Governor Shapiro Joins The Philly Specials and Philadelphia Eagles to Bring Holiday Joy to Students During Operation Snowball at Eliza B. Kirkbride School

Governor Josh Shapiro joined current and former Eagles offensive linemen Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata to celebrate a holiday giving initiative that is delivering gifts to over 200,000 children in Philadelphia.

This school year, students across Pennsylvania are benefitting from historic investments secured by Governor Shapiro in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget, which includes a record $1.1 billion increase in K-12 education funding - the largest single-year investment in the Commonwealth's history.

The School District of Philadelphia benefits directly from the new adequacy formula, receiving more than $136 million through that formula designed to ensure schools with the greatest need receive the most support.

Philadelphia, PA - On December 17, 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro joined The Philly Specials - Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata - at Eliza B. Kirkbride School to celebrate Operation Snowball, a citywide initiative aimed at bringing holiday cheer to students across Philadelphia. Operation Snowball, launched in partnership with The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, ensures every Philadelphia public school student feels seen and celebrated this holiday season by delivering gifts to over 200,000 children.

"In Pennsylvania, we are making historic investments in our schools to ensure that every child - no matter their ZIP code - has the opportunity to succeed," said Governor Shapiro. "Today, Operation Snowball embodies the spirit of community and generosity that we want to instill in every student. By combining this kind of community-driven support with substantial educational investments, we are creating a brighter future for Pennsylvania’s children."

The Governor greeted students and school officials and met with The Philly Specials - a group of current and former Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen who release holiday albums and raise money for local children's charities — as well as Speaker Joanna McClinton, Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Philadelphia Chief Education Officer Dr. Deb Carrera, and President/CEO for The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia Kathryn Roberson. Following a series of remarks in the school gym, Mailata led students in a singalong, culminating in an Eagles chant.

Governor Shapiro’s visit to the school provided an opportunity to highlight his Administration’s commitment to investing in K-12 education. In the 2024-25 bipartisan budget, Pennsylvania invested a historic $1.1 billion increase in K-12 education funding, marking the largest single-year investment in the Commonwealth’s history. This funding supports critical programs such as special education, school safety, mental health resources, and universal free breakfast for students.

Thanks to the 2024-25 bipartisan budget, the School District of Philadelphia received nearly $200 million more in state funding – including an additional $51.6 million in Basic Education Funding, $136.6 million in adequacy supplements, and $11.9 million in special education funding, helping to ensure schools like Kirkbride have the resources they need to support student populations.

Operation Snowball: A Philadelphia Tradition

Operation Snowball is powered by proceeds from The Philly Specials’ holiday records, including their latest album, A Philly Special Christmas Party, released last month. Through partnerships with toy companies, nonprofits, and corporations, the initiative has raised millions of dollars to provide holiday gifts to children in need. Since its inception, the initiative has donated over $4.5 million to local charities, including the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Historic Investments in Education Under the Shapiro Administration

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has made a total of $275 million available for school infrastructure improvements(opens in a new tab) across Pennsylvania, addressing key environmental hazards and ensuring safer learning spaces. Governor Shapiro is committed to continuing these vital investments, ensuring every student in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to thrive in safe and healthy learning environments.

This school year, students across the Commonwealth are benefitting from substantial new investments secured by Governor Shapiro that will give every student the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

• To ensure that all districts get more of the support they need to serve our students, the 2024-25 budget includes funding for:  
• Historic Basic Education Funding: A $1.1 billion increase in K-12 funding, with $526 million allocated through a new adequacy formula to prioritize schools with the greatest needs.
• Special Education Funding: A $100 million increase to ensure high-quality services for students with disabilities and special needs.
• Cyber Charter Reimbursement: $100 million to reimburse schools for payments made to cyber charter schools.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Dual Enrollment: A $30 million increase for CTE and continued $7 million support for dual enrollment programs, expanding opportunities for high school students to gain career training and college credit.
• School Safety, Security, and Mental Health Services: $20 million for school safety improvements, $100 million for environmental and facility repairs (including $25 million for solar projects), and $100 million for mental health and safety resources.
• Period Products for Students: A $3 million investment to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students.
• Early Childhood Learning: $2.7 million in additional funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and $15 million more for the Pre-K Counts program.
• Universal Free Breakfast: Ensuring 1.7 million students statewide receive free breakfast, regardless of income.
• Student Teacher Stipends: Doubling funding to $20 million to support aspiring educators and address the teacher workforce shortage.

For more information on the 2024-25 budget, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov(opens in a new tab).