Once a typical yellow school bus picking up and dropping off Petersburg City Public Schools students has transformed into a family-student resource center on wheels.
The Progress-Index
PETERSBURG Petersburg City Public School students, staff and community members alike gathered at the school system s administrative building to celebrate the unveiling of The Wave, the new family engagement bus.
The idea of the bus started with Pam Bell, chief advancement officer for PCPS, as she wanted to create a way to bring resources to students and their families. Now finished, Bell s dream can now become reality. Today, it s really about the true introduction, said Bell.
The bus is now equipped with a mini library, wireless internet, workstations, laptops, printers, and extra seating. PCPS sought help from Truck Enterprises, a full service trucking company, to add the finishing touches to the bus.
The Progress-Index
PETERSBURG - The halls of Petersburg High and Vernon Johns Middle School are hosting students once again, after more than a year of virtual-only learning has kept them at home.
Nearly 400 students have chosen to return to in-person instruction at both schools. Those that did not return will remain in Petersburg Virtual Academy for the remainder of the school year. About 30% of families across all grade levels voted to return to in-person learning.
“Our teachers and staff have been eagerly awaiting this day,” said Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, Superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools. “This is a big step forward, and we want to make sure that the experience for our students who have opted to return to the building is as safe and rewarding as we can make it,” added Dr. Pitre-Martin.
The Progress-Index
PETERSBURG – Buget discussions the Petersburg City Public Schools and City Council showed a major win for teacher raises but left unanswered questions when it comes to a future school replacement that has been talked about for several years.
Petersburg City Public Schools’ overall budget is $58 million for 2022. Fifty-five percent of that funding comes from the state. About 17% comes from the city’s budget with the remaining 28% from sales tax, grants, local fees, e-rate and food service funds. The city’s portion totals a flat $10 million payment for the year.
Superintendent Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin said that the schools are asking for $11 million from the city, but that they have been preliminarily told the amount will be $10 million. PCPS asked for $11 million in 2021 but after the pandemic hit, that amount was reduced to $10 million. That $1 million reduction eliminated teacher raises scheduled for last year.