McKeesport Area School District leaders host ‘community conversations’

By Jim Busch
For the MVI
McKeesport Area School District officials hosted the second annual series of “Community Conversations” this week to engage with residents in an informal setting.
The first of four sessions kicked off Monday at Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall. Superintendent Dr. Tia M. Wanzo and seven district administrators fielded questions from the public in a town hall format. The meeting also gave the public an opportunity to meet new McKeesport Area School District police Chief Brenda Sawyer.
Several people expressed concerns about fights and violence in the schools.
Wanzo said that district’s top priority is student safety. The panel noted that the reports of violence in the school that the public hears about “on the street or on Facebook,” are often blown out of proportion.
The district contracted with Pressley Ridge to support their efforts to prevent violence. Pressley Ridge brings YESS (Youth Engagement Support Services) teams to the school to assist faculty members. The YESS team members are trained to deescalate potentially violent situations and position themselves in the hallways, bus areas and other places where fights typically flare up.
The school district has also ramped up its mental health programs providing proactively support for student’s psychological health from K-12, leaders said.

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