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News and announcements about Friends of Adaire
Some of our Semi-Old News...
Farewell to Sasha Best
As announced a few weeks ago, FoA Board Member and Adaire's amazing Community Partner Coordinator, Sasha Best, has accepted a position as Project Associate for the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders and her last day at school was February 28. Friends of Adaire didn't want to say goodbye to Sasha without a special note of thanks. As one of the many groups that Sasha has helped connect to the Adaire community, Friends of Adaire has special insight into Sasha's daily impact.
If your child has enjoyed one of the more than 80 partnership programs that Sasha has made possible at Adaire for the last four years -- dance, music, drama, and more -- you've felt her impact too. Four years, though Sasha has only been paid for three: She volunteered full-time at Adaire for a year before she found her own grant funding to pay for her position.
Families entering Adaire, whether for one of the countless school tours Sasha led or enrolling their students, have been able to count on Sasha's friendly hello and diligent followup. Staff at Adaire have been able to count on Sasha to get things done, better than they expected. And Friends of Adaire has been able to concentrate on so many other fundraising goals knowing that Sasha was on the trail of big grants and exciting partnerships.
We're thrilled that Sasha's leaving us to broaden her impact on public education in Philadelphia, as Project Associate for the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, even as we lament her departure from Adaire. We know we'll still benefit from Sasha's work and lasting legacy every day from here on out. We're so grateful for everything Sasha Best has done for our school and wider community. May Sasha's true legacy be the inspiration of what one engaged parent can get done if she puts her mind, time, and talents to it.
If your child has enjoyed one of the more than 80 partnership programs that Sasha has made possible at Adaire for the last four years -- dance, music, drama, and more -- you've felt her impact too. Four years, though Sasha has only been paid for three: She volunteered full-time at Adaire for a year before she found her own grant funding to pay for her position.
Families entering Adaire, whether for one of the countless school tours Sasha led or enrolling their students, have been able to count on Sasha's friendly hello and diligent followup. Staff at Adaire have been able to count on Sasha to get things done, better than they expected. And Friends of Adaire has been able to concentrate on so many other fundraising goals knowing that Sasha was on the trail of big grants and exciting partnerships.
We're thrilled that Sasha's leaving us to broaden her impact on public education in Philadelphia, as Project Associate for the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, even as we lament her departure from Adaire. We know we'll still benefit from Sasha's work and lasting legacy every day from here on out. We're so grateful for everything Sasha Best has done for our school and wider community. May Sasha's true legacy be the inspiration of what one engaged parent can get done if she puts her mind, time, and talents to it.
January 2020: Annual Fund Success!
Friends of Adaire is thrilled to announce that thanks to a New Year’s Eve donation from a generous donor, we were able to surpass our Annual Fund Goal before the clock struck midnight in 2019! The money raised will continue to support STREAM initiatives at the school both this year and next. Thank you to everyone who gave or supported our fundraisers to help us reach this important milestone! Whether you gave $5 for our birthday fundraiser, were a monthly donor, or worked with your employer to fund a matching donation, you helped get us across the finish line in just four months. With your support, we can now focus fundraising efforts on building a strong base for next year’s campaign and more teacher funding requests! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Giving Tuesday Success!
Thank you to our amazing community who came together on Facebook this past #GivingTuesday and helped fund ALL Adaire teachers’ current DonorsChoose projects!! Originally, we set the fundraiser to run for 10 days but you all came through and donated, shared and liked our way to reach our goal in one day!! Because of your support, we were able to take advantage of the Donors Choose one-day match and fund 13 teacher projects totaling over $3,500! Thank you, donors, families, supporters and of course, our wonderful teachers!
Check out the awesome thank you note from Mrs. Rice's kindergarten class to our donors!
Check out the awesome thank you note from Mrs. Rice's kindergarten class to our donors!
Thanks for a successful 3rd Annual Friends of Adaire Fall Festival
A HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, trunk participants and community who came out to celebrate our 3rd Annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat! We raised over $3,000 for the Annual Fund and the Eighth Grade Class Activities Fund, our biggest success yet!!! Special thanks to Festival Sponsors: Penn Treaty Special Services District and State Senator Mary Isaacson! Mary and Councilperson Mark Squilla were also our guest judges for Judge’s Favorite Trunk! Also, big thanks to the 26th Precinct, Eric Rudy and everyone at the Fishtown Rec for hosting us, and Riverwards Produce and Ryeco for donating apples and pumpkins! Congrats to the Addams Family as Judge’s Favorite and Wizard of Oz for Fan Favorite Trunks! We were amazed by all the creative entries we had this year - you all made the event incredibly special for our kids! Thank you all!!
Remembering Dr. Christina Long
Friends of Adaire joins the whole Adaire community and the friends and family of Dr. Christina Long in mourning Dr. Long's passing in July 2019. As Principal Anna Jenkins wrote: "It was about a year ago when we heard of her cancer. Chris fought fearlessly to stay alive. She also exhibited her grace. Chris is a mother, wife, friend and teacher. She was so passionate about Writing. There will be a memorial service in October to celebrate Chris's birthday, Oct 19th. Chris' presence at Adaire will continue to be missed."
