PPS Update
For Immediate Release Contact: Ebony Pugh 412-475-1523
District Announces Proposed Changes to its State Required Health and Safety Plan for Start of 2021-2022 School Year
Public Invited to Learn More at Special Webinar Monday, July 19th
PITTSBURGH July 16, 2021 – Mask use, social distancing protocols, cleaning procedures, and more are detailed in the District’s proposed Health and Safety Plan for the 2021-2022 school year. The state-required plan is available for public review on the District’s website at www.pghschools.org/healthandsafetyplan. While there, the public can also review the District’s Athletics Resocialization Health and Safety Plan. A special webinar will stream from the District’s website and Facebook page on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 5:30 PM, where District officials will highlight health and safety procedures. The public is also invited to comment on both plans for the Board’s July 26 Public Hearing. The Board is expected to vote on the plans at its July 28 Legislative Meeting.
“As we prepare for the return of students for five days a week in-person instruction this August, we will continue to align our safety protocols and procedures with the recommendations of the CDC, state and local health departments,” said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D. “We are pleased that the guidelines provide school districts flexibility needed to ensure all students can come to school five days a week.”
Upon approval of the plans, District facilities staff will get to work adjusting classrooms to allow for 3 feet social distancing between students and 6 feet between adults, where feasible. All students and employees will continue to wear masks while inside school district buildings but will not be required to wear them outside or while actively playing a sport. Safety signage will continue to be posted throughout facilities, and cleaning of schools will take place in the evening. Both the Health and Safety Plan and Athletics Resocialization Plan are available for download on the District’s website at www.pghschools.org/healthandsafetyplan or within the Quick Links located on the homepage of the District’s website.