River Valley administrators visit White House as part of 2 national programs

The U.S. Department of Education invited River Valley School District to the White House twice this summer.

In July, the district was recognized as part of the Rural Community of Practice as an exemplary school district that reimagines how the nation’s high schools prepare students to thrive in the workforce.

River Valley is one of only 13 school districts asked to participate in the nationwide initiative. The district includes students from Saltsburg, Blairsville and the surrounding area.

On Monday, district Superintendent Philip Martell traveled to Washington, D.C., for a summit to establish best practices and recommendations for schools to protect their digital infrastructure against cyber threats.

“Attacks like these impact millions of students, teachers and staff nationwide. It is a shared responsibility to minimize vulnerabilities to secure data and safeguard our schools,” Martell said. “River Valley School District is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with our nation’s leaders to ensure the defensibility of education’s digital and online framework.”

River Valley’s STEAM academy is a three-year model of workforce programs for students.

“Every one of our programs have work-based learning and career credentials that no other schools or programs are offering,” Martell said. “The student impact will be in the future as we share best practices by our students with the other districts. They are truly the ambassadors for our district because they see the success first hand.”

The Rural Community of Practice’s four key initiatives to unlocking career success are dual enrollment, work-based learning, workforce credentials and career advising and navigation.

Additional schools participating in the workforce program are from Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho and California.

“River Valley School District is making great strides in developing K-12 career pathway opportunities and creating programs that prepare students to thrive in their futures,” school board President Rick Harper said. “Earning national recognition for the second time this school year is an honor, and we look forward to continuing to open doors to new opportunities and partnerships for our students.”

Martell said the district is expecting a visit from the U.S. secretary of education, or deputy secretary, this fall.