In addition to being a beloved teacher and inspiring leader at Adaire, Dr. Long was truly among the first Friends of Adaire -- welcoming us into the school community when we first started almost 7 years ago. She will be missed, but our community is richer for her having been among us for the last couple of decades. On November 15, 2019, Friends of Adaire supported teachers and staff in remembering Dr. Long's impact at Adaire by sponsoring a plaque in her honor and dedication ceremony.
In addition to being a beloved teacher and inspiring leader at Adaire, Dr. Long was truly among the first Friends of Adaire -- welcoming us into the school community when we first started almost 7 years ago. She will be missed, but our community is richer for her having been among us for the last couple of decades. On November 15, 2019, Friends of Adaire supported teachers and staff in remembering Dr. Long's impact at Adaire by sponsoring a plaque in her honor and dedication ceremony.
Annual Fund Success!
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FoA recently received a $500 City of Philadelphia Activities fund grant that it applied for last year! The grant, along with funds the school donated from Comcast received through the Comcast Cares Day program has helped us achieve our 2018-2019 Annual Fund goal! Thank you to the City and Councilman Darrell Clarke's office and Comcast for helping us cross the finish line in under a year! The biggest thanks, however, goes to our community and family supporters whose donations (big and small), helped us bring our PlayWorks coach into the school every day of the school week! We are so grateful for everyone's support and look forward to setting a new goal for next year's Annual Fund campaign that will continue to help the school thrive.
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June 11: Annual Meeting--Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Principal Jenkins' annual round up of the past year's successes and what's in store for next year was jam-packed with exciting news and announcements!
Of note: a full-time Spanish teacher and reading specialist are being hired; all students grades 5-8 will have a chrome book and all classrooms are getting smartboards! The YMCA will be offering aftercare at Adaire but details are still being ironed out! The list goes on and on...Check out our live-tweeting for all the info here
Join FoA in empowering Principal Jenkins so she is able to allocate resources to all of these wonderful new additions and initiatives donate to the Annual Fund today!
Of note: a full-time Spanish teacher and reading specialist are being hired; all students grades 5-8 will have a chrome book and all classrooms are getting smartboards! The YMCA will be offering aftercare at Adaire but details are still being ironed out! The list goes on and on...Check out our live-tweeting for all the info here
Join FoA in empowering Principal Jenkins so she is able to allocate resources to all of these wonderful new additions and initiatives donate to the Annual Fund today!
Adaire Spring Concert Featuring American Trappist!
The third annual Adaire Concert featured performances by students involved in the Adaire instrumental, dance, choir & guitar programs! More than 100 students performed with the professional band, American Trappist. Locally based recording studio Miner Street Recordings, music non-profit Weathervane Music and the Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) sponsored this incredible event. Miner Street and Weathervane, with a group of local indie musicians, produced an album of music to benefit Philadelphia Public Schools, and have been partners in planning the entire performance. PTSSD granted funds to support the event and auction.
Adaire partners, The Rock School of Dance and Rock to the Future worked with students all year long to prepare them for this moment and Kathy O'Connell from Kids Corner on WXPN was an incredible MC! Thank you to all our partners, sponsors, student performers, and attendees! It was a wonderful night of music, dance and inspiration!
Adaire partners, The Rock School of Dance and Rock to the Future worked with students all year long to prepare them for this moment and Kathy O'Connell from Kids Corner on WXPN was an incredible MC! Thank you to all our partners, sponsors, student performers, and attendees! It was a wonderful night of music, dance and inspiration!
FoA Third Silent Auction Raises Over $10,000 for the Annual Fund!
Thank you to all our bidders, donors and winners! Friends of Adaire's Third Annual Silent Auction ended on Monday, May 14 and raised over $10,000 for the Annual Fund!
If you missed out, don't worry you can still make a donation to the Annual Fund via our eBay for Charity site and FoA pays no transaction fees.
If you missed out, don't worry you can still make a donation to the Annual Fund via our eBay for Charity site and FoA pays no transaction fees.
Riverwards Run May 12--Raised $5,000 for Adaire and other Public Schools in the Riverwards!
Thank you to all our Riverwards Runners and sponsors! The Run raised $5,000 for local schools including Adaire!
The Riverwards Run is a collaborative community charity run to benefit Philadelphia Public Schools in the Riverwards! Join residents, students, local businesses and more in a fun run from N5 Square to Avenue 30! Along the way participate in an instagram contest sponsored by local businesses!
End your run at an an all-out party at N5Square, with food trucks, performances by the Rock to the Future Kids, announcements, contest winners, and MORE!
Participating schools: Hackett, Adaire, Moffett, & Brown! All proceeds will be split evenly between these four schools. Suggested Donation is $25.00 but you can register and run with any dollar amount! We can't wait to see you there!
Thank you so much to our sponsors who understand the benefit that vibrant public schools have on the larger Fishtown and Riverwards neighborhoods: The Somers Team, RiverWards Group, and RE/MAX Access. Register now here!
The Riverwards Run is a collaborative community charity run to benefit Philadelphia Public Schools in the Riverwards! Join residents, students, local businesses and more in a fun run from N5 Square to Avenue 30! Along the way participate in an instagram contest sponsored by local businesses!
End your run at an an all-out party at N5Square, with food trucks, performances by the Rock to the Future Kids, announcements, contest winners, and MORE!
