Annual Family Giving

10/18/2026 9:40 pm

Please Give Today!

The Home and School Association's mission is to help maintain, empower, and further enhance PAS to provide the best possible learning environment for our children. One of the ways we do that is by raising money to help fill in the gaps, and we ask for donations several times a year. Thank you for your support.

This school year marks the beginning of PAS's 26th year, continuing a legacy that started with its first class in 2001. We are taking this opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the first 25 years of PAS, while planting seeds for the next 25 years. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to learn about the early years at PAS and to help inform the vision for where we’re going as a school community and as a member of West Philadelphia. A big part of this vision is making the Reimagining the Schoolyard Master Plan a reality. Thanks to $1.3 million in state grant funding, we are closer than ever. Our next step is to raise $200,000 from our school community to support the design and project management work needed to break ground on the new field and other improvements. 

With that, we are launching our 2026-2027 fundraising campaign with a goal of $250,000 for the general fund. We are aiming for 100% family participation. In that past, gifts have ranged from $1 to more than $1000. Please give what you can within your budget, and no gift is too small.

Penn Employees: Please donate through Penn's Way, and Penn will match your donation! See the Penn's Way page for more details.

Pledge Form: If you donate through Penn's Way, a Donor Advised Fund, a Family Foundation, or other corporation match program, please use THIS FORM to let the HSA know and have your donation get counted towards our goal. 

EITC: Reminder, this is a unique opportunity to turn a $500 donation to the HSA into a $4,500 donation via a 9 to 1 match. There is still time to sign up for the waitlist for the fall, though spots are not guaranteed. Signing up for the waitlist is non-binding and is the best way to position yourself for a chance to take advantage of this powerful opportunity. And if you don't get in for the fall, it increases your chances of having the option to participate in the spring. Here's a link to the EITC presentation and pledge form. 

The Home and School Association is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our TIN is 11-3707471. 

Donate Here

Fall Festival Help Needed

10/10/2026 4:17 pm

Sign up for a Fall Festival Volunteer Shift

Our Most Fun Carnival Event of the Year!

Time Commitment: shifts range from 1-3 hours

We are currently calling volunteers to help at the Fall Festival. Opportunities include:

• Help bake and frost 500 cupcakes in the PAS kitchen on October 20 and/or October 21 (we especially need more frosters on 10/21)
• Bake a batch of nut-free treats and drop off on October 21 or 22.
• Set up games, activities, crafts, and stations throughout the entire school on October 22.
• Donate needed supplies (sign up HERE).
• BIGGEST NEED: Please sign up for a shift during the event, October 22 from 4:00-5:00 PM or 5:00-6:00 PM. Pair up with some parent friends to tag-team childcare duty with taking a volunteer shift; or volunteer together. Volunteers who take a shift on the day of the festival will get 10 FREE tickets!

Sign Up Form

Harvest Food Drive

10/1/2026 8:30 am

Contribute to the Harvest Food Drive!

Deadline: Monday, November 16

Penn Alexander School will be hosting its 25th Annual Harvest Food Drive to support the University City Hospitality Coalition. Drop off food and toiletries at school or make a donation to UCHC.

Staff Breakfasts

9/29/2026 7:30 am

Monthly Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfasts

Bring in or Bake Something Special!

Each Grade Hosts One Breakfast

We are excited to formally introduce our family-led Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast Program! As part of this program, we will ask each grade at PAS to host ONE breakfast during the school year. On a designated date, families from the grade will be asked to bring home-baked sweet and savory goods, juice, and other contributions to provide a special breakfast for all our teachers and staff. 

Click More for dates and grade assignments. The next one will be on Tuesday, September 29, hosted by 8 Grade Families. Form only visible to 8 Grade families.

Sign Up HERE

Field Match Challenge

8/25/2026 1:26 pm

 

EITC

3/16/2026 3:45 pm

Learn about the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)

Would You Like to Turn a $500 Donation into a $4,500 Gift to PAS?

The EITC program is a way to designate your Pennsylvania tax dollars directly to Penn Alexander. Learn more through the slideshow or webinar.

EITC Slideshow HERE

EITC Webinar HERE

Passcode: iUQ55*U!

Attendance Form

8/25/2025 8:30 am

How to Report an Absence

Fill out a Google Form for ALL Absences

In an effort to increase efficiency for the staff and to ease and improve communication between teachers, staff, and families, a Google form has been created for parents to use for all absences. Please use this electronic form to submit an excuse for your child's absence from school within three days of the absence. A doctor's note must be provided for three consecutive days of absence. After 10 parent excuses, a doctor's note will be required.

See the Family Handbook HERE for more details about the attendance policy (page 8) and the school district policy HERE.

Absence Form

Working Groups

8/20/2024 1:00 am

Join a Working Group

Short-Term, Huge Impact! 

Time Commitment: approx. 2-10 hours per project

The HSA needs help with many projects that benefit our students! Working Groups (Committees) Include:

• 5K
• Beautification (NEW!)
• Book Fair
• Events
• Finance
• Fundraising
• Nominating
• Teacher Appreciation

If you are interested, please log in and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form:

Sign Up Here

Event Volunteers

8/1/2024 4:00 pm

Interested in Helping with an Upcoming Event?

Short-Term, Super Helpful!

1 - 4 Hour Shifts Usually Available

Have a few hours to spare to help make the next event a smooth success? We'd love your help!

See Options Here

Safety Concerns

7/1/2023 1:00 am

Be a Safer Neighbor

Everyone's Actions Matter; NO Double Parking!

In an effort to reduce accidents, to ensure emergency vehicle access, and to allow teachers and children safe entry and egress, please take a minute to click MORE to see how your actions can make a difference in keeping everyone safe.

Please make sure to NEVER double park or block bike lanes. Use Locust or Spruce Streets for short term parking.

Also, as a reminder, dogs are not allowed at PAS.