Category Archives: Education

Education, Whitman

Whitman Library Events

Leave a comment

Did you know that the Whitman branch of the Philadelphia Library hosts weekly events, classes, and clubs? Activities range from video games club to study groups, yoga lessons, health screenings, and more. There’s never a dull moment at this library. Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card!

Whitman Library
200 Snyder Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148-2620
(2nd St. & Snyder Ave.) 
 215-685-1754

Many activities and meetings are recurring. Here are some events coming up this week:

Video Game Club

 Wed, January 23, 2019 4:00 p.m.

Video Game Club is a weekly group for kids and teens to play new games. For avid gamers and newbies, play different games each week for some healthy competition.  

Yoga 

 Wed, January 23, 2019 6:30 p.m.

A free, inclusive yoga class for people of all skill levels and abilities. Mats are available, or you can bring your own. Wear something comfortable and come to the library for wellness, stretching, and relaxation. 

Get on the Bus!

 Thu, January 24, 2019 4:00 p.m.
W

Children will read Last Stop on Market Street , discuss their own bus experiences, and create 3D paper buses to drive along a large map of Philadelphia bus routes.   

SmART Readers

 Fri, January 25, 2019 3:30 p.m.
W

Students ages 7-12 can join us for an exciting visual art and literacy program! A visiting artist will engage students in fun art making experiences tied to literacy skills. This program is sponsored by the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership. 

Free Health Screening from Drexel Medicine 

 Mon, January 28, 2019 12:00 p.m.

Drexel Medicine will be in the Community Meeting Room for easy, confidential, and free blood pressure screenings and rapid HIV tests. Get educational materials on topics like PrEP, HIV/AIDS, and Hep C, and more. Free condoms will be available.  

Family Board Game Night

 Mon, January 28, 2019 5:00 p.m.

Bring your family to the library for board games! Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, and more games will be available to play in the children’s area. LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program) homework help and literacy activities offered for grades K-12 while school is in session.

Education, Events, Whitman

Indoor play spaces coming to Philadelphia public libraries

Leave a comment

Come draw, build, and create!

innovators

Four branches of the Philadelphia Free Library (Cecil B. Moore, Kingsessing, Whitman and Wyoming) will be getting indoor play spaces this year. Studio Ludo, in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, DIGSAU and Erector Sets, is working closely with community members, to envision what play could be at the library through a series of community workshops.

Philly Library

  • Cecil B. Moore: Saturday, 1/28 10am-1pm
  • Wyoming:Tuesday, 2/7 from 11-1pm and 3-5pm
  • Whitman: Saturday 2/11 from 11-2pm
  • Kingsessing: Monday, 2/13 from 10-2pm.

If you cannot attend, please visit any of the 4 branches during the month of February to fill out a caregiver survey and coloring sheet for your kids.

Education

Philly Teachers & Students Beg for Donation to Buy Books

Leave a comment

It’s no news that Philadelphia public school funding is sorely lacking. Many students and teachers in the Philadelphia school district have taken it into their own hands to gather funds for books and basic classroom necessities.

The efforts these elementary school teachers must make to ensure their students have the bare minimum – is both beautiful and sad. There is always talk of budgeting in city hall, but our children and students can’t even get their basic needs.

Some of the recent donation requests are from elementary schools serving kindergarteners to fifth graders:

classroom asks for donations
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it from you.”

Ms J from George Sharswood Elementary School is trying to teach her third graders to read, but the school cannot afford even used paperback books for the children. Ms J writes, “My students need to read The One and Only Ivan. This literacy read aloud and read along will promote fluency and comprehension… The book donation will have a significant impact on the students because the children experience the value of a donation.”

Mrs. Collier from Francis Scott Key Elementary School is asking for donations to help fund a listening center to promote literacy. Mrs Collier writes, “Your donation to our classroom will expose my English Language Learners to resources that will improve comprehension and fluency. Students will be able to enjoy having text dictated to them.”

Philadelphia school teachers often resort to paying for school supplies out of their own pocket. Even with campaigns such as these, most donations seem to be contributed by fellow school teachers rather than any third-party generous supporter.

If you choose to donate via DonorsChoose.org, remember to use a promo code such as DISNEYCREATIVITY so that your donation can be matched.

Education, Pennsport, Whitman

Philadelphia Libraries the new scene: Meet, Yoga, Learn

2 Comments

The future for the Free Library of Philadelphia is looking up a year after the big scare that promised the closing of 11 public library branches.

The Free Library of Philadelphia was awarded a $26 million grant from the William Penn Foundation last year. Much of that money went into upgrading and renovating six of the libraries: Central Library on Parkway, and branches of Lehigh Avenue, Logan Library, Lovett Library on Germantown Avenue, South Philadelphia, and Tacony.

Why those six? “With six million Philadelphians visiting the city libraries in person each year, the renovations, which will make the branches brighter and more accessible, are welcome,” reports Siobhan Reardon, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia. At least 50 other library branches failed to receive an upgrade, but local staff have made strong efforts to open keep their doors open to the community.

Philadelphia Library of Whitman Philadelphia

The Whitman Library branch serving Pennsport and Whitman at 2nd and Snyder Ave offers various different classes and events each week. Adult Education Classes are offered to help locals get their G.E.D. or improve their English. LEAP After School Program offers homework help, computer assistance and special programs for children and adults. This library branch also has free yoga for children and adults. They put out new calendars monthly on their Facebook page.

Philadelphia Library

Remember to come out to your local library to support, whether it be to volunteer, donate, or simply read a book!

Education, Entertainment, Events, Whitman

Halloween for the Family in Whitman South Philly

Leave a comment

Halloween is here already! If you and your family are looking for things to do in Philly, look no further than the Whitman neighborhood of South Philly. The Halloween events around the area focus on kid-friendly and family fun.

If you don’t want your little ones wandering the streets late at night to trick-or-treat, consider taking them to trick-or-treat at the Whitman Library! Take your kids to the Whitman Library located at 200 Snyder Ave on Monday, October 26th at 4pm. That will give kids the chance to go home and change after school – if they aren’t already in their costume!

Whitman Halloween

Looking for something a little more interactive for the family? On Thursday, October 29, Mifflin Square Park is hosting their Annual Halloween Park Cleanup & Mask Making Contest at 6th & Ritner Street from 3:30-6:30pm. Bring your joy and share it with the neighborhood!

Whitman Halloween Mifflin Square
Locals paint Mifflin Square Park for Halloween

Education

Women in Transition Hosts Free Self-Defense Class

Leave a comment

WAVE Self-Defense has been selected to partner with singer Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation to offer a FREE self-defense workshop as part of the Fight the Fear Campaign! The free self defense class takes place Saturday, October 17th from 1:30pm-4:00pm at 21 S 12th Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.

Philadelphia Free Self Defense Class

WAVE is a practical and empowering safety and self-defense program open to women, girls, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals (ages 14+) throughout the Philadelphia region.

WAVE classes teach safety strategies that students can use in situations ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault. We emphasize awareness, trusting your instincts, boundary setting, verbal assertiveness, and easy-to-learn physical techniques. Students of all skills, abilities, sizes and body types are strongly encouraged to participate in our classes.

Join the event and learn safety & assertiveness skills in a safe and fun environment. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.