In eLearning, students receive teacher-led instruction, also known as synchronous learning, and learn independently through asynchronous learning.

Synchronous learning is when the instruction is led by a teacher virtually. Asynchronous learning is when a student is learning and completing work independently without teacher-led instruction.

Yes. Students will have access to the same curriculum in school and during eLearning online.

A host of professional learning opportunities was provided to teachers and paraprofessionals including, training on the identified Learning Management System (LMS), how to teach in a virtual environment, and procedural operations to maintain the safety of our students, teachers, and staff.

Students will receive instruction from a teacher working at their school of assignment.

Yes. Advanced Placement courses will be available to students online.

Teachers may choose to record portions of lessons to share with students virtually.

Teachers provide direct instruction through the use of technology to students enrolled in eLearning.

Students will follow their respective school’s schedule and their schedule of classes during normal school hours for synchronous learning. 

Yes, all students will receive grades.

Yes, every effort is being made to include all elective courses.  Circumstances may vary by grade configuration.

The online classes will be teacher directed and school staff will be available for support while the students are online.

The online classes will be teacher directed and school staff will be available for support while the students are online. This is different from the model used in spring 2020.

Students enrolled in majors will receive instruction from a teacher at their school.

Online classes are teacher directed and school staff will be available for support while the students are online.

Grading reflects the guidelines provided by the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.

District staff will provide student academic, individual, or group intervention support and related services and supports as outlined in a student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Gifted Individual Education Plan (GIEP) within CDC guidelines.

The District is conducting IEP meetings to address any specific and unique needs that a student may have related to a safety requirement for Covid-19.  Any accommodations of this nature would be documented in the IEP.

For students participating in full-time eLearning, an IEP will be developed to address the unique learning strategies that would be appropriate for that environment.   Synchronous, live instruction would be a part of the delivery of services.

Students with disabilities who have emotional support needs will continue to receive those services whether they are in the brick and mortar or remote learning environments.

Students who receive school based mental health services will continue to receive those services when school reopens.  A plan shall be developed to coordinate the support for these services regardless of whether the student is in brick and mortar or remote learning environment.

The District recognizes that social distancing will be a challenge for some children who have autism.  Various strategies will be employed to support this challenge; such as – the use of social stories, visual supports for social distancing reminders, daily schedules that reinforce social distancing, modeling, positive rewards, and other promising practices that will help children with autism become more likely to be successful with social distancing.

In a blended, fully remote, or brick and mortar educational model, English Learners will continue to receive support from a certified ESL teacher. Depending on the student's English proficiency level, this may occur in a co-teaching setting with another teacher or the student may receive instruction directly from the ESL teacher.

Yes, the District will continue to use Talking Points to communicate easily via text with all families.

Regardless of the selected option, students will be able to participate in all school activities, sports, and events held at their school within health and safety guidelines.

Currently under the COVID Plan, students will not swim in physical education due to the safety restrictions in place.

Physical education must adhere to all PA and CDC guidelines (i.e., students will be spaced out in spots at least 6 feet apart, distancing will still apply during activity, no shared equipment). Students will receive a similar curriculum to ensure learning. Physical education will address individualized physical activities that include, but is not limited to yoga, stretching, locomotor and manipulative skills and movement (modified to in place or divided space with own equipment), fitness (body strengthening and flexibility), and other such activities that ensure students' safety, allow for lifelong health and understanding, and aid in being active and healthy, and address social, emotional learning/character education

On July 15, 2020, the Board of Education approved the Athletics Resocialization Health and Safety Plan. The plan outlines how we will provide a safe space of fun, learning and camaraderie for our students.  It covers procedures for conditioning, daily safety checks for athletes, coaches and staff, and the use of masks. The plan was developed with input from coaches, principals, parents, athletic trainers and other medical personnel to ensure a health and safety plan that follows the prescribed guidelines as set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To view the plan visit www.pghschools.org/Page/5482.

The Early Childhood Program will maintain our focus on the whole child both developmentally and academically.  To enhance the curriculum our community partners, such as the Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will continue to enhance our classrooms and remote learning.  In addition, other supports to children and families, such as social emotional and mental health assistance are provided through our mental health consultants. Our Family Service Specialists and Health Team are also available to the help families with any issues that they are experiencing in those areas. Moreover, as always, PPS Early Childhood children receive a developmental screen to determine the individual children’s needs. Further developmental evaluations are conducted by our Early Intervention Program at parent and teacher request. Early Intervention provides targeted academic and social emotional support within the EC classroom based on evaluation needs and IEP goals. 

The early childhood students will follow the AA/BB schedule in the same way as the rest of the District, so half of the children will come to school on the “AA” days and the other half will attend school on the “BB” days. In a typical PreK class of 20 children, 10 of them will come on the "AA" days and 10 of them will come on the "BB" days, which will allow more space in the classroom between children.  In addition, we will be limiting interaction with other groups of children on playgrounds and at special events. At mealtime and nap time children will be placed six feet from other children, and visual cues will be posted in hallways to keep children apart when standing in line.

The District will follow the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the PA Department of Health guidelines that are in compliance with the CDC guidelines.  These guidelines recommend health and safety procedures for early childhood centers, including use of face masks for adults and children.  The guidance states that all staff, visitors and children over two (2) years of age must wear masks or face shields while in the program.

When students return to school, both breakfast and lunch will be served to students based on the individual school and type of cafeteria in the school.  If meals are served in the classrooms, these would be individually packaged cold meals or if served in the cafeterias with social distancing, these would be individually packaged or plated cold and hot meals.

Yes.

Where students eat will depend on the school, type of cafeteria the school has, building schedule, building enrollment, and building principal preference. 

Yes, cafeterias will be open with social distancing and multiple meal periods based on the schools' schedule and building principals' preference.

The District provides Grab and Go breakfast and lunch at 27 District locations between the hours of 7:00 a.m. -9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday (except holidays). Please visit our website www.pghschools.org/grabandgo for a full list of locations. 

In addition, the Child and Adult Café Snack and Dinner program is available at four (4) Citiparks locations: Allegheny Dwellings, East Hills BJWL, Glen Hazel/BJWL Hazelwood and Northview Heights/Public Safety Center.

At this time, devices have been distributed to all students who need them.  Students currently using a personal device may exchange that device at the school level.  

Per the District’s Acceptable Use form, families are responsible for broken or damaged devices.

Cameras for the 2020-21 school year are enabled. 

In collaboration with community partners, the District has secured a limited number of internet connections that can be shared with families. Any family in need of internet service should notify their school so services may be coordinated.

• Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1 – iPads 
• Grades 2-5 touchscreen windows laptops
• Grades 6-12 windows laptop(students attending CAPA will receive a MacBook)

Pittsburgh Public Schools is providing in-person technology support for students and families that are unable to use the device received for eLearning. To schedule an appointment at one of our four technology resource centers, please complete the information form located at www.pghschools.org/techsupportappt. You will need an email address to receive confirmation of your appointment.

When you arrive at the appointment, please practice social distancing and wear a mask. Appointments are scheduled in 20-minute increments. Please arrive ten minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.

Please bring:

• Your appointment confirmation number
• The device and charger that is not working.

Yes. iPads will have programs already installed on them. Additional program requests for an iPad should be coordinated with the child’s school.