A lot can happen in a week, so #PhillyMayorThisWeek recaps five events of the past seven days you might’ve missed.

Take four minutes to get updated on what’s going on in your city!

1. The Mayor joined City officials at Tilden Middle School to announce the community schools plan.

An initiative funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, the City’s first community schools were announced last year. This week, each school presented a plan to cover the needs of schools as identified by students, parents, teachers, community members, and other partners. “Our kids can succeed,” the Mayor said, “if we have faith in their ability to do so and if we give them the resources they need.” Read how community schools plan to build up neighborhoods!

Last year, the City announced Philadelphia's first community schools. Today, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of…

Posted by City of Philadelphia Government on Thursday, March 30, 2017

 

2. Mayor Kenney kicked off Philadelphia’s first Immigrant Business Week.

Philly’s first ever Immigrant Business Week (IBW) started on Monday. A week-long celebration of the contributions immigrant businesses make to Philadelphia, the event also features networking events and workshops — and the Office of Immigrant Affairs is highlighting immigrant-owned food trucks in its Food Truck Spotlight, too. New Americans make significant contributions to Philadelphia’s economy: Since 2000, immigrants have driven 96% of Main Street small business growth! You can learn more about IBW, and Food Truck Spotlight, from the Office of Immigrant Affairs!

3. The Mayor presented musician Jon Batiste with an award as a preview of April’s month-long Philly Celebrates Jazz festival.

April is Jazz History Month, and the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy is celebrating with over 200 free concerts, discussions, and activities honoring the quintessential American art. This week, Mayor Kenney presented “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” bandleader Jon Batiste with the Benny Golson Award, which honors excellence in jazz. The award’s namesake, Benny Golson, is a Philadelphian and jazz legend. “Arts education is not a luxury,” the Mayor said, “it is a necessity and one of the most effective ways of helping our children grow and develop into not only more creative, but also open-minded and compassionate people.” Find a Philly Celebrates Jazz event near you!

4. Mayor Kenney visited a PHLpreK provider and announced important numbers about the program.

PHLpreK, the City’s no-cost quality pre-K program funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, released numbers this week showing the initiative is an effective anti-poverty measure. Over 90 percent of families participating in PHLpreK are at or below 300% of the federal poverty rate; and, the mean household income of families participating is $31,776 with an average household size of 3.8 people. “Today,1870 children are attending quality pre-K at 88 programs throughout the city,” the Mayor said. “We have a great deal more to accomplish, but we’re off to a good start.” Check out “PHLpreK by the Numbers!”

Visiting Casa Del Carmen, to meet students and staff, and to highlight the success of #PHLpreK so far!

Posted by Mayor Jim Kenney on Monday, March 27, 2017

 

5. The City released two more action guides, “Environment & Sustainability” and “Affordable Housing & Community Development.”

To equip Philadelphians with information and tools to stand up for values they believe in, the City is periodically releasing action guides on timely topics. This week, the Mayor’s Office distributed two more: “Environment & Sustainability” and “Affordable Housing & Community Development.”

A hotter and wetter climate will have a disastrous impact on the health of our residents and our communities.

Posted by Mayor Jim Kenney on Wednesday, March 29, 2017

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