Pittsburgh Schools Gather Immigrant Voices for Future Changes
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) hosted a community gathering in Northview Heights on Thursday, seeking input from the district’s immigrant families. This event, aimed at addressing concerns regarding upcoming facility changes, attracted numerous African immigrant families residing in the North Side apartment complex and nearby areas.
The gathering provided a platform for parents, students, and community members to express their views on the district’s facilities plan. Attendees had the opportunity to update student enrollment, receive free books, and sign up for career opportunities within the school district. The atmosphere was lively, with families enjoying dinner, crafts, and games, creating a vibrant scene with colorful traditional dresses and headscarves adorning many women and children.
Fato Mada, a parent and translator at Brashear High School, emphasized the importance of these meetings, stating, “And now it’s just the first time meeting like this. But I feel like they should have more meetings for them to be able to talk [about] what they’re concerned [about] mainly.” Mada pointed out the cultural and language barriers that immigrant parents face, highlighting the need for additional platforms to discuss proposed changes.
The district is considering reopening a long-vacant building in Northview Heights as an elementary school. This facility, which previously served students from PreK to 8th grade, closed during the district’s last round of consolidations in 2012. It is centrally located within a large housing complex managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, which is home to significant Somali Bantu, Burundian, and Congolese populations.
Currently, many children from the neighborhood attend King PreK-8, while English language learners in Northview Heights are assigned to Arsenal PreK-5, located nearly four miles away. District leaders assert that reopening the Northview Heights school would enhance accessibility to classes and services for local families. Renovation estimates for the facility amount to $29.6 million, with the school projected to open for the 2028-2029 school year. During this transitional period, Arsenal PreK-5 would close, and students would be temporarily relocated to other schools until the new facility is ready.
Despite the potential benefits, some community members have raised concerns about the impact of frequent transitions on students. Amina Muya, a PPS parent and translator at Arsenal K-5, expressed reservations about moving students multiple times in quick succession. “Of course it’s possible. But are we looking at 20 other years from here?” she questioned, reflecting on the lasting effects such changes could have on educational progress. “Nobody knows what 20 years from now is going to look like.”
Supporters of the plan, such as Valerie Lauw, attended the gathering to advocate for the reopening of Northview Heights Elementary. Lauw stressed the importance of clear communication regarding the district’s intentions. “If you open it back up, then what? How do we have some real investment to know that our children can grow up great in their neighborhood school and that it be invested in?” she asked.
The school board is expected to vote on the proposed facility changes later this fall, with community feedback playing a critical role in shaping the future of education for Northview Heights families.
