Whitehall-Coplay Communities That Care met virtually Aug. 21 to continue discussing the analyzation of the 2019 Pennsylvania Youth Survey data.

CTC moderator Denise Continenza combined the information and observations shared during the previous meetings in an effort to centralize the data and make it easier for the group to identify the priorities they will focus on for the next few years.

The survey revealed the number of students reporting drinking alcohol and using cigarettes has declined, and the Whitehall-Coplay numbers were lower than the county, state and national averages for both categories. The numbers for students in the area reporting using prescription pain relievers and hard drugs were very low.

The number of students who reported vaping, specifically nicotine and marijuana, is trending upward.

The question of access to alcohol and drugs arose during discussion. It was noted with parents working longer hours or working multiple jobs, children may have more access to alcohol or prescriptions in the home.

The number of students who reported gambling decreased across most grades, with the exception of Internet gambling in sixth grade. It was also noted among the students who reported they gamble, the habit of lying about their gambling has increased.

The group was curious as to what these students consider gambling and what is included in those numbers. It was mentioned fantasy football is considered gambling.

When it comes to students’ feelings about school, higher numbers of students reported feeling praised by their teachers for their efforts and lower numbers of students reported being bullied.

However, students reported feeling a decrease in the rate of adults responding to bullying. This led to a discussion about whether the bullying is more secret and harder to observe or if students are not reporting bullying as much. It was noted the adults cannot address the issue if they do not know it is there.

Jon Irons, with Communities in Schools, asked if the downward trend of students feeling safe in school is related to demographic shifts in the district. Continenza said she would reach out to the PAYS administrators to see if the data can be organized by ethnicity.

When it comes to social and emotional health, the rate of youths worried about not having enough food decreased across all grade levels. It was noted this survey was taken in 2019 - before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of students who reported being depressed or sad, while lower than past years, remains a higher percentage. A higher number of students who reported being bullied have said they attempted suicide than those who did not.

Among the students who reported high depressive symptoms reported lower rates of alcohol and tobacco use than their peers across the state. Continenza noted this means they have developed alternate coping mechanisms and supports.

Parental monitoring is high in the area, with 92 percent of students reporting their parents know where they are and who they are with.

It was also noted the students reported their ease of access to handguns is low and has been decreasing since 2015.

In other discussion, Mike Daniels, of Creative Treatment Solutions, recommended students bring two masks with them when they report to school in person - one mask for the morning and a second for the afternoon.

William Fonzone, Whitehall-Coplay School Board member, shared his support for the two-mask idea and noted he will mention it at an upcoming WCSB meeting.

The CTC next meets Sept. 18. At this meeting, the group will finalize the priorities to focus on for the next few years.