Pittsburgh Public Schools News

Today, STAR Schools received recognition from the Pittsburgh City Council.  Council President Darlene Harris awarded select schools with a proclamation, naming December 17, 2012 STAR Schools Day.  STAR focuses on rewarding schools for what matters most: accelerating achievement for our students. The school-level award recognizes all staff represented by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers in schools making extraordinary contributions to student growth. Schools within Pittsburgh Public Schools earn STAR status by being within the top 15% or 25% of Pennsylvania schools, rank-ordered for student growth.  Special schools are also awarded. STAR acknowledges the hard work staff as a school teams do every day and emphasizes the importance of working together to help every student succeed.

Before the proclamation, Pittsburgh Whittier students led the Pledge of Allegiance and held a moment of silence for the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting. 

Congrats to our 2011/12 STAR Schools: Pittsburgh Brookline PreK-8, Pittsburgh Dilworth PreK-5, Pittsburgh Fort Pitt K-5 (closed school), Pittsburgh Fulton PreK-5, Pittsburgh Sunnyside K-8, Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5, Pittsburgh Whittier K-5, Pittsburgh South Hills 6-8, Pittsburgh Conroy, Pittsburgh Pioneer and Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy.

To fill the vacancy of assigning a principal to the new Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide  Academy, the Board approved the appointment of Mr. David Lott, who will be leaving his position as assistant principal at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School. Mr. Lott began his career as a ninth grade science and tenth grade biology teacher at David B. Oliver High School. He then went on to teach at several different Pittsburgh Public Schools teaching social studies, special education, science, and interacting with county and city family/youth agencies to resolve behavior attendance problems. From June 2002- 2012, Mr. Lott served as the Assistant Principal at Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8.  He was a member of the school’s PSCC, Chair of the discipline committee, and the administrative and pupil service team.

Mr. Lott is very excited to begin his position as principal of the Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy.  He especially is looking forward to meeting the cohesive “family structured” staff at the school.  

As a current assistant principal at Pittsburgh Allderdice Mr. Lott conducted parent-student conferences for new admissions and developed a school attendance policy.  On leaving this role Lott says, “I am very sad to leave Allderdice, I work with the best group of 9^th graders and the teachers are wonderful to work with, so leaving is a bittersweet feeling.”

Mr. Lott lives by the quote “education is a great equalizer,” and he looks forward to helping the students at the Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential. “Since the school is an academy, it is my hope to help students return to their home schools prepared to be successful.”

Mr. Lott plans to grow with the new staff and develop a strong relationship with the community; he also wants to retire there 20 years from now. Mr. Lott will begin his new position at the beginning of the 2012-13 school years.

“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 Post Gazette

May 24, 2012

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…)

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

March 11, 2012