PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Phillies joined the School District of Philadelphia to “Ring The Bell” and help families get ready for the first day of school.
The team hosted students and representatives from the district at Citizens Bank Park for the event, the latest stop on the 2025 Bus Tour Kickoffs, where families have the chance to get supplies.
Team legends Dickie Noles and Milt Thompson represented the Phillies at the event. Superintendent Ton Watlington talked about the advancements the school district has made in his tenure.
“We’re going to keep driving faster academic performance,” he told the crowd.
The tour allows families to get free supplies, like backpacks, pens, and other resources too.
“Our pockets don’t really hurt like they used to. supplies that we can use this year, stuff that we really need too,” said Martin Rodriguez Jr.
It seemed other families agreed. The Jones family was first in a a line that wrapped around the block.
“It gives me the extra boost of more stuff because I’ve been shopping since September of last year, so I’m well ahead,” said Latanya Jones.
But as the city prepares to go back to school, there could be new challenges this year with transportation. SEPTA is set to begin cutting services on August 24th, the day before school starts.
“The administration and principals and teams are meeting with SEPTA to understand all of the impacts from potential route cuts,” said Watlington.
The school district says 52,000 students use SEPTA.
“One of the most important things we can do to improve student achievement is to make sure that our kids are in school everyday, or at least 90 percent of the month and 90 percent of the year,” said Watlington.
As the district stresses the importance of attendance, families are making their own plans to get their kids to school
“They go to charter school this year and it was a change from public school to charter school and they’re really excited,” said Jones.
The back to school bus tour runs through August 15th.
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