Campaign for Fair Education Funding

I've been learning a lot in the past few weeks about the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. I've learned that Pennsylvania is one of only three states without a Basic Education Funding formula. I've also learned that Pennsylvania has the widest spending gap between wealthy and poor public school districts of any state in the country, and research shows that gap has widened since 2010. Not good! I've learned that the current state funding system is based on political considerations and deals that lawmakers make in Harrisburg. This must change! A child's zip code should not determine the opportunities he'she receives in school. My family lives in the City of Pittsburgh and we want to stay here. We know that sometimes families flee to suburban school districts for better education options. But we choose to stay. And we will make our voices heard to be sure all of our students are set up for success! Without a funding formula, students suffer, whether they attend a city, suburban or rural public school. With an adequate and equitable funding formula in place, it will ensure that all schools have the resources needed for all children to get the education they deserve. 

An education is comprehensive. Recently, my six year old won 1st place for this drawing. What if funding for art classes was to be cut? He can already draw better than I can! 

This is why I am supporting the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. And you can too! The Campaign for Fair Education Funding is a statewide non-partisan effort made up of organizations that, collectively, represent Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state. The campaign includes more than 50 organizations and people, including child advocates, teachers and school administrators, charter schools representatives, church congregations and business leaders. For a complete list of members, visit this page.  

They're fighting for every public school to have the resources necessary to enable every child to meet state academic standards, be prepared for post-secondary success, and become productive, knowledgeable, and engaged adults.  

And you can join them! 

• Support the Campaign. (Simply sign up for the newsletter to stay informed.)
• Contact Your State Legislators. (Time commitment: 5 minutes!)
• Speak Out On Social Media. (A tweet only takes a moment!)
• Participate in an Event. (Two call to action events are coming up.) 

On Tuesday, June 23, there will be a rally in Harrisburg to share your concern with legislators. FREE transportation is being provided for any Pittsburgh families. Go here for more info.  

You can also join this Twitter chat happening on Monday. Let your voice be heard!

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I am hoping for the Fair Funding initiative to be in effect by the time my youngest goes to school! 

 I’m teaming up with the Campaign for Fair Education Funding to speak out for students across Pennsylvania. Although I am receiving some form of compensation, all opinions remain my own. #FairFundingPA

Raising awareness for Fair Education Funding

My husband and I recently enjoyed watching an episode of Undercover Boss that featured Mayor Wiliam Peduto. One thing that stuck out was to see quite a few people in the episode who were working extra hours in order to avoid putting their kids in public schools. There are many reasons people might choose to enroll their childen in private schools and that's more than okay if that's your preference! But what is not okay is if people feel they have to make this choice because public schools can't offer a high quality education because they simply don't have the funding. Has the music or art program been cut because the resources aren't there to provide these classes? Are computers or iPads not available for the kids to use for learning? This is something we want to make sure does not happen! My family lives in the city and we want our schools to be a place for all children to learn and thrive. We are excited for our son to begin his studies at a Pittsburgh Public School this fall. And that's a big reason that I want to share about the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. This highlights the need for Pennsylvania to adopt and maintain an adequate and equitable system of funding public education by 2016. Pennsylvania is one of only three states without a Basic Education Funding formula. The current system fails to provide enough resources to educate all students to academic standards, and produces racial disparities and a wide gap between the wealthiest and poorest schools. You can read the top ten reasons why Pennsylvania needs a better education funding system here. Whether you live in the city or your kids go to a suburban or rural public school, Pennsylvania needs a better public school funding system throughout the state!

So what do we do to ensure our schools are getting the funding they need to provide the best possible education for our children? Some of the first steps you can take is to go to the Campaign for Fair Funding website and sign up for the campaign’s e-newsletter. Then contact your legislators to urge them to prioritize the issue. Another way to be involved is let your child's voice be heard! My son and I enjoyed recording his thoughts through Hear Me. Hear Me is part of Carnegie Mellon University’s Create Lab. Hear Me amplifies kids' voices using media and technology to create a world where kids are heard, acknowledged and understood, giving them the power to inspire social change. 
Click on Graham's Words to hear my six year old's view on his school!  

graham's words

You can go to the Hear Me website and record your own child's voice to be heard. 

All preK-12 students are encouraged to participate and share their voices.
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The Campaign for Fair Education Funding is a statewide non-partisan effort made up of organizations that, collectively, represent Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state. Our campaign includes more than 50 education advocacy organizations; teachers and school administrators; representatives of charter schools and traditional public schools; urban and rural interests; business and organized labor; faith-based groups; and community groups. Go here for a complete list of members. 

