Weekly Updates - Students/Parents
August 25 - 29, 2025
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! We are excited to begin this historic year, as we celebrate our 20th school opening! We look forward to continuing to foster a culture of growth and outstanding student achievement. This year, in partnership with the Home & School Association (HSA), been able to complete several updates to the school building including a first floor makeover, new library furniture, door wraps to create a more welcoming exterior, and relaxation zones throughout the building to support mental health. We are especially grateful to HSA president, Alex Du, for donating his time and talents to this project! It is the expectation that students will work hard to ensure that our building is treated with the care and respect that was put into this project in order to create an environment worthy of our school community.
Monday, August 25, 2025 - First Day for students! School starts at 8:00 AM
- 1 Hour Advisory Schedule
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
- 1 Hour Advisory Schedule
- 12th Grade Meeting during advisory (will likely run into 1st period)
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- 1 Hour Advisory Schedule
- 11th Grade Meeting during advisory
Thursday, August 28, 2025
- 1 Hour Advisory Schedule
- 10th Grade Meeting during advisory
- Community Meeting
Friday, August 29, 2025
- 1 Hour Advisory Schedule
- 9th Grade Meeting during advisory
- Community Meeting
All students living 1.5 miles or greater from the school (1100 Catharine St.) are eligible to receive a Septa Fare Card. The card is good until the student graduates from high school. Fare cards will be distributed at new student orientation or during the first week of school. Current students should use their existing fare cards, so please keep them in a safe location over the summer. New 10th, 11th & 12th grade students who are transferring will receive a new fare card if eligible. All students are able to travel to school for free on the first day of school. For fare card questions email Ms. Khadiyah at kbunion@philasd.org. Please see the district’s website for more information on Fare Cards.
Students may not use phones during class for non-instructional purposes. Teachers may either require students to keep phones in their bags (not in their pocket), or keep phones in a wall-hanger. Students are allowed to use phones responsibly before school, after school, and during their assigned lunch period. We highly encourage parents/caregivers to call the school's office at 215-400-8130 if they need to contact their student.
Consequences for students in violation of the policy are as follows:
1. After the first infraction teachers will have a private conversation with students
2. After the second infraction teachers will call the student’s home
3. After the third infraction students will be referred to the dean’s office. Thereafter the dean will follow progressive discipline according to the code of conduct.
You may use this electronic form to submit an excuse for your child's absence from school within three days of the absence. A doctors note must be provided after three consecutive days of absence. After 9 parental excuses, a doctor's note will be required. Be sure to complete each section below to ensure the excuse is accepted. Written notes are also accepted in the main office. All request are subject to administrative approval.
WAYS TO REQUEST AN EXCUSED ABSENCE:
- Complete this form within three days of the absence.
- Send a written note within three days of the absence
- Call 215-400-8130 on the morning of the absence.
