PARENT TOOLKIT PROVIDE SUPPORT AT HOME
Parents can join the conversation with this family discussion starter. Additional information on the warning signs of prescription opioid misuse and a guide to prevention and intervention empower families to reach out.
Download a copy of the Operation Prevention toolkit at www. operationprevention. com.
Superintendent Dr. William Kerr, in his closing remarks at the forum, said reversing the opioid epidemic will require a total commitment on the part of the School District and the greater Norwin community.“ Without question, the opioid and heroin crisis is the most critical challenge facing our region and one that we as school and community leaders must continue to address collectively,” Dr. Kerr said.
There is a component of Operation Prevention for the high school level, and by Fall 2017, there will be an elementary age-appropriate curriculum available, Dr. Kerr said.“ The evaluation of our Middle School pilot program will determine implementation at the elementary and high school levels,” Dr. Kerr said.
Operation Prevention is research-based, embraces best practices, and provides a scope and sequence of lessons with associated resources. It is exactly the type of addendum curriculum which can be integrated within a school’ s Health curriculum and one in which the FBI Pittsburgh H. O. P. E. research committee wanted to offer school districts across southwestern Pennsylvania.“ And, as chairman of the FBI H. O. P. E. Education Committee, I am very pleased that our Board of Education approved the curriculum pilot project for the Norwin Middle School,” Dr. Kerr said.
Mrs. Jennifer Miele, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Excela Health, served as Master of Ceremonies. More than a dozen health agencies set up display tables and exhibits for the parents to browse available services and prevention information. There was also time for the public to ask questions and receive answers.
Dr. Kerr will be leading efforts to create a K-12 Operation Prevention Advisory Committee, which will include parents and community representatives, to fully engage key stakeholders to help address the opioid and heroin epidemic.
“ We’ re going to build upon all the existing programs and resources that have been in place through our health curriculum, as well as those provided through our partnerships with outside agencies,” Dr. Kerr said.“ Our highest priority is to ensure that we have done all we can so that no individual or family experiences the negative impact of opioids and heroin.”
Success Starts Here: Norwin Recognizes Board During
School Director Recognition Month
ABOVE: The Norwin Board of Education. Front Row( L-R): Mrs. Barbara A. Viola, Vice President; Dr. Becky A. Gediminskas; Mrs. Darlene J. Ciocca; Dr. Tracey L. Czajkowski. Back Row( L-R): Mr. Shawn N. Petrisko; Mr. Robert J. Perkins, President; Mr. Donald W. Rhodes, Jr.; Mr. Dennis J. Rittenhouse; Mr. Albert C. Lynn.
Pennsylvania public schools educate nearly 2 million students, and approximately 5,200 of those students are enrolled in the Norwin School District. Norwin parents, teachers, administrators, school bus drivers, and cafeteria aides all play a vital role in the success of students.
Each January, we also pause to salute another group of nine people who spend dozens of hours each month voluntarily leading our schools and making difficult decisions – they are the School Directors.
Superintendent Dr. William Kerr acknowledged the Board of Education for its leadership and dedication toward improving the quality of education during a special presentation at the regular Board meeting on Monday, January 16, 2017.
Elementary students, led by Hahntown Elementary School, created cards and artwork to give in appreciation of School Director Recognition Month.
School directors volunteer, on average, 25 hours a month as policymakers. The Board of Education makes difficult decisions for the betterment of our students. They vote on multi-million dollar budgets, hire personnel, approve textbooks, review curriculum, and decide capital improvements, to name a few.
The Board is also committed to growth and professional development. In January, the Board was provided with the results of a Self-Assessment Survey that members had taken through the Pennsylvania School Boards Association( PSBA) for professional development. The mission of PSBA is to promote excellence in school board governance through leadership, service and advocacy for public education, and has assisted school boards in conducting board self-assessments for more than 25 years. The questions in PSBA’ s board self-assessment are based on the PSBA Principles for Governance and Leadership.
During this month of recognition, Norwin School District asks its residents, staff, and students to show their appreciation for their dedicated service and for making our students’ success a top priority.
orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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