• Redistricting at North Allegheny


    February 18, 2021 Update

    North Allegheny School District is moving forward with plans to redistrict elementary schools at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. On Wednesday, February 17, the North Allegheny School District administration presented a Redistricting Update to the School Board. Visit our website to view the full presentation from the Board Meeting, including details regarding what specific streets will be redistricted.

    Communications

    Visit our redistricting communications page to review all of the emails sent on February 18.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Visit our redistricting FAQs page to get the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions

    Transition Activities

    • Early March: Principals and counselors from all impacted buildings will convene to discuss further transition activities for the students who are moving to a new building. They will conduct activities at students’ current buildings in order to get to know the students and also present students with a gift from their new school. 
    • Late March: Pen pal projects will be initiated between students being redistricted and future peers at their new school in order to establish relationships and form friendships prior to the transition.
    • April: Principals and counselors will visit students’ current schools to meet with students who will be redistricted.
    • Spring: Parents/guardians will be invited to attend PTA/PFA events and/or other school events at their new school.
    • May: Students will participate in a Move-Over Day to visit and tour their new school.
    • August: Teacher assignments will be sent to families and new student orientations will be held.

    Updated Timeline

    • February 2021
      • February 17: District administration presented a redistricting update to the North Allegheny School Board. Redistricting plans were originally scheduled to start with the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year for elementary students, but were delayed by one year to now start with the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. View the Redistricting Scenario presentation from this meeting.
      • February 18: Emails were sent to all elementary families with details on the redistricting plan. Visit our redistricting communications page to review all of the emails that were sent.
    • March 2021
      • Principals and Counselors:
        • Principals and Counselors of each school will meet to discuss each individual child who will be moving.
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • April 2021
      • Parents/Guardians and Students:
        • Parents/guardians of students who will be redistricted will receive welcome letters from the principals of their students’ new schools.
        • Parents/guardians are welcome to attend a PFA/PTO/PTA meeting at their student’s new school (these meetings are currently being held virtually). Each school buildings’ Friday Newsletter will have the links for participation for families interested in participating in their new school’s PFA meeting.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
      • Students
        • Students will be connected with students from their new school through various activities such as meeting students virtually through building tours and other types of videos.
    • May 2021 
      • Parents/Guardians and Students:
        • Students who will be redistricted will participate in a Virtual Move Over Day. This Virtual Move Over Day will take place in the students’ current school. A virtual tour video of their new school will be viewed with students who are being redistricted. The students’ current principal and new principal will be present. At the end of the video, students will have the ability to ask questions to their current and new principal about their new school. At the end of the “Virtual Move Over Day” the students will receive a gift from their new school. NACA students will receive their gift at their new school either over the summer or on their first day of school. These Virtual Move Over dates may need to be facilitated in multiple sessions over multiple dates in order to socially distance.
          • BWE and MES - specific date TBD
          • FES and MCK - specific date TBD
        • Parents/guardians are welcome to attend a PFA/PTO/PTA meeting at their student’s new school (these meetings are currently being held virtually). Each school buildings’ Friday Newsletter will have the links for participation for families interested in participating in their new school’s PFA meeting.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • Summer 2021
      • Parents/Guardians and Students:
        • Parents and students who are being redistricted will be invited to tour their new building on two separate occasions. A tour will be scheduled for June [date TBD] and another tour will be scheduled for July [date TBD]. Parents and students can select either the June date or the July date.
        • Each school will host a new student orientation in August that will be published in the District Activities Calendar. Students who are being redistricted are invited to attend (August date TBD).
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • September 2021 - Elementary Schools
      • Parents/Guardians and Students:
        • Curriculum Nights are held at each elementary school. Every parent/guardian is encouraged to attend these important presentations. Dates are TBD and will be published in the District Activities Calendar.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • September 2021 - Middle Schools
      • Parents/Guardians and Students:
        • Open House events are held at each middle school. Every parent/guardian is encouraged to attend these important presentations. Dates are TBD and will be published in the District Activities Calendar.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.

     

     

    May 7, 2020 Update

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ultimate closure of all North Allegheny school buildings for the final three months of the 2019-2020 school year, the plan to redistrict students currently in grades K-4 has been delayed for one year. Current K-4 students and incoming kindergarten students will follow the current boundaries and continue to attend their current school for the 2020-2021 school year rather than their redistricted school. Redistricting for students currently in grades 5, 6, and 7 will be implemented as planned for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. NASD will honor the continuation option for current 6th and 7th grade students who elected to remain in their current school.

