Welcome to a new month, Philadelphia. It follows what was the region’s first month without rain in 153 years of record keeping, a drought streak expected to continue. at least during the weekend. The resulting drought led New Jersey cranberry farms in trouble.

As the election approaches, some area schools have trained teachers to handle politically charged conversations with students. Educators feel like they are walking a “tightrope,” especially in divided school communities.

And fewer Philadelphians are now working remotely. These workers do not want to give it up.

Here’s what you need to know before the weekend.

—Julie Zeglen ([email protected])

PS Friday means new games. Test your The know-how of Eagles players with a new Bird Boxthen take our latest current affairs quiz, including questions on a sushi-making robot, Tyler, the Creator, and eight others.

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In area AP social studies and government classes, educators face the difficult task of teaching civics through a contentious election cycle.

A precious educational moment: The 2024 presidential race is a concrete, real-time example of the issues covered in class. This is an opportunity to explain how polls work, compare candidates’ programs and discuss government models.

Different points of view: Teachers know that students have their own political opinions, so they strive to appear neutral to ensure students feel comfortable sharing them. Some administrators offer training to navigate potentially charged conversations.

Notable quote: “I think it’s really helpful to have these discussions in an intentionally civil environment,” a Haverford School high school student told The Inquirer.

Yet the task comes as educators face attacks from conservative activists who accuse them of promoting political agendas. Education reporter Maddie Hanna spoke to teachers, students and administrators about how they approach politics in the classroom.

Further reading: In an opinion piece, Philly City Commissioner Lisa Deeley urges voters to pay attention to all the races listed on a ballot — not just the one at the top — because they are often the most important . most relevant to everyday life.

The pandemic has normalized remote work for many professionals. But nearly five years later, Philadelphia’s remote workforce is shrinking: 16% of all local workers last year, down from about a quarter in 2021. The trend is spreading nationally.

The benefits of working from home remain, according to those who still do it. Remote work allows for greater control over schedules, as well as the flexibility to seek employment across geographic boundaries.

Disadvantages also exist, such as limited personal interaction with colleagues. But those who prefer remote work say it’s just added encouragement to fill their personal calendars with social activities — a trend that has given rise to groups like Philly Girls Who Walk.

Business journalist Ariana Perez-Castells told remote workers why they don’t want to give it up.

What you need to know today

Welcome to Curious Philly Friday. We will present new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask questions about the city’s quirks.

This week we have an explanation from journalist Michelle Myers on the “inexact science” behind political polls, which gauge public opinion ahead of elections.

Don’t treat polls as predictions. Rather, they are snapshots of the respondents’ feelings at the time they are contacted. Have you ever been called to give your opinion? Your number probably didn’t show up when pollsters got their list via random digit dialing. Here are all the details.

Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local quirks, or how the area works? Submit it here and you might find the answer in this space.

Quiz time

An industrial town in Camden County is preparing for redevelopment of its former Superfund sites. Which U.S. agency considers the sites Superfunds, granting them federal support for hazardous waste disposal?

A) Department of Homeland Security

B) Department of Commerce

C) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

D) Environmental Protection Agency

Do you think you know? Check your answer.

What we are…

Strategizing: Our next meal at Linc And Wells Fargo Center.

Looking forward to: The first single from the Eagles’ holiday album, featuring the Kelce brothers.

In memory: The wildlife is no more found in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Decipher the anagram

Former head coach of the St. Joseph’s Hawks

IMPALE COSTS

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a random reader to shout out here. Congratulations to Heli Tomford, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Holmesburg. Restorative justice group seeks reparations from University of Pennsylvania for medical experiments conducted at Holmesburg Prison.

Photo of the day

One last thing that gets erased: Alas, all good things must come to an end. Our final foliage map of the season shows where see the last of the fall colors in Pennsylvania this weekend.

I wish you a peaceful transition into the new month. I’ll be back with you on Monday.

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