On January 1, 2017, the first anniversary of Mayor Jim Kenney’s inauguration, 3- and 4-year olds across Philadelphia started their first day of PHLpreK classes.

A key initiative of Mayor Jim Kenney’s Administration, PHLpreK is the City-funded program increasing access to quality pre-K in Philadelphia.

Celebrating their first day of classes, new students and parents were welcomed at SPIN-Parkwood in Northeast Philadelphia by Otis Hackney, the city’s Chief Education Officer.

Here are our five favorite photos chronicling the auspicious occasion.

Two new students, accompanied by their parent, walk down the hall to their classroom on the first day of classes.
Two new students, accompanied by their parent, walk down the hall to their classroom on the first day of classes.
Two students build a “dinosaur world" at PHLprek.
Two students build a “dinosaur world.”
Ms. Patty, a PHLpreK teacher, sings a song with her new students to help them learn each others’ names.
Ms. Patty, a PHLpreK teacher, sings a song with her new students to help them learn each others’ names.
Three future PHLpreK graduates pose for a photo.
Three future PHLpreK graduates pose for a photo.
One student plays with alphabet blocks on her first day of PHLpreK.
One student plays with alphabet blocks on her first day of PHLpreK.

There are still a few seats remaining, so call 844-PHL-PREK (844-745-7735) to enroll! Check out the PHLpreK website for more information, too.