Participating schools: Hackett, Adaire, Moffett, & Brown! All proceeds will be split evenly between these four schools. Suggested Donation is $25.00 but you can register and run with any dollar amount! We can't wait to see you there!
Thank you so much to our sponsors who understand the benefit that vibrant public schools have on the larger Fishtown and Riverwards neighborhoods: The Somers Team, RiverWards Group, and RE/MAX Access. Register now here!
Comcast Cares Day is on April 21st this year!
Thanks to the Adaire community's awesome response and effort and Comcast's generosity, once again Alexander Adaire K-8 has been selected as a site for Comcast Cares Day, the single biggest corporate day of service in the country! This year it's Earth Day, Saturday, April 21, 2018! Adaire parent Ryan Olah is once again organizing our efforts with help from Friends of Adaire leaders Stefan Zajic and Joe McAteer and we're counting on another awesome turnout of volunteers committing to one Saturday of effort to help this great school become even greater! Adaire School AND Friends of Adaire stand to gain Comcast grants tied to the number of volunteers who register and show up on 4/21! Register now here!
Adaire Schoolyard project breaks ground!
On Feb. 21, 2017, we officially broke ground on the Adaire Schoolyard Revitalization Project! Dignitaries including Mayor Kenney, City Council President Clarke, Managing Director DiBerardinis, Schools Superintendent Dr. Hite, many community members, Adaire students, and journalists joined us and our partners The Trust for Public Land and Philadelphia Water Department to celebrate Phase 1's groundbreaking AND the launch of our Phase 2 Planning Process! See lots more about the Groundbreaking Celebration and the project here!
Toddler Story Hour returns for 3rd successful year!
Toddler Story Hours are going strong! Every Tuesday this "winter" from 4-5 p.m., Friends of Adaire welcomes preschool-age kids and their caregivers into Adaire library for a free, fun hour of stories, songs, crafts, and games! Once again the popular event for Fishtown families is led by Friends of Adaire board member Chris Morrissey Grubb, this year with assistance from Friends of Adaire Meg Madison and Natali Jones!
95 Club helps attendance soar at Adaire!
Thanks to the hard work of Principal Jenkins, Community Liaison Mary Devlin, community sponsors like The Igloo Fishtown (who provided yummy incentives for the 95 Club), and especially parents and students, Adaire saw a 10% increase in the number of students who achieved 95% attendance last year! As anyone who has talked to Mrs. Jenkins knows, kids who aren't in class can't learn, so prompt attendance is the foundation upon which everything else is built. Congratulations, all!
Public meeting gathers together Friends old and new!
Friends of Adaire hosted a working board meeting open to the general public in the Adaire auditorium lobby on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. FoA's board discussed upcoming events, the schoolyard transformation, our STEM drive, happy hours, toddler story hour, strategizing for next year, and more! Yummy snacks and refreshments were provided, and many new volunteers were recruited for our various projects. Stay tuned for announcement of our next general meeting for the public!
Philly Paper Jam brings paper to Adaire, other schools!
Philly Paper Jam is an amazing grassroots effort supplying schools throughout Philly with paper this school year, and it grew out of a partnership between our FoA board member Sasha Best and Hipster Henry! Special thanks to Adaire's generous paper patrons: The Dominic Fuscia Team! Printfresh! and Peekaboo Pediatrics Philadelphia! Please support all of them the way they're supporting us! Go check out the other schools who have met their paper needs thanks to private donations like these, and see those schools still working on it, here: http://phillypaperjam.com/
STEM Fund launched!
Friends of Adaire board members Stefan Zajic and Edyta Zielinska have launched a STEM Fund to help Adaire students and teachers explore more of the worlds of Science, Tech, Engineering and Math! They helped us learn how to make flubber(!) at a fun Happy Hour kickoff event in May, and now Adaire teachers are applying for support from the fund! Principal Jenkins is reopening a dedicated Science Lab that teachers will be bringing classes to regularly for exciting science experiments -- which can now be funded with the Friends of Adaire STEM Fund's help! Want to contribute to the private fund? Go here!
Pre-Kindergarten Potluck Picnic in the Park!
Friends of Adaire helped families with a child preparing to enter Kindergarten in September 2016 meet and have fun at a potluck picnic at Penn Treaty Park on July 26, 2016. Games galore and a nature scavenger hunt organized by FoA Science Committee co-chairs Stefan & Edyta!
Playdough & Pizza Party for Preschoolers!
Friends of Adaire hosted a Playdough & Pizza Party for preschoolers and their families at the Fishtown Recreation Center on July 20, 2016. The kids enjoyed all the smooshing, smashing, rolling, sculpting, tearing, cutting, building with and did we mention smooshing?! They also got a lesson in making playdough from our resident scientists and board members Stefan Zajic and Edyta Zielinska, and many families continued the play outside on the Fishtown Rec playground and in the water spray. We loved overhearing parents figuring out when their kids would start Kindergarten almost as much as we loved overhearing the little ones make new friends.
Principal Jenkins' End-of-the-Year Update!
On June 9, 2016, Friends of Adaire hosted a packed room of parents and community members who came to listen as Principal Anna Jenkins gave an end-of-the-year update at the Fishtown Recreation Center that also served to preview the next 3 years of her 5-Year Plan. Highlights of the year just passed and the years to come were offered and questions answered. Exciting updates about staffing changes and program additions were previewed, while in the neighboring room, Lexy Olsen of Palmer Pond Art Center presided over a well-behaved room of 22 artistic and energetic kids.
