At our opening kick-off, we had the opportunity to launch the PR Graduate Portrait through our six student speakers. We know that a quality education includes more than knowledge and skills. The image to the right is comprised of small pictures of actual PRSD students and reflects the four major domains: knowledge; skills; health & wellness; and personal qualities & characteristics. More importantly, the four main categories or dimensions reflect the well-rounded expectations of a quality educational experience. Each of those categories then identifies more specific elements. Over the course of the year, we will finalize these elements and begin to determine how or where they may be addressed within the educational program. Although “graduate” is in the title, the elements are addressed from kindergarten through graduation.
In 2016, PRSD contracted with a third party to conduct a demographic and enrollment projections study. We continue to closely monitor enrollment trends at both the district level and at each individual school. Although overall district enrollment has remained stable at around 4,600 students since 2010, we have seen a significant shift in student population from east-to-west over the last five years. This shift will have an eventual impact on the configuration of primary school attendance boundaries. Please know that we are in the early stages of preliminary study and discussion of this topic. The eventual redistricting of primary elementary school boundaries (K-3) was discussed during the strategic plan town halls and is embedded within the strategic plan itself. We have a joint committee meeting scheduled for October 7th to discuss the strategic initiative focused on redistricting considerations. We will share comprehensive and informative information – including a podcast – with families in mid-October.
As a final note, Pine-Richland High School will be hosting the Allegheny Valley Marching Band Festival on September 18th at the PRHS Stadium. The festival starts at 7:00 p.m. and bands from Avonworth, Northgate, Riverview, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Shaler, North Hills, and North Allegheny will perform in addition to the PR band. Tickets will be sold at the gate.
Thank you again for your commitment to the students and families of the Pine-Richland School District.
Respectfully,
Brian Miller