Talking to Youth About Vaping - For Families from York Region Public Health

There are many reasons why youth may start to use vapes. Friends may pressure others to start using vape products. Youth may see family members vape or smoke and imitate that behaviour. Additionally, the last few years may have been extraordinarily difficult for many youth and they may think that vapes and nicotine products will help them cope with stress.

Whether you are a parent, guardian or teacher, starting a discussion with your kids about vaping may not be easy but having the conversation early about drugs and experimenting is important so that youth can get the real facts.

Parents and Caregivers play an important role

The adolescent period is a time of critical growth and development making youth more susceptible to the effects of nicotine, the addictive substance found in many vapes. Nicotine can interfere with teenage brain development and can cause changes in the brain affecting learning, memory and concentration, making youth more susceptible to other substance misuse and risk-taking behaviours.

Some tips for starting a conversation about vapes and youth vaping include:

  • Get the facts about the health risks and laws around vaping before your talk – information and products change quickly so conversations should reflect the child’s growing maturity and the pressures they may face

  • Keep your talk informal and look for natural opportunities for discussion (e.g., a new vape store opens near you)

  • Ask questions and try to be empathetic about what they know and how they feel about vaping

  • Share some vaping facts with them

  • If their friends use vapes/e-cigarettes, disapprove of the use of these products rather than disapproving of the friends themselves

Remember: listening is just as important as talking.

For more information and tips about how to talk with youth, read Talking with your teen about vaping: a tip sheet for parents and visit Tobacco, Vaping And Youth.

When talking with youth about tobacco products and vaping, it is important to:

  • Understand tobacco and vaping from a youth’s point of view – youth understand the issue differently based on their developmental stage.

  • Talk about the tactics used by the tobacco industry to make tobacco and vaping appealing to youth. Explain how the industry tempts youth to buy tobacco products and/or engage in behaviours that might be harmful to their health.

  • Role play, practice and provide options about how to refuse tobacco products to help youth prepare for situations involving tobacco and vaping with their peers.

  • Equip youth with the information, skills and motivation they need to make informed and healthy choices.

  • Discuss vape-free laws so youth understand that it is illegal to sell or supply vapes to anyone under 19 years of age;= and that it is illegal to vape anywhere you can’t smoke cigarettes, including on or around school and community centre properties, among other places.

Quitting vaping/tobacco

Quitting vaping and/or tobacco is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. If you or someone you know needs help, call York Region Access York at 1-877-464-9675 TTY (for those with hearing disabilities) 1-866-512-6228 or email tobaccofreeliving@york.ca.

YRAACC Programs for Students

Islamic Heritage Month


 

Bare Necessities

Bare Necessities is back for it's 35th season, opening it's doors this morning for business.  Come down to the store to load your student card with cash at 8:30 on Monday morning or 12:45, 2:00 or 3:20 Monday through Wednesday.  Then you can buy school clothing, some snacks or drinks or other school merchandise.  Come check us out today!  All profits raised are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society

Student Leadership Council Elections

 As we prepare to get our Student Leadership Council for the 2024/35 school year up and running, we are encouraging students to apply for a range of available positions. If your child is interested in applying, please have them complete the application form linked below, available roles are listed in the Google Form. Please also discuss the important dates listed here and in the form.

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/KMHHAXPa7d6in1du7

Important Dates:

  1. Information Meeting: Thursday October 17th- 3:30pm to 4:30pm
  2. Application Google Form Due: Tuesday October 15th by 3pm
  3. Interviews (Non-Elected Roles): Thursday October 17th and Friday October 18th
  4. Poster/Video Approval (Elected Roles):   Tuesday October 22nd
  5. Campaign Start Date (Elected Roles): Wednesday, October 23rd…DO NOT put up posters before this date/time. Posters must be approved by Staff Advisors and VP’s               
  6. Campaign End Date: Friday October 25th @ 3:00 pm… Posters must be taken down before 3:30pm
  7. Elections/Voting: Monday October 28th
  8. Results:  Wednesday October 30th! 🙂 
  1. First Meeting Tuesday November 5th 3:30-4:30 pm

SHSM Information Meeting

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program that allows students to experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities while working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). 

Gr. 11 and 12 students have the opportunity to customize their high school experience, explore new ways of learning and 'reach ahead' to their post-secondary destination of choice (apprenticeship, college, university or the workplace).  
**For students in Gr. 10, this is a great chance to learn about this option for their senior high school years.

Watch YRDSB’s SHSM video here.

You are invited to a SHSM information meeting to learn more about the SHSM program!!

When:  Wednesday, Oct. 9th @ 11:25 am

Where: WCI library

** Students who are already enrolled in the SHSM program are expected to attend this meeting and have already been notified.

If students have a class per. 3, they will receive a note to bring to the main office and their teacher (to excuse your late arrival to class).