First in Math at Adaire!
At the end of the school year, Adaire learned that we had earned one of four top slots in the online math achievement program known as First In Math! On top of that, Principal Anna Jenkins was honored as "Principal of the Year" with the Cred Dobson Achievement Award for inspiring students to excel in mathematics! Three Adaire students were also acknowledged with top slots! Congratulations, Principal Jenkins and all of the Adaire staff and students who are helping make Adaire First in Math!
Career Day introduces Adaire students to diverse professions
Friends of Adaire helped enlist professionals from throughout the neighborhood to speak to Adaire students on Career Day on May 11, 2016. Play coordinators and mummy conservators! Print journalists and digital entrepreneurs! Fashion designers and textile makers! Nurses and nanotechnologists! The kids didn't just listen, they got to do things like design their own dresses! Friends of Adaire was proud to support Mr. Peter Zadro, Adaire's counselor, in recruiting some of the speakers for this year's event.
Learn2Ride bicycling workshop!
Friends of Adaire was thrilled to host an event at Adaire open to people from throughout the city: a May 24 Learn to Ride a Bike workshop! From 3:30-5:30, helmeted kids got free instruction from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia! Many kids learned to ride this day, which was conceived and executed by Friends of Adaire board member Sasha Best!
Comcast Cares Day transforms Adaire again!
Almost 300 volunteers participated in a remarkable Comcast Cares Day of service on Saturday, April 30, organized by Friends of Adaire. Volunteers joined forces with Comcast employees to paint the inside of Adaire blue, restore a faded mural, install donated Homasote Design Wall panels, declutter classrooms and closets, clean up the schoolyard, and transform a few key indoor entrances with designs created pro bono by Pixel Parlor. Every volunteer who came also will bring Comcast funds to Adaire in a few months, doubling our impact. Many Adaire parents, teachers, staff, and students participated, and, while their parents worked hard, Friends of Adaire also supervised young ones in the gym at an Imagination Playground block playground donated by Fishtown Playschool! Together, we transformed the school yet again! Thanks to all who helped out!
Grant Writing 101 Workshop
On Weds., May 10, Adaire hosted a Grant Writing 101 workshop for anyone working on education-related efforts. School District of Philadelphia's grant-writing experts addressed people interested in funding ideas for their education-related projects.
Fundraising concert featuring Andrew Lipke & John Byrne!
On April 28th, musician/composer/producer Andrew Lipke and internationally acclaimed Celtic folk act The John Byrne Band played alongside elementary school students at a charity concert open to the public to celebrate the revitalization of the school auditorium at Alexander Adaire school in Fishtown. Proceeds from the event are funding the purchase of new instruments for the Adaire music program.
Meeting with School Superintendent Dr. Hite
Friends of Adaire were thrilled to participate in a recent River Wards Dialogue with Dr. Willam Hite, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. We were graciously hosted by our friends at Friends Of Hackett and joined by Friends of H.A. Brown, Friends of Moffet, Fishtown Neighbors Association, East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA), & Ludlow Elementary! We were thrilled to hear how well Adaire, Principal Jenkins, and our work fit into Dr. Hite's priorities and conception of success.
Schoolyard transformation update on Feb. 3rd
Friends of Adaire gathered at the Fishtown Recreation Center on a rainy Wednesday evening, Feb. 3rd., for an update about the remarkable progress in the Adaire Schoolyard Revitalization Project. With a possible construction timeline from June through November 2016 -- THIS summer! -- and thanks to the tireless efforts of architect Ian Smith, the Philadelphia Water Department, Council President Darrell Clarke, Philadelphia's Department of Public Property, the Adaire community led by Principal Anna Jenkins and Home & School, and especially the late heroics of the Trust for Public Land, the Adaire schoolyard is going to be transformed, and soon!
Adaire earns grant to aid early literacy efforts!
Adaire’s ability to help the youngest readers is getting a big boost, thanks to School District of Philadelphia Title 1 federal funding which Principal Anna Jenkins applied for. A K-3 grant geared toward reading strategies for early literacy will provide “leveled libraries,” books for each grade with a variety of reading levels for all students; a week of professional development for teachers this coming summer, and an additional teacher next year who will pull out small groups to work on reading.
Adaire Kindergarten Registration Kickoff
On Tuesday, January 19th, from 9-10:30 a.m. in the auditorium lobby, we celebrated the first day of 2016 kindergarten registration! Friends of Adaire and Adaire Home & School provided coffee & pastries so families starting at Adaire could mingle and meet and fill out paperwork and get questions answered. Leaders and parents were on hand to discuss all of the great things going on at the school and how to get involved. Principal Jenkins encourages folks to submit applications early this year.
Fette Sau Happy Hour benefits BOTH Friends of Adaire & Friends of Hackett!
On Thursday, Jan. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., two 19125 Parents Coalition members, us and Friends of Hackett, teamed up for a fantastic joint Happy Hour Fundraiser celebrating the start of 2016 and all of the great education happening at Fishtown's two neighborhood public elementary schools! We enjoyed what's widely regarded as one of the best happy hours in town, filling Stephen Starr's Frankford Ave. BBQ joint, Fette Sau! $1 from every drink went toward the work our groups are doing to support Hackett and Adaire, so thanks to everyone who came out and joined us!
