Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School
Minutes of Health Advisory Council Meeting
January 29, 2003

Call to order: 9:00 A. M.

Members present: Reference attached.

Council Members were provided with a copy of the YRBS survey summary and Unified Crime Data Report for their review. Discussion followed. Steve Bradshaw also asked the council members to review these documents with the intent of formulating the goals and objectives of the health program, particularly those goals which address issues of drug use and violence.

Steve Bradshaw informed the council of the recent DOE Program Review of our Safe and Drug Free Grant and the steps Bristol-Plymouth would take to execute the resulting corrective action plan and achieve compliance with grant regulations. He thanked the new parents for attending and encouraged their continued active participation on the Health Advisory Council.

Jane Silveira reviewed health education activities since our Spring 2002 meeting:

• Development of a comprehensive health performance assessment that aligns with the curriculum and the health frameworks. The assessment measures knowledge and skills related to instruction as the students exit the health program.
• Reviewed results of Sept 2002 YRBS. Highlighted major areas of concern. Discussion followed. Recommendations recorded.
• Reviewed and compared results of parent and teacher surveys. Discussion followed. Recommendations recorded.
• Provided an overview of health presentations provided for the student body including Project Youth at MCI Norfolk attended by SADD. Student Cherice Bradsher described Project Youth as “Very Powerful” experience. Discussion and questioning followed.
• Reviewed progress on existing goals through student evaluations. Discussion followed.
• Described the Southeast 5 A Day Coalition sponsored by DPH and the strategic plan to improve nutrition/school lunch, offer healthier choices, and get food service directors involved. Jane Silveira stated she had attended the network meeting and will invite Tom Goebel Food Service Manager to the next meeting. Kathy Driscoll stated her pleasure in seeing B-P’s efforts to address nutrition issues as a school community.
• Jane Silveira announced the upcoming Massachusetts Healthy School Summit sponsored by DOE and her intention to attend with Tom Goebel.
• Jane announced the submission of a grant application to the Mass Governors Highway Safety Council. $1000 to sponsor safety campaigns focused on underage drinking, impaired driving and seat belt use.

Jane Silveira asked council members to consider what has been completed thus far and solicited comments and suggestions for topics and issues council members felt needed immediate attention. Two specific issues were raised:

• Student attitudes toward marijuana use,
• Bullying through the use of the internet.

Discussion followed:

Jane Silveria stated that internet issues are discussed as a part of the current health program and as a component of our technology use policy.

Joe Pacheco shared his impressions of Project Youth, recommended that every student in every grade see it.

Kathleen Driscoll discussed the public focus on obesity. Pleased that we are addressing the issue of nutrition and happy to hear that there are no soda machines in the cafeteria.

Cindy Brogan recommended looking into an after school Weight Watchers Program for interested students.

Sue Davis pleased to see that the football team was being offered a healthy breakfast before the game, as recommended by the school’s athletic trainer.

Officer Steve Turner reiterated the results of the parent survey in which drug use was an issue of concern. He discussed widespread use among middle school and high school students. He also recommended a canine locker search by TPD as a way to make a statement that we will not tolerate drugs in our school. He reported that this search has been effective at other area high schools.

Marguerite Lapierre supported the effectiveness of the search. She has a child in another school in which a search was conducted and the benefit was that it opened up dialog at home about drug use.

Joe Pacheco felt the search was a good idea as long as there would be no handcuffs and arrests in school. Recommended that BP handle discipline.

Cherice Bradsher supported the idea as a way to warn students that drugs are not tolerated in school.

Steve Turner suggested that the school could send home a letter to parents informing them of an upcoming search and the reason why it’s being conducted.

Linda Pacheco agreed with the widespread use of marijuana among teens and their belief is that it is safer than alcohol and tobacco. She informed the group that The Bristol County Sheriff’s Dept has a new Bullying Prevention Program. She feels that Internet safety remains a major concern in light of a recent abduction of a teen by adults she met on the Internet. Reported that many occurrences of sexual harassment take place using this vehicle.

Steve McIntosh referenced suicidal behaviors in YRBS survey and supported this evidence by what the guidance department sees on a regular basis. He recommended more information be provided regarding depression and suicide amongst students. He also discussed violence related behaviors resulting from rumors and false accusations.

Jane Whittemore reported on the progress of the “Calling It Quits” Tobacco Cessation Intervention Grant. The school was awarded $500 to participate. Letters went home to parents with the 1^st report card informing them of the program.4 students participated, 1 dropped put, 3 have successfully stopped smoking.

Jane also informed the group that the school now has it’s own defibrillator.

Karen Barrar informed the group of the Career Advisory Program and the schools effort to provide students with an adult mentor.

Steve Turner reminded the group that the RAD Program is still available, a 14 hour female defense training program.

Steve Bradshaw thanked the group for coming especially the parents for their commitment and involvement. He encouraged everyone to bring their recommendations to the June meeting when we will develop our goals and objectives for the next academic year.

Next Meeting: June 11, 2003

Meeting adjourned: 10:25 A.M.