Pittsburgh Public Schools welcomes students back for first day of school
It's showtime for the teachers and staff at Pittsburgh Public Schools as students are sitting with hands raised for the first day back at school.
Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters told KDKA-TV that getting here took a lot of planning over the summer.
"It starts from the very last day, and it is every day of planning and preparation," Dr. Walters said.
So far, it seems like the preparation paid off at Pittsburgh Arlington, where parents said they could feel the excitement.
"[It's] emotional, but I feel good, optimistic," parent Eden Schneider said.
Pittsburgh's mayor, Corey O'Connor, marked the big moment with in-person visits to a few schools, greeting parents, students and district staff. It's a grand tour for the superintendent, too, who spent time greeting the students outside of Pittsburgh Perry.
Superintendent Walters also reflected on changes this year, including all schools now prohibiting cellphones during school hours.
"Well, cellphones have caused some serious distractions with learning, and so if there's a way we can focus and have attention on teaching and learning, that's really what school is about first and foremost," Superintendent Walters said.
It's the final first day of the school year for nine school buildings within the district, too, with new opportunities potentially ahead. Some buildings will close on a staggered two-year schedule as part of the Future Ready Facilities Plan.
"Each school will have a parent ambassador that will be supporting the transition and working with other families. And then we bring students into the play shortly, where they will serve as ambassadors because no one can tell the story about the experience of what it is really like better than students," Superintendent Walters said.
What's next for the buildings? City leaders want to know.
"We can't let them sit stagnant for far too long," Mayor O'Connor said. "So what can we do? How can they be community resources? How can they create jobs and opportunities? Can they create housing? I mean, there's endless possibilities, but we have to jump on that pretty early to make sure that it actually happens."
With those plans in the works, the present matters most: a fresh school year, on the minds of everyone young and old.
"We hope that all of our families and students have joy for this year," said Dr. Walters.
Kindergarteners in the district have a few more days of summer to enjoy. They return to class on Aug. 27.
