There is a serious concern now affecting our children, particularly in middle school.  Vaping or artificial cigarettes have become an enticing addiction for our youth today. Vaping is the act of inhaling water vapor through a personal vaporizer or electronic cigarette-the device heats water, along with a flavor, nicotine and other chemicals, to a boiling point so that it can be inhaled. This device can act as an alternative to combustible cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use of e-cigarettes by middle and high school students nearly tripled over the past few years, creating a "vape culture" among today's young people. Youth are attracted to vaping because it's a novelty and sold as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes aren't just easier for minors to purchase, they are easier to conceal. Many vaping devices are designed to look like pens: compact, shiny and inconspicuous. Although e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes, they do come with their own health concerns and are now being attributed to lung disease.  With this all said, parents must be aware that in the State of Florida, it is illegal for any persons under the age of 18 to purchase or have in their custody any vaping devices.  Hence, at All Saints Catholic School it is illegal for any student to have such a device.  If a student is found to have such a device, consequences would be very serious.  Please check your child's backpack and have a real discussion about vaping.  Open communication is the key to prevention.  We also will be having a talk with our middle school students about the dangers and seriousness of vaping.

Report cards were printed on Friday during our teacher workday.  They will be going out tomorrow in folders and backpacks.  Please look for them.  It is also a good time to enter into a conversation with your child about school, their eagerness to learn, and ways to improve.  There are always ways to improve through better study habits and reading. We are a partner in your child's education and wish to develop the life-long love of learning in all our children.

This coming Friday is our Fall Festival.  The event replaces a Halloween party and allows our wonderful graduating class the opportunity to fund raise and demonstrate their leadership skills.  For five dollars and a can of food, students can partake in the festival held in our gym filled with games and fun. Each class has a particular time to attend the festival.  Schedules for the school are going out this week.  Attire is specific to grade levels and will be further explained to you by each teacher. Parents are most welcome to attend and join in the festivities. 

Our new sports season is about to begin.  Please check the schedule for all tryouts.  Please make sure your child has his/her health forms and paperwork turned in before tryouts begin.  Just a reminder that our basketball season will be held in our gym since the modification to our court dimensions this past summer.  We look forward to a great girls' basketball season back in our gym.  Go Eagles!

Excitement is building for our annual auction at the Jupiter Beach Resort on November 4th. The auction chairs and committee are busy creating amazing baskets.  The plans for this gala are in the final states and promises to be an amazing evening filled with community, spirit, and enthusiasm for our school and belief in Catholic education.  If you have not purchased tickets yet, there is still one last chance.  Please visit the auction page to purchase tickets to this wonderful event.  Thank you to our countless volunteers and I look forward to sharing this evening with our families.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Jill Broz

 

Helping Hands:

THANK YOU TO OUR MANY VOLUNTEERS!