Pittsburgh Public Schools welcoming back last round of students to in-person learning

PITTSBURGH — The last group of Pittsburgh Public Schools students made their return to in-person learning starting Monday.

While 1,700 will get back into classrooms this week, another 8,000 have opted to stick with remote learning for the remainder of the school year.

“Some of the kids who are supposed to come back opted to stay online because they’re into a routine, but there are kids that have transitioned back. They’re excited, they’re having fun and they’re loving being back in person,” PPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet said.

At Allderdice High School, roughly 370 students chose to return Monday for in-person, hybrid learning. The remaining students in the group will return to the school on Thursday.

“I think I’m just more excited than anything,” Allderdice Principal James McCoy said. “It feels like the first day of school over and over throughout the year, but it’s exciting because we’ll have the most kids we’ve had yet here in the building.”

District leaders said educating and working through the COVID-19 pandemic has been a learning experience. They’re now focusing on helping students get reacclimated and offering social, emotional and mental health and wellness support.

To help students who have struggled, a “summer dreamers” learning program is in the works.

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Cox Media Group