Author: David Breingan

Lawrenceville Back to School Bash

by David Breingan

PEP Rally is partnering with Encounter Church to host a Back to School Bash in Arsenal Park on Saturday, August 23rd from 11 AM to 1 PM. It will be a fun (and free!) family event that promotes a prepared and healthy start to the school year. There will be kids activities, a bounce house, free food, backpack giveaways, health information, and local schools and youth programs will be on hand to sign kids up for fall programs.

Come enjoy some fun in the park and get signed up for local programs for the fall! For questions, please call Dave at Lawrenceville United at (412) 802-7220 or email Dave@LUnited.org.

Whole Child, Whole Community Conversation

by David Breingan

Help shape the future of Pittsburgh Public Schools!

In December 2013, PPS released the plan “Whole Child, Whole Community,” which was created with feedback from the community. The Plan sets forth a path to help the District address two critical issues–financial stability and academic performance as well as reach our vision: ALL children will graduate from a two-or four-year college or receive a workforce certification.

The PPS leadership team will be sharing the plan, hearing your thoughts and ideas, answering questions, and finding ways for you to stay involved moving forward.

Where: East End Cooperative Ministry, Community House, 6140 Penn Circle North, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

When: Monday, March 17 – 6-8:30 PM

We Love Woolslair Night tomorrow 3/6, 5:30-7:30 PM

by David Breingan

We Love Woolslair Night is a family fun night for current Woolslair families, and also potential Woolslair families within Woolslair’s feeder area. Activities will include bingo, face painting, luminary decorating, make your own Mardi Gras mask, free dinner, and more! The kindergarten teacher will be on hand to lead pre-K activities for young children who are approaching kindergarten. The event is also an opportunity to get information about enrolling at Woolslair for 2014-2015.

Woolslair is the neighborhood school for Lower Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Polish Hill, Friendship, and the Strip District. To find out if you’re in the Woolslair feeder pattern, or for more information, please call the school office at (412) 623-8800.

5:30 – 7:30 PM at Woolslair Elementary School – 501 40th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Group Tour of Arsenal Elementary

by David Breingan

Arsenal Elementary will be hosting a group tour on Friday, February 28th from 10-11 AM. The tour will include an information session with the acting principal, a tour of the National Historic Landmark building, a chance to see a kindergarten class in session, and a Q&A with kindergarten teachers.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to the school office at (412) 622-7307. If there is more interest than spots, a second group tour will be scheduled. Individual tours are also available at other dates and times, so please call to schedule.

Entrance instructions: Arsenal Elementary is located at 215 39th Street. There are two doors to Arsenal Elementary on 39th Street — please enter through the door farthest from Butler Street. Ring the doorbell left of the door to be let in. Take the steps one flight up, turn left in the hallway, and follow to the school office on your right.

Parking instructions: 1-hour parking is available along 39th Street.

Group Tour of Arsenal Elementary

by David Breingan

Arsenal Elementary will be hosting a group tour on Friday, February 28th from 10-11 AM. The tour will include an information session with the acting principal, a tour of the National Historic Landmark building, a chance to see a kindergarten class in session, and a Q&A with kindergarten teachers.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to the school office at (412) 622-7307. If there is more interest than spots, a second group tour will be scheduled. Individual tours are also available at other dates and times, so please call to schedule.

Entrance instructions: Arsenal Elementary is located at 215 39th Street. There are two doors to Arsenal Elementary on 39th Street — please enter through the door farthest from Butler Street. Ring the doorbell left of the door to be let in. Take the steps one flight up, turn left in the hallway, and follow to the school office on your right.

Parking instructions: 1-hour parking is available along 39th Street.

PEP Rally Response to Proposed Woolslair Closure

by David Breingan

On Tuesday, November 26th, the Pittsburgh School Board voted to open the public process to begin conversations on closing Woolslair Elementary for the 2014-2015 school year and moving the students to Arsenal Elementary. The final vote to close the school will not occur until March 2014, and public hearings will be held every month to provide an opportunity for residents and parents to give feedback on the issue.

On November 25th, representatives from our partner agencies provided joint testimony as part of the PEP Rally program to the Pittsburgh School Board and to the district administration. The testimony calls for the conversation around closing Woolslair to focus not just on the district’s financial issues, but also on a plan for stable, attractive schools of first choice in our neighborhood.

To this end, PEP Rally is working collaboratively with parents, community groups, and school and district staff to create this plan and receive a commitment on it before any final vote to close Woolslair occurs. We believe that by working together, we can create a plan for public schools in our neighborhood that are great options for current families and that will attract new families to our area.

To get involved, please call Dave Breingan at 412.802.7220 or email Dave@LUnited.org.

Click here to read the full testimony that was read before the school board and PPS district staff.