COVID-19 Updates

June 21, 2023
City High has updated its mask wearing policy and masks will no longer be mandatory as long as Allegheny County remains in the low transmission range for COVID-19. The policy allows and encourages continued mask-wearing but does not require it except in certain circumstances. Extra masks will continue to be available in school.

August 15th, 2022

COVID Protocols - Fall 2022

As long as the COVID transmission rate in Allegheny County remains in the low range, City High will transition to "mask optional" for students and staff.  We will also maintain a "test to stay" approach for close contacts.   Please review our revised COVID guidelines to fully familiarize yourself with the updated protocols.    

Update COVID Protocols

April 20th, 2022

Trimester 3 COVID Protocols

As long as the COVID transmission rate in Allegheny County remains in the low range, City High will transition to "mask optional" for students and staff.  We will also transition to a "test to stay" approach for close contacts.  Due to this approach, absences will not be excused for students who are required to quarantine yet refuse the option to test with our School Nurse or obtain a PCR test.  Please review our revised COVID guidelines to fully familiarize yourself with the updated protocols.    

Trimester 3 COVID Protocols

 UPDATE For Tuesday January 18, 2022 

Tuesday January 18th is a Snow/Virtual Asynchronous Day

While we planned to return to the building Tuesday January 18, 2022, we have been monitoring weather reports.  A number of roads within the City and region are still not cleared.  We want to ensure that all of our students are able to get to school safely, so Tuesday January 18th, will be a virtual asynchronous day.  A reminder of what to do on an asynchronous day will be sent out by each Grade-Level Principal.  

Monday January 17, 2022 
 
Dear Students and Families:

This is a friendly reminder that we are resuming in-person instruction tomorrow on January 18, 2022.  Please know that we are still below the PA Dept. of Education's 5% threshold of positive cases for students and staff who have been in the building.  Our building closure last week was primarily related to staff coverages that were impacted by COVID.  

Two additional reminders we want to share with you:

• Don't forget to check your bags for your supplies and to remove any items that aren't permitted in school.

• For weather delays and closures, please check the major TV networks for City Charter High School among the scrolling list of schools. We will also place weather notifications on our website and social media as well as send a NOTIFY message via text, call and email. SEE UPDATE

Again, thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate the lingering impact of the pandemic together.  We hope you are enjoying the Dr. Martin Luther King Day holiday and the snow (for those of you who have been long awaiting a snowfall)!  Students, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow!  

Best,

Dr. Allen and City High Admin

Monday January 10th 2022

Transition to Virtual Learning On 1/11; Item Pick-Up, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dear Students and Families:

Since returning this trimester, we have been diligent in monitoring COVID cases among students and staff amidst strengthening our health and safety protocols.  Due to an uptick in cases, particularly impacting staff coverage throughout the building, we will need to transition to virtual learning starting tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Tomorrow will be an asynchronous day in preparation for synchronous virtual learning Wednesday through Friday.  

The building will be open tomorrow, Tuesday January 11th, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students to pick up their laptops or other essential items they will need for the week.  It is essential that students pick up their laptops if they left them at school.  If you are quarantining, please make arrangements for someone else to obtain your items and reach out to your Grade-Level Principal of your plans. 

Regarding our asynchronous and synchronous live-streamed learning expectations, each Grade-Level Principal will email reminders of next steps.  Thank you, in advance, for your adaptability.  While this is not what we hoped for, we know we can get through this temporary transition together!  

Best,
Dr. Allen and City High Admin 

COVID-19 & Flu, Mobile Vaccination Clinic

COVID-19 Mobile Testing Site

January 3rd, 2022

Trimester 2 COVID Protocols

The CDC published updates to its COVID guidelines on December 27, 2021. Please note that we are maintaining our existing guidelines for students who test positive for COVID, where they are expected to quarantine for 10 days. However, we have updated our close contact guidelines, so that students who are not vaccinated will be able to shorten their quarantine if they test on the 5th day of their quarantine and obtain a negative result. Close contact guidelines have also been updated based on vaccination status. A student must be vaccinated within 6 months and/or have received a booster shot (if eligible) in order to stay in school as a close contact when asymptomaic. 

In order to maintain the health and safety of our school community, please continue to monitor yourselves on a daily basis. Our health and screening form is attached as a resource and side regarding symptoms. Please do NOT come to school if you have symptoms. Reach out to your Grade-Level Principal or Advisor to notify them. 