Toddler Story Hour & Craft Circle returns!
The Friends of Adaire Toddler Story Hour continues through the winter! Once again, parents with kids ages 2-5 looking for something fun to do in that post-nap witching hour can come to the Adaire library for a story hour and crafts led by Friends of Adaire Chris Morrissey Grubb and Danielle Miller! Wednesdays this winter from 4-5 p.m. upstairs in the Adaire library. For more information, contact friendsofadaire@gmail.com
The Chromebooks keep on coming!
We're thrilled to report that Principal Jenkins applied for and has won for Adaire a blending learning grant that is delivering six new Chromebook carts with 15 Chromebooks each, coming March 2016! Also included are software products for Math, Science, Writing, and Social Studies. As Principal Jenkins says, "We were awarded this grant due to our commitment to technology, our implementation of learning and our goal of increasing student engagement. This will allow us to further expand our resources from K-8." That builds on the Chromebooks that Friends of Adaire bought for the school and that Mrs. Jenkins bought for the school last year!
Adaire Gears Up with new Apple computers!
The Philadelphia School District's Gear Up grant program came through for Adaire in a big way over the holiday break, as 34 brand-new Apple computers were brought and set up in Adaire's second computer lab! That enabled the existing computers in this room to be deployed in each classroom. Principal Jenkins, teachers, students, and parents are thrilled at the technological upgrade!
Art therapy classes for all Adaire artists
Yesterday was the first day of an exciting new program at Adaire. Artist-in-residence Kathryn Snyder is co-teaching a once-a-week art therapy session with Adaire's amazing art teacher, Charlene Lutz, part of the Pennsylvania Arts in Education Partnership. This month's theme is "Developing a Sense of Me." Here's Adaire second- and third-graders making art yesterday. Thanks to these great art teachers and Friend of Adaire/Adaire parent Sasha Best, who helped Adaire land this program with her friend Ms. Snyder.
Adaire Lobby Historical Gallery Project
Friends of Adaire have launched the Adaire Lobby Historical Gallery Project, with our first gathering of what is shaping up to be a stellar Advisory Board! A local interior designer, Audrey Castagna, and Ken Milano, Fishtown's preeminent historian, are serving as advisors, and Principal Jenkins and Mr. McGeehan, Adaire's excellent 7th grade teacher and history buff, are helping, too. We're still seeking someone with expertise in historical preservation of documents/photos, so if you know someone, let us know! We're going to transform the lobby into a gallery showcasing the long history of the Adaire school in Fishtown and spotlight our namesake, Alexander Adaire!
River Wards Public Schools Realtor Tour
The River Wards Public Schools Realtor Tour on Tues., Oct. 27th, was a rousing success! We partnered with our friends at Hackett, H.A. Brown, Kearny, and Moffet to host a busload of Realtors and journalists to see our beloved schools and learn about the great education available for free right here in the River Wards. Here's the great writeup in the Philadelphia family blog Hipster Henry, here's the writeup and pics from the essential Philly School News, here's the story in the Philly Voice, here's the story in the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, and here's the story in The Star! Thanks to everyone who participated!
Grace & Glory Yoga hosts fundraising yoga class for FoA
Grace & Glory Yoga Fishtown hosted a donation-based yoga class for Friends of Adaire on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., where ALL of the proceeds went toward our goal of $12,000 to meet the matching grant promised us by the Penn Treaty Special Services District. We were thrilled to partner with this new yoga studio to offer a healthy-living and mindfulness fundraiser to supplement our happy hour events.
We raised $1K at November Happy Hour fundraiser at Front Street Cafe!
Friends of Adaire welcomed Fishtown's newest jewel to the Adaire catchment with our November family-friendly fundraising happy hour at Front Street Cafe! On Thursday, November 19th, from 5-7:30 p.m., Friends of Adaire gathered at Front and Thompson to celebrate and support the great education at Alexander Adaire K-8 Public School while enjoying great food, great drinks, and great conversation. Our kids ran a little wild on Front Street's beautiful second floor, and everyone had a good time. We also welcomed the Fishtown Beer Runners, who finished their monthly run at our event, soaked by rain but full of good cheer! Thanks to everyone who helped us raise $1,000 toward our Auditorium Fundraising Campaign!
Fireside Chat for 2016 K
Are you a parent considering enrolling your child in Kindergarten next year at Adaire? We're providing information and events for families just like you! Our first such event -- a Nov. 4th "Fireside Chat" at By My Side Parenting -- was a rousing success. We were thrilled to have to find a bigger space than originally planned due to surging demand! Thanks also to Adaire Kindergarten teacher Tiffany Choi and Adaire 7th & 8th English/Literacy teacher Dr. Chris Long for joining us LONG after their workday had ended to help answer questions. Thanks to so many Friends of Adaire who contributed to the event, from the kids who played great together to the volunteers who brought delicious food and drink to the volunteers who helped watch kids so parents could focus upstairs. Want to attend an upcoming event or just learn more? Send an email to friendsofadaire@gmail.com for more information, or contact Chris Morrissey-Grubb at kungfupumpkin@yahoo.com.
