Pittsburgh Public School students to learn online the Monday they return from Thanksgiving break

Pittsburgh Public School students will learn remotely Monday, Nov. 29 — the day after Thanksgiving break — as district officials grapple with staffing shortages they say related to the covid-19 pandemic.

The change was announced in a letter written by interim Superintendent Wayne Walters.

“The impact of the covid-19 pandemic continues to be prevalent in our day-to-day lives,” Walters wrote. “Like most industries, our district and school districts, locally and nationwide, are grappling with staffing shortages. In PPS, these staffing challenges are exasperated by absences due to covid, a limited pool of applicants and a lack of teaching substitutes.”

District leaders also received reports there would be a limited number of bus drivers that day.

Interim Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Walters, posted a letter today about changing Monday, November 29, 2021 to an asynchronous learning day for PPS students. Grab and Go meal service will be available at all school locations that day from 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM. #PPSStayInformed pic.twitter.com/IhccKGxaIm

— Pgh Public Schools (@PPSnews) November 19, 2021

Custodial staff will use the day to deep clean district buildings as the number of confirmed covid cases rise across the region.

Having students learn remotely allows officials to count the day toward the 182 required days of instruction and eliminates the need for an extended school year or to remove vacation days from spring break, Walters said.

On Nov. 29, students will log onto their classes remotely and complete work at their own pace. In order to be marked present, students must log on at some point throughout the day.

Food service staff will provide grab-and-go meals at each school between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“Thank you for your support and patience as I work to foster a culture that elevates quality teaching and learning for all students,” Walters said.