Coming soon from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the launch of “All In to Reopen Our Schools.”
In a release from the district, the effort aims to bring the Pittsburgh community together to plan the safe and successful reopening of schools this fall.
“As a caregiver to tens of thousands of children, we see the plan for reopening our schools essential to the effective reopening of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D., in the release. “Through our partnership with the PFT (Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers) and One Pa, I am sure we can design a plan that considers all voices and will put Pittsburgh on the map as a true innovator in these unprecedented times.”
“We are prioritizing real community voices and broad collaboration to find the solutions we need for our kids,” Angel Gober from One Pa emphasized in the release. The “All In to Reopen Our Schools” plan will be developed by 16 subcommittees, composed of a cross-section of stakeholders, within five categories:
1. Academic Programming and Instructional Support
2. Academic Personnel and Developing Capacity
3. Family Support & Wellbeing
4. School Operations for a Safe and Healthy Environment
5. Communications, Outreach and Community Coordination
“The PFT has been eager to work with the Pittsburgh Public Schools on a plan that will bring our students and staff back to school safely,” said Nina Esposito Visgitis, president, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said in the release obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier, June 3. “Teachers have valiantly embraced our remote learning reality, but of course, they are eager to get back inside of the classroom, where teaching and learning flourish best.”
The work of the subcommittees will be informed by guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and informed by parent feedback gathered through the district’s Remote Learning Parent Survey. The survey ended on June 4.
“Our community and our children are heartbroken by the treatment of Black people in this country right now. It is critical that we work together, across diverse communities to design a safe plan to meet our children’s needs,” said Gober, in the statement. “I believe in us.”
The work of the subcommittees will complement and strengthen the work already underway through Imagine PPS with the assistance of community champions. “All In to Reopen Our Schools” will ensure the short-term work required to respond to COVID-19 strengthens the development of the Imagine PPS strategic plan, the statement read.
The “All In to Reopen Our Schools” plan is expected to be released to the public on July 22.
About Post Author
