Important Updates for the 2025-2026 School Year

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, we extend our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and trust. We’re already looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year and want to inform you of some essential policy updates designed to enhance our learning environment and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.

Cell Phone Policy

We’ve observed a significant increase in disruptive behaviors and conflicts directly stemming from cell phone use during school hours. To address these concerns and foster a more focused and positive learning environment, we’re implementing a strict no-cellphone policy for the upcoming school year.

Students will be prohibited from carrying cell phones with them throughout the school day. If a student brings a cell phone to school, it will be collected at the start of the day and returned at dismissal. This change will minimize distractions, reduce opportunities for cyberbullying, and allow students to engage in their academic studies and social interactions fully.

School Uniform Policy

To promote a sense of unity, reduce distractions, and maintain a respectful learning atmosphere, our school uniform policy will be strictly enforced for the 2025-2026 school year. Please ensure your child adheres to the following guidelines:

Grades K-5: Students are required to wear yellow or gold shirts and black pants.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): Students are required to wear khaki and black, or all black attire.
Prohibited Items for All Grades: Shorts or skirts 3 inches above the knee, hoods covering the head, masks, tights, open-toe shoes, slides, slippers, and Crocs are not permitted. Shirts with writing are prohibited unless they have the official William Dick school logo.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring your child is in proper uniform each day.

Truancy Policy

The school’s truancy policy will be strictly enforced during the 2025-2026 school year. Truancy is defined as the accumulation of unexcused or illegal absences. Please be aware of the following guidelines and definitions:

Parents must provide a note within THREE (3) days of the student’s absence.
If a student is absent for three or more consecutive days, the parent must provide a medical note.
If a student has more than eight excused absences, a medical note will be required for any and every absence for the rest of the school year.
If a note is not provided or the reason for absence is not permitted, the absence will be deemed UNEXCUSED!
Truant: THREE (3) unexcused absences
Habitually Truant: SIX (6) unexcused absences
Chronically Truant: TEN (10) or more unexcused absences
We encourage regular attendance as it is crucial for your child’s academic success. Please notify the school immediately of any absences.

Important Dates

Students’ first day of school is Monday, August 25, 2025. School doors will open at 8:30 AM, and instruction will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. Students are marked late at 9:06 AM.
We will return to the William Dick Campus, located at 2498 W Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121.
The office will reopen on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, for school business.
Failure to follow the school policies outlined above will result in progressive discipline in accordance with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) Code of Conduct and may result in restriction from PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) activities, trips, dances, and fun day events.

We are confident that these changes will contribute to a more productive, safe, and enriching school experience for everyone. We look forward to welcoming our students back for a successful 2025-2026 school year.

Sincerely,

Stacie Beverly-Prince

William Dick Proud Principal