IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2018 | Page 80

Dr. Peretin Graduates FBI Citizens Academy
Dr. Janeen Peretin, Baldwin-Whitehall School District’s Director of Information and Instructional Technology, was recently selected to
attend the FBI Citizens Academy. The FBI Citizens Academy is an engaging eight week program that provides business, religious, civic,
and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. Classes met in the evening at the FBI Pittsburgh field office. The goal of the FBI Citizens
Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of the FBI in the community through frank discussions and education, as well
as provide the FBI with a greater understanding of the community that it serves. Dr. Peretin will now serve as an FBI ambassador in the
district and the community. In this capacity, she will help to demystify
and spread the word about all the work the FBI does to protecting
all people in the United States and Americans around the world. Dr.
Peretin shares, “During the eight week program, I had the honor of
meeting men and women who have dedicated their lives to upholding
the FBI’s mission, which is to protect the American people and uphold
the Constitution of the United States.”
Each week of the program focused on the FBI’s priorities which are:
protect the United States from terrorist attack; protect civil rights;
protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and
espionage; combat transnational/national criminal organizations and
enterprises; protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and
high-technology crimes; combat major white-collar crime; combat
significant violent crime; and combat public corruption at all levels.
During the group’s final class, the 48 participants visited one of the
Pictured left to right: First Assistant United States Attorney Western
FBI’s local training facilities, where they observed a bomb technician
District of Pennsylvania, Steve Kaufman, Dr. Janeen Peretin, and Special
Agent in Charge FBI Pittsburgh Division, Robert Johnson
demonstration, learned about the laws that govern the use of force,
and participated in a S.W.A.T. and shoot/don’t shoot simulation,
where participants quickly learn about the level of stress and
mere seconds that agents have to make an informed decision
when presented with situations in the field.
Dr. Peretin found the experience deeply beneficial. She
reflects, “As an organization, the FBI has a clear mission, vision,
priorities, and values which are all understood and embodied
in the individuals that I had the opportunity of learning
from during the program. I believe that this is a lesson for all
organizations. As a graduate of this program, I have an even
greater sense of respect for the men and women who place
themselves in harm’s way, every day, all in an effort to keep the
citizens of our country safe.”
Superintendent Invents Day of Caring to Serve Senior Citizens’ Requests
for Household Repairs and Chores
This spring, school Superintendent Dr. Randal A. Lutz instituted a new program, the Day of Caring, in which he and all of his administration,
teachers and professional staff take a day to care for senior citizens who live in the three communities that our District serves.
When the Day of Caring was announced, seniors were encouraged to contact the District with their needs and the calls poured in. In the
latest of many events serving seniors, on May 4th, school staff mowed, planted, fixed, and painted in homes and organizations around the
area. Dr. Lutz and our District’s teachers and staff advocate caring by doing.
Dr. Lutz grew up in Baldwin and has a special affinity for making sure senior citizens are taken care of and connected with the District. Dr.
Lutz shared, “We have a strong and vibrant community that’s composed of residents of all ages. The needs of our senior citizens are no less
important than the needs of our seniors in high school, and these two groups have much to give each other. We are glad to give back to those
elders in our community who have already given us so much.”
The event made a profound difference in the lives of those served, not only through tasks that were accomplished, but through
connections formed. One resident expressed her appreciation for the help she received on her flower bed, a task she used to enjoy doing
herself: “I used to do it; I don’t anymore. I am very happy to have such nice people thinking about me, to do something like this. It means so
much to me.”
78
brentwood-baldwin-whitehall