Academy at Palumbo Newsletter

Week of May 7, 2018
Griffin Pride: Nothing Less Than Success!

Happy teacher and staff appreciation week! Express your gratitude and support for our devoted, wonderful Palumbo staff and teachers this week if you get a chance.  They will appreciate it ☺

Programs and Resources

Summer-specific programs will be announced in separate newsletter sent bi-weekly.

Opera Philadelphia’s Backstage Pass
“This February Opera Philadelphia is launching a new career-based initiative focusing on the careers available behind the scenes. This program is geared towards 11th graders, but is open to all high schools students.

The participants in the Backstage Pass program will meet with professionals working in the various technical theater arts. They will have a chance to observe the various jobs through site visits and demonstrations, helping to build their network for the future. The program will culminate with each participant given the opportunity to apply for the various summer internships that are available.”
Learn more and register here.

Monday Cooking at South Philadelphia Library (every Monday, 4 – 6PM)
Learn about plant-based cooking through this hands-on community experience led by Chef Char Nolan, with exciting new recipes every week!

Al Bustan Spring Percussion Classes
Al-Bustan is offering spring percussion classes for adults and youth ages 12+. The classes are taught by Hafez Kotain on Tuesday nights at The Rotunda.

“Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is dedicated to presenting and teaching Arab culture through the arts and language. ‘Al-Bustan,’ Arabic for ‘The Garden,’ offers structured exposure to the language, art, music, dance, literature, and natural environment of the Arab world. Al-Bustan promotes cross-cultural understanding among youth and adults of all ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds through artistic and educational programs.”

Let’s Get Ready
Let’s Get Ready seeks to improve college accessibility to low-income students. Enroll now for a free 9-week program beginning February that provides SAT tutoring, college counseling, and mentoring from college student volunteers.

PhillyCoder Dojo 
Learn to code for free at this weekly program. PhillyCoder Dojo equips youth with creative coding and development skills, opening a door of future possibilities for students. Locations and dates are located here.

Mighty Writers
Interested in writing? Mighty Writers runs free daily workshops all across Philadelphia for writing as well as teen programs, mentorships and college prep resources. Visit the online calendar here.

After School Activities Partnerships 
An online directory of hundreds of community-driven after-school activities and resources for Philadelphia youth. Visit the event calendar here.

More Teen Resources

More College Access Resources

Scholarships and Contests

Ellis Trust for Girls
The Charles E. Ellis Trust for Girls (The Ellis Trust) helps eligible young women in Philadelphia excel in high school and be prepared for postsecondary success.

“For girls attending public and charter high schools, we fund a range of exciting and meaningful experiences and opportunities to help girls strengthen their academic skills, develop their character, perfect their talents and discover who they are and who they hope to be. We also award grants to help cover basic school-related needs, such as uniforms and supplies. Read more and apply here.”

The Philadelphia Foundation Scholarships
A comprehensive list of more than fifty scholarships available to high school students.

“How U Survive Through Life Everyday” Scholarship (deadline May 14)
“The Young Chances Foundation HUSTLE Scholarship was established in 2018. The mission of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to individuals that are enrolled in school, juvenile centers in the city, colleges and universities. Preference will be given to students who attended high school in the Philadelphia County. The Young Chances Foundation HUSTLE Scholarship principally targets academic and social programs; however, consideration is also given to alternative accomplishments and achievements during the school year.”

Philadelphia high school students with financial need are invited to apply for this annually awarded scholarship. Learn more and apply here.

Drexel Engineering Scholarship (deadline May 18)
Graduating seniors planning to attend Drexel University College of Engineering are eligible to apply for several scholarships. Learn more and apply here.

Thole Essay Contest (deadline May 18)
All high school seniors are invited to write an essay based on any aspect of the US constitution. One student from each participating high school will receive a cash price. Learn more here.

College Fairs Online Annual $1000 Scholarship (deadline June 1)
“Any student can apply online. The guidelines are listed on the site and are very simple. Students must participate in a virtual fair as well as sharing on social media sites. It’s as easy as that!” Learn more and apply here. 

Valley Forge Military College Scholarship (deadline August 1)
This scholarship provides students with guaranteed admission and a partial scholarship to Valley Forge Military College. Learn more and apply here.

