Play On Philly 2025-26 School Year

St. Francis de Sales School

Countdown to Start of 25-26 Program!

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Important Enrollment Dates

  • August 15th – Student enrollment begins.
    • Anyone from SFDS can submit a POP enrollment form!
    • NOTE: There is no lottery and spots are assigned as students enroll. You will be notified if your student is placed on a waitlist. 
  • September 12 – Enrollment closes.
    • Once enrollment closes, students will not be able to enroll for Fall session. If your student is placed on a waitlist, staff may contact you in if spots become available for the last two sessions of the year.   
  • September 17th – Attend the mandatory Back to POP session.

Virtual Enrollment Meetings

Each family must attend one of these virtual meetings to learn more information about the specific programming and procedures at SFDS. Please join using this Zoom link.

  • Thursday, August 21st: 5-5:40pm or 6-6:40pm
  • Monday, August 25th: 11-11:40am or 12-12:40pm
  • Wednesday, September 3rd: 11-11:40am or 12-12:40pm
  • Wednesday, September 10th: 5-5:40pm or 6-6:40pm

Back to POP Sessions

We are excited for another wonderful year filled with music making!

We start the year by coming together for Back to POP sessions as a community. This meeting is crucial to learn more about our programming, set expectations for students and families, and discuss ways we can work together to create the best experience possible.

All students and a parent or guardian are required to attend a Back to POP meeting being held at our Music Centers. The most pertinent information will be shared at your specific center.

If you have extenuating circumstances, please reach out to your Music Center’s Program Coordinator. Students who do not attend a Back to POP meeting will be unable to participate in POP for Session 1 (September-December).

Wednesday, September 17th, 6:00 – 7:30pm @ St. Francis de Sales School (917 S 47th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143)

ENROLLMENT FORM

Basic Information

The following is general information about our SFDS programming.

If you are a current POP Family, find additional details on our Family Portal page.

POP's Mission

Play On Philly (POP) provides underserved children in Philadelphia a transformative music education experience that develops and inspires the behaviors and personal skills needed for a successful life.

Programmatic Continuum

POP is happy to offer programming for eligible students from K-12. Throughout that time, their experience transforms and expands, moving from simpler musical experiences to playing with a whole orchestra! 

General Eligibility, Fees, & Attendance Expectations

Eligibility

  • Students in grades K-6 must be enrolled at St. Francis de Sales school to be eligible.  
  • Students in grades 6-12 are eligible for our Chamber Music Program, which involves 1-2 days of travel per week to Roman Catholic High School. 
  • If your student does not meet this criteria, please see our Summer Program page or our MAYAP page for other possible options.

 

Enrollment Fee

  • There is an annual enrollment fee of $130 required for each student. This payment can be broken into three installments if needed, with an installment due each of the first three months (September 19 – $50; October 17 – $40; December 5 – $40)​

Attendance Policy

  • Students are allotted 10 unexcused absences for the entire regular program year, lasting from September to May. Acceptable excuses include sickness with a doctor’s note, medical appointment, etc.  

Other POP Opportunities

Marian Anderson Young Artist Program (MAYAP)

The Marian Anderson Young Artist Program supports students, also known as Anderson Artists, in their musical studies through private lessons, individual advisement, instrument loans, and college and career counseling.

To learn more, click HERE

 

POP Summer Program

Summers at POP are an opportunity for musical and social-emotional growth through ensemble playing and intensive group lessons, as well as other forms of creativity and expression including dance, physical fitness, and art. This is open to rising grades 1-12 and rising college freshman.

To learn more, click HERE

Questions?

Please email our SFDS Program Coordinator Kennedy at kchizek@playonphilly.org

Program Coordinator: Kennedy Chizek

Kennedy is a dedicated professional from Omaha, Nebraska with over a decade of experience working for public schools and nonprofit organizations. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to empowering youth voices and fostering community development. Kennedy’s work with organizations such as Omaha Girls Rock has shown her passion for helping young people build confidence, leadership skills, musicality, and create positive social change. She has been teaching music since 2015, with a background in guitar, bass, and drums. In September of 2024, Kennedy joined POP as an Exploratory Teacher, helping our youngest students build the foundations of music. She looks forward to growing with Play on Philly and continuing to advocate for her new community in Philadelphia, driven by a vision of inclusive and equitable opportunities for all youth in music!

Key Documents

Family Handbook 24-25
Commitment to Cultural Equity and Anti-Racism
Staff
Our Programs
Our Impact