Trimester 2 COVID Protocols

Health and Screening Form

November 22, 2021

COVID-19 & Flu Mobile Vaccination Clinic 
Imani Christian Academy

2150 East Hills Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
9am to 1pm

Vaccine Available (Including Boosters): Pfizer (5+), Moderna (18+), Johnson & Johnson (18+), & Influenza (6 months and older)
Children 5-11 years of age MUST be accompanied by a parent.

1st & 2nd Doses can Pre-Register online at:
https://vax4.alleghenycounty.us/patient/s/
No Pre-Registration needed for Boosters or Flu.
Vaccinations provided at no cost.

Download Imani Christian Academy Flyer

November 19, 2021

Covid-19 Mobile Testing Sight

Tuesday, November 23rd. 
9:00 am to Noon

Imani Christian Academy
2150 East Hills Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Walk-ins welcomed.

Preregister online https://book.curative.com/sites/24408

Tests provided at no cost. No prescription or referral needed. Insurance is not required. However, if you have insurance that will cover the cost of the test, your insurance will be billed. Please bring your insurance card.

November 10, 2021

Covid-19 Mobile Testing Sight

Tuesday, November 16th. 
9:00 am to Noon

Imani Christian Academy
2150 East Hills Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Walk-ins welcomed.

Preregister online https://book.curative.com/sites/24408/walkup

Tests provided at no cost. No prescription or referral needed. Insurance is not required. However, if you have insurance that will cover the cost of the test, your insurance will be billed. Please bring your insurance card.

November 9, 2021

United Way of Pennsylvania

Lemoyne, PA – The United Way of Pennsylvania is administering a grant program to help nonprofit and faith-based organizations connect hard-to reach populations statewide with COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters and vaccines for children. The Local Innovations in Vaccine Equity in Pennsylvania project (LIVE PA) is a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health reduce vaccine hesitancy and ensuring an equitable vaccine distribution throughout the commonwealth. A total of $4.63 million is available, including $630,000 for faith-based organizations. 

Ninth Grade will be Virtual Learning - November  2nd-5th, 2021

9th Grade: 

10th - 12th Grade:

In Person Learning following a normal school day, 8:00am - 3:45pm.
 

Covid-19 Clinic & Testing Resources

Imani Christian Academy
2150 East Hills Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Tuesday, November 2nd 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Preregister online https://curative.com/sites/24408. Walk-ins welcomed.

Tests provided at no cost. No prescription or referral needed. Insurance is not required. However, if you have insurance that will cover the cost of the test, your insurance will be billed. Please bring your insurance card.

COVID Vaccine Clinic

The Allegheny County Health Department Immunization
Clinic is offering extended evening and weekend clinics
for childhood and adolescent, influenza, and COVID-19
vaccinations at our downtown Immunization Clinic.

Evening Clinic:
4:30 pm to 7:00 pm November 4th and 18th
4:30 pm to 7:00 pm every Thursday in December

Saturday Clinic:
10:00 am to 2:00 pm November 6th and 20th,
December 4th and 18th
• 4th floor of the Hartley-Rose Building
425 First Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh
Entrance to the clinic is on Cherry Way

Download for Full Clinic Details and Map 

September 27, 2021

Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic

TO:  All City Charter High School Families
FROM:  City Charter High School Administration

RE:  Registration for Pfizer Vaccination Clinic for 12 and older at City Charter High School on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 4pm - 6pm and Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 4pm - 6pm

Below is the link to register for the UPMC Pfizer Vaccination Clinic at City High. First shots will be administered on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 4pm - 6pm. Second shots will be scheduled for Wednesday. November 3, 2021 from 4pm - 6pm. Parking is available in the city parking lots on both days. Signs will direct individuals to the City High entrance, on Stanwix Street.  Vaccinations will be administered in the auditorium.

Each person wishing to receive a vaccination must register individually. When registering yourself or someone in your family, please select City High from the drop-down menu under “What school are you attending?”, and then fill out the other fields and submit to complete registration.  All fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed before hitting "Submit".  Registration is encouraged but not required!

If you are under the age of 18, you must: 

1.  Register online: Type in your parent/legal guardian's name and contact information in order to schedule an appointment. 

OR 

2. In Person: You must bring a consent form, signed by a parent/legal guardian, with you to your appointment.  (Link to consent form is provided below.)

