Welcome to the 2025– 2026 School Year!!
From Our Principal
Ziegler Community,
Welcome Back!
I am excited to welcome back Mrs. Shaw as our assistant principal for the school year! We also have several new teachers and staff who will be joining the Ziegler family and I will share introductions about them throughout the summer. Below you will find important information about the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
First Days of School
The first day of school will be Monday, August 25th, 2024 for all students in Grades K through 8. School begins at 7:30. Students are considered tardy after 7:45. This impacts attendancy and truancy. The doors on Penn Street will open at 7:10 for breakfast for students in grades K-5. Students in 6th – 8th will enter through Penn Street at 7:30 for breakfast. Dismissal is at 2:09 each day. Dismissal time on an early release day is 11:09. Kindergarten will dismiss at 11:09 for conferences during the first week.
Teacher Introductions & Room Assignments
You will be hearing from your students’ teachers during the week of August 18th with important information and expectations for the start of the school year.
Kindergarten Information
The first five days (August 25th – August 29th) of school are early dismissal (11:09) for kindergarten students so that the teachers have time to conference with all families. Teachers will reach out the week of August 18th to set up conferences. Kindergarten dismissal occurs from the classroom; parents enter through the door in the driveway/yard to sign their child out. We are very excited to welcome our new kindergarteners!
Uniforms
The School District of Philadelphia has a mandatory uniform policy for all students in grades K-12. Uniforms are expected to be worn daily, with specific requirements varying by school. At Ziegler School we allow uniform bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts, jumpers, etc.) to be khaki or navy blue. Shirts vary based on the grade band – K-2: yellow, 3-5: light blue, 6-8: navy blue. On physical education days, students may wear a Ziegler t-shirt. Shoes must always be sneakers or closed-toe shoes. Crocs, Ugg slippers, and foam runners are not permitted due to safety concerns.
Supply Lists
A supply list for all grades is posted on the school website (www.ziegler.philasd.org) with anticipated supplies for the 2025-2026 school year.
Admission
All students will enter on Penn Street (lunchroom) this year so that they have the opportunity to have breakfast served from the kitchen. The doors will open for breakfast at 7:10 for students in grades K-5. Students in grades 6-8 will begin breakfast at 7:30.
Dismissal
Dismissal time is 2:09. On an early release day, students will be dismissed at 11:09. We dismiss through various doors in the building.
Grade 1 & 4 will be dismissed from the Howell Street door by the schoolyard.
Grade 2 will be dismissed from the Saul Street door, main entrance.
Grades 3 & 6 will be dismissed from the Comly Street door close to Saul Street.
Grade 5 will be dismissed from the School Yard Door.
Grades 7 – 8 will be dismissed from the Comly Street door close to Penn Street.
Kindergarten teachers will have their students ready for dismissal by 2:00 p.m. Kindergarten students can be picked up from the classroom starting at 2:00 p.m.
Bus students will be dismissed from the lunchroom.
Students attending afterschool programs will meet in their designated locations in the school building. Students are not permitted to leave the building and return for a program.
Chromebooks
Chromebooks were collected and moved to your child’s classroom for next year. If your child is moving to another district school, please let us know so that it can be picked up to go to the new school with your child. If your child is leaving the School District of Philadelphia, the computer must be returned to Ziegler School or one of the tech centers.
Meet and Greet & Back to School Night
As we look toward the upcoming school year, please save the dates. We will hold a meet and greet with school staff on Friday, August 22nd from 12:45 – 1:30. This will be a chance to see the school and meet staff before the first day of school. Our Back to School night will be on Wednesday, September 10th from 4:00 – 6:00.
I am excited for the start of a fantastic school year. I will be in and out of the building throughout the summer. Office staff do not return until August so please do not panic if you do not get an immediate answer when reaching out. We will get back to you. I am excited for the start of a fantastic school year!
See you soon!
Mrs. Patterson, Principal