Frequently Asked Questions About the Thomas Holme Relocation Plan

2023-2024 Holme School Relocation: Frequently Asked Questions

Topic: Safety 

Question: How many lockdowns have occurred at Meehan Campus during the 21-22

school year and this 22-23 school year?

Answer:  There were no lockdowns reported at the Meehan Campus during the 21-22 and 22-23 SY

Question: What is the process if a shooting in the area occurs?

Answer: The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) will notify the school when there are shootings or any other type of violent incident in the community. Upon receipt of the notification, the school will “Secure” the building. All classes will remain in session. All outdoor activities will be moved inside. All doors will be checked and secured. No guests or visitors will be permitted inside the school during this time. The school will remain “Secure” until further instruction is received from PPD.

Topic: Transportation

Question: Can we have an earlier start and end time?

Answer: The Office of Transportation Services will do an analysis to determine if an early start time could be considered.

Questions: Can there be a vote to voice the preferred Bell Schedule?

Answer: While there can be stakeholder engagement, we are still dependent on Transportation Services because of their service to District, Parochial, and Charter Schools.

Question: What time does Lincoln High School start and dismiss?

Answer: Lincoln High School begins at 7:30 am and dismisses at 2:34 pm. These school schedules do not coincide with the Holme School Schedule. There is an hour transition period between schedules.

Question: What is the actual plan for the drop-off and pick-up while at Meehan?

Answer:

Drop Off: Only buses will be permitted to enter the Meehan Campus at Ryan Ave. and Sandyford Avenue.  Students will be dropped off curbside at the main entrance which will have an assigned staff member present to support arrival. Families will drop children off at the Ryan and Sandyford Avenues intersection where the School Safety Officer will be stationed and the PPD will frequently be present. Students will walk up the path which is directly on the Meehan Campus, separate from the community sidewalk.

Pick Up: Students will exit the main entrance of the building at staggered intervals to board the assigned bus which will be located curbside to the main entrance.  Those students being picked up will meet their parent/guardian at the main entrance.  Vehicles will remain parked on Ryan Avenue.

 

Question: When will the Transportation Survey be shared?

Answer: The Transportation Survey will be shared on April 25, 2023.

Question: When should registration for bus service be completed?

Answer: Registration for bus service should be completed by the close of the 2022-2023 school year.  This will allow the scheduling team to make adjustments during the summer months as needed.

Question: Will a stop be provided for the before and after-school daycares in the area?

Answer:  No, these additional stops will not be provided.

Enrollment:

Question: Are there exceptions to the school selection process being allowed due to the relocation

of Holme School to the Meehan Campus?

Answer: No, we do not make exceptions to the school selection process based on the need for a temporary location.

Questions: Can families choose another elementary school?

Answer: Transferring students is not part of district policy during the temporary relocation.

Questions: Do students have the option to be virtual?

Answer: Students will not have the option to do virtual learning unless they are enrolled in the Philadelphia Virtual Academy, pva@philasd.org  or Home Education.

Topic: Facilities

Question: What is the success rate for new school buildings opening at the projected date?

Answer: Thomas Holme School is a select school for building replacement. The School District has completed two new schools in the past ten years, both opened on time.

Question: Will Holme School students stay at Meehan if the new building is still being prepared by Fall 2024?

Answer:  The School District will make every effort to be ready for the Fall 2024 School year. In the event there are unforeseen conditions that impact the opening, Holme School will remain at Austin Meehan Campus.

Topic: Before and After Care

Question: Will there be before and after care at the Meehan Campus?

Answer: Holme has not had before and after care and will not add these services. The extracurricular activities that existed at Holme main campus will also continue at the Meehan campus

Question:  Will the current out-of-school Day Cares be informed about the relocation to Meehan?

Answer: Yes, we will provide a memo to all out-of-school Day Cares servicing Holme School Community.