This opportunity is for ALL City High students, as well as any family member of a City High student, a City High parent, City High faculty/staff member, or City High Board Members.  

Please contact the school if you have any questions.

UPMC Student Vaccination Clinic Registration Link

UPMC Consent Form for those under 18
 

COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is proudly partnering with City Charter High School to vaccinate students and community members against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

These websites help answer some frequently asked questions that parents or guardians might have prior to their child receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs

August 27, 2021

Welcome Back to City High!

Start Times on the First Day of School, August 31^st

9th Graders start at 8:00 a.m.
10th Graders start at 9:00 a.m.
11th and 12th Graders start at 10:00 a.m.
Don't forget your mask and a clear water bottle!

Health & Safety Plan Highlights

• Every day before coming to school, all students and staff are to review the Health Pre-Screening Form regarding COVID symptoms or potential exposures.  Notify your Grade-Level Principal via email if one of the responses prevents you from coming to school.  
• All students and staff are required to wear masks at all times during the day except when eating or drinking.  Plexiglas is installed in the cafeteria.  Students must wear a face mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times.  Cloth and disposable masks are permitted.
  • As was in place during the third trimester, City High has a progressive mask warning process in place.  A student will be sent home upon their third mask warning.  There are no virtual links to join classes so we don’t want anyone to miss instruction for not following masking requirements.  Proper mitigation is what allows us to be in person.  
• All students will be required to obtain a touchless temperature scan upon entry into the building.  9th/10th students will enter through the front entrance of the school and 11th/12th students will enter through the auditorium. 
• Our in-person mitigation efforts have worked as we did not have to shut down at any point while we were in person last school year.  It takes every family and staff member to do their part to keep our collective school community safe.  According to PDE guidelines, we are considered a medium-sized school so a temporary school closure will be triggered if there are 7 COVID + cases school-wide within a 14-day period.

Back-to-School Information

• Health Pre-Screening Form
• 2021-22 Student Handbook
  • Dress Code
  • Attendance Policy
• Health & Safety Plan
• 2021-22 School Calendar
• Activities Info & Calendar
• City High Contact List
• Connect Card Fact Sheet
• Breakfast/Lunch Updates
• K12Payment Center Instructions
• Parent Portal Instructions
• School Forms
  • Emergency Care Form
  • Student Information Form
  • Change of Address 
  • Social Media/Use of Student Photograph

Contact Us:

Did you move over break? Click Here for Change of Address Form
 

July 27, 2021

We are pleased to announce that in addition to operating fully in-person, City High will continue a 4-day model including a weekly flexible 5th day for the 21-22 school year. 

Dear Students and Families:

We are super grateful to have completed this school year with you!  We have persevered together and will draw upon that resilience to start another school year as a City High family.  This letter is to provide highlights of our plan for the Fall.

The COVID-19 pandemic has improved but there are lingering effects that must still be considered to maintain the health and safety of our school community and address the needs of students, staff, and families.  Accordingly, City High will operate fully in-person and will continue to implement health and safety mitigation efforts in the Fall.  Although we will be fully in person, social distancing will be more difficult to maintain, which will require us to continue our mask mandate into the fall.  This will help to assure necessary protection for all members of our community.   As was shared in an earlier notification in July, there will not be a virtual instructional option next school year except in the event of a COVID outbreak.

We are pleased to announce that in addition to operating fully in-person, City High will continue a 4-day model including a weekly flexible 5th day for the 21-22 school year.  Thank you for the overwhelming feedback we received from you (students and parents) in our Annual Report survey that was circulated in June.  This was important feedback that helped to inform our plans.  The 4-day model will allow us to resume school-wide in-person instruction and follow health and safety measures while helping to ease the transition of our virtual students (approximately half of our current student body), who will have been out of the building for 18 months when the 21-22 school year begins.  This model enables us to enhance a holistic approach to serving students while maintaining the core elements of our school that contribute to our success at growing individual students as learners.  We are calling the model 4PLUS (Personalized Learning for Universal Success). 

An overview of 4PLUS is outlined as follows:

• Students will attend school in-person 4 days per week. The schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. (classes end at 3:45 p.m. for 9th graders).
   
• Students will continue to follow health and safety mitigation, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing wherever possible.

1. Our cafeteria will continue to use plexiglass separators to minimize contact between students during lunch, which will also limit seating to 4 to 8 students per table. 
   
