Pittsburgh Public Schools News

PITTSBURGH, March 20, 2013 – The Board of Directors have entered into a new three-year agreement with Superintendent Linda S. Lane that runs from March 20, 2013, through June 2016.

Superintendent Lane has elected to keep her compensation at $200,000, effective January 1, 2013, despite earning increases totaling $20,000 authorized by the Board over the past two years. 

“As we continue to evolve into a district of first choice for families, I am privileged to have been leading the Pittsburgh Public Schools in such a time of change,” said Superintendent Lane.  “I am honored to continue to serve the students and families of Pittsburgh, a place I now call home.” 

Under the new contract the Superintendent maintains the same performance-based compensation schedule as in her original contract.  The Superintendent’s contract will continue to provide the opportunity for her to receive a $10,000 yearly merit increase, which is tied to meeting yearly performance goals, in addition to a $5,000 automatic yearly increase. Effective September 1, 2013, the Superintendent’s salary will increase to $220,000. If she meets her performance priorities every year, under the new contract, her annual salary could increase to a maximum of $265,000 in 2016.

“We are very pleased with the steadfast leadership Superintendent Lane has provided during some of the most challenging times facing public education. It was important for us to ensure that stable leadership remained in place, particularly as there will be significant Board turnover this year.  It is critical that our work continues to meet our goals of accelerating student achievement, eliminating racial disparities and becoming a District of first choice for families,” said Committee Chair of Negotiations, Theresa Colaizzi. “Under her leadership we have taken several steps to address the District’s financial challenges, continue our focus on effective teaching, and reinforce our commitment to excellence and equity for all so that the children in Pittsburgh graduate prepared for post-secondary education and are able to take advantage of a Pittsburgh Promise scholarship.” 

The Pittsburgh Public Schools is the largest school district in Allegheny County and ranks second in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with 54 public schools serving approximately 26,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Want to climb the career ladder and positively impact 25,000 young people along the way?

Let your journey begin at Pittsburgh Public Schools!

Right now, the District is looking for a Chief of Student Support Services. Under the Deputy Superintendent’s direction, the Chief will lead and supervise all activities performed in the Office of Student Support Services and operate as a liaison for schools, central office, and community partners.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about this position, create a job search account by clicking this link
https://ats4.searchsoft.net/ats/trans_login?COMPANY_ID=00014077

Pittsburgh Public Schools is introducing a new, more family-friendly website, which can be found at the current address–www.pps.k12.pa.us    The site was designed with parent and community members in mind. We received feedback and created an organized, easy to navigate website.  As we work toward our goal of becoming a District of first choice, we know we must continually improve the way we communicate with our families and future families–and the website does just that!

The new site includes a new tool called Discover PPS. With Discover PPS, you can make informed decisions about our unique options and offerings.  You can search all 54 schools and find in-depth information, like school directories, fact sheets and achievement data.  Also new to the website–videos will be featured on the homepage as well as an up-to-date District calendar.  

While this first phase of the website relaunch is significant, we look forward to further updates in the coming months, including relaunching and standardizing the information found on the school websites, launching the “Parent Internet Viewer” to help our families better interact with their childrens’ grades and teachers and further improving how the website works with mobile devices, like phones and tablets.

Pittsburgh Allderdice students earned top titles at the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania’s annual High School Japanese Speech Contest.

The competition was divided into four levels: a poster session for first-year students of Japanese, followed by three levels corresponding to the number of years of language study. The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania held the annual High School Japanese Speech Contest competition in collaboration with the Asian Studies Center (UCIS), Japanese Speaking Society at the University of Pittsburgh earlier this month.  at the William Pitt Union.

First place in the Advanced Plus category went to Joshua Zak. Joshua also received the Consulate Award, an electronic Japanese-English dictionary. First place in the Beginner category went to Sherry Ann Yang Allderdice High School. Hongching Cheung won the poster competition. All three students are taught by Ms. Isabel Espino de Valdivia.

(Photo: Joshua Zak)

(Photo: Sherry Ann Yang)

Looking for a weekend outing? Attend a high school musical!

The Pirates of Penzance will take the stage at Pittsburgh Allderdice this week. The sword fight starts March 14 and will run through the weekend. The two act play spins an hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty. 

Showtimes: March 14-16 at 7 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m.

Admission: $5 for students & seniors/$8 for adults

The Leader of the Pack will take the stage at Pittsburgh Perry. The curtain rises March 14 -17. This hit retro musical celebrates the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the sixties charts. 

Showtimes: March 14-16 at 7:15 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m.

Admission: $5 general seating

On March 8, 2013- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)  joined with students, teachers and administrators from Pittsburgh Mifflin to call for passage of his anti-bullying bill, The Safe Schools Improvement Act. 

Casey  highlighted the work being done at Pittsburgh Mifflin to combat bullying, outlined his bipartisan legislation on bullying and push for Congress to pass the bill this year.  To watch the video click here

CBS District / Mifflin

Sen. Casey Working To Stop Bullying In Schools

WTAE District/Mifflin  

Sen. Bob Casey Hoping for Swift Passage of Anti-Bullying Bill

 WESA/NPR / District Mifflin

Senator Casey Takes on Bullying, Applauds Efforts of Pittsburgh Mifflin K-8 School

CBS

3/12/13

Congrats to Merecedes Howze for making the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2013 Fab 40 List for her work as a Project Assistant in the Summer Dreamers Academy Office. 

This year’s Fab 40 Awards Reception will be held March 22 at the Fairmont Hotel. Contact the Courier for tickets! 

http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/featured-news/metro/10912-2013-fab-40-selections-announced