TPSA memories Learning Resources

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOUR TIME AS TPSA PRESIDENT?

Since our founding, TPS has valued a program that is intentionally flexible, meets students where they are, and supports their next steps of growth. We have always believed that children learn in different ways and at different paces and that it’s important to support both the academic and socialemotional development of our wide range of learners. Long before we had a formal Learning Resources Department, TPS students were supported in taking ownership of their learning, reflecting on their growth, and embracing their unique learning styles, needs, and interests.

As enrollment and class sizes grew, enlisting the help of additional adults who could complement the work of classroom teachers felt important. While the collaborative co-teaching and team teaching models allow for built-in differentiation and small-group instruction, there were students who needed more repetition or more targeted support.

Things developed organically in earlier years, with more systems and structures put into place over time and in response to evolving best practices.

“Our program matched the size of the school and the resources available. We were building something fluid and progressive and dynamic. TPS was, and is, an organic, evolving, adaptive, really thoughtful place.”

ABBIE SEGAL-ANDREWS, TPS SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST FROM 1996-2016

Remaining committed to a flexible and collaborative model of support was, and is, essential to who we are. Today, the TPS Learning Resources team is seven members strong. Our skillful learning specialists and expert mental health professionals continue to build on best practices, incorporating the latest research and responding flexibly to our diverse learners. Just like decades ago, members of the team partner closely with teachers and families to ensure that each student’s academic and social-emotional needs are supported as holistically as possible.

“Relationships have always been a big part of what we do, and the work was always centered around kids, differentiated, and responsive. No two years looked alike; we waited to see who the students were and what they and their teachers needed.”

AMINAH FINNEY, TPS TEACHER AND LEARNING SPECIALIST FROM 1995-2014

Although the mechanics of how we do the work has shifted (binders and file cabinets full of handwritten notes have turned into easily accessible digital records), the goals and intentionality remain the same – having a responsive program that meets the needs of as many students as possible and provides thoughtful collaboration with families and teachers.

“My two years involved not only bidding farewell to Sandy Dean after 24 years of dedicated amazing-ness, but planning the welcoming for the next Head, Amy Vorenberg! TPSA was tasked in 20052006 with executing the hugely attended “Celebrate Sandy” Festival. It was great fun! But perhaps my proudest memory is the monthly Community Service Drives TPSA initiated”

MAR GARET BARRY, ‘05-’07

“It was almost 30 years ago that I was TPSA President, which I shared with my husband John Chase, so I’m having to work at remembering those days. My best memory was being able to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner – for which I had made so many potluck items, over the years, but never lucky enough to attend. It was beyond wonderful.”

JANE RATH, ‘96-’97

“When I was the TPSA Vice-President in 2019, JJ Shirley and I planned a family party for Friday afternoon in May in the Schwartz-Siegel garden and garage. TPS teacher Brian Jordan’s band City Love performed and a bunch of students stole the show with solos. We brought in a Bassets ice cream sundae cart, giant games like Jenga, Corn Hole Toss, plus a bubble-making machine. We had a huge turn out across multiple grades. My best memories as a TPSA leader all have a common theme: bringing our community together to have fun.”

REBECCA SELVIN ‘20-’22

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY’S TIME AT TPS?

“Hands down, my favorite family memory is the two years that I was able to attend the Thanksgiving Feast as TPSA President. I will never forget seeing the excitement on my three kids’ faces when I arrived in the gym, and being able to share that special event with them!”

MAR GARET BARRY, ‘05-’07

“My favorite TPS memory/event would have to be Swimmy the opera that Marcia Kravis wrote with the Primary Unit. The concept, the music, the libretto and the performances of the children all bring me to tears as I write this email. Who can forget Matthew Othmer’s beautiful solo!”

JANE RATH, ‘96-’97

Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary

We kicked the year off in September when our eighth graders revealed our all-school theme “From Roots to Branches” at the school year’s first Encuentro and thus began a year full of guided learning, questions, projects, and activities to dive deeper into the school theme. In the fall, our students learned all about trees in their family circles, eventually creating and designing their own tree that served as the centerpiece at their Thanksgiving Feast table.

Our community joined us for the Fall Family Festival on a beautiful October Saturday. The day included arts and crafts, carnival games, face painting, inflatables, and a Happy Birthday to TPS cake. It was a wonderful success to have so many members of the community join together for the first time since the pandemic began.

700+ Members at Fall Festival

On Monday, January 16th, the TPS community gathered for a MLK Day of Service and learning about ways to support our city and the organizations working to make it a better place for all. Parents and children worked on projects from letter writing to making bags of snacks for four organizations: The Bethesda Project, The Sunday Love Project, Women Against Abuse and Sara’s Smiles Foundation.

This was an amazing event for our families and community, and members of each organization attended to talk more about their work and how this day will impact those they serve. Our middle

In November, we held our first ever Alumni Thanksgiving Feast, alumni from the 1980s up to our most recent members, the class of 2022. It was a wonderful time that included reconnecting with former and current teachers, viewing artifacts from the span of TPS history, chatting with classmates, touring the school, and enjoying an upscale version of the familiar lasagna menu. Many thanks to Becca Fischer (class of 2000) for chairing this important event.

300+

People at our day of service school students in Student Council shined as they helped younger children with the projects and read books about MLK. We also had the great pleasure of welcoming City Love, a Philly-based social justice music and education group, with one of its members being Primary teacher, Brian Jordan. The band’s members are teachers and musicians who make music for the world we need and use their songs to spread love, hope, dialogue, justice, and healing. If you are inspired by their mission and message, we encourage you to check out their website for more materials, their albums, and resources for families and educators.

In the winter, students made connections with “the roots” of TPS as we began with an Encuentro where students sat with their classes for an exciting game of TPS history trivia! Questions ranged from how our outdoor education program began to which teacher has been with TPS the longest (can you guess?).

170+ Attendees at Alumni Feast

We had several alumni, as well as past and present faculty and staff join us at school and virtually in January to help our students understand the history of the school. Each of TPS’ 23 family circles were assigned two or three years of the school’s history to research and come up with questions to pose to our alumni historians. After interviewing the alums, students created posters of their findings, thus creating a visual timeline of the school’s development. These posters were on display at our May 5th spring celebration.

Lastly, this spring our students are diving deep into environmental stewardship learning more about how we care for the earth. There are a lot of memories from this year’s theme, and we can’t wait for our next anniversary celebration.

Class of 2023

THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL’S MOST RECENT CLASS