Hello WASHS families,
Please review this full post for information about electronic cigarettes, the PA Youth Survey (PAYS), and reminders about the October, 2023 calendar.
To begin, I am asking and encouraging all of our families to use the long weekend to talk to your children about electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, Jules, and other names. Unfortunately, we are continuing to find students in possession of e-cigarettes at school, which, in the state of Pennsylvania, is against the law on school property, regardless of age. Students may be suspended and cited by our school police officers for such possession.
Unfortunately, we are also seeing an increase in possession of e-cigarettes that contain THC and/or marijuana. Possession of this type of e-cigarette on school property is also against the law and will result in more serious criminal charges filed by our school police officers. Additionally, these e-cigarettes are considered drug paraphernalia. Possession of drugs or alcohol on school property violates WASD School Board Policy so students found in possession of this type of e-cigarette will face criminal charges and disciplinary action beyond a 10-day suspension from school.
Thank you for partnering with us in keeping our schools free from electronic cigarettes and other items prohibited by PA law and WASD School Board Policy.
PA Youth Survey:
WASD has participated in the PA Youth Survey (PAYS) for many years. The PAYS Survey is sponsored by the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the PA Department of Education, and the PA Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This anonymous survey is completed every other year by students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 and will ask questions about school climate, mental health, violence, bullying, and substance abuse. WASD utilizes data from this survey to plan programming to benefit and support our students.
WASHS 10th and 12th graders will complete this survey during PLT on Tuesday, October 17. Families may opt their child out of participation in this survey by contacting Mr. Martin Bigler, WASHS assistant principal, via email at martin_bigler@wasdpa.org on or before Monday, October 16, 2023.
The following links will provide additional information about PAYS:
October Calendar Reminders (Click HERE for a graphic)
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completion Night scheduled for Thursday, October 5 will be postponed until January 16, 2024. This is due to FAFSA changing the date that the online system will be available to families.
- Friday, October 6
- No School for WASHS
- Fall CareerTech on Homebound CTE
- WASHS Office open
- Monday, October 9
- No School for WASHS
- No School for Fall CareerTech
- WASHS Office closed
- Friday, October 20
- Early Dismissal for WASHS & Fall CareerTech at 11:50 am
- Lunches WILL be served
Thank you and have a great evening, Dr. McCallum