Parents can have the strongest and loudest voices in our children's education. So let's be heard when we let our wishes be known for strong education in Pennsylvania and Fair Funding across our state!

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I’m teaming up with the Campaign for Fair Education Funding to speak out for students across Pennsylvania. Although I am receiving some form of compensation, all opinions remain my own. #FairFundingPA 

6 Great Schools to Move Near in Pittsburgh

Today we have a guest post, sponsored by Zillow.com, that shares some helpful info about local schools!

 

6 Great Schools to Move Near in Pittsburgh

By Emily Creswick of Zillow

Pittsburgh may be the perfect city to raise a family. The economy is steady, job opportunities are abundant and crime rates are low. Pittsburgh also offers a unique mix of family-friendly neighborhoods, close to highly-recommended elementary and high schools. 

Review these six premier educational facilities within the Pittsburgh School District. They’ve been recognized by GreatSchools.com for impressive test scores, high parental ratings and optimal teacher-to-student ratios.

 

Elementary Schools

Crafton Elementary School
Crafton Elementary is a public school suitable for kindergarteners through 6th graders. It is located five miles northwest of downtown Pittsburgh. Crafton Elementary School has a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10 and is located five miles southwest of downtown. Crafton is a charming town with many beautiful & affordable homes and has easy access to Downtown & Robinson Township!

Highcliff Elementary School
Highcliff Elementary is a public school suitable for kindergarteners through to 6th graders. The school has a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10 and teaches 524 students. Highcliff Elementary is located in West View, less than 9 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh. West View is a part of the Ross Township where the median home price is $137,500 and rent $1,403. Public transport offers convenient buses to downtown every 20 and 30 minutes. Additionally, the neighborhood is close by to convenient retailers and amenities including Sam’s Club and the Shannopin Country Club.

Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary is a public school for children starting in kindergarten to 5th grade. The school has an impressive 10/10 great school with 413 students and 14:1 student to teacher ratio. Lincoln Elementary has a technology emphasis, providing students with the solid foundations allowing them to succeed in technology programs in highschool and further education. The school is located in South Hills, close by to the affluent family friendly neighborhood of Mount Lebanon where the median home value is $240,000 and rent $1,899. This neighborhood is known for its 14 highly rated primary and secondary schools with GreatSchool ratings of 9 or higher.

High Schools

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
Pittsburgh CAPA is a Creative and Performing Arts high school for children in grades 6 to 12. Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, the school aims to nurture student’s creativity through a special curriculum of dance, music, literary arts, production technology and visual art. The school services 877 students and boasts an impressive GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10. Homes available in downtown Pittsburgh include a mix of apartments and condos. Families living downtown enjoy the spoils of the fruitful Pittsburgh cultural scene and the scenic Allegheny River. For close by residential living, look in the northern neighborhood of Perry South with an affordable median home value of $59,700 and monthly rent of $800. 

City Charter High School
City Charter High school has a solid GreatSchools rating of 8 out of 10 with an impressive 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The 574 students enjoy a technology-focused curriculum fostering solid foundations for college education or higher training. The school is conveniently located in Gateway Centre Park in downtown Pittsburgh and is easily accessible by public transportation from the surrounding neighborhoods. Located a convenient five miles northeast of the school is the family neighborhood of Shadyside. This neighborhood, conveniently located near grocery stores including Whole Foods and Trader Joes, has a median home value of $285,600 and monthly rent of $2,044. Shadyside is also home to elementary schools Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 (GreatSchools rating of 6) and Pittsburgh Liberty K-5 (GreatSchools rating of 5).

Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy
Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy is a public high school teaching grades 6 to 12. The school is located in Oakland, four miles east of downtown Pittsburgh. The academy, which has a GreatSchools rating of 7 out of 10, teaches 358 students. The curriculum is tailored for children passionate about science, technology, engineering and math. Oakland is the ideal neighborhood to raise an academically-minded family. The neighborhood is home to prestigious universities, museums and impressive architecture. Schenley Park is also close, which is perfect for family visits on weekends. Oakland has a mix of single-family homes and condos. The median home value is $102,300 and rent is $1,289. 

 

Before buying a new home or signing a lease, take a tour of preferred schools in the neighborhood and visit local business areas to determine suitability for the family. Commute time is another major determining factor for those searching for homes in Pittsburgh. Investigate the local public transportation options and complete commutes during peak hours before purchasing properties.

 

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Zillow.com was a huge help to us in our recent home search! Whether you're looking to buy, rent, or just checking out details for a house you love (and dream of buying!), it's an easy one-stop shop. Find pictures, price, history, & taxes, as well as neighborhood & school district details + more!