   
   

• There will be a personalized 5th day on alternating, designated Mondays, whereby students can experience any of the following:

1. Catch up on previous assignments
2. Schedule 1:1 help from a teacher
3. Receive peer tutoring
4. Participate in service learning and volunteer opportunities
5. Extend their internship hours (11th/12th graders)
6. Work a part-time job
7. Participate in local field experiences, outings around town, and City High sponsored activities
8. Attend wellness meetings or appointments

You will receive a back-to-school mailing in the coming weeks leading up to the start of school that outlines important details about the school year.  All students begin on Tuesday, August 31st!

Please know that your Grade-Level Principal will be on break from August 2nd-23rd and, in the interim, please make use of our website to access our school calendar,  important announcements, and resources.  Resources, such as vaccination locations throughout the area, can be accessed through our Community Resources page at www.cityhigh.org/resources.

Have a great rest of your summer!

Best,
Dara Ware Allen, Ph.D.
CEO and Principal

Download Letter to Parent

May 12, 2021

A COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccination Clinic is available FREE through our our Internship Mentor Partner—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA.

May 5, 2021

City Charter High School—Title I Funding Letter 2020-2021

• Teachers that provide focused support for reading, writing, and mathematics;
• Paraprofessional assistance for students in reading, writing, mathematics, and technology;
• Tutoring for ninth and tenth grade students;
• Support for parent workshops;
• Transportation to academic field experiences for students; and 
• Staff development sessions and professional learning opportunities that enable teachers to further develop their knowledge as learners and strengthen their practice as effective teachers.

April 30, 2021

COVID Vaccination Opportunity For Students

Dear Students and Families

We are excited to share a timely COVID vaccination opportunity for students, ages 16 and older.  Below is the full message from the Intermediate Unit 2 on behalf of Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS).   The opportunity is made possible through PPS and Giant Eagle.  

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Dr. Allen
 

Vaccination Opportunity—The Pittsburgh Public Schools, In Partnership With Giant Eagle:

The Pittsburgh Public Schools, in partnership with Giant Eagle, will be hosting a special student vaccination clinic on Wednesday, May 5. They have kindly extended this opportunity to all students aged 16 and older living within the city of Pittsburgh who attend a private, parochial or charter schools.

The student vaccination clinic will be held at Heinz Field between 9 AM and 5 PM.  The district has developed a website (www.pghschools.org/studentvaccine) for families that includes the appointment scheduler link through Giant Eagle, the permission form, information about the vaccine and day of expectations.

Students MUST:  

• Be 16 years or older as of May 5.
• Have an appointment scheduled in advance to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. https://gianteaglesched.rxtouch.com/gesched/program/mc4)
• Bring a completed and signed permission form, ID (school or state) and an insurance card if available. 
• Be masked and adhere to all social distancing guidelines. 
• Students without a completed and signed permission form must have a parent/guardian present to complete the form at the vaccination clinic to receive the vaccination. 

Parents, guardians and eligible siblings may also receive the vaccine if interested and eligible with an appointment. Family, friends or others who do not have an appointment, are not permitted to attend the vaccination clinic or congregate in and around the stadium.

Please review the FAQ below and information about the Pfizer vaccine at http://www.pghschools.org/studentvaccine

 

April 6, 2021

Students return to Trimester Three for Full-Time In-Person or Virtual Learning 4 days a week.

Dear Families:

We want to congratulate you again on completing this trimester. We were so fortunate and encouraged to be able to transition to our Hybrid model at the beginning of March and to make it through the end of the trimester with no in-person student or faculty COVID cases.  Thank you for working with us and doing your part to follow our health and safety guidelines.  It made a difference!   

As this is the end- of-the-trimester mailing, enclosed with this letter are the Trimester 2 Report Card and two Trimester 3 Infographics. This information will also be posted on our website (www.cityhigh.org).

Next, we’ve highlighted important details and expectations for our Trimester 3 model.  As always, please post them in a prominent place that will serve as an at-a-glance reminder of expectations and a reference point for quick questions about the model’s logistics.  An overview is as follows:

If you have requested to remain virtual or if you did not respond to our outreach efforts regarding your preferred model, you have been assigned to our virtual model for the third trimester.  Virtual students will continue to be expected to attend the 4-day schedule as implemented last trimester.  Please note that students will continue to be expected to turn their cameras on.  Let your Advisor know if you need help determining how to blur your background.

