News from the Nurse

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a state mandated prevention based screening administered annually in grades 7 and 9 by middle and high school nurses. During the screening, students receive positive reinforcement for healthy decisions, resources and information from the nurse. Youth exit survey feedback from the 2018-2019 school year reveals the following:

Grade 9:

• 91.8% of students report they are less likely to use drugs or alcohol after meeting with the nurse

• 100% of students report that during the screening with the nurse they responded to questions honestly

• 81.2% of students report that the screening conversation with the nurse will impact their choices about drugs and alcohol use

Grade 7:

• 86.7% of students report they are less likely to use drugs or alcohol after meeting with the nurse

• 99.4% of students report that during the screening with the nurse they responded to questions honestly

• 73.3% of students report that the screening conversation with the nurse will impact their choices about drugs and alcohol use

Internet Safety - The internet puts more resources at our fingertips than ever before. Due to the wealth of information accessible online, both good and bad, it’s important to understand different ways we can make the internet safer. One website that provides a variety of internet safety resources for parents is Common Sense Media. For example, they have produced, A Parents Ultimate Guide to YouTube, A Parent’s Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids, and YouTube Alternatives. These resources contain steps to add content filters and parental controls, to reduce the chance of exposure to inappropriate content. For more information on safety tips, as well as discussion starters click here!

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Remember to get your flu shot. It is your best bet for avoiding and stopping the spread of the flu which can cause serious complications, particularly for young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions.

The FDA recently warned that middle and high school age youth use of e-cigarettes has reached epidemic proportions. This is especially concerning to the FDA because the developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction. Read more here.

This short article from Penn State News contains factual and informative details about the hazards or juuling and vaping (e-cigarettes).