PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 12, 2023 — The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia is kicking off its fourth annual “Dress Down Day for Philly Public Schools” initiative at The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) on April 19 beginning at 8 a.m.
The kick-off event includes musical performances by CAPA students, remarks by Philadelphia School Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., CAPA principal Joanne Beaver, and appearance by designers of the special edition t-shirt, Rick & Ky Cao, owners of streetwear brand P’s & Q’s.
Established by The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia in 2018, “Dress Down Day for Philly Public Schools” is an annual t-shirt sales initiative to raise funds and awareness for Philadelphia’s 217 public schools and more than 125,000 students. Since its creation, more than 3,600 individuals have participated in Dress Down Day for Philly Public Schools, raising more than $170,000.
Twenty dollars ($20) of each t-shirt sold goes directly to the school or funding area chosen by the purchaser at checkout. This year’s initiative culminates in the citywide “Dress Down Day” on May 12th, when all purchasers are encouraged to share photos of themselves wearing the t-shirts on social media, showing support for Philly’s public schools by using the hashtags #DressDownPhilly, #PhillyPublicSchools and #FundPHLSchools.
For the first time, there are two options: The traditional t-shirt ($35) or a special limited-edition design from P’s & Q’s, a local streetwear brand founded by brothers—and Philly School District alums—Ky and Rick Cao. The limited-edition t-shirts ($40) are sure to go fast. P’s & Q’s has earned praise in Vogue, Complex, and Philadelphia Magazine, and their retail shop on the 800 block of South Street is a must-visit for streetwear aficionados.
Ky and Rick attended Fanny Jackson Coppin (formerly Andrew Jackson) School in Passyunk Square and then CAPA. “I love the public schools,” said Ky. “I’m a product of them. And my kids are going to be a product of the public school program as well.”
The Dress Down Day proceeds allow every public school in Philadelphia to raise money for special projects and necessities from school essentials to greater enrichment opportunities, such as new cafeteria seating at Jenks Academy, an outdoor environmental lab for students at Lingelbach, or new tables and chairs for the library at Bayard Taylor.
Kimlime Chek-Taylor, principal of South Philadelphia High School, uses the school’s Dress Down Day dollars toward school uniforms for kids who can’t afford them and toward pretzel and water ice parties to celebrate big achievements. “We just use it where we see our students need it the most,” says Chek-Taylor. “Whether it’s food, whether it supplies, whether it’s clothes, whether it’s family resources — we do all of that. Right now, I’m working on building a wellness center for our students. Some of the money we receive would definitely go towards that.”
“Public schools are the backbone of Philadelphia, and they play a vital role in shaping the future of our society. By supporting our public schools through Dress Down Day, we are investing in the education and success of our children and laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow,” said Kathy Rubino, vice president of development for the Fund for the School District. “We can all work together to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
The traditional Dress Down Day t-shirt is $35, and the P’s & Q’s designed t-shirt is $40. All orders can be made at http://bit.ly/dressdownphilly, and specific schools can be identified as beneficiaries of the contributions through the site. Twenty dollars of each t-shirt purchase goes to the Philadelphia public school selected by the buyer. If you want to receive your t-shirt by May 12, place an order by April 27. For bulk orders, email info@thefundsdp.org.
About The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia
The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia (The Fund) identifies, coordinates, and connects philanthropic resources to level the playing field in local public schools. The Fund’s partnership with the School District of Philadelphia seeks to promote equity, safety, and improved performance. By coordinating these efforts, the Fund helps students in the District succeed and reach their full potential.
