MPHS Cougar Connection
March 8, 2019
Welcome to the Weekly Update
-Congratulations to the Symphonic Band who went to District Band Assessment on last Thursday and received all superior ratings. Job well done!
-The DECA club took 32 students to Virginia Beach this past weekend to compete in the state competition. Students competed in 20 events and MPHS students advanced in 5 of the 20 categories.
Advancing to the International Competition in Orlando, Florida, will be:
Ben Kelly
Somayya Marzyie
Rachel Stankich
Mohini Gupta
Genesis Martinez
Jaelynn Douglass
Diksha Jothi
Jaelynn Douglas and Diksha Jothi finished in 2nd place in the state of Virginia in their category. Genesis Martinez and Mohinni Gupta finished 1st in the state of Virginia in their category. It was great showing for Manassas Park High school by all competitors!
A Note from the Principal:
Dear Manassas Park High School Parents and/or Guardians,
I am writing this letter to make you aware of the growing problem among our teenagers across the country and right here at Manassas Park High School. We have seen a rapid increase in the use of products that fall under the umbrella of e-cigarettes, including vaping and juuling. The problem is not unique to our high school, but is a nationwide problem. The latest numbers reported by the US Food and Drug Administration are staggering: Since last year, vaping increased by nearly 80% among high schoolers and 50% among middle schoolers. A recent article in Consumer Reports stated that 1.5 million more students admitted vaping (in the past 30 days) in 2018 than in 2017. These statistics mirror the increases we are seeing at MPHS.
If you are not familiar with the term, you might ask, “What is vaping?”. E-cigarettes, or vapes, work by heating a liquid containing nicotine until it vaporizes. Experts point to the huge increase in teen use as the result of a single company, Juul, which grabbed up market shares by offering an assortment of flavors, high nicotine content, and devices that look like USB drives. The nicotine content of these Juuls is 5%, which is a very high amount. Additionally, the flavored Juuls do not give off the combustible smoke of a regular cigarette, but rather a sweet odor of the flavor being inhaled.
We are seeing many of our teens using these Juuls (and other e-cigarettes) in our bathrooms, parking lots, locker rooms, large crowds (hallways and cafeteria), and even attempting to do so in class. The bigger concern is the prevalent belief among our students that there is no harm or less harm in using e-cigarettes than using real cigarettes. However, while not having the toxins of combustible, traditional cigarettes, the negative effect of nicotine on the developing brain is very well known. Even more alarming are the unknown effects of breathing in the chemicals the nicotine is mixed with to create the e-liquids and flavor. Educators are becoming increasingly alarmed that teens seem to be ignoring the possible adverse effect of nicotine and the added chemicals.
I encourage each of you to take time to research the topic of e-cigarettes, vaping, and Juuls and to talk with your child about the use of such products. Additionally, please help us in reinforcing the consequences of having these products in school. If found in possession and/or use, students do face a suspension. It is my hope that through this letter you will take this topic seriously for your child(ren)’s best interests.
Best,
Mrs. Pam Kalso
Principal
Next Week's Events
Baseball @ George Mason
7:00 PM Choir Pre-Assessment Concert
Tuesday, March 12-Girls' Soccer @ Rappahannock
Wednesday, March 13-Softball (H) vs. Millbrook
Thursday, March 14-6:30 Dual Enrollment meeting (for all students interested in taking Dual Enrollment courses next school year)
Friday, March 15-Baseball, Softball, Girls' Soccer (H) vs. Gar-Field
Saturday, March 16-District Choir Assessment
Regional Odyssey of the Mind Tournament
Principal Pam Kalso
Email: pam.kalso@mpark.net
Website: www.mpark.net
Location: 8200 Euclid Avenue, Manassas Park, VA, USA
Phone: 703-361-9131
Twitter: @MPHSVACougars