Back to School '24: Community partners make a difference for Steel Valley students

One of the key ingredients to the Steel Valley School District’s success over the years is the partnerships the district has with various community partners. Along with MUSA and the Best of the Batch Foundation Best of the Batch Foundation, which have been highlighted elsewhere on the site, the district is proud to have deep connections with amazing organizations right in our district as well as throughout the region.

Please take a moment to read about these organizations and their services, and we encourage you to follow up with your building principals and staff to get connected.

CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF HOMESTEAD

One of the original of thousands of Carnegie libraries in the world, the Carnegie Library of Homestead is a community fixture. Not only does it have a diverse selection of books and resource materials, as well as a musical hall that hosts touring acts, but it offers substantial programming for families and students. From time to time, the district partners with the library for events or for special programming in order to ensure all families have access to the tools and resources they need. Learn more at https://carnegieofhomestead.com/

CNX MENTORSHIP ACADEMY

A newer partner with the district, the CNX Mentorship Academy connects high school students with emerging careers in industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, and more. Through the CNX Mentorship Academy, students have the opportunity to visit companies and job sites to learn more about the opportunities in those various industries, as well as gain an understanding of what it takes to pursue those possible careers. Learn more at https://www.cnx.com/about-us/the_mentorship-academy

DRAGON'S DEN

Easily one of the most unique venues that Steel Valley students get to visit each year, the Dragon's Den is housed inside the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead. It's now a non-profit that offers after-school programming and team-bonding events, with one of the most popular being its zipline and climbing wall. Steel Valley students make annual trips to the Dragon's Den. Each grade level spent a day there this past school year. Learn more at https://dragonsdenpgh.org/

EDGE AI

The Steel Valley School District is determined to offer our students as many pathways to success as possible, and that includes exposing upperclassmen to a wide range of possible careers. Thanks to a new partnership with Homestead-based Edge AI, several students have begun to work as paid interns to learn more about engineering, robotics, and more. Students Qua'Ron Pierce and Gannon Haddad went through the program this past school year, and you can read about their story on the district website. The hope is to continue and possibly expand opportunities in the future. Learn more about Edge AI at https://edgeaisolutions.com/

STEEL VALLEY FAMILY CENTER

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit serves every public school district in suburban Allegheny County with all kinds of resources and programs. The Steel Valley Family Center on Eighth Avenue is the hub for many of those programs for district residents. The family center focuses on healthy child development and parenting help through home visits, parent-child activities, parent support and information groups, access to community and human services, and much more. To learn more about the family centers, visit https://www.aiu3.net/students-and-families/family-needs-and-support/family-support-centers/

THE PITTSBURGH STUDY/UPMC

The district connected with The Pittsburgh Study several years ago and has implemented several of its programs across multiple grade levels. A joint venture between UPMC Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Study offers programs like Forging Hopeful Futures, which blends social emotional learning with career building; Expect Respect, which focuses on developing positive relationships and navigating social situations; the 3Rs program, which introduces students to racially affirming, age appropriate books with protagonists with whom our students identify and provides elementary students and families access to books; and much more. To learn more about which programs are available for Steel Valley students, visit our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page and reach out to Mr. Olando Dulin.

THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST

Every year, artists and educators from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust come to Park Elementary to work with each grade level. During each artist's time at Park, they help students connect their lessons with art in some fashion. It might be using dance to learn about how bodies move or crafting their own version of their favorite scene from a book they just read. Artists from the Cultural Trust have also visited Barrett Elementary as part of the school's annual Black History Month Living Interactive Museum celebration, and students of all grade levels in the district have gone to see performances hosted by the organization downtown.

TURTLE CREEK VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES

Mental and physical well-being is essential to academic success and growth. The Steel Valley School District has experienced staff who help our students and families every day. The district is fortunate to also have a partnership with TCV Community Services, which offers drug and alcohol counseling, behavioral health services, student assistance programs, and much more. Whether it's a student in need or a challenge at home, Steel Valley staff has a direct connection with TCV to provide any assistance the district can offer and ensure that our students and families thrive. Learn more at https://tcv.net/