PPS.CLOH.Org

PPS = Pittsburgh Public Schools

Of course, this is an unofficial site.

No official connection exists with the PPS. PPS.CLOH.Org is a container for talk and ponderings about community connections, building reasoning, support, permits and watchdog efforts.

A workshop in Pittsburgh on September 24, 2004

Facilitator: Joyce Epstein, Director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at John Hopkins University
The workshop will be conducted from 9:00a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the PFT (Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Building) on the South Side. There is no cost for attendance.

Joyce Epstein has authored books and been a leading researcher on the value of parent involvement practices that help families, educators and members of communities work together to improve schools.

This will be a very informative and interactive workshop. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Donna V or call 412-622-3619 to reserve a space.

Key Communicators' Meetings, 6:30 pm to 8 at Conference Room "A" at the PPS Central Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Ave.

RSVP to each meeting by calling, Wanda, 412-622-3617. Donna Vlassich = 412-622-3619.

Thurs, Sept. 30, 2004 Dialogue with Superintendent

Thurs, Oct. 28, 2004 Superintendent and Meet the Executive Directors

Thurs, Nov. 18, 2004 Dialogue with Superintendent

Thurs, Jan 27, 2005 Dialogue with Superintendent & PSSA Info

Thurs, Feb 24, 2005 Dialogue with Superintendent

Thurs, March 17, 2005 Dialogue with Superintendent

Thurs, April 28, 2005 Dialogue with Superintendent

Thurs, May 19, 2005 Dialogue with Superintendent

Habay Helps Insert $4 Million into State Budget for Connelley Technical Institute and Adult Education Center

Funding may play key role in securing institution's future, says Habay

Rep. Jeffrey Habay (R-Allegheny) applauded a $4 million budget allocation designated for the Connelley Technical Institute and Adult Education Center in the state's 2004-05 budget. The funding is slated to help the 74-year-old institution continue its existing vocational programs, which include nursing, plumbing and GED classes.

"Providing educational opportunities for residents in our community should always remain a priority, and Connelley has been doing so for more than 70 years," Habay said. "Failing to allocate adequate funding to this institution would be an injustice to those who rely on Connelley to further their education and enhance job training. So -- needless to say -- the $4 million is certainly a step in the right direction."

Earlier this year concerns developed over Connelly's future due to funding issues. Financial constraints recently forced Pittsburgh Public Schools' board members to close the institution. In an effort to save the school, Habay joined several other Pittsburgh-area legislators in requesting additional state funding.

"Connelley is an invaluable asset to this community, and we simply cannot allow it to be forgotten," Habay said. "Technical educations are becoming more relevant with each passing day, and to close one of this areaíŸÙs top technical schools and job-training providers would be a critical mistake."

The $4 million was allocated to Connelley under the budget's education funding initiative. Habay hopes the financial boost will help persuade Pittsburgh Public Schools officials to reconsider Connelley's closure.

"While I am pleased to see the money set aside for this regional asset, I will be more comforted when the school's future is secured," Habay said. "Right now there are too many unanswered questions, and I hope they will soon be addressed so those dependent on ConnelleyíŸÙs programs can move toward a positive future."

Southwestern PA's Literacy in Preschools

A report covering school readiness.

Lights On Afterschool, 2004

Be sure to join afterschool advocates across the country for the fifth annual Lights On Afterschool! on October 14. Be part of this effort to save afterschool programs imperiled by funding cuts and underscore the need for quality afterschool programs for all children.

To learn more about how to participate or to register your event, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org. Help turn the lights on at afterschool programs!

Putting Education First in PA

In order to prevent another education budget impasse, GOP leadership in the PA State House and Senate Caucuses introduced a bill to guarantee the education subsidy even if a new budget is not passed by August 15, 2004. Last year, for the 2004 budget, state funding to Pennsylvania's 501 school districts was held hostage until late December, 2003, because of Governor Rendell's large proposed tax increase.

The bill to put Education first in PA passed the Senate in mid June, 2004 and the House in February, 2004. However, Governor Rendell has expressed plans for a veto. Republican leaders are calling on the governor to take politics out of the school system by signing the bill into law, noting that the Pennsylvania School Boards Association support the legislation. It appears the governor's self-publicized commitment to education seems to be lacking when it counts.

Another lame educational study group

Great report from the A.I.

We'll see who gets invited to speak to the group. We'll see what scope and depth of vision the discussion and how many are left behind.

Pressing Recreational Issues:

More at sister site, Play.CLOH.Org.

Public Reactions and Discussion on the long-awaited report

News coverage to call participants to meetings - scroll down - Post Gazette, Oct. 1, 2003

Email invite blasted to 412 contacts

Mayor's Commission Report

A Public Forum with the Mayors Commission on Public Education

Meet some of the Mayor's Commission on Public Education at 6:30 pm, Thursday, October 23, 2003, to discuss their report. Get questions and concerns addressed by commission members themselves at Albright Community United Methodist Church, 486 S. Graham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Phone: 412-687-8628, fax: 412-687-8632, celeste@goodschoolspa.org.

Pittsburgh Public School's Parent Hotline = 412-622-3618

Parent Educational Resource Centers - PERCs

Central PERC, Connelley Technical School, Nancy Hornsby, 412-338-8126

Connelley PERC Hotline = 412-471-1360

North PERC, MLK Elem School, Sylvia, 412-323-3302

MLK Hotline: 412-322-8044

West PERC, Langley H.S., 2940 Sheraden Blvd., Theresa Smith, 412-778-2160
Langley Hotline: 412-778-0369

South PERC, Whittier Elem in Mt. Washington, 412-488-4670

Whittier Hotline: 412-488-4445

East PERC, Reizenstein Middle School

Reizenstein Hotline: 412-665-8608

Academic achievement scores for Pittsburgh students show another dismal performance.

The recently released scores for 2002 were so bad that the Superintendent was moved to say: "We want the community to be outraged so they can provide support for the Pittsburgh Public Schools." The Superintendent is correct about one thing: Pittsburghers as well as Pennsylvania taxpayers who pay for this overpriced school system should be outraged. How long will they have to wait for meaningful improvement?
Above mention from a think tank newsletter. More. See the full rant.

Mixing Schools and Technology with Community

CLOH.Org embraces technology and open source software. Affordable, more secure and better performing utilities are available and more are being built. Technology content is within the technology departments, see 9x9.CLOH.Org.

Bringing Together Education and User Groups

Great article in TidBits, July 2002

local edition

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