Penn Hills charter school earns national recognition

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in January became the only school in the state to be recognized as one of America’s healthiest schools that also stands tall among others when it comes to engaging families.

The recognition was awarded by Kohl’s and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national nonprofit that advocates for children’s physical, social and emotional health.

In addition to the distinction, the school was placed on the organization’s list of America’s Healthiest Schools. The list includes 521 schools across the country that prioritize “nutrition, physical activity and strong wellness policies,” according to the website.

The National Distinction for Engaging Families is a new award given to schools that go “above and beyond to engage families in creating healthy environments at home and school,” the organization said in a statement.

Donna Wallace, the school’s nurse, said she is proud to work at the school.

“We’re small but mighty,” she said.

Wallace said the school applied for the award before the pandemic hit, but the efforts to engage families and involve them with their children’s education has continued.

The school initially reopened using an in-person learning model for five days a week with an option for families to enroll students in a fully remote learning model. However, when positive cases in Allegheny County increased after Oct. 31, the school went totally virtual, Wallace said.

The school then decided to bring back students and teachers under a hybrid model, where groups of students return to school on a rotation basis for in-person instruction part of the week.

The school will return to in-person learning at five days a week March 28, she said.

“Our students need to get back — across the board. There’s no question they need to be in school,” Wallace said. “Not only for academic purposes, but for their mental health, too.”

During the pandemic, the school’s events have continued in a virtual or hybrid format, she said. Those include parent-teacher conferences, the school’s MicroSociety — where students create a mini society with a student-run economy — and the Shark Tank event where students present business models.

Wayne Jones, the school’s CEO, said he is grateful for the recognition. He attributed Wallace’s involvement in the Wellness Committee, which she heads, as a reason the school received the honor.

Wallace said the wellness committee reaches out to staff and families with ways to stay fit and stay connected with each other. She also said the school reaches out to families with different health-related resources through its monthly newsletter.

“I think because we’re smaller, there are less layers to make things happen,” Wallace said. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is 422, according to the state’s Future Ready Index. That includes students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“At this school, the staff is part of the process, and we’re less removed from families,” she said, adding that’s likely why the charter school was chosen for the distinction.

Kathy Higgins, Healthier Generation’s CEO, said improving the health and well-being of families requires bold leadership and action.

“Healthier Generation is proud to partner with Kohl’s to support families in their quest to live well and be well. Together, we applaud these schools for joining with us to meet the vital health needs of their students and communities,” she said in a statement.