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5 Things You Should Know about Baldwin High School Social Worker, Annette Giovanazzi aldwin-Whitehall BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
1. Her parents instilled in her a value of helping others.“ I knew from GET an early age that TO I wanted to work KN in a helping profession. My parents were excellent role models for me and
BWSD Alumni my siblings. They volunteered in the community and, growing up, our house was always open to everyone.” Dr. Giovanazzi earned her Bachelor’ s and Master’ s Degrees in Social Work, and Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Master’ s Degree in Education from Carlow University.
2. She counsels high school students and teaches graduate students. In addition to her role as a high-school social worker, Dr. Giovanazzi is an adjunct faculty-member at the University of Pittsburgh in the Graduate School of Social Work and in the Graduate School of Education.
3. She sees her role as part of a caring network created by the District.“ Young people have so much to deal with today. There are more stressors within families, and student issues are more complicated because of this. To have the opportunity to help young people work through their issues and develop positive coping and problem-solving skills has been most fulfilling. Second, I love what I do because of the staff at BHS. I have been incredibly blessed to work with such kind, caring, and generous colleagues. Their unwavering support of my role as
BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT SPEAKS OUT ON OPIOID ADDICTION
In response to a national Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness campaign, and in support of Governor Tom Wolf’ s efforts to combat addiction in Pennsylvania, the Baldwin- Whitehall School District joined the fight with several programs to address this growing concern.
Later this month, watch for WTAE-TV’ s prime-time news program, Chronicle, to feature a special report with Sally Wiggin on Pennsylvania’ s opioid epidemic, featuring interviews with BWSD students, family and administration, among many others working together on the front lines.
In October, Saltworks Theatre visited BHS and presented Off Script, a play that addressed the misuse of prescription drugs that can lead to heroin and overdoses. In addition to the performance, a community member who lost her grandchild to an overdose spoke to the student body. She gave a poignant and personal account of her granddaughter’ s struggle with addiction.
The Baldwin-Whitehall School District, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency( DEA), provided a community event that focused on the opioid epidemic in late October. A 45-minute documentary entitled Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict was shown at Baldwin High School. This film featured blunt, first-person accounts told by individuals who have abused opioids with tragic consequences. Community service providers were also on-hand to answer questions and provide resources to students, parents, and community members.
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a social worker has made all the difference. Third, my fellow social workers in the School District. They go above and beyond every day to help our students and families, especially those less fortunate. Finally, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for their long-standing commitment to providing social-work services in schools. The leadership understands that until non-academic needs are met, it will be hard for students to achieve academic goals.”
4. She counsels students who face complex pressures.“ Of course, the pressure to use substances like alcohol and marijuana continue to present challenges for students. I also see students having more anxiety, anger, and depression due to stressors in their lives and in their families.” Over the course of the year, she sees around 150 students, some just a few times, others on a long-term basis.
5. She’ s a shutterbug.“ One thing that students might not know about me is that I love taking pictures. I am an amateur photographer and take pictures for family events, and I always have my camera with me when I travel.”
Get to Know the District Team will feature five things to learn about a Baldwin-Whitehall School District employee in each issue.
Operation Prevention was facilitated through Discovery Education and the DEA. This program was held at Harrison Middle School on October 25, 2016 and designed to provide teachers, students, and parents with digital resources needed to combat the national opioid epidemic. Operation Prevention is an important effort to educate students about the science behind drug addiction and its impact, with resources that help initiate lifesaving conversations in the home and classroom.
On February 16, 2017, a parent program was held in the auditorium at Harrison Middle School, in which a representative from Gateway Rehabilitation presented information on current trends in adolescent drug use.