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To: School closures weaken communities, displace students and negatively affect us all. PPS is considering plans to to shutter 14 schools across our city, including the iconic Friendship School.

Save the Friendship Montessori School

Urge the PPS school board to vote NO on the consolidation plan and keep the Montessori program in the Friendship School.

Why is this important?

UPDATE 6/11/2025:
Pittsburgh Public Schools is moving forward with its plan to close, consolidate, and reconfigure schools despite lacking sufficient community support.

The School Board is expected to vote on June 25th to start the closure process. 

It's not too late to add your signature to the Petition to Save the Friendship School. Petition results will be delivered to the School Board Members before the June 23rd Public Hearing. 

Further action can be taken in the following ways before June 23rd:
  • Write letters to your school board members: 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  Remember to address your letter to the "Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors" or the specific Board member(s) you wish to reach. 
  • Email individual board members. Email addresses are available on the PPS website. Silvia Wilson represents Pittsburgh Montessori,  [email protected]. 
  • Sign up to speak at the June 23rd Public Hearing: You can register to speak at a Public Hearing by signing up on the School Board website.
  • Parent Hotline: For general inquiries or student/school concerns, you can call the Parent Hotline at (412) 529-HELP (4357) or email them at [email protected]. 
  • Stay informed with talking points and updates via 412 Justice: https://412justice.org/talkingpoints/
  • Submit question and concerns to the school board through 412 Justice: https://412justice.org/questions-for-pittsburgh-public-schools/


Original Petition:
Earlier this year, Pittsburgh Public Schools engaged a consultant from Boston to create a consolidation plan which controversially proposes the closure of 14 schools, including the iconic Friendship School. This plan leaves the treasured school and community space permanently shuttered, displacing students and potentially leading to blight and decline in our neighborhood.

Why the Friendship Montessori School Matters:
The Friendship School, which sits in the heart of the Friendship neighborhood, is currently home to the PPS Montessori PreK-5 program; a thriving, vibrant school community. Built in 1899, the school is an architectural gem and designated historic landmark. The building, designed for quality education, is filled with functional beauty and charm that makes it an ideal Montessori learning environment. Many of the students walk and bike to school, but families come from across the district to be a part of the highly sought-after Friendship Montessori school community.

Moreover, the school grounds are a vital gathering place, utilized by residents, sports teams, community groups, churches, and more. The beloved play park, built by Friendship Community Group, serves as a public amenity and a testament to the strong community involvement that surrounds the school.

The Case for Preservation:
While we acknowledge that maintaining a historic building poses challenges, we firmly believe that the Friendship School is worth the investment. Closing this school would not only displace a tight knit family of students but also deprive the community of a vital resource. Instead of viewing it as an expense to cut, let’s see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to maintain the vitality of our district and our community.

We urge Pittsburgh Public Schools to explore grant opportunities and engage with potential funders to secure the necessary resources for renovation and accessibility upgrades. The Friendship School can meet the standards for a healthy, equitable school environment while continuing to serve as a cherished community space. Through our network of architects, engineers, attorneys and grant writers, the Friendship Community Group is committed to assisting PPS in any way necessary to achieve this goal. 

Join Us in Saving Friendship School!
The Friendship School is not just a school building; it is the beating heart of our neighborhood. Sign this petition to demand that the school board abandon the plan to close the Friendship School and commit to investing in its future!

Together, we can ensure that this iconic landmark continues to serve our community for generations to come.


How it will be delivered

Friendship Community Group will deliver the petition to each school board member and Superintendent Dr. Wayne N. Walters via email and printed copies. FCG is committed to assisting and supporting PPS in any way possible should they choose to seek funding for the necessary renovations to keep the Friendship Montessori school open and accessible to all.

For more information email: [email protected]

Categories

Updates

2025-07-15 16:29:19 -0400

It's not too late to sign the petition! An updated signature list will be delivered to the board before the July 22nd public hearing.
If you would like to review the packet submitted to the school board on 6/23 you can find it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LMQLz77RPswnu0bw3KGABdHbJEa18aY8/view

2025-07-15 16:21:13 -0400

Make Your Voice Heard:
Speak at the Friendship School Public Hearing
Tuesday, July 22 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Board of Education Building – 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Oakland
You must register to speak at the hearing. Registration closes at 5 PM on Monday, July 21st
https://pghboe.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3JHnsJwQyGGeTWK

2025-07-15 16:20:20 -0400

Email the PPS School Board Members:
Let them know how this plan affects you, your family, and your neighborhood.

Member | Email | District | Vote to move forward with plan |
Ms. Silvia Wilson | [email protected] | 1 | Y | *Friendship School rep
Ms. Devon Taliaferro | [email protected] | 2 | N |
Mr. Sala Udin | [email protected] | 3 | N |
Ms. Yael Silk | [email protected] | 4 | Y |
Dr. Tracy Reed | [email protected] | 5 | Y |
Ms. Emma Yourd | [email protected] | 6 | N |
Jamie Piotrowski | [email protected] | 7 | N |
Mr. Dwayne Barker | [email protected] | 8 | Y |
Mr. Gene Walker | [email protected] | 9 | Y |
Dr. Wayne Walters | [email protected] | Superintendent |

2025-07-15 16:17:19 -0400

UPDATE 7/11:
Urgent Update: The PPS “Future Readiness” Plan is moving forward and your voice matters!
Pittsburgh Public Schools is moving ahead with its controversial ”Future Readiness” facilities plan, which proposes closing multiple schools, relocating programs, and potentially disrupting entire communities. Despite widespread public concern, the plan is advancing quickly, and your engagement is needed now more than ever.
What’s New: On July 1, the District presented its updated Future Readiness plan, which includes 12 school closures, multiple consolidations, and 9 building closures, including the Friendship School.
On June 25th the PPS school board voted 5-4 to open the state-mandated public commentary period, which will taking place this July- September.
Following the commentary period, the administration will present its final recommendations to the school board. The School board will vote on the school closures this fall.

2024-10-30 20:50:02 -0400

100 signatures reached

2024-10-27 21:36:18 -0400

50 signatures reached

2024-10-26 08:21:28 -0400

25 signatures reached

2024-10-25 10:05:22 -0400

10 signatures reached