District Hosts In-School , Evening Online Safety Programs for Students , Families
TJ Educator Named PA Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Thomas Jefferson High School educator Jennifer McHugh was named the 2024 SHAPE PA High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year . SHAPE ( Society of Health and Physical Educators ) selected McHugh for her leadership , dedication , professionalism , and service to Thomas Jefferson High School and the community .
McHugh has taught in the West Jefferson Hills School District for 19 years and has been a teacher for 24 years . She said she was shocked to learn she was nominated for the award last spring and even more surprised to learn she received it just before the start of the new school year .
“ I am so grateful to be named the 2024 SHAPE PA High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year ,” said McHugh . “ Receiving this statewide honor makes you feel like all of the hard work you put in has paid off .”
SHAPE America , with state affiliates across the country , advocates for more than 200,000 health and physical education professionals in the United States . SHAPE has crafted physical education standards that have served as the framework for educators to deliver high quality instruction and make a positive difference in American schools .
McHugh was honored at an awards ceremony in November .
est Jefferson Hills WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS cKeesport
CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
District Hosts In-School , Evening Online Safety Programs for Students , Families
The West Jefferson Hills School District , in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police and AAA , connected students in fifth through twelfth grades and district families with informative and eye-opening programs about online safety .
Trooper Rocco Gagliardi with the Pennsylvania State Police spent the day on Monday , September 23 at the West Jefferson Hills School District . During the day , he gave age-appropriate presentations to fifth graders , Pleasant Hills Middle School students , and Thomas Jefferson High School students . During these 30-minute presentations , Trooper Gagliardi taught students about gaming , social media use , and the fingerprints – not physical ones , but rather digital fingerprints – they leave online that can be traced
46 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS by investigators and tracked by cyber criminals .
Trooper Gagliardi did not try to convince the students to stop using social media or stop playing games online , something he says is not realistic or sustainable . Rather , he gave them suggestions on steps they can take immediately to better protect themselves when they are online . Not only can they ensure their accounts are private , but they should avoid using any parts of their names in their usernames , stop adding the locations to their posts in Instagram or Snapchat , and wait before posting photos when they are at an event .
That evening , Trooper Gagliardi hosted an informational session for West Jefferson Hills families . The presentation , entitled “ In the Know ,” gave a more comprehensive look at the dangers facing today ’ s kids
and teens online , as well as the future of artificial intelligence . Trooper Gagliardi also discussed recent drug trends impacting teens and young adults in Western Pennsylvania as well as schemes including skimming and scam phone calls . Following the hour-and-a-half presentation inside the Thomas Jefferson High School theater , parents were able to talk with Trooper Gagliardi , take a look at a skimming device that was installed by criminals at a retail store , and see firsthand what AI platforms like ChatGPT can create in a matter of seconds .
The West Jefferson Hills School District thanks Trooper Gagliardi , the Pennsylvania State Police , and AAA for providing these valuable resources to West Jefferson Hills students , families , and staff .