Mayor Jim Kenney suspected he would be surprised on his birthday Aug. 7 – he just wasn’t sure exactly when it would happen.
So when a dozen kids holding a large banner that read ‘Happy Birthday’ started singing as he walked into the room at The Children’s Place Preschools in Tacony, they didn’t have the element of surprise on their side – but they brightened his day.
“It was cute, they’re cute kids,” he said.
Kenney had been touring the new pre-school location at 4416 Longshore Ave. The center opened in April this year and became one of the newest of 140 facilities families could enroll their kids in the city’s PHLpreK program.
This is the fifth school owned by Kasia Blewonska, who has been CEO of The Children’s Place Preschools for 23 years. The facility features three pre-K classrooms as well as infant, toddler and after-school rooms.
Kenney’s tour also showed the activities kids were involved in over the facility’s summer program, which featured dancing and playing.
“I was a little bit nervous but also very excited [for the mayor’s visit] because it is always a good thing someone appreciates your effort, and this is a reward for me when I created the idea behind this school,” Blewonska said.
The children were also excited for the mayor’s visit.
“They made the banner and were practicing singing,” she said with a laugh.
PHLpreK still has seats available across the city, including this location. Visit phlprek.org or call 844-PHL-PREK to learn more. ••
