Jillian Forstadt

2 weeks ago | wesa.fm | Jillian Forstadt

School is out for summer, and for many Pittsburghers, that means more time spent outside: swimming in neighborhood pools, walking shaded trails or biking along the city’s rivers. Programs like Pittsburgh Park Conservancy’s Outside Voices cohort, geared toward Homewood teens, are equipping students with the experience and skills needed to take advantage of these warm-weather spaces.

3 weeks ago | wesa.fm | Jillian Forstadt

Pittsburgh Public Schools’ District 9 school board race finally has a winner, more than two weeks after Election Day. Newcomer Allie Petonic conceded the Democratic nomination on Wednesday night to incumbent school board president Gene Walker. Petonic, a union organizer, had a one-vote lead over Walker in the hours after polls closed on May 20. But Walker took the lead after votes from a previously unreported precinct were tallied.

3 weeks ago | wesa.fm | Jillian Forstadt

Pittsburgh Public Schools held its fifth annual Gender Inclusive Schools Summit last week ahead of the start of Pride month. The gathering of LGBTQ students, educators and allies comes as the Trump administration has signed several executive orders banning diversity initiatives and policies aimed at creating inclusive school climates.

3 weeks ago | wesa.fm | Jillian Forstadt

Pittsburgh Public Schools parents and community members want to see the district sharpen its approach to academics, social skills and career readiness. That’s according to survey data presented to school board members Tuesday night. Board members collected survey responses and held 12 listening sessions this spring in an effort to determine community-driven, measurable goals for the years ahead. Participants were asked what “students should know or be able to do” as a result of their time at PPS.

1 month ago | wesa.fm | Jillian Forstadt

Pittsburgh school leaders shared a first-look at possible school attendance zones, transportation changes and the financial impact of proposed school closures Wednesday night. It’s data Pittsburgh Public Schools parents, teachers and elected officials have asked the district to provide before moving forward with the process required to close schools.