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rosenberg in Guidance at stephanie.rosenberg@yrdsb.ca

WCI Interview Night

Dear Families,

Interview Night is on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. You will have an opportunity to meet with your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and learn more about the classroom. Families can use TeachAssist, an online platform, to schedule a meeting time with their child(ren)’s teacher(s) on Interview Night. All students in our school currently have a TeachAssist account to access information associated with their class assessments.

Families may access appointment bookings on Thursday, October 17 to Thursday, October 24, 2024 through the TeachAssist Parent Portal available at https://ta.yrdsb.ca/parents. From there, enter in your email address and leave the password blank, to set up a one time access link, or to reset a password that you've created. An email will be sent with a time limited link that will look similar to this:

teachassist@yrdsb.ca

To: parent_email

Click here for your one-time access to teachassist

https://ta.yrdsb.ca/live/parents/listReports.php?email=parent&token=serdftyugio678

Once logged in, parents/guardians will have the option to set up a password. For instructions on how to book an interview through TeachAssist, please click here or see below. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our main office.

If you have any challenges with meeting in-person on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 , please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements for another day.

FORMAT OF THE EVENING

6:30-7:00 pm - Meet and Greet with Teachers in the Atrium of the school. This is an opportunity for a quick chat or to meet your child's teachers and touch base. 

7:10-8:30 pm - Parent/Guarding Teacher Meetings. 

IMPORTANT TIMELINES: OCTOBER 15-29, 2024

Thursday,

October 17

-

Thursday,

October 24

  • Interview Night Scheduler opens at 8:30 a.m. for booking.
  • Parents/Guardians will go to the TeachAssist parent portal https://ta.yrdsb.ca/parents to book their appointment(s).
  • For instructions on how to book an interview through TeachAssist, please click here or see below.

Wednesday, October 16

  • Interim Reports will be distributed electronically to parents /guardians / 

18+ students via the Electronic Distribution Process.

Thursday,

October 24

  • Interview Night Scheduler closes to families at 3:30 pm.

Friday,

October 25

  • Families receive confirmation email(s) from teachers.

Tuesday,

October 29

  • Parent Guardian Meet and Greet in the atrium 6:30-7:00 pm. Come and meet your child's teacher in person for a quick chat or opportunity to touch base. 
  • Parent/Guardian Teacher Interviews 7:10 to 8:30 pm in classrooms with the teacher
  • Teacher locations will be posted throughout the school

Your partners in education,

Susan                               Paula                                Lana 
Maharaj                          Borges                              Fisher

GUIDANCE UPDATES - October 2

…….THIS WEEKEND!


Please CLICK HERE for additional information. 

IVEY BUSINESS PROGRAM - WESTERN UNIVERSITY

A representative will be visiting Westmount. 

October 8.

Period 2 or 3.  

Westmount Library.

 

*Only for Grade 11 and 12 students.

SIGN UP IS REQUIRED.

PLEASE FILL IN THIS GOOGLE FORM:

https://forms.gle/7zQZqiZ1E33rADHU9 

GRADE 12 STUDENTS - ASSEMBLY

October 9

Period 1

Cafeteria

Grade 12 Classes will be called down

If you have a spare Period 1, please make arrangements to attend. 

 

In the assembly we will cover Options after High School, How to Research your Options, How to Apply to College and University, and How to Finance your Education

THINKING ABOUT APPLYING ABROAD?


FREE REGISTRATION:

https://prepskillsconnect.com/register 

DISTRIBUTION OF OEN NUMBERS - GRADE 12 STUDENTS 


Required for University and College applications

*you can also find your OEN number on any report card


Applying to University:

https://www.ouac.on.ca/planning/how-to-apply/ 

Deadline:  January 15

Applying to College:

https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply 

Deadline:  February 1

ARE YOU IN GRADE 10 OR 11 AND THINKING OF APPLYING TO US SCHOOLS?

 

Things to Think About…

·         All your marks count - your GPA will be calculated from grade 9 on 

·         Start your research ASAP: Which schools do you apply to through the Common App?  Which schools do you apply to directly?

·         Is it necessary to write SATs/ACTs?  Give yourself lots of time to prepare.  Register to write the test well in advance.  

·         Many US schools require students to submit essays 

·         Student Athlete?  Register with NCAA.  There are eligibility requirements.  Work with your coach. 

·         Look at degree prerequisites, just like you would if you were applying here in Ontario

·         Connect with the International Admissions office at the schools you want to apply to 

 

For More Information…

·         https://www.collegeboard.org/  

·         https://www.commonapp.org/

·         https://www.ncaa.org/  

·         https://uscollegeexpo.com/ 

School Council Meeting Slides

  


Thank you for all those who attending our School Council meeting on September 26th.

For those who were not able to attend, you can find the meeting presentation on our school website.