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Steel Valley School District News
Back to School '24: Dr. Brian Plichta brings versatility, experience as new assistant superintendent
During his 25 years as an educator in the West Mifflin School District, Dr. Brian Plichta held a number of titles. He was a social studies teacher, the federal programs coordinator, a comprehensive plan coordinator, led the district’s cyber academy, and served as a principal at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. As Steel Valley School District’s new assistant superintendent, that diverse background will help Dr. Plichta offer the guidance and support that students and staff deserve.
In late August, Brandon Escobar will begin taking studying physical therapy at the Community College of Allegheny County. It’s a position he’d have never imagined being in several years ago as his grades languished. But thanks to the influence of teachers like Mr. Jeffrey Deabner, Mr. Larry McKern, and Mrs. Mariann Reilly, as well as a change in his own mindset, Escobar is on a new, positive path. He shared his story in the hopes that it'll help other students in need of a change.
As the school year rapidly draws closer, Dan McCarriar is running through checklists both large and small. Hired as the director of technology for the Steel Valley School District in May, Mr. McCarriar has been busy all summer preparing for the return of students and teachers on August 22 and August 23.
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. 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.
Founded by Steel Valley alum and former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and his wife Tasha, the Best of the Batch Foundation offers a wide range of programs and activities for the Steel Valley School District.
The Steel Valley School District is proud to have a number of long-standing relationships with various community partners and local organizations. One of the district’s longest partnerships is with MUSA, which offers after school programming at Barrett and Park Elementary Schools.
Last spring, Steel Valley opened a restorative tardy room at the high school to address chronic tardiness. There was a strong, positive response, and the district will utilize the room for the high school and middle school this year. There are also changes in place for students returning from out-of-school suspensions. Learn more about both policies.
The Steel Valley School District is excited to introduce its in-house Pre-Kindergarten program, which will be operated out of Barrett Elementary. There will be two classrooms in the kindergarten wing dedicated to Pre-K students. Each classroom will be staffed by a teacher and a paraprofessional.
Steel Valley Youth Basketball is hoping to join the White Oak basketball league this winter to help our young boys and girls develop their basketball skills. We need volunteers with organizational skills to launch this fantastic opportunity.
The Steel Valley School District would like to invite parents and students to join us for our Meet the Principal Nights as we get ready for the school year.
Congratulations to Steel Valley Middle School student Naomi Barnes, who earned first place in Duquesne University's Juneteenth Short Essay Contest.
The Steel Valley School District is thrilled to announce the construction of a new elementary school that will bring the district’s elementary students together for the first time and unite the entire K-12 student body on one campus. The Steel Valley School District Board of Directors formally approved the motion to award the general construction contract to Pittsburgh-based Rycon Construction, Inc. during its board meeting on Thursday, June 20. Construction is tentatively expected to be completed in August 2026 in time for the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
A new program called Summer EBT, or “SUN Bucks,” has been authorized by a bipartisan U.S. Congress to provide food dollars to low-income families with school-aged children over the summer months. For the summer of 2024, a household will receive $120 Summer EBT/SUN Bucks benefit (which equals $40 for each summer month) for every eligible child in the household. If multiple eligible students are in a household, the benefit will be combined into one issuance amount. The benefit will be issued to the family’s existing state EBT card (for SNAP or TANF) or on a new SUN Bucks card that is mailed, in most cases, to the household contact and address DHS has on file for that household.
Her senior presentation in high school caused severe anxiety. Years later, Dr. Taylor Clementoni spoke with confidence in front of a much larger crowd as the guest speaker for the Steel Valley High School Class of 2024's commencement ceremony. The opportunity was a full circle moment for the Steel Valley alum, who shared more about her journey from prospective orthodontist to Director of Program Development at UPMC's Western Psychiatric Hospital.
The wind blew, storm clouds threatened, and rain occasionally fell, but as Steel Valley High School's 53rd annual commencement ceremony progressed at William V. Campbell Field in Munhall, the sun emerged. Though its appearance was brief, it helped keep the rain away and served as a beacon to usher the Class of 2024 into their future.
The annual Senior Class Breakfast took place on Thursday, May 23. The seniors had the opportunity to share a final social event together before rehearsals for their commencement ceremony. This year, the Senior Class officers chose “Blast from the Past” as the theme for the breakfast. Some seniors wore clothing like they had worn as youngsters and they even made Slime and used the Rainbow Loom to make friendship bracelets like they did when they were growing up.
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The Steel Valley School District Board of Directors has hired Dr. Brian Plichta as Assistant Superintendent of Schools. The Board of Directors officially voted to approve Dr. Plichta’s hiring during its voting meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Dr. Plichta will work with Superintendent of Schools Mr. Bryan M. Macuga to oversee the district’s curriculum, instructional strategies, professional development, and management of federal programs.
The Steel Valley Middle School Drama Club was busy the last couple of months preparing a short program of scenes and monologues. On Thursday afternoon, they showcased those scenes during a brief performance in front of family and friends in the auditorium.
Mother Nature was very kind to the Class of 2024 and decided not to rain on their parade. Instead, we had warm temperatures, sunshine, and blue skies as the Steel Valley Class of 2024 enjoyed the annual car parade through the district Wednesday evening.
Whether it was appreciating the beauty of nature, the power of friendship, or the discovery of self, Barrett Elementary students shared a message of joy, love, and togetherness with their spring concert on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Tuesday night was the second half of the spring concert series at the high school and middle school. This time it was the chance for the fifth and sixth graders to shine and showcase how they've progressed over the past year.
With less than two weeks left in the school year, fourth graders from Barrett Elementary and Park Elementary received a glimpse of what next year holds in store for them through the district's annual Step Up Day.
Middle school and high school students in grades 5 through 11 should return their district iPads on the specific days listed below. Please take a moment to read this letter that details the process to properly return this equipment.
Graduating seniors should return their district iPads on their last day of finals. Please take a moment to read this letter that details the process to properly return this equipment.