Powered by financial support from Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Keystone First and Comcast, the bus will make seven Mega Event stops throughout the City of Philadelphia, bringing families critical information and resources.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The School District of Philadelphia announced plans for the fourth annual Back-to-School Celebration and Bus Tour, which will make seven mega-event stops across the city. This year, Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Keystone First and Comcast will support the tour, which features two specially-wrapped school buses that will travel across Philadelphia to give students and families access to resources and information. The tour will kick off at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 29 at School of the Future.
The bus will make stops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on:
- Monday, July 29
School of the Future
4021 Parkside Ave. - Wednesday, July 31
FDR Park
1500 Pattison Ave.
(follow signs to Boathouse) - Friday, August 2
Central High School Football Field
Corner of Broad St. & W. Somerville Ave. - Tuesday, August 6
George Washington High School Fields
10175 Bustleton Ave. - Friday, August 9
Fashion District
901 Market St. - Wednesday, August 14
Martin Luther King High School
6100 Stenton Ave. - Saturday, August 17
Roosevelt Mall
2329 Cottman Ave.
“I am excited to partner for the fourth year in a row with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and our co-sponsors for the Back-to-School Bus Tour and Celebration,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. “This event brings important resources, school supplies and information directly to Philadelphia families in neighborhoods across the city to help them prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. I look forward to seeing our students return for the first day of school on Monday, August 26.”
At each stop, students and families will have an opportunity to connect with School District of Philadelphia Street Team Ambassadors to:
- receive a free backpack, school supplies and important back-to-school information,
- register for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12,
- sign up for the Parent Portal,
- receive free state-mandated immunizations and the required school and sports physicals thanks to partnerships with Delaware Valley Community Health, Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity, the Family Practice & Counseling Network and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
Each event will also feature food trucks, ice cream and interactive, educational activities for children. The events are co-sponsored by Comcast, Radio One, the Fashion District, FDR Park, and Roosevelt Mall.
“Throughout Philadelphia, people’s access to health care and information can be very different depending on where they live. Independence Blue Cross is committed to addressing those disparities. It’s our top priority,”said Stephen P Fera, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and President, Government Markets. This Bus Tour supports that effort, which is why we’re excited to once again be a partner.”
A media event will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the kickoff event on Monday, July 29. A complete list of the Back-to-School Bus Tour stops and the latest back-to-school updates can be found at philasd.org/ringthebell.