Pittsburgh Public Schools Preparing For In-Person Learning

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said Tuesday that the district still hopes to have students return to classrooms this school year, but would not rule out the possibility that remote learning will continue for the remainder of the year.

At a virtual news conference, Hamlet cast doubt on the district's ability to have some students resume in-person learning when the second semester starts on Jan. 27. Hamlet announced that goal last week.

Hamlet said the district intended to make "decisions that are safe for our teachers, our students, our faculty and staff, and families. Unfortunately, we can’t forecast what’s going to happen, but we do know that there is going to be a holiday (coronavirus case) spike coming soon."

The vast majority of district students have had virtual instruction since mid-March. The district reopened briefly in November for special needs students and those learning English, but quickly closed all buildings when coronavirus case numbers escalated.

Those types of students again would be the first to return to the classroom, Hamlet said, with other students following several weeks later.

District physician Dr. Martin Gregorio said the decision ultimately will be based on coronavirus trends in the county that will include transmission and the positivity rates.

With more than 22,000 students, the Pittsburgh Public Schools system is by far the largest district in southwestern Pennsylvania.

View the entire news conference below: