PPS Parent and Family Update
Keeping PPS Families Engaged and Informed
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Monday, November 29
Asynchronous Learning Day
Monday, November 29, has been changed to an asynchronous learning day. This means that instead of reporting to school on Monday, November 29, students will log in from home and complete assignments independently. Attendance links will be provided by your child's homeroom teacher in Schoology. Please log in to Schoology to confirm attendance. Our dedicated Food Service staff will be on-hand at each school to provide Grab and Gomeal service from 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Magnet Deadline Extended
The magnet application for students to attend magnet schools and programs for the 2022-23 school year is currently open! The application deadline for the lottery and auditions at Pittsburgh CAPA has been extended to give families more time to explore options and complete the application. During this time, we will also focus on additional promotions of magnet offerings and options and schedule support sessions to assist families with submitting applications via Home Access Center (HAC), our new application platform. The deadline is now 5 PM on Friday, December 17, 2021. After this time, applications will continue to be accepted for POST-LOTTERY registration. Please visit www.pghschools.org/magnet for more information about magnet offerings and the application process. 
PPS CTE Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Kickoff Event Celebrates State First
Pittsburgh Public Schools' Career and Technical Education (CTE) program has the first registered Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship program for high school students in Pennsylvania. To celebrate last week, CTE Executive Director Angela Mike hosted a kickoff event at the Carpenters Union Training Center during National Apprenticeship Week. 

The Pipeline Into The Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program is sponsored by CTE and the Keystone Mountain Lakes Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund. It is designed to augment CTE's three-year Carpentry program of study with components that will help eliminate barriers that have hindered application and acceptance into Carpenters’ Apprenticeship and Training program. The program also has elements to promote the building trades to female students and students of color to help address the lack of diversity in this field. 

The pre-apprenticeship program will benefit the carpentry students enrolled at Pittsburgh Carrick and Pittsburgh Westinghouse High Schools. To learn more about this program and other offerings available to students through CTE visit www.pghschools.org/cte.
KDKA In Your Neighborhood
Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8
KDKA stopped by Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8 and sat down with Principal Patti Camper to celebrate and showcase the school’s diversity. Did you know the student population at Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8 represents more than 20 countries? Please watch the video segment to learn more.
PPS 2022 Preliminary General Fund Budget
The 2022 Preliminary General Fund Budget for the Pittsburgh Public Schools is available for review at www.pghschools.org/budget. Previewed with the Board at its November 3rd Budget Workshop, the 2022 Preliminary General Fund Budget of $690.3 million represents an increase of 2.82% percent from the adopted 2021 General Fund Budget. It includes an operating deficit of $56 million. The preliminary budget neither includes a tax increase nor adheres to the Board’s minimum 5 percent fund balance policy.  

The Board will vote on adopting the 2022 General Fund Budget at its December 22nd Legislative Meeting. The 2022 Budget Public Hearing will take place virtually at noon on December 6th. For information on how to submit testimony, please visit the District’s website at www.pghschools.org/publichearing.  
Hunt Armory Ice Rink Grand Opening
The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is thrilled to invite PPS families to enjoy this weekend on the ice! There are two opportunities for families to enjoy the Hunt Armory Ice Rink with skating parties this weekend:

Saturday, November 27, 2021, 10 AM - 12 PM
Sunday, November 28, 2021, 2 PM - 4 PM

Ice time and rental skates will be provided free of charge, but all participants must register using the links below.
Important Dates
Wednesday, November 24- Report Card Distribution
Thursday, November 25 -Friday, November 26- Thanksgiving Break
Saturday, November 27- Hunt Armory Ice Rink Grand Opening
Monday, November 29- Asynchronous Learning Day
Friday, December 3- PPS Half Day
Monday, December 6- Budget Public Hearing and Board Reorganization
Tuesday, December 7- Board Committee Meeting
Wednesday, December 8- Budget Workshop
Wednesday, December 15- Agenda Review
Monday, December 20- Public Hearing
Wednesday December 22- Legislative Meeting
Friday, December 24 - Friday, December 31- Winter Break
Pittsburgh Public Schools | [www.pghschools.org]