New Vaping Policies Promote Health and Wellness on Skaneateles Campus

The Skaneateles Board of Education has approved two new policies that make the Skaneateles Central School District a vape-free district and outlines the disciplinary measures for offenses by students.

In a Board of Education meeting Tuesday, the Board approved policy #5640, prohibiting smoking and vaping within one hundred feet of the entrances and exits of school buildings, as well as any outdoor areas associated with the District. Policy #7320 outlines the processes for disciplinary measures of students who violate the Student Code of Conduct regarding illegal substances.

The policies are part of a larger initiative by the District to combat substance abuse in the school community. In addition to new policies, the District has also implemented print campaigns titled Table Top Talk and Toilet Talk. These campaigns place signs throughout the school bathrooms and cafeteria to raise awareness and conversation about vaping in addition to mental health, resiliency and cyber bullying among other topics.

In a letter to the community, Board of Education members said these initiatives are just a few of the important steps being taken to better the health and wellness of students.

“Our schools are continuing to educate our children on the dangers of vaping, smoking, alcohol and drug use,” the letter said. “Flyers containing important information can be found in every student restroom, on the table tops in the cafeteria, and in the library. Health and science teachers are also incorporating these topics into their curriculum.”

Parents who have a child that is struggling with addiction are urged to seek the counselor at their child’s school for professional help. Some of the teachers in the District have also been trained in Mental Health First Aid and can assist in getting a child the help that he or she needs.