Innovation
Activator of the Month
![Meet School of Science and Technology Chair and Life Sciences and Biotechnology Teacher, Dr. Sheri Hanna!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1688564779/stringtheoryschoolscom/zo5mm8aypldejvi8nthq/IMG_5036.heic","width":2200}])
Dr. Sheri Hanna is September's Activator! Dr. Hanna is the High School Chair of the School of Science and Technology and the Life Sciences and Biotechnology teacher at Performing Arts, Vine Street Campus. She has been a part of the Philadelphia Performing Arts family since the Vine Street Campus opened its doors in the fall of 2012. Now in her eleventh year with Performing Arts, Dr. Hanna continues to utilize her experience as a professional scientist to create engaging lessons that show students the endless possibilities for scientific learning and discovery in the world of STEM.
Top of the Class
Centennial Celebration
Arts and Sciences
On September 30th, Arts and Sciences celebrated the 100 year anniversary of their historic school building. To commemorate this momentous milestone, Arts and Sciences hosted a Centennial Celebration and invited the entire community to celebrate! This included alumni from the original school that inhabited the building, H.R Edmunds. Edmunds alumni traveled from near and far to attend the event, and one alum even flew in from Texas! It was surreal to watch alumni from classes that graduated in the 1970's tour the building with Arts and Sciences alumni who graduated just last year. Everyone was excited to see the new building renovations, reconnect, and share stories about their time in elementary school. In addition to alumni, current students, families, and staff were in attendance with local community members and neighbors. Over 400 people showed up to celebrate together!
The morning started off with an alumni brunch where Edmunds and Arts and Sciences alumni gathered together to share a meal and their favorite memories from their school days. After the brunch, the celebration officially opened to the public. CEO and Principal, Mrs. Taggart, gave a welcome address to the crowd to kick off the days festivities. During her speech Mrs. Taggart shared that her 94 year old great aunt was a student at H.R. Edmunds many years ago! Her welcome address was followed by several speeches by local community leaders and alumni, presentations of staff awards, and a tree dedication to late Arts and Sciences board member, Ramona Griffiths. Student performances by Arts and Sciences dance and orchestra majors entertained the crowd, and enjoyed vendor tables, free food, drinks, and event T shirts, bounce houses and games, raffle prizes, and tours of the building. The DJ kept people dancing until the conclusion of the event that afternoon.
The multiple generations of event attendees left with a true feeling of connection to the community. The success of this event shows the value Arts and Sciences in the neighborhood at large, and how the school is a pillar of education and social unity. A great event to start the 2023-2024 school year!
Dr. Sheri Hanna is September's Activator! Dr. Hanna is the High School Chair of the School of Science and Technology and the Life Sciences and Biotechnology teacher at Performing Arts, Vine Street Campus. She has been a part of the Philadelphia Performing Arts family since the Vine Street Campus opened its doors in the fall of 2012. Now in her eleventh year with Performing Arts, Dr. Hanna continues to utilize her experience as a professional scientist to create engaging lessons that show students the endless possibilities for scientific learning and discovery in the world of STEM.
- September STS Newsleter
- String Theory Spotlight
Kindergarten Red Carpet Events
PPA, East Campus & Arts and sCIENCES
The first day of Kindergarten is always an exciting day at our schools! To make this day extra special, our schools (literally!) roll out the red carpet to welcome our youngest students and their families.
Check out 6abc's coverage of the Performing Arts kindergarteners
arriving on their first day of school!
Behind the Scenes: Ballet Edition
PPA, Vine street Campus
Ever wonder what it takes to get costumes ready for a production that has over 100 ballet students? (..some of whom have multiple costumes...) Ballet Department Director at the Vine Street Campus, Ms. Natalia Charova, pulls back the curtain in this fun video!
Puerto Rican Day Parade
ARTS AND SCIENCES
The rain did not put a damper on the Arts and Sciences dancers who performed in this years Puerto Rican Parade! Students danced together in front of the Art Museum in celebration of Puerto Rican heritage and traditions. Their smiles truly lit up the parade route! Great work dancers!
In the News
Performing Arts Athlete, Ava Matteo, Featured in the South Philly Review!
PPA, Vine Street Campus
Soccer player and student athlete, Ava Matteo, and her role as a mentor are featured in an article in the South Philly Review! Congratulations to Ava on the fantastic write-up!
