Pittsburgh Public Schools announce updated plan for online instruction

Pittsburgh Public Schools will begin district-wide online instruction on April 16, according to a letter sent to families Monday.

Per the district’s updated plan, this week will be dedicated to teachers and instructional staff learning to teach remotely. Technology will be distributed to identified students on Thursday, April 9. The following week, on April 14 and 15, printed instructional packets will also be distributed at Grab and Go meal locations.

The district will maintain its regularly scheduled spring break, April 6 through 13.

In the letter, Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said the district will use Microsoft Teams to conduct online classes. The district is using this week to familiarize 1,700 teachers with the software.

A survey was sent last week to district families to evaluate their internet and technology access. Of the 6,148 respondents, Hamlet said, 41% of families reported they do not have access to a device for each child in their home. Another 5% reported a lack of internet access.

“Based on this information, we anticipate the technology needs of students and staff to surpass our current inventory of one-to-one devices,” he wrote.

Hamlet said that the district is working with local partners to “bridge the digital divide,” and all at-home learning will take place both online and via instructional packets.

Gov. Wolf announced Monday that schools would be closed indefinitely, and the stay-at-home directive that had been issued for 26 counties, including Allegheny, will extend until at least April 30.