More than half of Penn Hills School District students choose new, 4-day learning model

All Penn Hills students now have the option to go to school four days a week.

The school district of nearly 3,300 students has been operating under a hybrid learning model since the beginning of the school year — with two groups of students alternating in-person instruction every two days.

Students in first, sixth, seventh, eighth, 11th and 12th grades were given the option to switch to a four-day instruction model Feb. 16. The rest of the grades were given the option March 1.

Students still have the option to receive fully remote instruction.

Nancy Hines, the district’s superintendent, said the district will continue to enroll students from a 100% remote learning model to the four-day model.

“However, there may be a short delay in enacting the change if classroom space must be adjusted to help maintain safe distances,” she said.

In total, there are 1,731 students who chose the four-day model, Hines said. The high school has 471 and the middle school has 363 . The elementary school has the most at 897.

“It’s nice to see more students in the building,” said Eric Kostic, the high school’s principal.

He said there were about 300 students in the school the first day that all grades were allowed to attend in-person instruction.

“It’s definitely something we all missed — teachers, counselors, staff — but I think the students missed it more than anybody,” Kostic said. The principal said the students did a great job throughout the day following rules in place to help curb the spread of covid-19.

As of Feb. 16, the district has reported 118 cases of covid-19 across its three schools, according to its website. The numbers include cases among students, staff and contracted service providers.

Kristin Brown, the elementary school’s principal, said it has been nice seeing more kids in the building. She said there are almost 900 in the building each day now.

“It’s really been great,” she said. “Everyone has positive attitudes, we’re working together — we’re doing a little bit beyond what we’re used to right now but we’re doing what we have to to make it work.”