Education category, Page 62
Pennsylvania’s largest teachers union in favor of in-person return
HARRISBURG — The president of Pennsylvania’s largest teachers union expressed support Monday for in-person instruction in the fall, calling it a “top priority” now that many teachers have been vaccinated and older children have become eligible for the covid-19 shot. “As more students are vaccinated over the summer, we believe...
Pittsburgh Public Schools outlines long-term changes supported by federal ESSER funds
Pittsburgh Public Schools will use federal dollars to purchase new technology, air purifiers and other supplies to update the district in myriad ways, leaders said at a news conference Friday. District leaders outlined their plans for the covid-19 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds last week, while also...
Western Pa. universities weigh covid vaccine requirements for fall
Leaders at colleges and universities in Western Pennsylvania are grappling with how to safely restart classes in the fall — specifically, if requiring covid vaccination should be part of that strategy. Carnegie Mellon University announced last week that it would require students to get a vaccine before returning to campus....
Hamlet: Pittsburgh Public Schools will return for 5 days in person this fall
Pittsburgh Public School leaders said Friday that the district intends to reopen for full in-person learning next school year. “As the number of vaccinated individuals increases and covid-19 restrictions decrease, we are looking forward to the safe return of students for five days a week in-person instruction this fall,” Superintendent...
Schools ditch student mask requirements in growing numbersVideo
As a lengthy, bitter fight over mask requirements for students neared its conclusion, the chairperson of a Florida school board announced that she would agree to lift a mandate that had been in place since September even though she preferred leaving it in place until the end of the academic...
Carnegie Mellon to require students receive covid-19 vaccine for fall semester
Carnegie Mellon University will require students to be vaccinated for covid-19 to the extent permissible by law, school officials announced Tuesday. The policy, which is “consistent with scientific evidence on the importance of vaccine adoption to control spread of the virus,” according to a letter posted on the university’s website,...
Pa. Senate bill would give parents option of having child repeat grade
Allowing parents to hold back their child from being promoted to the next grade in 2021-22 due to learning loss during the covid-19 pandemic is now on track for consideration by the full Pennsylvania Senate. The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to advance this legislation that also gives parents of...
Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg school boards to discuss renewing partnership agreement
The school boards for Pittsburgh Public Schools and Wilkinsburg School District will hold a joint board meeting Tuesday to discuss possible renewal of a 5-year-old partnership that allows Wilkinsburg students to take advantage of several PPS programs. Officials from both districts gathered for a virtual news conference last week, touting...
Alle-Kiski Valley superintendents earn combined $1.85M
When it comes to determining a superintendent’s salary and benefits packages, school board members consider a variety of factors, including the size of the district, the number of students, the economics of district communities, the administrator’s years of experience and expertise offered by a candidate. “We try to check the...
Superintendents call on General Assembly to back Gov. Wolf’s education budget proposal
If the $1.3 billion investment in education comes through that Gov. Tom Wolf included in his proposed state budget, it would just about make up for the increased costs Pennsylvania schools are set to absorb between this and next school year, according to Jamie Baxter, policy director for nonprofit Allies...
Holy Spirit Academy in New Castle to close
Holy Spirit Academy, the Catholic school serving students in pre-K through eighth grade in New Castle, will close at the end of the academic year, the Diocese of Pittsburgh said Thursday. The Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, pastor at Holy Spirit Parish, submitted his request to close the school to Bishop David...
Calling the Class of 2021: Join TribLIVE’s virtual graduation
TribLIVE is celebrating the graduating Class of 2021 with our second annual virtual graduation. Do you know a graduating student who deserves recognition for his or her achievement? Submit their information and a photo by clicking the link below, and we’ll include them in our celebration of this year’s graduating...
Pittsburgh schools address bus seat shortage as 10K students set to return
Pittsburgh Public Schools reduced its daily transportation shortage by nearly 1,000 seats, district officials said Friday, ahead of thousands of students scheduled to return to buildings Monday. The district will welcome back more than 10,000 students Monday as part of its phased hybrid learning plan. More than 4,000 students returned...
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Pitt’s refusal to refund tuition during pandemic shutdown
A judge has thrown out a federal lawsuit filed by students against the University of Pittsburgh for failing to refund any of their tuition and fees when campus was shut down last year because of the pandemic. U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV on Tuesday granted Pitt’s motion to dismiss....
Pa. State System moves ahead with mergers of 6 universities, including California, Clarion, Edinboro
Plans to consolidate six struggling state-owned universities into two mega schools with six campuses were approved for public comment Wednesday morning. The board of governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted to begin a 60-day comment period on a plan to consolidate and rename California, Clarion and...
California, Clarion and Edinboro could be renamed under consolidation plan
California, Clarion and Edinboro universities will get a new name under a consolidation plan likely to be approved Wednesday for a 60-day public comment period. The necessity for a single name as well as a pledge to keep all three campuses open and fully operational are among the points made...
Pitt students push for LGBTQIA Center on campus
A student-produced report and petition are circulating the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities to persuade university officials to create an LGBTQIA+ Center – a place that would offer information, resources and community for Pitt students and others. Tyler Viljaste, a Pitt junior and vice president and chief of cabinet...
Greater Latrobe’s virtual ‘Bright Star’ musical inspired by true, emotion-filled tale
Flashbacks to a century ago, a baby’s miraculous survival and songs with banjo accompaniment are among ingredients in this spring’s Greater Latrobe Senior High musical. As was this past fall’s play, the musical “Bright Star” will be presented in a performance filmed in advance by the school’s drama club and...
Pitt to host vaccine clinic for students, employees
The University of Pittsburgh will host a vaccine clinic Wednesday at the Petersen Events Center from noon to 6 p.m., where clinicians will administer first doses of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine. Kevin Zwick, a university spokesman, said Pitt received 500 doses from the state Department of Health. There will be...
Leechburg schools predict no tax increase next school year
Leechburg Area School District will introduce no tax increase for next school year, district officials said this week, and there will be no budget deficit thanks to the availability of emergency covid funding. District officials last week presented the preliminary budget for the 2021-22 school year of more than $14.6...
‘Moral scandal’: Gov. Wolf proposal, lawsuit aim to cut Pennsylvania school funding gap
Even if Gov. Tom Wolf’s fair funding formula proposal passes the Legislature, area schools still could face a funding gap that has plagued Pennsylvania districts for years. The gap — highlighted in 2015, when it was reported that Pennsylvania had one of the nation’s starkest spending gaps between rich and...
Lack of bus drivers remains major problem at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools officials are still rushing to find solutions to a severe shortage of bus drivers and available seats for students. “We are going to continue to work as much as possible to ensure we’re able to try to get our students back in,” said Minika Jenkins, the district’s...
Principals announced at 2 newly merged Catholic schools
Principals have been chosen for two newly merged Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Robert Munz, an educator of 21 years and administrator in the diocese for the last decade, was selected to lead the new elementary formed by the merger of St. Philip in Crafton and St. Margaret...
La Roche plans in-person graduation with Hoddy Hanna as commencement speaker
La Roche University announced plans to host an in-person commencement ceremony with covid-19 precautions in place. The school’s 55th commencement is scheduled for May 8. To ensure adequate space for social distancing, the university will host two separate ceremonies in the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center. Students graduating from the...
Franklin Regional looks at shift to improve students’ career readiness
Jeff Stanczak, the internship coordinator for Franklin Regional School District, said he understands it might seem strange to ask a 14-year-old to make decisions about their career and future. “But if we hold off on those decisions until a student’s junior or senior year — as so often happens —...
