Pittsburgh Public Schools News

An exceptionally entertaining time was had by all at Pittsburgh Banksville K-5 annual 100^th Day of School Carnival on the evening of February 12, 2013.  The fifth graders at Banksville designed and coordinated learning activities at ten different booths all relating to the number 100.  Students and families enjoyed games like the 100 Point Ball Toss, the 100 Second Challenge, and the 100 Pairs Table.  Guests even had the chance to use ipad apps that 5^th grade students researched related to the number 100. 

This year also featured the “100 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe” Hallway sponsored by a grant from the National PTA.  In this hall, families could receive information about home, road, pet, and cyber safety and meet community workers from the Pittsburgh Police, Fire Department, and Bomb Squad.  Each of these groups sent vehicles, representatives and informational materials to share with our families.  Winners of our safety poster contest were announced and received special prizes.  Every guest that visited every booth also received a prize. 

Great job to all the fifth graders for their hard work, Banksville would also like to thank the PTA for writing for the grant which added to this fun event. 

Throughout the school year, fifth graders at Pittsburgh Banksville will read a variety challenging and intense novels. We began with a biography called Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.  It is a true life story of a boy who went from the back of the class to brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon.  We chose this novel to kick off our fifth grade year here at Banksville for a number of reasons.  First, the message of the novel ties right into our efforts to push our learners to “Dream Big & Work Hard”.  In addition, the subject of this memoir is an incredibly inspiring philanthropist who started a scholarship fund which gives away thousands of college scholarships to 4^th through 12^th graders throughout the country.  Our school has the privilege of nominating a student for this scholarship each year, and every student we have ever nominated from Banksville has won!  What better way to motivate the students to work hard to meet the requirements of this nomination, than to learn about the awesome determination of the man behind the Scholars Fund, Dr. Ben Carson. 

To say that the novel motivated them is an understatement!  The students responded better than we had even expected.  They were able to draw out the inspirational messages of his life story and make personal connections.  Each student wrote a personal letter to Dr. Carson, sharing the life lessons they learned from the novel and making promises to him about how they will use their “gifted hands” to help others.   

Students selected inspirational quotes from the novel to create banners to help fellow students in the school follow a path to success.  We culminated the novel study with a guest speaker.  Mr. Turahn Jenkins, a local defense attorney who just freed an innocent man from 17 years of prison for a crime he did not commit.  Mr. Jenkins came in and talked about his own life story, which in many ways mirrored that of Dr. Carson, and shared life lessons he learned along the way.  He reminded our students that their academic effort will be rewarded with The Pittsburgh Promise.  His words and the words of Dr. Carson, about hard work, determination, and avoiding trouble left a lasting impression on the fifth graders at Banksville.

“Children’s Museum youth programs offer meaningful activities and experiences for kids 10-18 years old to help them discover their potential, develop their talents and abilities and explore their interests.”

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Pittsburgh Public Schools Celebrate Take a Father to School Day

Board Member Mr. Mark Brentley Sr. visits PPS PreK classroom at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum

PITTSBURGH, May 17, 2012 –Hundreds of fathers across     Pittsburgh took their children to school today.  Instead of dropping them off and waving goodbye, they headed inside the buildings.  Fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other adult males who have made an impact in the life of a Pittsburgh Public Schools student participated in various activities, such as field day, story time, arts and crafts and career talks. (more…)

Pop City

May 16, 2012

Please see a special message from Superindent Linda S. Lane for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7- 11th)

New 3 Tier Routing System Adjust Start and End Times of Schools  To Allow for More Efficient Bus Scheduling

PITTSBURGH, April 9, 2012 – As part of Phase 3 of its work to build a sustainable public school system, the District presented strategies that adjust the way students are transported to and from school.  Presented at this evening’s Board Committee Meeting, the three transportation changes – implementation of a 3 Tier Routing System, increase use of yellow buses, and the alignment of the start and end times of the District Accelerated Learning Academies (ALAs) – stand to save the District approximately $1.2 million annually.   (more…)

The Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (TRWIB) and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit are challenging local youth to dream big through the “Imagine! Your Future Competition.” Open to students of all school districts in the County, the essay contest is being held in conjunction with the TRWIB’s 6^th annual Imagine! Career Week, April 26-May 4, 2012.   (more…)

Students hit the runway for the Greek Fashion Show

On Thursday February 16, 2012 Pittsburgh Banksville K-5 was alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of native cuisine from over 17 different countries at the school’s International Food and Information Fair.  More than 320 parents, family members, students, community members, and staff celebrated the many diverse cultures that make Banksville a thriving neighborhood and the school an integral centerpiece of that community.  (more…)

All men interested in helping Board Member Mark Brentley Sr. plan the 2012 Take a Father to School Day are invited to the kick-off planning meeting Monday, February 27, 2012 at Pittsburgh Obama, Conference Room from 6:00-8:00PM. For information please contact Mr. Brentley at (412) 734-1594.

» Take a Father to School webpage