More than 11,200 children and caregivers joined Please Touch Museum this summer for its annual “Ready. Set. School.” series, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and Keystone First.

Offered free of charge to all attendees, the three community days in June, July, and August gave families a joyful and accessible way to build confidence and skills for the new school year through hands-on art and maker activities, science explorations, interactive storytelling, live performances, and resources from community partners.

Community Impact

Through the support of sponsors and community partners, families received:

• 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies
• 1,500 copies of Way Past Shame donated by author Hallee Adelman, continuing her legacy of supporting literacy and learning at the Museum
• Additional free books from Literacy & More and Block Captains Reading Association
• Hundreds of educational games distributed by Literacy & More
• 5,000 Ready. Set. School. Activity Guides created by Museum Learning Educators, filled with literacy, math, and social-emotional activities based on the Museum’s Four C’s: creativity, confidence, compassion & curiosity

Program Highlights

We are also grateful to the community partners and performers who augmented the Museum’s Ready Set School programs. Across the three community days, families enjoyed a wide variety of programs and activities, including:

• Musical performances by Mister Boom Boom and Johnny Shortcake
• Interactive storytimes with storyteller Thembi Palmer, fostering imagination, social-emotional growth, and active listening
• Author readings by Hallee Adelman, sharing Way Past Shame, and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, sharing Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Story
• Healthy food demonstrations by Vetri Mobile Teaching Kitchen
• Kindergarten registration with the School District of Philadelphia
• Additional resources from Read2Succeed, Little Yoga Squad, Elwyn, Brightside Academy, Vision for Equality, and Lightbulb Learning Center

“Ready. Set. School. is about much more than preparing for the first day of class — it’s about helping families feel supported, confident, and excited to begin a new year of learning,” said Chief Learning Officer Olivia Thomas. “Thanks to our generous sponsors, community partners, and contributors, we were able to welcome more than 11,000 visitors this summer and provide families with the tools, resources, and joyful experiences they need for a strong start.”

Please Touch Museum is grateful to Independence Blue Cross, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and Keystone First, whose support made the Ready Set School event series possible.