Comcast Cares Day Continues to Pay Off!
Remember that amazing day back in April where Comcast sent teams of Comcast employees to join forces with hundreds of us from the Adaire community to paint, clean, fix up and and transform the Adaire school inside and out? That was Comcast Cares Day! And wouldn't you know that Comcast sent a nice big check of $4,591 direct to Adaire's operating budget recently, for which Principal Jenkins is OH-SO-GRATEFUL! In these lean budget times, with the political impasse in Harrisburg holding up funds for schools throughout the state, this gift is/was a godsend! Thanks, Comcast, once again!
Halloween Happy Hour
Kids. In costumes! With beer & pretzels! Friends of Adaire had a blast at our Halloween Happy Hour at Frankford Hall on Thurs., October 29th, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Kids wore their costumes a few days early and parents had a great, kid-friendly time over great beers and food at Fishtown's Stephen Starr beer garden! Proceeds helped us get closer to our goal of matching a $12,000 matching grant from Penn Treaty Special Services District to overhaul the auditorium at Adaire, including a new sound system and new stage curtain. Portside Arts Center painted faces (thanks again!), a 50/50 raffle was raffled, and a lot of fun was had by all. Thanks again!
The Spirit helps collect School Supplies for Adaire
Friends of Adaire teamed up with Spirit Newspapers for a school supply drive! We accepted PENCILS • PENS • BOOKS • NOTEBOOKS • BACKPACKS • ART SUPPLIES • LAPTOPS • TABLETS • GLUE • TAPE • EASELS • GYM EQUIPMENT • PAPER • FOLDERS • CRAFT SUPPLIES • WHITEBOARDS • CLEANING SUPPLIES • MARKERS! Supplies were dropped off at The Spirit's headquarters at 1428 E Susquehanna (at Gaul)! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the drive!
Gearing Up for new Macs!
Thanks to the Philadelphia School District's Gear Up Grant, Adaire is going to receive a $50,000 grant for a new computer lab full of Apple computers! Principal Jenkins put it on her wish list and won it for Adaire! Now, along with the Google Chromebooks we helped buy last year and Adaire's existing computer lab, that is three classrooms with enough computers for every student at Adaire!
Open House & Tour during Adaire's Back to School celebration
Friends of Adaire helped Alexander Adaire K-8 Public School celebrate another school year with a family-friendly open house and school tour during Adaire Home & School Association's annual Back to School event on Weds., Sept. 30. We provided fun child care -- led by Fishtown Playschool teacher/Friends of Adaire fundraising chair Chris Morrissey Grubb -- at Adaire for young ones while parents toured the school and asked questions of Principal Anna Jenkins, now in her second year leading Adaire!
No Pope but Plenty of Kids Happy Hour at Starboard Side
Friends of Adaire celebrated staying in the neighborhood on the weekend of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia! We hosted a Happy Hour Fundraiser at Starboard Side at Norris and Gaul on Thurs., Sept. 24th. As usual with Friends of Adaire events, kids were welcome and we had fun stuff for them to do. Friends of Adaire provided Franco's Pizza to celebrate our one-year anniversary of getting our 501(c)3 nonprofit status, and Starboard Side were amazing hosts! We also raised money for the effort to overhaul Adaire's auditorium!
Raising $ for auditorium at La Colombe Happy Hour
Our first Happy Hour of the summer was at La Colombe, the coffee and whiskey Shangri-La on Frankford Ave, on Thursday, July 30th, from 5-7 p.m. We raised money for Adaire's auditorium, a key priority for Principal Anna Jenkins! Many parents and kids joined us for a fun summer celebration of the community around Fishtown and Adaire in one of the neighborhood's nicest hangouts.
End-of-Year Q&A with Principal Anna Jenkins
We hosted a public Q&A with Principal Anna Jenkins wrapping up her first year leading Alexander Adaire K-8 at the Fishtown Recreation Center, Thursday, June 18, 6-7 p.m. We heard about all the amazing developments at Adaire this year and about exciting news for next school year, including an update about the effort to transform the schoolyard at Thompson and Palmer. As usual with a Friends of Adaire event, this one was kid-friendly! Children ages 2 and over made art with Alexis Olsen, who's starting up Palmer Pond Art Center, an arts and dance hub at Montgomery and Gaul down the block from Adaire. Lexy led arts activities in one room at the Fishtown Rec from 6 to 7 p.m. while Principal Jenkins talked to parents in another room.
Helping Adaire's heroes relax during Teacher Appreciation Week
For the second year, Friends of Adaire contributed to TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK at Adaire! Once again, we've helped recruit Threshold Wellness to provide massage and Reiki, and this year Jenny Corbin of Barefoot Doctor Community Acupuncture Clinic provided a second day of service with acupuncture for teachers and staff. We also again provided homemade breakfast for teachers and staff to show our appreciation for the wonderful teachers at Adaire! This year, Career Day returned and fell in the same week, and we recruited accomplished neighbors to speak to Adaire students. Friends of Adaire also provided homemade breakfast for that.