All in-person students will be required to attend school for our weekly 4-day schedule.  Based on responses to our survey and Advisor/Grade-Level Principal outreach, our requests for in-person learning are within our capacity to enable in-person students to attend all four days in the building!

Please note: in-person students will not have the flexibility to virtually log into class at their leisure in place of following their in-person schedule.  Not attending will result in an unexcused absence without a doctor’s or parent’s note.

All students will continue to be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing.  As outlined in the dress code, writing on clothing is not permissible.  This will be extended to our mask guidelines.  Please refer to the attached Infographic for more details.  We have an ample supply of masks and will provide students with replacement masks as needed or requested.  As a reminder, students who do not comply with the mask guidelines will be sent home.

Students will be required to be in dress code including shoes.  We worked to provide a transitional period for students to acclimate back to being in dress code.  Now, a year later, students will be required to be in dress code, which will include shoes too.  Students can wear casual footwear to school if they prefer and then change into their respective dress shoes before going to class.  Please make sure you refer to the second Infographic specifically regarding Dress Code.

As was the case in our first two trimesters, there will not be any half days during the third trimester.  We also will not have final exams.  Grades will be determined based on cumulative grades attained during the trimester.  As such, our originally scheduled days for finals will be eliminated from the calendar so the trimester will end on Friday, July 16th. 

Lastly, Allegheny County has moved back into the substantial phase for the second week in a row so we are forecasting contingency plans for our trimester 3 model.  If Allegheny County remains in the substantial phase by the start of our third trimester, we are planning to transition to a full virtual model for all students with the expectation that this would be a temporary transition.  Students would follow their respective schedules like last trimester to join full-day, live-streamed classes.  There will be an educational materials pick-up day on Monday, April 26th either way. More details will follow as well as an updated notification that will be sent on April 23rd.

With each model City High has implemented during the pandemic and its lingering impact, we have actively reviewed data and made modifications accordingly.  Each model has progressively moved us closer to our traditional schedule (amidst health and safety mitigation efforts) so we are especially excited to be on the cusp of a 4-day in-person return to the building for those students who are interested and able to return.  We will be closely watching the COVID transmission rates over the next two weeks.

We have been through a lot during this pandemic and have been grateful that you’re a part of our school family as we strive to meet our mutual goal of nurturing learning among each of our students.  Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other.   We look forward to welcoming your students back later this month!
Best,
Dara Ware Allen, Ph.D.
CEO and Principal

February 22, 2021

Hybrid Model Information

Dear Students and Families:

We are planning to begin our hybrid model on Tuesday, March 2^nd!  For the first time since November, Allegheny County has transitioned to the moderate phase regarding COVID incident and transmission rates.  If Allegheny County maintains its moderate rate this week, we'll be able to begin hybrid on March 2nd.

If you have requested to remain virtual, you will be able to do so through the end of the trimester.  We also want to note that those that did not respond to our outreach efforts to learn of your updated model preference are being assigned to remain virtual through the end of the trimester.

• The model continues to be a full 4-day schedule, whereby students will attend two days in person and two days virtually.
  • Seniors will attend in person four days a week (Tuesday through Friday) and will check in on Mondays via a Google attendance form. This is based on hourly requirements by the PA Department of Education (PDE) as well as scheduling and other nuances of City High’s senior model. A customized Infographic is enclosed for all seniors outlining these details.
• All students will be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing. Please note that students who do not comply will be sent home to work virtually.
• Students will be required to be in dress code.  Students only have to dress for the two days they're in person.  Please make sure you refer to the Dress Code Infographic below specifically regarding dress code.
• For virtual days, all students will be expected to turn their cameras on for class, particularly now that Google has added new features that allow a student to blur their background.

Throughout the pandemic, each model City High has developed has progressively moved us closer to our traditional schedule (amidst health and safety mitigation efforts) with live classes that are block scheduled or longer in duration than our recently completed trimester 1 model. We hope that our most updated model has allowed students to spend more time with their teachers, provided a greater opportunity to complete work in class, and facilitated the ability for students to collaborate using technology tools with their peers.

We want to also remind you of updates to our school calendar this trimester. Like the first trimester, there will not be any half days during the second trimester. We also will not have final exams. Grades will be determined based on cumulative grades attained during the trimester. This trimester will end on Friday, March 26th as our originally scheduled days for finals were eliminated.

Our wish for you and each other still holds true, to not only make it through this prolonged period of living through the pandemic, but to also do our best to thrive. As always, please continue to do all you can to stay safe and healthy!

