Cardinal Notes
information and reflection about Joseph Case High School
Volume 14, No. 11 *** January 10, 2018
Last Day of School update
SBIRT screening begins next week
In March, 2016, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted an Act relative to substance use, treatment, education and prevention (STEP Act) which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in substance use screening and education. This is a mandated screening that needs to be implemented this year by all Massachusetts Schools.
This year Swansea is initiating a screening program in grades 7 and grades 9 related to the use of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. The goal of this program is to let the students know that we are available to reinforce healthy decisions and to assist them in obtaining support if needed for substance use related problems.
Twenty-eight percent of teenagers reported in a national survey that drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are the most important issues they are facing.
The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program will be incorporated into our annual state-mandated protocols. All screenings will be conducted confidentially by our school nurse or guidance counselors in private
one-on-one sessions.
The high school screenings will begin January 17 and are scheduled through the end of February. A detailed letter from Swansea Public School's Director of Nursing was emailed to all freshmen parents this morning.
Opioid Literature
The 2016 legislation in Massachusetts requires that parents/guardians of high school student-athletes receive educational materials on the dangers of opioid use and misuse.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has developed educational materials on opioid misuse prevention and is partnering with schools across the state to share this information with students, parents and school personnel. Because of the risk of injury and the subsequent need for pain management, student athletes may be at risk for opioid misuse.
Here's a link to a set of fact sheets that the Massachusetts Department of Health with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Massachusetts Technical Assistance Partnership for Prevention (MassTAPP) have developed for the school sports community on prescription opioid misuse prevention:
- Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Student Athletes
- Injury Management: A Key Component of Prescription Opioid Misuse Prevention
- What to Know About Prescription Opioids
- Guidance on Communications After a Non-Concussion Sports Injury
I thought all stakeholders at Joseph Case High School could benefit from timely information.
Please take the time to read and review this information with your student-athlete, as our main goal is to keep our kids safe!
Annual Science Fair
Third Annual Mr. Joseph Case High School - February 2
Winter Sports Schedules
And finally: in gratitude
About Joseph Case High School
Email: joseph.case@swanseaschools.org
Website: casehigh.swanseaschools.org
Location: 70 School Street, Swansea, MA, United States
Phone: (508) 675-7483
Facebook: facebook.com/josephcasehs
Twitter: @josephcasehs