At the Oct. 15 Whitehall-Coplay Communities That Care meeting, coalition members heard reports on the programs happening in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.

Denise Continenza, Penn State Extension educator and CTC mobilizer, detailed some of the programs offered by Valley Youth House in the district. She noted the information came from VYH representative Ashley Dallas.

She reported VYH is planning to start the Second Step program in grades K-5 as soon as it receives grant funding.

Additionally, the CBITS and Bounce Back programs will be offered in the district. CBITS stands for Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools. These programs target students who have experienced trauma and have been shown to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms, as well as psychological dysfunction, in those students.

Continenza said the Life Skills training is underway in the health classes.

She also noted a Strengthening Families program will be held in the spring. This program will be a joint effort with Catasauqua Area School District. According to Continenza, the group has been recertifying instructors and training new people to be prepared for the spring session. More information will be available closer to the start of the program.

Regarding hunger awareness in the district, Michelle Khouri, WCSD registrar and community outreach, shared a report from Shari Noctor, president of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative. Reportedly, the Oct. 14 WCHI pantry distribution saw record numbers of people coming out for food, including families with school-aged children.

Khouri sends a message out to the families with students who receive free or reduced-price lunches the day before the distributions to help spread the word to anyone who could use the extra food. This system has reportedly been effective the past few months.

Khouri also mentioned volunteers sent bags of food home with 170 students through the Snack Pack Pals program over the Columbus Day weekend. Snack Pack Pals sends bags of food home with students who may need the extra food during long weekends. There will be more of these distributions with the holiday season approaching.

Additionally, there was discussion about Operation Warm Coat. Whitehall Area Rotary Club partners with Operation Warm Coat to purchase coats at cost for students in need. Continenza reported the Rotary Club received a grant for $2,000 to help buy the coats. She noted they will be purchasing 100 coats - 70 for WCSD students and 30 for CASD students.

Regarding the mental health and well-being of students, Tatiana Berrios, WCSD supervisor of educational equity, reported the district is planning an after-school opportunity in mindfulness for students and their parents. This program, expected to begin in January 2022, will run once a week for three weeks and will travel throughout the various school buildings. This will allow any student the chance to participate. This program is made possible by ESSER grants.

Berrios also noted Touchstone Theatre, based in Bethlehem, will be offering the Building Bridges program at some of the district schools. This program is intended to serve students with emotional, social and behavioral difficulties by utilizing theater and creative drama to facilitate cultural competency, self-awareness and communication. The program typically runs twice a week for six weeks.

By the end of the program, students will have created an original performance they can share with classmates, teachers, counselors and family. It has been reported the program impacts verbal and nonverbal communication, increased self control, improved critical thinking skills, enriched problem solving skills, increased self esteem and a stronger sense of community.

Continenza noted past Pennsylvania Youth Survey data has indicated students do not always feel a strong connection with the outside community, and this program will help make those connections.

The 2021 PAYS is being implemented in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. It was reported Whitehall-Coplay Middle School students have already taken the survey, and Whitehall High School students are scheduled to take the survey Nov. 8 and 9.

Khouri reported she and Berrios are getting out in the community and working with Newhard Pharmacy, Northampton, to bring COVID-19 vaccine clinics to some of the apartment complexes in the township. She mentioned using Mickley Run, Park View and Willow Crest. Neighboring apartment complexes will be encouraged to come to one of those three to receive the vaccine.

She also reported the district received grant funding to help with homelessness through the American Rescue Plan. They are currently working on ideas of how to use the funds. Some possible ideas include helping with temporary housing, assisting with student fees, providing technological help, such as mobile hot spots, and more.

“The possibilities are endless,” Khouri said.

The CTC next meets 8:30 a.m. Nov. 19.