At the Sept. 17 Whitehall-Coplay Communities That Care meeting, coalition members discussed the mental well-being of students.

Casey Sbat, a school-based therapist with Lehigh Valley Health Network working in the Whitehall-Coplay School District, reported many of last year’s “high risk” students have already shown dramatic improvement this year.

Ashley Dallas, from Valley Youth House, reported members are working to implement social/emotional learning programming in grades K-3. She also noted the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools program is starting in fifth grade and at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School. This program is a cognitive behavioral intervention for students who experienced trauma.

Similarly, Bounce Back will be the trauma-informed care program for grades K-4.

Jennifer Hanley reported the Center for Humanistic Change is still working on getting programs going, including Project Success at WCMS and Whitehall High School.

Denise Continenza, CTC moderator and a Penn State Extension educator, mentioned the Life Skills program is up and running for sixth through ninth grades. This class is taught as part of the health curriculum.

Kristen Holben, a program manager with LVHN’s Weller Health Education, is helping arrange a virtual presentation for parents and families explaining COVID-19 fatigue and understanding its impacts and how to help. This program is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and will be visible on the LVHN and Whitehall Area Rotary Club websites.

Shari Noctor, president of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, reported the Snack Pack Pals program is feeding approximately 200 households in the WCSD, including St. Elizabeth Regional School. She noted the group is able to increase the number and feed more students.

She also said volunteers are resuming the WCHI community meals. Due to an increase in participants at the latest WCHI pantry food distribution, Noctor was concerned the community meals would be inundated, so she is arranging to have more food than originally planned.

She reported the organization is in need of volunteers and that it would be a good opportunity for students who need volunteer service hours. These volunteers could help with the pantry distributions and the community meals.

A question was asked about a recent TikTok social media trend called “a devious lick,” which involves vandalism and damage to school property, particularly the bathrooms. A group member questioned if this problem has been seen in WCSD.

“It’s been here for about three weeks,” replied Jeffrey Krempasky, WCMS assistant principal. “It’s here, but it’s minor.”

He reported minor damage has been reported in the middle and high schools, such as things being pulled off walls and soap and toilet paper being spread around.

He said they have been lucky so far in that other students are reporting when they see damage, so it is easier for administrators and security to catch the culprits.

Continenza reported the Pennsylvania Youth Survey will be implemented this year. The results will be tabulated and compiled into data the CTC will use to plan for the future.