Masterman Home & School Association
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • Board Members
    • Committees
    • Bylaws
  • Meetings
    • 2025-26
    • Past Years
  • Grants
  • Volunteer
  • Support
    • Pay Dues
    • Donate
    • The Auction - 2026
  • News
  • SHOP
    • Logo Merch
    • Books
    • Box Tops

Polish Student Exchange Fundraiser at Craft Hall

3/1/2026

 
Picture
Join US for the Poland Exchange Fundraiser on Friday, March 6th from 5:00-7:00 PM

Light Menu and Mocktails and Cocktails for the Families
  • Cheese and Charcuterie
  • Chef’s Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie, Traditional Accoutrements
  • Dip Trio
  • Hummus, roasted red pepper and feta spread, tomatillo and avocado salsa, served with crudite and Fresh Pita (VG)
  • Pretzel Bites
  • Spicy Mustard (VG)
  • Margherita Pizza
  • Red sauce, cheese, basil (VG)

Please see the flyer for more information!

Buy your Auction tickets today!

3/1/2026

 
Picture
The deadline to purchase tickets for Masterman's Spring Auction at the Early Bird / Reduced Price rate has been extended to Monday, March 9th!

Buy your tickets today using this link: https://mastermanhsa.betterworld.org/events/2026-spring-auction.

Auction tickets include great food, an open bar, student performances, exciting auction items, raffle baskets and more.

We hope to see you at Craft Hall on Saturday, April 25th for a fun-filled evening!

Shape Our Future

2/22/2026

 
Masterman's Future is Taking Shape — Your Voice Matters

By now, many of you have heard about the School District of Philadelphia's proposal to close a number of schools across the city. For Masterman, this plan hits close to home — literally. Under the proposal, Waring School would close, and Masterman would take over the Waring building, giving our famously overcrowded school some much-needed breathing room.

That's potentially great news for space — but it also opens up a lot of important conversations about what makes Masterman, well, Masterman. How do we maintain the community, culture, and climate we love when the school is operating across two locations? How will this impact clubs and our beloved music program? What impact will this have on our teachers? What questions and concerns do you have?

We'd love to have you join us at the next SAC Climate and Culture/Health and Wellness Committee meeting to talk through it together:

Monday, February 23rd from 7:00 – 8:00 PM

CLICK TO JOIN

No agenda, no pressure — just an open conversation with fellow Masterman families and staff. Your perspective matters, and this is a great time to make your voice heard as the district's plan continues to develop.
Hope to see you there!

Masterman Minute 2/11/26

2/15/2026

 
​Dear Masterman Community,
You're Invited to The Wiz! Masterman is proud to present our spring musical, The Wiz. More than 250 students are involved across cast, crew, and orchestra, and their dedication over the past several months has been extraordinary. We would love for you to join us and support their work.
Performance Dates:
  • Thursday, February 26 at 6:30 PM
  • Friday, February 27 at 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 28 at 6:30 PM
This production represents the very best of Masterman: talent, teamwork, and commitment. I hope to see many of you there as we celebrate the hard work of our students and the vibrant arts culture that makes our school so special.

Staff Shout-Outs
  • Ms. McPherson, for always offering her help and support with a smile and for planning meaningful Latino cultural experiences, including the visit to Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania with Spanish 3.
  • Mr. Beers, for sharing his poem during Monday's assembly.
  • Mrs. Nelson and Ms. Ramsey, for organizing the common area outside the counselors' offices to better serve students.
  • Nurse Bagley, for her steady care and support of our students.
  • Mr. Muse, Madame Tavianini, and Madame Heimann, for accompanying our scholars to Quebec this week.
  • Mr. Gold, Mr. Muse, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Zimny, for supporting our Sciad competitors at Girls High last weekend.
  • Ms. Elana and Ms. Fox-Jones, for planning the "home" leg of the Poland exchange experience.
  • Our 5th grade teacher team, for organizing multiple field trips for our youngest scholars.
  • Our grade sponsors, for planning meaningful end-of-year trips and celebrations.
  • Ms. Graham, for organizing the Climbers Breakfast and securing speakers for Black History Month.
  • Donna Amit, for reinstituting PALentines and strengthening community during the winter months.
  • Justin Gilken, for his dedication and readiness to help at all times.

More Good News from Around Masterman
  • Attendance continues to trend positively as we move through the winter months. Thank you to families and staff for reinforcing the importance of showing up ready to learn each day.
  • Our Instructional Cabinet continues its focused work, and we are seeing increased use of checks for understanding and academic discourse routines across content areas. Steady improvement is happening in classrooms every day.
  • Course selection is nearly complete, and early numbers suggest strong interest in advanced coursework across departments. Our students continue to lean into challenge.
  • The Poland exchange and Quebec trip reflect something special about Masterman: students eager to engage globally and staff committed to making that possible.
  • We have had several students recognized recently for acts of integrity and kindness, living out our PBIS pillars in ways that define our culture.
  • Planning has begun for spring athletics, and participation numbers are strong. Our students continue to balance academics, arts, and athletics with remarkable commitment.

The second semester is always when momentum builds. The foundation laid in the fall begins to bear fruit. Classrooms feel focused, performances feel sharper, and our seniors begin to see the horizon.

It is a good time to be at Masterman.

Stay Classy!
Principal Laurie

Auction Update

2/15/2026

 
Picture
​Save the Date: Masterman’s Spring Auction is Saturday, April 25th!