To preschool or not to preschool: that is the question

This content has been compensated as part of an Early Childhood Education promotion for Pittsburgh Public Schools. However, all opinions remain my own. #ppsafterschool

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I will admit, I am in a (seeming) rare group of people that has been hesitant to jump into the preschool world.

I share the following to note why our decision was difficult, not to push mommy wars of "my child can do this....." I hope you understand. :)  

My oldest knew all his letters & sounds at 18 months and has always loved to learn. So by casual interactions, we learned. Now at age 4, he can write all his letters, read a clock, read small words, trace, cut, color in the lines, do simple math and all sorts of fun things! He has tons of social opportunities through church, friends, neighbors, playdates, and multiple other functions. So we had to question...do we need to send him to preschool? We finally decided yes. We know he would be able to have some new opportunities to learn in a fun environment. We found a school with 3 day/half day preschool and think that will be a good fit for our family. He is so excited and I know he is going to love having so many fun opportunities to learn new things!

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department provides children, ages birth to five, with a comprehensive, educational program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of the individual child. Supportive learning environments are fostered to stimulate a child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth. Community partnerships are cultivated to build a core network of support services and resources for children and families. We equip children with the necessary educational skills and social tools to provide a seamless transition to kindergarten and beyond. Most Early Childhood Programs are available at no cost to Pittsburgh residents in various neighborhoods across the City.

3 primary goals at Pittsburgh Public Schools:

• To accelerate student achievement
• To eliminate racial disparities in achievement; and
• To become a District of first choice.

 Some advantages for sending your child to preschool:

• Be ready for K5 at the same level as all the other kids who have attended preschool
• Give them a learning advantage
• Learning in a new way 
• Becoming more independent

So maybe you're still on the fence....do we send them? at 3? at 4? It's a big decision, but preschool has a lot of great benefits! Check out many great options through Pittsburgh Public School Early Childhood Education!

DISCOVER afterschool care at Pittsburgh Public Schools

This content has been compensated as part of an Early Childhood Education promotion for Pittsburgh Public Schools. However, all opinions remain my own. #ppsafterschool

If you are a mom who works outside the home, then no doubt during the school year, childcare can become quite the juggling act! Wouldn't it be great if your child could stay in one place until your work day is done?!  For those attending these 5 Pittsburgh Public Schools -  Brookline PreK-5 (Brookline), Colfax K-8 (Squirrel Hill), Morrow PreK-8 (North Side), Phillips K-5 (South Side), Crescent Early Childhood Center (Homewood) - this can now become a reality! Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Program is extending its hours to offer after school care for children in PreK-5 at five regionally located sites throughout the District.
No more Who's going to pick them up? Where will they go?
They can stay in one location and have some fantastic after school opportunities!

The after-school program will offer full and part-time care in a safe environment with:

• qualified, dedicated staff
• appropriate child-staff ratios
•  researched-based curriculum
• age-appropriate activities
• homework help
• in-class enrichment activities with community providers.

DISCOVER new things as Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Program partners with some fantastic local organizations such as Gateway to the Arts, Carnegie Science Center, Jump Start + more! These organizations will be making scheduled visits to the classroom and bringing some exciting educational resources & learning opportunities!

• Gateway to the Arts partners with professional performing and visual artists from our community to integrate quality arts experiences into the lives of western Pennsylvania students, educators and families.

• Recipient of the 2003 National Award for Museum Service, Carnegie Science Center inspires and entertains by connecting science and technology with everyday life.

• Jumpstart is a national early childhood literacy program.

The program starts on August 26th (the first day of school) and runs through June 9th (the last day of school). Open to all students PreK - 5. Care begins at the end of the school day and ends at 6:30pm. Each site will have one classroom of 20 children. Transportation will not be provided.

 This is a fantastic opportunity to give parents peace of mind, knowing their kids are in one safe environment, but also give kids some extra fun opportunities. Homework assistance is a big added bonus so you can focus on family time in the evenings and not homework! And how cool to be a part of some of the great local organizations such as Gateway to the Arts, Carnegie Science Center, & Jump Start?!

Don't miss out on this great after school opportunity! Head here to apply.

The application deadline is August 9, 2013. Applications are available online at www.pps.k12.pa.us/earlychildhood or parents can request a hard copy by calling the Early Childhood Department at 412-325-4291.

Program Pricing:

• Option 1: $13/day for 5 days a week
• Option 2: $16/day for 4 days a week
• Option 3: $20/day for 3 days a week
• Option 4: $28/day for 2 days a week