DUQUESNE, Pa. — The Duquesne City School Board unanimously passed a resolution this week, aimed at preventing school violence and increasing mental health support for students and families.
Superintendent Sue Mariani told Channel 11 that the resolution came following nationwide reports of violence occurring within schools, “most recently within Virginia.”
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Dr. Mariani said that the resolution is meant to make sure “that everyone knows we do take this is a top priority, so making it public, and making sure that parents and the community feel comfortable sending their kids to school, knowing we are taking all measures to make sure kids are safe in the building.”
The resolution, which you can view here, reads that “the Duquesne City community has an unfortunate history of being a witness to gun violence, as such, the District understands the urgency and importance of school safety and security.”
Parent Keyona Butler told Channel 11 that she believes the community has “wonderful” programs for families, including the Duquesne Family Support Center, but said that some parents aren’t aware of the resources available to them.
“I think the school should send papers home, letting parents know that we have services,” she said. “In order to curb the violence, I think honestly it starts in the household, it starts with the parents.”
The resolution does affirm that “the School District is committed to working collaboratively with our local Parent–Teacher Association and Organizations to share school safety and security information and resources in our school community through newsletters, social media, at events, and through PTA communications.”
Butler said she was pleased to hear that. “When you build great children, you build a great nation.”
Butler complimented her children’s teachers and principals but said the district could use more training in the realm of mental health services.
“We have a lot of children in the community who have mental health issues,” she said. “Parents don’t know where to turn.”
The district’s resolution states that “evidence Based Intervention Strategies in the area of social, emotional, and mental health are critical preventive measures to reduce school violence and create greater psychological safety for all staff and students.”
Dr. Mariani told Channel 11 that the district has recently beefed up staff to accommodate and prioritize mental health needs, including hiring a new social worker.
“We hired a coordinator of mental behavioral health, we have a school counselor, we have a school psychologist,” the top district leader said. “Really making sure that we’re addressing all of those mental health needs that our students come to school with.”
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