Mark your calendars! The annual Masterman Spring Auction is coming up on Saturday, April 25th, from 6-10 pm at Craft Hall. We are thrilled to return to Craft Hall as our continuing Platinum Sponsor—thank you Craft Hall for your generosity!

How to Support the Auction: 
  • Purchase Tickets: Event tickets are on sale now! The deadline to purchase Early Bird/Reduced Price tickets is March 2nd. You can also sponsor the cost of a teacher’s auction ticket. Purchase your tickets here!
  • Be – or Find – A Sponsor: We’re seeking businesses, causes and individuals who are proud to add their names to our list of auction sponsors. Sponsorships come with event tickets, and sponsors are featured on all our auction platforms. You can purchase a sponsorship and check out our current list of generous sponsors here!
  • Donate Items: We're seeking auction items such as sports tickets, restaurant gift cards, vacation home rentals, and unique experiences. Get creative - some of our most bid-on items last year didn’t cost a thing! You can donate an item using this donation form or email [email protected] to discuss details.
  • Volunteer: The Auction Committee meets biweekly on Sundays, typically over Zoom. Join us or volunteer to help out with donor/sponsor solicitations, promotion, party planning, setup and more. Email Rebecca at [email protected] for ways to get involved.

Stay up to date with all things auction at www.mastermanhsa.org/auction 

​We can't wait to see you there!


Teachers Truly Appreciated!

2/14/2026

 
This past Friday our wonderful teachers and other staff got treated three ways!
In the morning, they arrived to a surprise hot cocoa bar set up by volunteers from SAC with HSA funding. 
Then, they received beautiful Valentine's Day messages and chocolate treats. Thank you so much to everyone who submitted messages of appreciation, and to our stalwart volunteer to put them together! This year was our best response yet and the teachers really saw the love.
Finally, staff stayed for professional development after early dismissal, and enjoyed lunch provided by the HSA.

Send in Socks and Cereal!

2/13/2026

 
Picture
​Hello from the NJHS! We're hosting a Sock and Cereal Drive, February 18th through March 6th. We have drop boxes in the cafeteria and the morning scanners.

See our flyer detailing what donations we accept.

​In order to help those in need, we would greatly appreciate your support!

Family-Friendly Happy Hour March 6 to Support Polish Cultural Exchange

2/6/2026

 
Last October, 16 students and 3 chaperones spent 12 days in Torun, Poland, as participants in a student exchange program. While there, they lived with student host families, attended high school classes, enjoyed fun educational and social activities, and explored the culture and history of the area.  

Now it is Masterman's turn to show our hospitality, and we need assistance to ensure that the visiting Polish students have the same rich experience they provided for us. 

Help raise funds by attending this special event:​

March 6 from 5:00-7:00 PM
Craft Hall- A Family Friendly Sports Bar- 901 North Delaware Avenue


Come one, come all!! Please plan to attend our Masterman Family Friendly Happy Hour with GUEST BARTENDERS Principal Laurie, Assistant Principal Michelle Harrison, Ms. LeeAnne Fox Jones, and Ms. Elana Solomon serving drinks, mocktails, and appetizers. Mr. Zimny will be helping with food orders and promoting our 50/50. There may even be other teachers popping in. You never know! 

You can also support the program directly by donating here.

Any questions? Please email [email protected]

Senior Basketball and Cheer Game

2/3/2026

 
After a few bumps in the road due to the snowy weather, we were finally able to celebrate the senior members of the Cheer and Basketball teams on Monday, 2/2! 

Thank you to everyone who came out to the senior game to show their love and support! It was a wonderful evening!

Thank You to Our Counselors

2/2/2026

 
Picture
Picture
Mr. Allen, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Marcus, and Ms. Ramsey bring energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to supporting our students in myriad ways every day. They assist every student with college and career planning, support them through mental health and adjustment issues, and share resources and opportunities from school selection to scholarships.
The HSA thanked our amazing counselors this week with a festive gift and a special lunch.
Read more about their work on the counseling page of the school website, and give them a high five next time you see them!

Lost & Found Glasses

2/1/2026

 
A note from Nurse Bagley:
​If your student has lost glasses this year please remind them to come check the health room (nurse's office)!  We have a lot of lost glasses and would like to return them.

Masterman Safe Streets

11/30/2024

 
Check out this information about staying safe around Masterman and how to seek help in case of emergency. masterman_safe_streets_flyer_2023_vs2.pdf

    BLUE DRAGON BLOG
    News and announcements updated weekly!
    Use these categories to browse related stories.

    Categories

    All
    Academics
    Athletics
    Community
    Events
    Excellence
    Fundraising
    Masterman Minute
    Masterman Voices
    Music
    Opportunities
    Resources
    Student Activities
    Summer
    Teacher Appreciation
    Video
    Volunteer

    Questions? Contact [email protected].
J.R. MASTERMAN
HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION​


1699 Spring Garden Street
​Philadelphia, PA 19130


Email [email protected]
Phone 215-400-7580
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • Board Members
    • Committees
    • Bylaws
  • Meetings
    • 2025-26
    • Past Years
  • Grants
  • Volunteer
  • Support
    • Pay Dues
    • Donate
    • The Auction - 2026
  • News
  • SHOP
    • Logo Merch
    • Books
    • Box Tops