Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes among adolescents

November 2017

Dear John Jay Middle and High School Families,

Between 2011 and 2015, the U.S. Surgeon General found e-cigarette use among high school students increased by 900 percent, with more teens now using e-cigarettes than traditional tobacco products.  – Surgeon General’s Report 2016

Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes among adolescents continues to be a significant concern for all of us. In the report cited above, the Surgeon General refers to high school students. We know that for some, the experimentation begins at an even younger age.

Always wanting to partner with our families in the effort to keep all our students safe, we share the following information:

  • On Wednesday, November 29th, at 7 pm in the JJHS cafeteria, Richard Stumacher, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital will present on the topic of vaping. All parents and community members are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.
  • Additional information sessions are being planned for students in both the middle and high school, either through health classes or other venues.
  • At its November 16th Board of Education meeting, our Board will update the language in our Code of Conduct to more definitively and precisely ban vaping as well as the possession of vaping materials in school. Any student found to be in violation of the Code will face appropriate consequences.
  • High School students were informed in September and Middle School students have been informed more recently that vaping is a violation of our Code of Conduct and that it is now banned in all schools and in all public indoor spaces across New York State as a result of recent legislation.
  • All student athletes will be reminded at the start of each season of their responsibilities to remain drug, alcohol, and vape free.
  • Parents are strongly encouraged to speak with your children at home about vaping. We are attaching some resources we hope will be helpful in those conversations.

If you have any questions related to this or any other drug or substance issue, Ms. Kiri Ryan, social worker at JJHS, is available and can be reached at kryan@klschools.org or by phone at 914-763-7215.

As was the case with cigarette smoking, there will be no single solution that protects our students from the dangers of vaping. With a concerted collective effort, however, we can and will make a difference.

Sincerely,

Steven Siciliano, JJHS Principal

Rich Leprine, JJMS Principal