Dear Parents,
In 2017, more than 1 in 3 Nebraska high school students (36.1%) reported using an electronic vapor product during their lifetime (NE YRBS). To raise awareness among middle and high school-aged youth about the dangers of vapes and e-cigarettes, Fillmore Central Schools will be focusing on this topic for our first semester wellness initiative.
Your child(ren) may come home with a fact sheet, let you know they saw posters or mirror clings, or talk to you about vapes and e-cigarettes and how information about them was incorporated into various classroom lessons or other activities. This is a great opportunity to talk with your child(ren) about vapes/e-cigarettes and the dangers they pose to young people.
The education portion of the anti-vaping initiative will take place at school in the classroom. In addition, Jill Kuzelka from Public Health Solutions will be presenting to our MS & HS students on Wednesday, October 30th. The middle school assembly will be from 8:30-9:30 AM and the high school assembly will be from 2:30-3:30 PM. Jill will also be offering staff professional development from 3:45-4:30 PM in the HS library – parents are welcome to attend this session.
We encourage you to continue the conversation at home. The website www.cdc.gov/e- cigarettes is a resource to help you (parents or guardians) better understand what vaping is, how vaping can harm your teen’s developing brain, to provide ideas for how you can talk with your child(ren) about vaping and JUULing, and to learn more about what you can do.
As a review, our Tobacco Policy states: Fillmore Central High School is a smoke free campus. The use and possession of tobacco and any other form of tobacco or imitation, such as an electronic cigarette, vapor pens, etc. on school property at any time is forbidden. Any student caught smoking or chewing tobacco or in possession of tobacco in the school building, on campus or during a school-sponsored activity may be suspended one to three days from school. Students will also be restricted from participation in activities.
Enclosed you will also find helpful handouts with information about vaping and signs to look for if you think your child is using e-cigarettes. We will also be posting some great educational links on our webpage under the Wellness Policy tab.
Thanks as always for working as a team with us in building a bright future for your student.