Curriculum updates, school challenges, and community partnerships primary topics of November Community Meeting

Steel Valley hosted its monthly Community Meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at Park Elementary. This session also incorporated an Educational Leadership meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Bryan Macuga provided a district-wide update on academics and curriculum matters. Mr. Macuga began by providing the latest from the Steel Valley Cyber Academy, noting that the elementary students are now using Virtual Learning Network (VLN) to provide more rigor to their online studies. Students at the secondary level are continuing to use Edmentum, which provides flexibility to cross over between virtual instruction and the traditional instruction in the classroom. There are built-in levels of supports for students who need them at all levels.

Mr. Macuga also shared updates on the active textbook pilots in the elementary schools and middle schools as well as the district's approach to updating the curriculum at all levels.

The district wanted to reduce the number of assessments, which led to the transition to the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) system. The universal screener allows teachers and administrators to better track student progress. The district is also pushing for earlier reading assessments in order to begin offering support to students faster.

The discussion then shifted to community matters, facilitated by school board members and school district staff. Board member Bill McLaughlin, who has organized these meetings along with fellow Communications Committee members JaQuay Carter and Maya Adams, said that the goal in 2023 is to increase attendance and interaction at the community meetings, including by specifically inviting civic leaders.

There was also discussion of how to improve the flow of information between civic leaders and the district, particularly about opportunities for students. Steel Valley has a community service hours requirement for students to graduate, but some students struggle to find ways to get those hours. It was suggested that enhanced communication with Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead councils and boroughs could lead to additional volunteer opportunities for students.

The meeting closed with an extensive discussion about the challenges students, faculty and staff face during the school day. Students are facing adversity at home and in their communities, which in turn could be impacting academic performance and overall behavior in school. Those behavioral issues then negatively impact teachers and staff. The group discussed discipline, accountability, PBIS programs, and support programs and the role those all play in addressing academic and behavioral.

There will be no community meeting in December. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Park Elementary. The next school board meeting is the annual reorganization meeting on Monday, December 5, 2022.