Wilkinsburg H.S. Students Ask Tough Questions Ahead Of Move To Westinghouse

WILKINSBURG (KDKA) - There are just over 60 days left in the school year for students at Wilkinsburg High School. Then, the school will be closed.

Next year, high school students will attend Pittsburgh Westinghouse and they want answers to tough questions.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has earmarked $3 million to help with our transition to Westinghouse. How is this money going to be used? And can you explain it in a way a ninth grader can understand?" freshman Imani Crenshaw said.

About two dozen students attended Tuesday's meeting with the Wilkinsburg school directors to hear their answers to those questions.

"Not just staffing in terms of teachers to teach classes, but staffing related to councilors, and social workers. We think it's important that we take care of the support system for our students -- so there will be money spent for that," Wilkinsburg Public Schools Transition Liaison Dan Matsook said.

The transition teams involve 16 committees talking about everything from transportation to curriculum to safety.

"We come into the school, we have to take our belts off, our jackets off, our shoes off. The girls have to get checked under their bras. I don't like that. What could you do to help us get into the school easier and quicker and faster?" junior Dremar Everett said.

Jessica Burns, of the Wilkinsburg Youth Project, said students deserve answers about their future.

"I am looking forward to seeing more of that and hoping there is more input on sort of the crisis intervention that needs to happen right now for the youth," Burns said.

On April 1, Wilkinsburg students will get a chance to spend the day at Westinghouse to learn about school policies, uniforms and to meet teachers and tour the building that will soon be their new school.

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