Best,

Dara Ware Allen, Ph.D.
CEO and Principal

Dress Code Infographic
Hybrid Student Infographic
Hybrid Senior Infographic

Hybrid and Full Virtual Preferences

February 16, 2021

Hello Parents and Families: 

COVID transmission and incident rates in Allegheny County have been trending toward the moderate phase for the last few weeks so we are hopeful that we'll be able to start our hybrid model soon.  By now, you should have heard from your student's Advisor about your school model preference of Hybrid or Full Virtual.  We are seeking updated information beyond the survey we asked you to complete back in November at the end of our first trimester.  If you haven't provided an updated response to your student's Advisor, please do so as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, February 22nd.  Please see the following notes below regarding your selection.

IMPORTANT

• If you do not provide a preference, your student will be designated as remaining virtual for the trimester.

• If you select virtual, your student will be assigned as virtual for the remainder of the trimester. 

Please reach out to your student's Grade-Level Principal if you have questions.  Thank you to those of you who have already responded.  We look forward to receiving additional responses by February 22nd!  

Best,
Dr. Allen and Admin

 

February 1, 2021

Parent/Teacher Conference Day

Dear City High Families,

January 26, 2021

REVISED Hybrid Instruction Update

January 15, 2021

Hybrid Instruction Update

Dear Students and Families:

We hope that you have had a great start to the second trimester of the school year and are adapting to the school day schedule.

Our trimester plan indicated that our hybrid in-person start date would be dependent upon whether Allegheny County is in the substantial or moderate phase.  We've been monitoring the transmission rates and Allegheny County continues to remain in the substantial phase. The PA Department of Education (PDE) and PA Health Department recommends that a school's county must be in the moderate phase for two weeks prior to transitioning to in-person schooling. 

As a result, we will need to further delay our first in-person hybrid start date to the following:

• Group 1 will begin in-person on Thursday, February 4th.  The regular weekly schedule for Group 1 is on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

• Group 2 will begin in-person instruction on Friday, February 5th.  The regular weekly schedule for Group 2 is on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

• All seniors begin in-person instruction on Thursday, February 4th.  The regular weekly schedule for seniors is Tuesday through Friday.

Even though we plan to offer hybrid instruction at some point, some families may still choose to remain virtual. Your child's Advisor will follow up with you regarding your decision to stay virtual or attend in-person.

We are looking forward to starting our hybrid model in the coming weeks and will continue to send out notifications to families regarding our plans.  If you have questions, feel free to reach out to your Grade-Level Principal.  Please continue to do all you can to stay safe and healthy!

Best,
Dr. Allen

January 8, 2021

Dear Students and Families: 
As our school-wide virtual model was extended until January 26th, we have planned an educational materials pick-up day for Monday, January 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will assure that students have the necessary materials to augment their virtual learning experience. Please note that we selected Monday so that students will not miss class. Most students will need to come in to pick up a supply. PLEASE CHECK THE ATTACHED COURSE LIST TO SEE IF YOUR CLASS IS LISTED. Your Grade-Level Principal will also email their students with a list of everyone in the grade who will need to come to school for the educational materials pick-up on Monday. Be on the look-out for this email and check to see if your name is on the list. When you arrive on Monday, you will enter our main entrance in the rear of the building to pick up your educational items and then you will exit through the auditorium side door in the front of the building. We will be following health and safety protocols, whereby every student is required to wear a mask, social distance, and receive a temperature scan before entering the building. Regarding parking, there will be limited temporary spaces on the Blvd. of the Allies side of the building. This will be a temporary loading zone. Because a new bike lane has been installed, please do NOT park in the front of the building. We look forward to seeing you next week. In the interim, please reach out to your Grade-Level Principal if you have questions.

Take care! Best,
City High Administration

Trimester 2 Distance Learning Models

December 3, 2020

Dear Students and Families:
We want to congratulate you again on completing the trimester.  It was our first fully live-streamed educational model and you met the challenge along with our dedicated faculty!  As we announced a few weeks ago, we are planning to shift to a hybrid model for the second trimester.

We’ve highlighted important elements of the model in the attached Infographic.  Please post it in a prominent place that will serve as an at-a-glance reminder of expectations and a reference point for quick questions about the model’s logistics. An overview is also provided below:

Our primary plan is a hybrid model with an option for students to remain fully virtual based on your responses to our November family survey. 