Happy Hour at Murph's celebrates Comcast Cares Day
Friends of Adaire gathered at Murph's on Girard on Thursday, April 30, for a Happy Hour fundraiser and Comcast Cares Day celebration of all we accomplished on the previous Saturday. Once again, kids were welcomed and the play area enabled more parents to come join the fun. Friends of Adaire presented special recognition to two of the people most responsible for Comcast Cares Day's success: Jenn Richey Nicholas of Pixel Parlor, who designed Adaire's first-floor gallery wall, library entrance, and repainted teachers lounge; and Ryan Olah, the Comcast executive and Fishtown neighbor who made the whole amazing event possible. We also debuted our brand-new T-shirts!
Comcast Cares Day transforms Adaire inside and out
On Saturday, April 25, hundreds of volunteers gathered at Alexander Adaire K-8 Public School in Fishtown for COMCAST CARES DAY, a day of corporate service that put the power of Philadelphia’s telecom giant to work for neighborhoods around the world. Comcast’s employees Ryan Olah of Fishtown, Ali Porreca of Northern Liberties and Chris Powell from Northeast Philly partnered with Friends of Adaire to lead the effort. Principal Anna Jenkins, students, teachers, staff and parents were joined by Comcast employees, neighbors, Friends of Adaire both young and old, as well as designers from Pixel Parlor, muralists from Art Sphere Inc., the Philadelphia 76ers Flight Squad, as well as neighborhood churches Liberti East and First Presbyterian Church of Kensington. From 8 am to 2 pm, teams of volunteers repainted the exterior walls and doorways, the gym and backboards, some hallways, the teachers lounge, the auditorium lobby, and the entrance to the library. They scrubbed down bathrooms and hallways, stairways, and walls. They cleaned and polished the auditorium’s chairs and stage and created a fabric-covered gallery wall on the first floor. They planted hundreds of flowers donated by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. And kids who needed a break were able to play at Hetzell’s field with Imagination Playground blocks donated for the day by Fishtown Playschool.
Art bursting beyond the walls of Adaire
Adaire's art program, led by Mrs. Charlene Lutz, continues to inspire and amaze Friends of Adaire! We helped organize the first-ever First Friday Student Art Show at Steap and Grind, 1619 Frankford Ave. (at Columbia), on Friday, April 3rd! Students have gone on many field trips to the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art this year. On Friday, Feb. 21, Adaire students got to see their own art hanging in the Art Museum, as the batik they created with acclaimed artist Donna Backues via The Delphi Art Partners Program was on display! Principal Anna Jenkins helped Mrs. Lutz land a pottery wheel (pictured left) that Adaire student-artists have begun using. And finally, Mrs. Lutz is leading a thriving afterschool art club! Want to see what we're talking about? Check out the Adaire student artwork in the slideshow at the bottom of our "About Adaire" page!
Toddler Story Hour brings families to Adaire library
Friends of Adaire, with the support of Adaire's excellent Home & School Association and Principal Anna Jenkins, hosted a Toddler Story Hour in Adaire's revived upstairs library on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the last few weeks of winter. We read books, provided some games for young kids, and led a circle time full of songs and movement. Designed for pre-school age children and their caregivers, we provided something fun to do indoors in that difficult time after nap and before dinner, especially when it was too dark/cold/wet to get out on the playground.
Cedar Point Happy Hour raises money for technology
We had a great time for a great cause at our HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen, 2370 E. Norris St. (at Cedar). Once again, $1 of every drink bought went towards Friends of Adaire, as did our half of the 50/50 raffle and donations attendees made. Once again, the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle, this time Denise Kazmierski Mayer, donated her big winnings right back to Adaire! Wow! This month, Principal Anna Jenkins asked us to raise money toward buying more Chromebooks, as the laptop computers are in high demand at Adaire! So that's where the proceeds will go! Save the date for our next Happy Hour fundraiser on Thursday, March 26th!
Happy Hour at Frankford Hall for music!
Friends of Adaire hosted our second HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER at Frankford Hall on Thursday, January 29th, and it was a ROUSING SUCCESS! We raised $1,000 at this fundraiser for Adaire's music program, which has 80 students in grades 3-8 participating this year. Music students are NOT asked to pay a fee to assist with expenses, but the school has NO budget for music ($0.00). More students wanted to participate than could, only because Adaire doesn't have enough instruments or repair budget, and the two great music teachers are already paying TOO MUCH out of their own pockets to make this happen! So... the money we collected via generous donations and $1 from every drink bought will help Adaire students participate, as we buy instruments, music stands, repair, etc.
$5K donated to library!
Friends of Adaire has secured more than $5,000 in GENEROUS DONATIONS to Adaire's just-reopened school library, thanks to the help of Denise Mayer and Kassis Ventures! We would also like to thank Keith Dailey (KD Financial), Amit Azoulay (Carmel Developments), Goldmark Benefits and Aron Martinez for generously supporting the library. We've been able to buy six new computers, a printer/scanner, and floor rockers! We've also begun buying updated books -- selected by librarians, teachers, parents and kids! -- with $2,000 donated for that express purpose! This is the kind of community support we dreamed of when we started Friends of Adaire! Thanks so much!
Jerry's Bar hosts Friends of Adaire's first solo happy hour!