PhillyGoes2College
“PhillyGoes2College guides students through the process of applying and transitioning to college and other secondary opportunities. Whether you’re going for the first time or coming back as an adult, we’ll help you find the right programs, community resources, and financial supports to be successful.”

Find an online list of national and Philly scholarship opportunities here as well as other resources on the website.

Scholarships for First-Generation College Students
These scholarships are specifically awarded to high school seniors who will be the first in their family to attend college.

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program
High school students with financial need pursuing a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or certificate program are eligible to apply for scholarship awards ranging from $6000 to $25000. This scholarship program “specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.” Read more and apply here.

Volunteering

Food Not Bombs
Help prepare and/or distribute vegetarian meals served to the public without restriction. Food Not Bombs is a volunteer-driven worldwide movement committed to nonviolent social change.

• Cooking takes place at Ahimsa House in West Philadelphia three times a week (Thurs 3-5PM, Friday 2:30-4:30PM, Sun 2:30-5:30PM).
• Food sharing takes place Thursdays 5-6PM @ 46th & Market, Fridays 4:30-5:30PM @ Malcom Park and Sundays 6-7PM @ The Franklin Institute. Full schedule details here.

Philly Reading Coach
Support literacy for elementary students by becoming a volunteer reading coach.

MANNA
Help prepare meals for individuals with serious illnesses in need by helping cook, bake and prepare meals in the MANNA kitchen.

Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission
Help serve meals to the homeless during daily lunch and dinner services. Application here.

Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer to help build and repair homes for those in need across Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society
Support and care for homeless animals by volunteering at a PAWS adoption center.

Mural Arts Philadelphia
Connect with the Philadelphia community through public art.

City Life

Obatala Mural Creation, Paint Together (Friday, May 11, 4 – 7PM @ Village of Arts & Humanities)

“Join Muralist Felix St Fort, Lily Yeh, Ile Ife Alumni, Village Staff, community and youth to begin painting this powerful mural.

“Celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Village, Founder Lily Yeh designed this mural to commemorate the legacy of renowned artists Arthur Hall and Barbara Bullock. The late Arthur Hall was an internationally eminent choreographer, dancer, and the founder of the Arthur Hall Afro-American Dance Ensemble and the Ile-Ife Black Humanitarian Center in North Philadelphia, predecessor to The Village.” 

The Village of Arts & Humanities is located at 2544 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19133. 

Free Museums in Philadelphia

ACCESS Card
Visit over thirty five local museums, science centers, gardens, historic sites and cultural attractions at a rate of $2 per person. Residents who “monitor their government issued cash, food, or medical benefits with an EBT card” are eligible to become an ACCESS Cardholder. One ACCESS card enables up to four family members attending at the discounted rate. 

Indego30 Access Pass
Enjoy biking around Philly? Individuals with an ACCESS card can enjoy unlimited 1-hour trips using Indego bikeshare for $5 per month.  

Students at Museums in Philly (STAMP) Pass
Open to all Philadelphia high school students, the STAMP pass offers free admission to Philly museums, attractions and special events. STAMP seeks to increase teen access to Philly’s vibrant art and culture scene.

Free Events at the South Philadelphia Library
An online directory of daily events and resources including career workshops, learning CPR and even jazz concerts.

Gun Control Policies Action Guide
In light of recent school shootings and the gun violence that impacts Philadelphia youth daily, the City released an action guide on Gun Control Policies. This guide informs citizens of current federal and state-level gun policies and provides information on City programs and actions citizens can take. View all City of Philadelphia Action Guides.

BenePhilly and Financial Empowerment Services now available in MSB!
Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity (CEO)
CEO now has an office in the Municipal Services Building (MSB) concourse providing the following services:

• BenePhilly – free, one-on-one professional support in screening and enrolling in more than 20 public benefits and services.
  *Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Financial Empowerment Center – financial management services (including credit repair, retirement savings, debt management and home-ownership preparation).
  *Available by appointment only (please call 215-563-5665)
• Campaign For Working Families – help with tax preparation.
  *Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (available until April 17)

Questions? Contact: sulaiman.wood@phila.gov
Municipal Services Building (MSB), 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Basement
If entering MSB via main entrance and going down the escalators, it’s to the right at the bottom of the escalators.
Learn more!

More Free Things to Do