Reflection: Milestones

Part B: 2021-2022 Year-in-Review

Reflection: Milestones Achieved

The idea to introduce a mural was one of the first strategies that Diehl’s CSLT thought up to help improve school culture. The idea was to depict literature titles that had characters who resembled our student population, which is diverse and multi-cultural. It took two years, but with the help of Mercyhurst University’s Art Therapy department, you will now find a mural outside of Diehl’s library that celebrates reading and our student population. When the students first saw the mural at the start of the school year, they could be overheard saying comments such as, “that girl looks like my cousin” or “hey, she has hair just like me.” Diehl students seeing themselves positively represented in the hallways helps communicate that they are an important part of the school culture and community.

Library Mural

Vision to Learn Comes to Diehl

Data shows that over 25% of Diehl’s students fail their eye-screening. As a result, it has been a prioritized strategy in Diehl’s Action Plan to provide students who need vision supports with quality eye-care. Diehl was selected as one of three EPS schools to participate in a pilot program with the organization Vision to Learn. Eye exams were administered to 41 students, all of whom qualified for and received new eyeglasses – all free of charge! Vision to Learn will be an ongoing partner of Diehl going forward, with an expected return to the school in Fall 2022.