TECHNOLOGY NEWS
BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HELP DESK
Brentwood Borough School District recognized a gap in technology services . Many students needed help gaining access to their devices . Student tech helpers are gaining real-world skills , such as experience juggling multiple projects , timelines , providing customer service , not to mention troubleshooting hardware and software . All the work serves as preparation for the future beyond school while also supporting the educational community .
The Technology Department started a pilot program for students in grades 9-12 at the High School . Students were interviewed and given procedures and guidelines of what would be expected . With great success , the Student Help Desk was implemented into our daily schedules . Currently , five students are working with the IT Department during the day with simple troubleshooting of devices , administering loaner devices / chargers , and fixing or repairing of devices . If this sounds like something you or your child would enjoy , time slots for additional students to join the program will be offered in the Spring of 2024 .
BRENTWOOD MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH ADAGIO HEALTH
Brentwood Middle / High School partnered with Adagio Health to provide students with information regarding teen vaping . According to many experts , vaping has become a national epidemic among teenagers and is even being seen with students as young as elementary school .
Each year , the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) conducts a “ National Youth Tobacco Survey .” According to the most recent results from the 2022 survey , 11.3 % of middle and high school students reported using a tobacco product within the past 30 days . However , when it comes to e-cigarette use , the percentage of middle and high school students who have used in the past 30 days increases to 14.1 %.
Two representatives from Adagio Health met with Brentwood Middle and High School students during two separate assembly programs to share the impact that vaping can have on developing bodies . The students were told that the assembly was not designed to ‘ scare ’ them , but rather to inform them of the consequences of vaping so they can make positive decisions for themselves . After discussing statistics related to teen vaping in Pennsylvania , it was noted that the numbers are even higher than average in Allegheny County .
During the assembly , several specific topics were explored including : the physical and psychological impact of nicotine
addiction , the impact of vaping on internal organs , myths regarding vaping versus tobacco cigarettes , and how advertising is used to market vapes to underage students . Toward the end of the assembly , the impact of vaping and smoking on the lungs was demonstrated as student volunteers engaged in physical activity while breathing through a straw .
As part of their community outreach to prevent underage vaping , Adagio Health has partnered with TRU ( Tobacco Resistance Unit ) to promote leadership among students in discussing alcohol and tobacco related issues . TRU is a statewide program overseen by the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco ( PACT ) and the American Lung Association . The TRU program supports the efforts of students between the ages of 12-18 to stay tobacco and nicotine free through education and teaches students how to live a healthy lifestyle . The Brentwood Middle School ‘ Teens That Care ( TTC )’ club will be partnering with Adagio Health for their annual Red Ribbon Week , and Brentwood students will have the opportunity to get connected with the TRU program and serve as leaders in their community .
Brentwood Middle / High School would like to thank Adagio Health for helping to educate our students about these important topics that are facing teenagers throughout the nation . For more information about the TRU program , you can visit ‘ Tobacco Free Agadio Health .’
rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ WINTER 2023 73