality pre-K is one of the best investments we can make as a city. PHLpreK helps students, families, small businesses, and educators,” said Mayor Kenney. “This free, quality pre-K program has already prepared thousands of students for success in school. It’s also growing women- and minority-owned businesses, and helping parents return to work, increase their hours, and even attend school themselves. We have so much to celebrate and I’m excited for all that’s to come as the program continues to grow.”
“We know that when students are exposed to quality early childhood education, they are more likely to be successful later in their education and in life,” said Philadelphia School District Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite. “It’s critical that all students have access to these educational opportunities that are going to pique their interests and excite them for a lifetime of learning.”
Beginning in June, families can enroll in PHLpreK for the 2019-2020 school year. Families should visit phlprek.org or call 844-PHL-PREK to learn more about PHLpreK’s current providers and sign up for enrollment updates.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate another successful year of learning and growth with our PHLpreK students, families, and educators,” said Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney. “PHLpreK is directly serving Philadelphians and investing in our communities. We know families love this program and anticipate lots of interest when enrollment opens in June for the upcoming year. I encourage families with children who will be 3 or 4 years old before September 1 to visit our website today and sign up for enrollment updates.”
Please Touch Museum President and CEO Patricia Wellenbach joined Mayor Kenney during his tour of the event, and congratulated students and providers on behalf of the Museum.
“We are so pleased to celebrate PHLpreK’s achievements with children, families, and providers from across the city,” Wellenbach said. “Philadelphia is full of rich learning opportunities thanks to PHLpreK and we’re grateful to have spent the day with Mayor Kenney and the Office of Education celebrating all that is ahead for our city’s young learners.”
Denise Pickard‘s daughter Oliviah attends PHLpreK at Spring Garden Academy. “I am so grateful for how PHLpreK has helped our family,” said Denise. My daughter is thriving and I am able to return to work while saving for our future. PHLpreK has allowed us to look toward tomorrow, and best of all, I know my daughter is well on her way to a life full of educational opportunities. I’m happy for the thousands of families who will enroll in PHLpreK in the years ahead, and proud that this program now exists in Philadelphia.”
“We’re so pleased to have partnered with Please Touch Museum for our fourth joint celebration with the Mayor’s Office of Education,” said City Representative Sheila Hess. “It’s inspiring to see PHLpreK students, families, and providers thriving, and it’s a joy to celebrate their many successes here together at the museum.”
At the end of the morning, each student received a book from Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a book from Please Touch Museum, and a PHLpreK certificate.
The PHLpreK Day of Play was sponsored by Jefferson, Fulton Bank, and Keystone First.
Contact the Mayor’s Office of Education or Please Touch Museum for high-res photos from the event.
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