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Steel Valley School District
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The Steel Valley School District works to support students of all backgrounds and languages. We want you to feel welcome when you come into our buildings. We embrace our diverse population and will work with families and students to meet their needs. Under the direction of Olando Dulin, the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Steel Valley strives to connect students and families with the resources they need to thrive. Our staff has strong connections with the community, which we utilize to connect our students with community partners and organizations. We also strive to establish direction connections with families so that we may provide an extra layer of support when needed.
OUR STAFF:
Olando Dulin (pictured above)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
District Civil Rights Investigator
odulin@steelvalleysd.org | 412-464-3600 ext. 2503
Kevin Clarke
District Community Liaison
kclarke@steelvalleysd.org
Sara Fite
District Family Liaison
District Registrar
sfite@steelvalleysd.org | 412-464-3600 ext. 2700
Diallo Mitchell
Restorative Practices Coordinator
dmitchell@steelvalleysd.org
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Steel Valley is fortunate to have forged a number of community partnerships over the years. Several newer partnerships have placed an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. Many of these new programs have been established courtesy of the district's participation in The Pittsburgh Study with the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children's Hospital.
Forging Hopeful Futures (formerly Creating Peace)
Forging Hopeful Futures is a blend of social emotional learning plus career building. During their participation in the program, students focus on developing the skills necessary to foster positive relationships with their classmates, teachers, families, and neighbors. It also features an emphasis on building career skills.
Expect Respect
Designed for both high school and middle school students, Expect Respect is an entry level program for developing positive relationships and navigating social situations. Social emotional learning is an important area of development for students, and being able to harness emotions, express emotions appropriately, break down barriers for youth, and navigate relationship building - all with an understanding of trauma and empthy - is an important step. Students who thrive in this program advance transition to Forging Hopeful Futures.
3Rs Program
Reading is truly fundamental. It is a critical component to the rest of our education. Study and study demonstrates that students are more likely to improve their reading skills when they find a connection to what they're reading. The 3Rs program introduces students to racially affirming, age appropriate books with protagonists with whom our students identify. Elementary students are provided access to these books to read as part of their curriculum and to read at home with their families. Older students visit our elementary schools to read with our younger students, further strengthening the connection between the text and a positive experience.
CNX Mentorship Academy
Steel Valley is proud to be a partner with the Steel Center for Career and Technical Education, which provides our students with the opportunity to develop skills and certifications that can lead to career opportunities right out of high school. The CNX Mentorship Academy is a program through the CNX Foundation that further develops' students knowledge of specific industries. The CNX Mentorship Academy describes itself as being, "focused on providing urban and rural youth from historically marginalized Appalachian communities with greater opportunities—helping provide these young adults a bridge to family-sustaining careers."
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion also features partnerships with the Pittsburgh Consortium of Education, helps provide leadership mentoring, supports student organizations like the GSA Club, and staffs a "chill room" in Room 204 at the high school that students can use to decompress when they are experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or are otherwise struggling. The room also includes donated clothes for students who may be in need, including business and formal wear for interviews.
The Steel Valley School District is proud of its rich history and community diversity. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works closely with the Office of Pupil Services to support students who speak English as a second language. We want students and families of all backgrounds to feel welcome in our schools. Please reach out to Olando Dulin or Renee Kozusko, Director of Pupil Services, to learn more about the district's ESL support system.
