LETTER REGARDING VAPING/NEW VAPE DETECTORS
Quincy Community Schools Parents and Guardians,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a growing concern that affects the health and well-being of our students: the increasing prevalence of vaping among young people.
Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, has become a common practice among youth in various settings, including schools. While marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, vaping poses significant health risks, particularly for young people. Quincy, as well as many other schools in the area and across the nation, has seen an increase over the past several years involving student vaping.
In an effort to create a healthy and safer environment for all students, we have implemented proactive and reactive measures in an attempt to reduce vaping on school grounds. This includes educating students about the risks associated with vaping and promoting positive behaviors. In addition, the district has recently installed vape detectors in various parts of the buildings to deter and reduce vaping. These detectors have already helped identify vaping activity on school grounds, alerted staff immediately to the use of vaping devices in specific locations and allowed us to respond promptly in hopes of addressing the issue more effectively.
Once the alerts are triggered, the district's camera system in the hallways can be utilized to determine who entered and exited those spaces monitored by the vape detector at the time it was triggered. This can provide administrators with the reasonable suspicion needed as to the whereabouts of a vape and allows us to search for vapes or vape-related paraphernalia that may be in the possession of students—on their person, in bags, backpacks, lockers, cars, etc.—in hopes of removing it from the building.
While we are committed to proactive measures to reduce vaping, it is also important to recognize that there are consequences for those who violate school policies. Students caught vaping or with vape-related paraphernalia may face disciplinary actions as outlined in each school’s code of conduct. Disciplinary actions may include suspension, expulsion, athletic penalties, and notification of the police. These consequences are designed not only to enforce our rules but also to emphasize the serious nature of vaping-related health risks. Our goal is to ensure that all students understand the importance of maintaining a vape-free school environment and the implications of their choices. By working together—educators, parents, and students alike—we can foster a community where health and well-being are prioritized.
Sincerely,
Marc Kramer
Superintendent