    This decision to delay elementary redistricting was carefully considered, but ultimately a few factors weighed heavily in coming to this conclusion. 

    • Due to the pandemic, it is difficult to be sure that the addition to Franklin Elementary will be ready for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. While construction has resumed, the project was initially shut down due to the school closures and the progress is now slower due to social distancing and safety efforts, and may be impacted further if construction restrictions are reinstituted at some point during the summer. It is also unclear if scheduled equipment and supply deliveries in the coming months will be delayed due to the global impact on the supply chain.
    • We understand the importance of effectively transitioning students to a new school building whenever redistricting occurs. Due to the current situation, it is becoming more and more challenging to do this in a way that supports our students and families. 
    • It is unclear what school may look like when the 2020-2021 school year begins in the fall.

    North Allegheny continues to be committed to approaching redistricting in a manner that is supportive of all involved. Questions can be emailed to redistricting@northallegheny.org. Please continue to pay close attention to your email for future communications regarding redistricting plans. Transition activities for the 2021-2022 school year for students who will be in grades K-4 will be shared throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Plans and transition activities for students moving into 6th grade will be shared via email throughout the summer. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

     

     

    Click here to view the Final Redistricting Scenario for the 2020-2021 School Year presented at the October 23, 2019, School Board Meeting.

    The North Allegheny School District School Board voted to accept the District Administration’s recommended plan to redistrict the Elementary and Middle Schools effective for the 2020-2021 school year during the October 23 meeting.

    What is Redistricting?

    School redistricting is the process of redrawing elementary and middle school boundaries to produce an equitable distribution of students among different schools.

    Why Redistrict Now?

    The District has experienced significant growth over the past few years. Elementary school capacity has not been able to keep up with that growth, resulting in disconnected school attendance zones and an imbalance between where students live and where the schools are located. During the 2017-2018 school year, it was projected by a local, well-known demographer that enrollment will continue to increase significantly in the coming years.

    The elementary schools in the District are quickly approaching their capacities for classroom and support spaces for students. Portable classrooms are currently in use at Bradford Woods Elementary and Marshall Elementary in order to accommodate the large and growing student population, and the District is in the midst of a renovation project at Franklin Elementary that will increase the capacity of the building.

    The elementary and middle school boundary lines that were last drawn for the 2014-2015 school year can be seen below or on the NA School Locator. As mentioned above, there is a visible disconnect between school attendance zones and an imbalance between where students live and where the schools are physically located.

    The most recent redistricting was implemented during the 2014-2015 school year with the intention that the results would last five to seven years. One of the primary goals of the upcoming redistricting is to develop a scenario that is sustainable and will work well into the future.

    Current Elementary School Zones

    Elementary school zones

    Current Middle School Zones

    Middle school zones

    May 2019 Survey and Results

    On Tuesday, May 28, 2019, an email with a link to a survey was sent to all K-12 parents and guardians at that time regarding redistricting. The intention of the survey was for families to share what their priorities are in this process. The survey provided parameters and asked parents/guardians to rank the parameters from the highest priority to the lowest priority using a seven-point scale. Based on that survey, the District found that families' top three priorities included:

    1. Keeping housing plans together.
    2. Avoiding sending small groups of students to different middle schools than their elementary school classmates.
    3. Sending elementary school students to the school closest to their home.

    North Allegheny appreciates the feedback from all families and is currently using this information from the survey to develop a redistricting scenario.

    During the most recent redistricting implemented during the 2014-2015 school year, the District prioritized moving the least amount of students possible. With the District’s ever-growing student population and the expanded capacity at Franklin Elementary School, the District is striving for a long-term solution for the 2020-2021 redistricting, which cannot be achieved by moving the least amount of students. Additionally, 5th grade students were provided the option to complete their final year of elementary school at their current building during the most recent redistricting process. While the flexibility and desire for this option are understandable, the District is likely unable to provide this option in the upcoming redistricting given the number of students who may be moving to a new school.

    Timeline for 2020-2021 Redistricting

    Spring 2019

    • Collect feedback to help develop the goals and parameters of redistricting through a survey sent to all NA families on May 28, 2019.

