Important Notice to Families: Increased Vaping Concerns

Dear Santa Rita Union School District Families,
We want to bring to your attention a recent rise in incidents of students vaping or bringing vape devices to school. We are deeply concerned about the dangers associated with vaping, especially among young people, and we ask for your partnership in addressing this issue.
The Dangers of Vaping
Vaping poses serious health risks, including lung damage, addiction, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Many vape products contain nicotine, which can affect brain development in adolescents. Additionally, there is increasing concern about the potential for vapes to contain dangerous substances like THC or other harmful chemicals.
Concerning Reports from Students
Students have reported that some are obtaining vapes from individuals at local parks. Please remind your child never to accept any items from someone they do not know, as these products can be extremely harmful and even illegal.
What You Can Do
We ask that you take time to talk to your child about the dangers of vaping. Open and honest conversations at home are key in helping students make informed and healthy decisions.
To help you in these discussions, here are some resources on vaping prevention and education:

• CDC: Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
• KidsHealth: Talking to Your Child About Vaping
• American Lung Association: Get the Facts About Vaping

District Support Services: DAISY Program
Our district contracts with Community Human Services to provide the DAISY Program as a resource for students and families. The DAISY Program utilizes The Seven Challenges, an evidence-based best practice endorsed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This program offers individual, group, and family counseling covering a wide range of areas, including:

• Motivation and goal setting
• Drug refusal skills
• Building a support network
• Planning for emergencies and coping with relapse
• Problem solving, anger awareness, and management
• Effective communication
• Coping with cravings and managing depression

School Policy Reminder
We would also like to remind families that vaping on school grounds is strictly prohibited at any time. Any student caught with a vape device or found vaping on campus may face disciplinary actions, including suspension. Our goal is to keep all students safe and healthy, and we appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

If you have any concerns or need additional support in discussing this with your child, please feel free to reach out to the school. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all students in our district.