The model is a full 4-day schedule, whereby students will attend two days in person and two days virtually. 

Seniors will attend in person four days a week (Tuesday through Friday) and will check in on Mondays via a Google attendance form.  This is based on hourly requirements by the PA Department of Education (PDE) as well as scheduling and other nuances of City High’s senior model.  A customized Infographic is enclosed for all seniors outlining these details.
All students will be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing.

For virtual days, all students will be expected to turn their cameras on for class, particularly now that Google has added new features that allow a student to blur their background.

If Allegheny County transitions to a ‘moderate’ community transmission rate by the end of December, City High’s hybrid model will be phased in by starting the first week and a half virtually with the first hybrid in-person day occurring on January 14th and 15th (based on whether a student is scheduled into Group 1 or 2 as explained on the Infographic).  All seniors will begin in-person on January 14th.

Throughout the pandemic, each model City High has developed has progressively moved us closer to our traditional schedule (amidst health and safety mitigation efforts) with live classes that are block scheduled or longer in duration than our recently completed trimester 1 model.  This will allow students to spend more time with their teachers, provide a greater opportunity to complete work in class, and facilitate the ability for students to collaborate using technology tools with their peers.  This shift will also reduce the need for independent work, which was a part of our trimester 1 model due to PDE’s requirement for schools to complete a minimum number of annual hours.

The timing of when we start our hybrid model is dependent upon the COVID transmission rate in Allegheny County as tracked and determined by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD).  We will provide another family notification on December 30th after monitoring the rate leading up to the start of the trimester on January 5th.

With the extended impact of the pandemic on our traditional educational model, we will need to make additional changes in our school calendar.  Like the first trimester, there will not be any half days during the second trimester.  We also will not have final exams.  Grades will be determined based on cumulative grades attained during the trimester.  As such, our originally scheduled days for finals will be eliminated from the calendar so the trimester will end on Friday, March 26th. 

Lastly, as this is the end of the trimester mailing, enclosed with this letter are the trimester 1 Report Card; Trimester 2 Infographic—checklist for students or checklist for seniors; and a Title I letter(s).  There will be an additional notification at the beginning of January that includes more procedural details regarding the new trimester.  This information will also be posted on our website — Trimester Two GO-Hybrid and FULL Livestream Ready Models

Despite the historic conditions around us, City High is committed to creating a bright spot in the lives of our school community members through holding on to the ideals, albeit transformed in some ways, that help make City High a special place.   As we enter the holiday season, we hope that you are able to enjoy time off and safely engage in activities that bring you joy.  Our wish for you and each other is that we can not only make it through this prolonged period but to also do our best to thrive.  

Again, we’ll be back in touch later this month.  As always, please continue to do all you can to stay safe and healthy!

Best,

All my best,

Dara Ware Allen, Ph.D.
CEO and Principal

November 20, 2020

This is an important message from City Charter High School for 9th Grade School Laptops.

Your current 9th grade school laptop is being replaced with a newer HP Elitebook laptop. Please save all important files to your Google Drive and bring your school laptop and charger to the building on Monday November 23rd between 8am and 12 noon or Tuesday November 24th between 1 pm and 4:30pm. There is no parking in front of the building because of the new bike lanes. Some on street parking is located on the Boulevard of the Allies. Tech Team members be located outside to swap your laptop and charger. Each laptop will have an instruction sheet on how to login. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Crist at crist@cityhigh.org or call 724-393-0206.

November 11, 2020

Title I Letter to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians:

• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, City High’s most recent graduation rate is 94.7%, compared to 86.5% for the state.
• 72% of our graduates were accepted into a 2-year or 4-year college, university or training program.
• City High continues to have the highest Pittsburgh Promise eligibility rate of all Pittsburgh high schools: 91% qualify for the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship.
• The Class of 2020 secured over $1.316 million in college/post-secondary scholarships.
• Retention matters early on: 98.7% of our 9th graders last year were promoted to 10th grade for the 2020-21 school year.

• Teachers that provide focused support for reading, writing, and mathematics;
• Paraprofessional assistance for students in reading, writing, mathematics, and technology;
• After school tutoring for ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students;
• Support for parent workshops;
• Transportation to academic field experiences for students; and
• Staff development sessions and professional learning opportunities that enable teachers to further develop their knowledge as learners and strengthen their practice as effective teachers.