Tony B. Watlington Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia, Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Board of Education Member, Reginald L. Streater, Esq., President of the Board of Education, Kendra Brooks, Councilmember/Vice Chair of Education Committee,Mayor Jim Kenney, Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Stephen Fera, EVP, Public Affairs and Government Markets.
For the third year in a row, the Independence Blue Cross (IBX) Foundation is supporting the Philadelphia School District’s Ring the Bell PHL Back-to-School Bus Tour, which features two specially-wrapped school buses that will travel across Philadelphia to make resources and services accessible for students and families. This includes school supplies, required childhood immunizations, dental and vision screenings.
Steve Fera, executive vice president of Public Affairs and Government Markets at Independence Blue Cross and IBX Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake joined other Philadelphia leaders, including School Superintendent Tony Watlington, Mayor Jim Kenney, Board of Education president Ronald Streater, and Councilmember Kendra Brooks for a launch event at Martin Luther King High School.
In his remarks, Fera emphasized the importance of reducing health inequities in our city and how the Tour supports that goal. “People’s access to health care and information can be wildly different depending on their zip code. Meeting parents and students where they are is integral to reducing barriers to care,” said Fera. “That’s why the Foundation is excited to partner with the Philadelphia School District year after year.”
In addition to critical school and health services, several events include food, face painting, games, and giveaways for students and families. A full list of events can be viewed here.
Superintendent Watlington gives a backpack to a young student.
