E.C. Glass High Newsletter
March, 2018
Upcoming Events
March, 6th A'Cabellas and A'Cafellas Rehearsals 2:45-5:30
March, 7th SAT Testing
March, 9th Movie Incentive (Auditorium)
March ,10th SAT Testing
March, 13th Virginia Retake Placement Testing
March, 13 A'Cabellas and A'Cafellas Rehearsals 2:45-5:30 (Lecture Hall)
March, 14th Senior Movie Trip
Virginia Retake Placement Testing
Spring Orchestra and Band Trip
March, 15th 1/2 day for students
March, 16th No School for students
March, 19th-23rd 10th Grade Sol Testing
March, 20th A'Cabellas and A'Cafellas Rehearsals 2:45-5:30 (Lecture Hall)
March, 23rd Indoor Drum Line Competition 3:00 PM (Lecture Hall)
March, 26th-31 LMS Assessment 5:00-8:00
SOL Testing
Attendance
Juuling
A TOP DEFINITION
A highly concentrated nicotine vaporizer which underage kids use to get a buzz. It is commonly mistaken for a USB stick.
How Does It Work?
The device heats the nicotine juice to create vapor, which is inhaled by the user.
Who Is It Intended For?
Juul describes itself as “a mission-driven company seeking to eliminate cigarettes by providing a true alternative for adult smokers.” The company states on its website that Juul is “not appropriate or intended for youth, former smokers, or never smokers.” To purchase Juul products on the official website, JUULvapor.com, you must be 21 and go through an age verification process. In stores, you must be of the legal age to buy a tobacco or nicotine product in your state. But teens are finding ways to get them, such as using fake IDs, buying them on unregulated websites or knowing of a lax gas station attendant.
What Does It Feel Like to Juul?
One anonymous 15-year-old describes it like this:
The first time was in the lunchroom. Everyone else was hitting it and I was like “alright, I want to try that.” I guess I knew there was nicotine in it, but I had no idea that it had so much. When I hit it for the first time it was, like, really crazy. I felt a really big buzz off of barely anything.
It hurt my throat more than anything else I’ve done. I hit it and coughed immediately. At first it was just fun and it was something that you could do anywhere. It’s so easy. Then it just became something I was doing nonstop, but I still felt a buzz. Now, I go crazy if I don’t have it. I don’t even feel a buzz anymore.
Jack Waxman, a high school senior in New York who’s working to spread awareness about the dangers of teenage Juul usage, says he’s seen friends all go down the same path: First, they’re attracted by the “fun flavors” and enticed by the head-rush. But then, after using the Juul for a while, they feel no rush at all. “They use the device to make their body feel normal again, just like any smoker,” Waxman says. He’s seen people “struggle to make it thirty minutes without taking a hit.”
How Much Nicotine Does It Contain?
Each pod has about the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, or 200 puffs. Specifically, the nicotine concentration is 59 mg/mL per pod, which can be more than double that of other vaping products. It gives users a strong, fast punch.
How Dangerous Is the Juul for Those Underage?
For adults, vaping is generally believed to be a healthier alternative to cigarettes because it doesn’t burn tobacco and release carcinogens. (Under FDA regulations, Juul “cannot and does not make any claims that its products are less harmful or safer than cigarettes.”)
But no e-cigarette product should ever be considered “safe,” especially not for those underage. Teenage brains are still developing, so they’re uniquely vulnerable to addiction. Nicotine is very addictive, and exposure to nicotine in adolescence has been shown to have long-term impacts on brain development. It may affect teens’ behavior, concentration, memory and their ability to learn.
There are other health concerns for young people who vape. According to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, adolescents who use e-cigarettes are twice as likely to suffer respiratory symptoms such as a persistent cough, bronchitis, congestion and phlegm as those who don’t. And there’s some evidence that shows teen vapers are more likely to take up smoking tobacco cigarettes than non-vapers.
Also, a lot of teenagers have no idea what’s in their vape. In a study sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, when high schoolers were asked what they believed was in the last product they vaped, most said “just flavoring.” As for the Juul, some teens are filling the pods with other substances, which is even more dangerous.
How Can You Tell if Your Teen Is Juuling?
Signs of general e-cigarette use include increased thirst (the propylene glycol in the devices can cause dry mouth), a new sensitivity to caffeine and possible nosebleeds.
It’s important to start a conversation with your teens about e-cigarettes, whether you suspect they are using them on not. With the Juul, you might open with a general, nonthreatening question—“Hey, I just read about this thing. What have you heard about it?”—and see what they say. Explain the serious health risks of e-cigarettes (remember phlegm, nosebleeds, lung problems, a messed-up brain, and addiction, just to name a handful). If your son or daughter is vaping, let them know that you do not approve, and work with them to replace the unhealthy behavior with a positive one. E-cigarettes contain more than fun, fruity flavors, and when teenagers use them, there may be lasting consequences.
Parenting editor, Lifehacker
What does it look like
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Parenting editor, Lifehacker
Principals Corner
Sports
National History Day
National Technical Honor Society
These students have shown great character and have upheld the eight attributes of a NTHS student; Knowledge, Skill, Scholarship, Honesty, Responsibility, Service, leadership, and Citizenship. Congratulations, students!
