Welcome to our Pennell School page! Browse around to see all of our important information and happenings!

Dear Families,

I hope you are all enjoying your summer! We’re certainly looking forward to an exciting new school year and hope you’re feeling energized for the opportunities and learning that lie ahead.

We are thrilled to welcome back our returning students, families, and staff, and extend a warm greeting to all our new community members. We’re committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment where every individual can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

To kick off the new school year with a bang, we’d love for you to join us for our Welcome Cookout on August 21, from 12PM to 2 PM. It’s a great chance to connect with other families, sign up for before and after school care, and gather other resources  before the hustle and bustle begins.

Important Date to Remember:

  • First Day of School for Students: Monday, August 25, 2025

Throughout the summer, our dedicated team is  working diligently to prepare our school for your arrival, ensuring a safe, clean, and engaging space for learning. We have exciting plans in store to foster a vibrant educational experience, and we look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.

We are eager to reconnect with everyone and embark on a successful 2025-2026 school year together.

Sincerely,

Principal Lofton

A Message from Our Principal and Assistant Principal

Principal Lofton photo

Dear Pennell Families:

It is almost time to start a new school year! My entire team and I are excited and ready to safely welcome all of our students back to school starting Monday, August 26, 2024 – the first day of school. Please join us on Friday, August 23, 2024 (11:30-1:00 PM) in the schoolyard for a cookout and to meet our staff.

Our school day begins at 8:15 AM. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria before school from 7:50-8:10 AM. Pre-K and kindergarten students are dismissed from the classroom at 11:54 AM August 26-30th. 1st grade students will be dismissed from the auditorium at 2:50 PM, and grades 2-5 students will be dismissed in the school yard at 2:54 PM.

All summer, we have been preparing for an incredible new school year. Our teachers and school staff are attending special training sessions to continue to support our students’ social, emotional and educational needs. Our hard-working custodians have been cleaning and sanitizing our school and our cafeteria workers are preparing to serve our children a healthy breakfast and lunch each school day.

This year, we’re delighted to welcome a few new additions to our staff: Ms. Carter (Pre-K), Mr. Thompson (1st grade), Ms. Stovall (2nd grade), Ms. Stanback (4th grade), Ms. Sellers (4th grade), Ms. Fodrie (Art), Mr. Duffy (Health/PE) and Ms. Fulwood (Autistic Support K-2).

I invite all of our families to attend our in-person Back-to-School Open House on Thursday, September 12 from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. This will be a great time to meet key staff members, learn more about the new school year and tour our school. In the meantime, I encourage you to take a few minutes to visit www.philasd.org/ringthebell for the latest back-to-school information in multiple languages.

All of us at Pennell look forward to welcoming students back to school in person on Monday, August 26, 2024! As always, please feel free to reach out to me at 215-400-3680 or sheyward@philasd.org.

Best regards,

Susan Lofton, Principal

 

Meet Our Assistant Principal

 

My name is Mr. Depa, and I am the Assistant Principal at Joseph Pennell Elementary School. My background in education includes nine years of teaching students in 2nd through 6th grade as well as various leadership roles within the district. I am so excited to continue my role at Pennell, and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing accomplishments of our scholars this year!