Thursday, December 25, 2014

PPS investigation?

Anonymous wrote:

"New Blog

Their is a teacher at UPREP right now that is under investigation for having an affair with two students. The district of course is keeping is hush hush!"

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Video of brawl

 Anonymous wrote:

"More than 6000 views of the fight at Dice."

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1528315047425895&set=vb.100007422436796&type=2&theater
"

Cost per student information posted

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/12/23/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-posting-more-information-for-public-on-website/stories/201412230166

From the article:

“When all costs are considered, the average per-student cost districtwide in Pittsburgh Public Schools is about $20,000.”

What do you think parents, community and others committed to the education of their children could accomplish with $20,000 per child?"

Monday, December 22, 2014

Lowest performing schools/ districts in our area

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/12/20/Allegheny-County-schools-show-little-change-in-test-scores.print

The PG just reported the highest and lowest-performing school DISTRICTS in the state.

The list shows Duquesne, Wilkinsburg, Sto-Rox, and Clairton as the lowest. These DISTRICTS have only ONE High School.

In PPS, Westinghouse, Perry and Milliones have even LOWER scores than Duquesne Wilkinsburg, Sto-Rox and Clairton.

PPS as a DISTRICT has a higher average because it has many high school with higher scores like CAPA, Sci-Tech and Allderdice.

So many Pittsburgh kids are in worse schools with worse scores than Duquesne, Wilkinsburg, Clairton, etc."

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

PPS summer learning programs may have a "statistically significant" effect on math performance

 From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/12/16/Pittsburgh-summer-learning-programs-boost-math-scores-not-other-outcomes/stories/201412150176

Some Board members retiring

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/12/17/Pittsburgh-school-board-losing-veterans-Isler-Hazuda-Brentley/stories/201412160213

New board members coming as some current members not running for another term. Will this make any difference in how PPS operates?

Monday, December 15, 2014

New clearance requirements

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"New Post please.

This is in today's Post.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/12/15/New-Pa-law-expands-clearance-requirments-for-school-volunteers-employees/stories/201412150005

School volunteers must now pass criminal background test. Passed October, this will take effect on December 31st.
There are plenty of times where individuals have access to students. A few are; college/tech school reps. Military recruiters and guest instructors.
I am afraid the real threat will be that access to schools will become more difficult. If a parent wants to visit, the principal can deny access using the background check as an excuse to deny. A visitor can always have a chance encounter with a child. Now, if you don't have clearance, I can see principals not letting you past the main office. You will not be able to see into a classroom."

Monday, December 8, 2014

PPS school decorated with Christmas lights and a wreath

Word is that a PPS 6-12 school has Christmas lights and a wreath over its entrance.

Has anyone seen this happen before?  Separation of church and state?  True, it is not a cross or nativity scene, but the association is with one particular religion.

Grievances at Perry; substitute qualifications

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"I worked at Perry for a few years and have witnessed first had the wrath of Chakey, but let's not forget about [PERSONAL INFORMATION DELETED.] The way s/he talks to students and staff is unacceptable. Linda Lane has to have heard about what's going on in that building, and she has done nothing. i have decided to leave the district all together. Thus far since the short time the new admin. has been in the building numerous grievances have been filed, and still nothing is being done. Also I have heard that it's not what you know it's who you know. they have a substitute there who does not even have a college degree. Again, when your [relative]  is part of the good old boys club, I guess you can come to work in ratty old Perry sweatshirt and pretend to answer the phones and never cover a class. That's our tax dollars at work. Shame on you Linda Lane for this allowing this to happen."

Friday, December 5, 2014

(Lack of) publicity for Woolslair STEAM magnet

Anonymous wrote:

"New post please:

Has anyone received any information about the new STEAM magnet school at Woolslair? How in the world do they expect families to know that Woolslair will have this great program next year when it's not even on the PPS website? "

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

PPS school visits

Anonymous wrote:

"
New topic please!

What are the rules (and rights) regarding PPS school visits?

Do parents have the right to visit a school, and just observe?

What about a media reporter? It would be great if that City News reporter could visit UPrep, and just walk around a bit.

I know there are often various clearances involved, but can UPrep, or any other public school, ban outside visits?

And couldn't a reporter just stand on the sidewalk outside of the school, and interview students coming out?"