Friends of Adaire filled Jerry's Bar, the acclaimed Northern Liberties gastropub, on Tuesday, Nov. 18th, for a family-friendly happy hour fundraiser. Not only did we raise a lot of money for Adaire, we were featured on WHYY/90.9 FM, Philadelphia's NPR station, and on its news website, Newsworks.org!
Open house & tour -- with free childcare at Adaire!
ADAIRE'S FAMILY-FRIENDLY OPEN HOUSE on Monday, November 17th, introduced prospective Adaire families to new Principal Anna Jenkins. They heard her vision for the school and talked with parents of current Adaire students about their experiences. They also heard about the many exciting activities going on at Adaire, including Home & School's many events and the work of Friends of Adaire. They toured the building and saw exciting developments like the just-opened library and the many art projects engaging students in all grades!
Adaire Cares: Volunteers clean up inside & outside Adaire!
In our first ADAIRE CARES DAY volunteer effort, we spruced up the Thompson Street side of Adaire on Saturday, Oct. 25th, cleaning and weeding the tree cutouts and planting flowers and grasses in the worm-filled dirt. Friends of Adaire also repainted the visitors entrance on Thompson St. that Art Sphere is surrounding with a beautiful mural. On Friday, Friends of Adaire cleaned out and organized an unused room on Adaire's 2nd floor that we'll use in the near future as a child-friendly meeting space!
A bonanza of donated office supplies
Robert Lebrun, a Friend of Adaire and father of a Kindergartener at Adaire, helped connect a friend and neighbor, Christian Kauffman, who had a bunch of excess office supplies available and wanted to donate them to Adaire. On Oct. 10, Principal Anna Jenkins picked up boxes and boxes DONATED OFFICE SUPPLIES, including reams of paper, pencils, binder clips, folders, computer headphones, and much more. Robert helped Christian learn that, despite what he’d heard, it’s not hard to donate to a Philadelphia school — not when you have a principal willing to hop in her car and drive over to pick up the donated supplies herself with just a day’s notice! Thanks to Principal Jenkins! Thanks to Christian Kauffman for donating the supplies! And thanks to Robert LeBrun for the behind-the-scenes legwork to make this possible!
Reshaping the Adaire schoolyard
Friends of Adaire hosted a series of SCHOOLYARD PLANNING MEETINGS where the Adaire community -- students, parents, teachers, neighbors, supporters -- dreamt BIG about what we want to see come to the concrete schoolyard at Palmer and Thompson! A new playground? Grass, plants, trees, and/or a school garden? Space to run around? We'll see! The three sessions were scheduled at different times so people with different schedules could join us.
New principal, new vision for Adaire
New PRINCIPAL ANNA JENKINS has hit the ground running at Adaire! At the Sept. 17 Back to School Night/Open House, Principal Jenkins announced THIS YEAR'S GOALS, which include: reopening the beautiful library, expanding the music program, creating a mural on the Thompson side of Adaire, supporting the playground visioning sessions and starting after school enrichment activities. Mrs. Jenkins comes to us with MORE THAN A DECADE OF PRINCIPAL EXPERIENCE in the district, including overseeing Cook-Wissahickon’s transition from a K-5 to K-8 school, serving as assistant superintendent, and most recently as regional director of Mastery Charter School. Friends of Adaire was thrilled to participate in the hiring committee that brought Mrs. Jenkins to Adaire. It's proving to be an exciting year!
Friends of Adaire earns its 501(c)3 status!
Friends of Adaire received notice that WE WERE GRANTED OFFICIAL 501(c)3 STATUS on Friday, Oct. 3, so all donations since July 1 are tax-deductible! Now we're able to really raise funds to support the education at Adaire! This was the last step in a complex process led by Friend of Adaire Kate Hughes; we thank Kate and her fellow committee members for helping take us to the next level!
Afterschool options near Adaire
Great news for working Adaire parents! Teri Ramsay and her By My Side neighborhood parenting group are starting an AFTERSCHOOL PICKUP in September, where By My Side will pick students up at Adaire (kids can come from anywhere, but the pickup will be at Adaire after school) and walk them over to their space at Atonement Lutheran Church on Montgomery. For more information, contact Teri Ramsay at 267-693-7016 or teriramsay@comcast.net
PORTSIDE ARTS CENTER in Port Richmond is going to be picking students up at Adaire for their $15/day afterschool arts program. The cost includes private bus pick up, homework help, character education as well as every day visual arts & theater arts programs. Parents will then pick up their children from the Portside Arts Center at 6:00pm. Children must be registered a month at a time; no daily drop-ins. Full-year registration earns a 10% discount.
The Fishtown branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP) also provides students with afterschool homework help, computer literacy, library skills and reading enrichment programs, Monday through Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m.
The FISHTOWN REC is offering a cheap ($10/week) afterschool program for school-age kids.
PORTSIDE ARTS CENTER in Port Richmond is going to be picking students up at Adaire for their $15/day afterschool arts program. The cost includes private bus pick up, homework help, character education as well as every day visual arts & theater arts programs. Parents will then pick up their children from the Portside Arts Center at 6:00pm. Children must be registered a month at a time; no daily drop-ins. Full-year registration earns a 10% discount.
The Fishtown branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP) also provides students with afterschool homework help, computer literacy, library skills and reading enrichment programs, Monday through Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m.
The FISHTOWN REC is offering a cheap ($10/week) afterschool program for school-age kids.
