The Whitehall Communities That Care group met May 17 to discuss updates in the school district, alternative presentations on social hosting and more.

Dr. Lorie Hackett, Whitehall-Coplay School District superintendent, outlined many of the new initiatives happening in the district.

One of the new updates involves mental health. The district is looking to add a school-based mental health program. It will be partnering with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“It’s been a need in our district,” Hackett said.

This will allow the district to provide mental health and psychiatric services directly to the students in the schools. Denise Continenza, CTC coordinator, mentioned in focus groups she has held previously with students that one of the primary causes for unhappiness at school centers around stress and anxiety. It was noted in earlier meetings some students have been known to have stress-induced panic attacks at school. This will give students a constructive and healthy outlet to seek assistance.

It was mentioned these services will be at no extra cost to the district. Hackett reported the district received assistance from the state to implement the program, and the services will run through health insurance.

Another initiative in the district involves trauma-informed training. Hackett reported United Way will train a handful of staff members who will then be accredited and certified in trauma-informed training. Having these trainers in the schools on a daily basis will help remind teachers of the vast tapestry of emotions and experiences in each student’s life. They will also serve as support for the teachers and offer insight on how to support their students despite what is going on in their lives outside of school.

The third factor Hackett discussed at the meeting regarded cultural realization. She noted there are several different cultures, ethnicities and languages existing within the school district.

The district worked with Faces International and held a series of surveys and focus groups in the schools and community. These surveys and focus groups helped the district identify 10 priorities it will be working on to help better and further cultural realization throughout the district.

Hackett made sure to mention how thankful she is to work with such an amazing team. She noted the teachers, staff and administration worked hard to identify the needs and continue to work to implement the changes.

“The programming we have through K-12 astounds me,” she said.

She was proud to note one of the initiatives, a more inclusive LGBTQ program, is already present in the district.

“I’m a big fan of what you’re doing,” said Michael Harakal Jr., Whitehall Township mayor, after her presentation. “Seeing what you face on a daily basis, it must be daunting.”

Hackett noted it is a process, and the district is committed to implementing positive changes step by step.

One of the issues the CTC continues to battle is social hosting. It was mentioned through the Pennsylvania Youth Survey and in student focus groups most students who drink alcohol obtain it from their parents. Some mention their parents would host parties and allow the students to drink as long as they do not leave the house. There are some parents who think this is a safer alternative.

CTC member Andy DeAngelo offered to make shorter videos detailing the dangers and consequences of social hosting. Continenza, who works at Penn State Extension, reported the group would be able to use Penn State Extension’s recording studio to make the videos.

DeAngelo said instead of listing facts and figures, these videos will center around real stories. The group is hoping the authenticity of the presentations will help make the information stick in people’s memories.

These videos would be posted on social media sites, as well as the school website and possibly the township website. This would allow parents to watch the videos in their own time, as opposed to attending a formal meeting. It was agreed this might be a more practical method of reaching parents and families with busy schedules.

DeAngelo added they could use these videos to stretch beyond Whitehall, too. He mentioned local colleges or other community groups may be interested in the videos as well.

Shari Noctor, chair of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, discussed the summer breakfast camp, which began June 17. There are two locations this year: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Coplay, and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fullerton. The program runs 8:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through Aug. 23. The students get not only a free breakfast and bagged lunch to take home, but they also take part in crafts, activities and reading time. There are also special themed weeks to keep the children excited and involved.

Noctor’s primary focus was a call for volunteers for these camps. She stressed how important these camps are to make sure the local children have enough food to eat when not supplied meals by the school. Volunteers keep the camps running and are integral to the success of the program.

For more information or to volunteer at the camp at St. John’s Lutheran Church, contact Lana Snyder at 610-533-1357; for the camp at Redeemed Christian Church of God, contact Pat Karo at 610-417-1579.

The Hunger Initiative is also looking for donations of food, craft supplies, books and games.

When offering recognition, Continenza made sure to offer thanks to the student volunteers who attend the monthly meetings. The input from these students is invaluable to the conversations had by CTC, she said.

The next CTC meeting will be 8:30 a.m. June 21 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3355 MacArthur Road, Whitehall.