    Fall 2019

    • September 25, 7:00 p.m., A.W. Beattie Career Center: Final redistricting scenario and transition plan was shared at the School Board Regular Meeting. School Board Meetings and Committee Meetings are always open to the public. Interested community members are welcome to attend. View the Redistricting Scenario presentation from this meeting.
    • September 26: An email was sent to all families with the final scenario and transition plan details. Parents/guardians had the opportunity to provide feedback to the District by emailing redistricting@northallegheny.org or by offering comments during the informational meeting on October 7. View the email.
    • October 7, 7:00 p.m., North Allegheny Senior High: An informational meeting for interested North Allegheny families was held, highlighting the redistricting scenario and transitional plans from District leaders. School Board members were also present to hear feedback from families. Community members had the opportunity to provide comments for up to two minutes per person. View the Redistricting Scenario presentation from this meeting.
    • October 23, 7:00 p.m., NA Central Administration Offices (200 Hillvue Lane): The School Board voted to accept the final scenario for redistricting at its Combined School Board Meeting.

    Winter 2019/Spring 2020

    Elementary School Timeline

    • April 2020 - Elementary
      • Parents and Students:
        • Parents of students who will be redistricted will receive welcome letters from the principals of their students’ new schools.
        • Parents will be invited to attend a PFA/PTO/PTA meeting in their students’ new schools.
        • Principal and counselor will visit redistricted students at their current school. A “Get to Know” activity will be conducted and students will receive a gift with their new school’s logo.
        • Families of students who will be redistricted will be invited to a building-based orientation presentation for students who will be redistricted. Programs will include building tours and be held at BWE, FES, MES, and MCK. Date and Time - (dates TBD)
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • May 2020 - Elementary
      • Parents and Students:
        • Students who will be redistricted will participate in “Move Over Days” at their new schools. Teachers and principals from their current buildings will attend with them as they meet their Pen Pals, tour their new buildings, and participate in an orientation. When they return to their original schools, they will debrief with their principals and counselors.
          • May 2020 - BWE and MES
          • May 2020 - FES and MCK
        • Parents of students who will be redistricted are invited to attend the regular PTA/PFA/PTO meetings in their students’ new schools.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • Summer 2020 - Elementary Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • A date will be scheduled when families of students who are being redistricted can visit their new schools and tour the facilities together. (July and August dates TBD)
        • Each school will host a new student orientation that will be published in the District Activities Calendar. Students who are being redistricted are invited to attend. (August date TBD)
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • September 2020 - Elementary Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • Curriculum Nights are held at each elementary school. Every parent is encouraged to attend these important presentations. Dates will be published in the District Activities Calendar. (dates TBD)
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.

    Middle School Timeline

    • April 2020 - Middle Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • Parents of students who will be redistricted will receive welcome letters from the principals of their students’ new schools.
        • Families of students who will be redistricted will be invited to a building-based orientation presentation at IMS. Programs will include building tours. (date TBD)
        • April 30, 2020 - All three middle schools will hold a Parent Coffee at 9:30 a.m.
        • Principals and counselors will visit students who will be redistricted at their current schools to do an activity and present them with a gift from their new schools.
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • May 2020 - Middle Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • Parents of current sixth and seventh grade students who are not opting to continue at their current school are encouraged to attend Parent Orientation at IMS
        • Students in grades six and seven who do not opt to continue at their current school will participate in a “Shadow Day” at IMS. During this activity, they will be paired with their Pen Pals, meet with student representatives, and have lunch. When they return to their original school, they will debrief with the principal and their counselor. (dates TBD)
        • "Move Up Day” for all fifth grade students. Students will attend based upon the new school attendance zones for 2020-2021.
          • May 26, 2020 - HES, FES, MES, PES
          • May 27, 2020 - BWE, IES, MCK
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • Summer 2020 - Middle Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • A date will be scheduled when families of students who have not opted to continue at their current school, can visit IMS and tour the facilities together. (July and August dates TBD)
        • Each school will host a new student orientation that will be published in the District Activities Calendar. Students who have not opted to continue at their current school are invited to attend. (August date TBD)
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.
    • September 2020 - Middle Schools
      • Parents and Students:
        • Open Houses are held at each middle school. Every parent is encouraged to attend these important presentations. Dates will be published in the District Activities Calendar. (date TBD)
        • Other important activities which are scheduled early in the year on the middle school calendar include:
          • The Sixth Grade Coffee Presentation
        • Parents who are new to the school will benefit greatly from attending these informational meetings. (dates TBD)
      • Counselors:
        • Counselors will be available to meet with any student to talk about dealing with change and making new friends.