The event brought the excitement of America’s 250th anniversary celebration directly to school students.

It’s not every day that a carnival comes to your elementary school, but on July 17, students at Tanner Duckrey School and North Philadelphia community members celebrated America's 250th birthday at the festive Philadelphia250 School Block Party. 

The event was held as part of the citywide Block Party Bonanza, which seeks to bring semiquincentennial celebrations to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. The festivities served as an occasion for young people to celebrate the momentous anniversary and recognize students’ achievements. 

Attendees enjoyed carnival-style festivities, music, food and appearances by Temple’s mascot Hooter and Diamond Gems Dance Team. This was one of five school block parties sponsored by Temple throughout the summer. Parties were also held at Delaplaine McDaniel School, Anne Frank Elementary, Overbrook Educational Center and Thomas G. Morton School. 

The parties were organized through a partnership with Philadelphia250, the School District of Philadelphia, Temple University and other organizations.  

“As an educator, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the intersection of history, education and community that’s taking place this summer,” Monika Williams Shealey, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, said as she presented remarks during the event at Tanner Duckrey School.

“As we honor and celebrate 250 years of our anniversary and democracy in this country, we have to acknowledge other firsts.” 

She highlighted the historical significance of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker as the first woman to serve in that role and Temple alum Tanner Duckrey, who the school is named after. Duckrey was the first African American superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. 

“I hope you see that the path has been laid for you to go out there and be the first in major areas that we probably don’t even know about yet,” she told her young audience. 

During the event, Parker addressed the importance of ensuring that young people are included in the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. 

“Philadelphia, we are the birthplace of democracy, and our north star for any citywide celebration is that it can’t take place solely in Center City,” Parker said. 

“We have to make sure that these celebrations touch every neighborhood and every zip code here in the city of Philadelphia.” 

Nyjah Smith, the fifth district’s youth commissioner, underscored why events like the school block party matter. 

“They remind us that our neighborhoods are not just places where we live. They are places where we truly belong. They are places filled with history, culture, pride and possibilities,” she said. 

“By bringing the celebration directly into our neighborhoods and our schools, we’re making sure our young people aren’t simply watching history unfold, but they are playing a part in helping shape it and write it.,”