Class is back in session at the School District of Philadelphia, and Avory was working hard in the weeks leading up to the return to school getting a West Philadelphia elementary ready for returning students!

As he organized the cafeteria and set up classrooms, he talked about his excitement for the new year. He’s been working at the school since last January, and told us the summer felt like the offseason might to a baseball player: all training in preparation for the real thing.

As we chatted with him, our voices echoed through the empty cafeteria. The following week, it was filled with joyful students eager to begin their classes and meet new friends, and Avery couldn’t wait: he’s been a steadfast and helpful presence throughout the summer, assisting with updates to the facilities, but he was eager to build on the work skills he learned when school was in session.

With the school year underway, he has an even broader range of responsibilities than he did last year, from operating the Point of Sale system in the cafeteria to overseeing deliveries of food and school supplies and getting everything to its rightful place.

We are so proud of Avory for the great job he’s doing at work, and we’re as excited as he is to see him begin his second year as an employee of the School District of Philadelphia.