National Technical Honor Society Established in 1984 to see that deserving technical students be recognized and that people of the community become aware of the talents and abilities of the young people and adults who choose technical education pathways to a successful future. Colors: Silver to represent value, reward, and worth White to represent truth & honesty Purple to represent achievement and honor Motto: “Felicitas Menti Instructae Favet” means “Success Favors the Prepared Mind” Slogan: “Excellence in America’s Workforce Begins with Excellence in Workforce Education” Explanation of the official emblem on the front of the program: The shield represents the individual member. The line running through the shield represents a straight “plumb line”, fundamental to building a life and career upon a good foundation. The Bald Eagle’s head represents the United States of America and the individual’s freedom of career choice. The wreath of seven stars represents the seven attributes of the NTHS member (skill, scholarship, honesty, responsibility, service, leadership, and citizenship) and the individual NTHS Chapters throughout the U.S. For over 30 years National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) has supported nearly one million top CTE students in their pursuit of higher education and recognition for their achievements while cultivating excellence in today’s highly competitive workforce in the global market. Mission: To honor student achievement and leadership, award scholarships, promote educational excellence and enhance career opportunities for the NTHS membership. Vision: To be the international leader in providing recognition for excellence in career and technical education. MEMBER BENEFITS: Membership Recognition Certificate of Achievement Official NTHS diploma seal Membership pin and card Graduation tassel Window decal NTHS Scholarship Opportunities including the Jon H. Poteat Scholarship and others through our Career and Technical Student Organization partnerships. Letters of Recommendation for Employment, College, or Scholarships. Online Career Center access; Resume tools and job connections. Recruitment Opportunities by top U.S. Colleges and Corporations. National Technical Honor Society Induction Program Welcome and Explanation of NTHS Renee Stephens Advisor, E.C. Glass HS Opening Remarks Ed Dellinger CTE Supervisor, LCS Dr. Jeffrey Garrett Principal, E.C. Glass H.S. Member Attributes Candle Ceremony Renee Stephens Jessie Hunt CTE Counselor/Advisor Introduction of Inductees Renee Stephens & Presentation of Certificates Jessie Hunt Gabrielle Barley-Dean Dental Careers Lisa Browne Culinary Arts Chandler Calloway Architecture Spencer Cohen Engineering, Architecture, Robotics Leah Cooley Culinary Arts Calvin Ellis Dental Careers Anna Escalera Criminal Justice Noah Fretz Criminal Justice Baker Gallagher Engineering, Architecture, Robotics Luke Huyett Engineering, Architecture, Robotics Johnie Johnson Criminal Justice Alexander Miller Engineering Cy Pabis Engineering Carson Potter Internship Elizabeth Rhodes Criminal Justice Nathaniel Selden Engineering, Architecture Chloe Seng Engineering Shannon Smith Architecture Anne Spengler Criminal Justice Shelby Steele Criminal Justice Jessica Stump Criminal Justice Pledge of Membership Members Closing Remarks/Picture Renee Stephens Refreshments/Lunch
School Safety
How to help your child deal with fears about school violence
by: Alvin Poussaint, M.D.
Virtually every child in the country has heard--or seen--stories about students like themselves being gunned down, the school shooting in Parkland, FL being the most recent. How do you talk to your kids after something like this happens? How do you address their fears and keep them feeling safe in their home and in their schools? Dr. Alvin Poussaint and the American School Counselor Association have some advice.
In the last week, the Parkland shooting has dominated traditional and social media coverage. You're probably wondering how it's affecting your children, and what you can do to help them process it all. Dr. Alvin Poussaint, psychiatrist, professor and Harvard faculty member, answered these questions for us after Columbine, and they still ring true today.
How do children experience the media's coverage of these events?
How children respond to memories--or news stories--of schoolyard murders will depend on their age, temperament and experience. Some children may be openly frightened. Some may fear that it could happen to them. Some may feel distanced from the possibility of violence in their own lives. Some may be unable to grasp that this really happened to real people. Some may take a protective stance of cynicism and apathy. However children respond, all of them need help and guidance from the adults who care for them
How can parents help with children's fears?
The American School Councelor Association also has a list of tips for parents to help their kids deal with school violence.
• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Helping children feel safe about returning to school means talking with them and listening to them. Ask how they're feeling about school starting. Ask what they're excited about. Ask if they have any particular worries. Listen carefully for clues about their feelings.
Encourage them to tell you about anything that worries them, particularly children who display violence in their own schools. "Boy, the kid in that television program was really mad...do any kids you know get that angry? What would you do if you heard a kid talking about doing something violent? Or if you knew that someone in your class brought a gun to school?"
Assure them that you will be working to make their school safe.
What can parents do to help ensure school safety?
Support and become involved in violence prevention programs. There are many effective programs available, but they don't work if they're not used. Find out what your school district offers. Or whether a local youth group is interested. Or your religious community. Then offer your time.
Keep guns out of the home. If this is not possible, keep them secure from children. The easiest place for children to get a hold of weapons is in their own homes or those of family members.
Take the threat of children who threaten violence seriously. Clearly, an aggressive battle with action figures does not automatically signal horror in the making. But a kid who talks about wanting to "blow someone away" should never be dismissed. Urge school districts to increase counseling for depressed and angry students.
One of the ironies of these terrible events has been the willingness of schools to mobilize counseling after the fact to help students deal with their experiences. A preventative mobilization of these resources could be much more effective, and may perhaps prevent the loss of young lives.
The students whose schools exploded with gunfire are not the only ones who were affected. When children return to school we need to help them come to terms with their fears and do our best to prevent future violence.