Students returning to class in the Plum Borough School District next week will see plenty of changes.
Along with the superintendent’s first full year at the helm, they’ll also see a new laptop initiative, a new all-inclusive playground and a new security department. They’ll even see a new logo.
"We've turned the page and we're ready to move forward and we believe that there is a strong momentum," said Superintendent Brendan Hyland.
Getting into a Back To School Groove:
- 6 ways to help get your child in back-to-school mode
- Back to School: Things to do with your toddler when their siblings are at school
- Back to school: 8 hacks for stress-free mornings
- 11 ways to be productive while the kids are in school
After years of scandals plaguing the district, Hyland is hitting the ground running. A brand new logo revealed to Channel 11 highlights the district's core beliefs.
Budget cuts forced the district to close an elementary school, but it also created an opportunity for advancement.
A new initiative will allow every student between ninth and 12th grades to take home a Chomebook laptop. And soon they'll even have software to monitor what sites students are visiting.
"We think it's imperative that, if we are going to exceptionally prepare them, they need to be exceptionally prepared for the world that they're going to go into," Hyland said.
TRENDING NOW:
- East Pittsburgh to shut down police department
- Man in the U.S. illegally charged with murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts
- Michael Cohen pleads guilty, says hush money paid to influence election
- VIDEO: Man Smiles In Mugshot After Being Accused Of Robbery
On Sept. 28, the district will be building an all-inclusive playground, providing accessibility to all of their students.
"Equipment that is built isn't always built with the design that there are other kids that may not be able to access that equipment," Hyland said.
The district also started its own police force. They’re in the process of hiring a supervisor for the department, who will then hire five armed officers for each building, along with two student resource officers the borough is already providing.
Channel 11 News is your home for Back to School coverage.
We’ll have teams of reporters and photographers, as well as Chopper 11 and traffic reporter Trisha Pittman guiding you through the first days of the school year, every weekday on
Channel 11 News from 4:30 to 7 a.m.