Mapleton expands vaping prevention efforts with student assemblies, parent education nights

Virtual Parent Education Nights

 

 

Student Assemblies

• Tuesday, May 6 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  Mapleton Arts Center
  Schools: Global Intermediate Academy, Trailside Academy, Valley View Innovation School, Welby Community School of the Arts, Performing Arts School on Broadway
   
• Wednesday, May 7 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  Skyview Rosa Auditorium
  Schools: Clayton Partnership School, Achieve Academy, Explore PK-8
   
• Wednesday, May 7 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  Skyview Rosa Auditorium
  Schools: Meadow Community School, Monterey Community School, York International School
   
• Thursday, May 8 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  Skyview Rosa Auditorium
  Schools: Academy High School, North Valley School for Young Adults
   
• Friday, May 9 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  Mapleton Arts Center
  Schools: Global Leadership Academy, Performing Arts School on Broadway, York International School

Mapleton is ramping up its efforts to combat youth vaping with a comprehensive initiative focused on education, prevention, and support. With vaping identified as the number one health concern among students in a district-wide survey last year, the district is taking action to ensure students and parents have the knowledge and tools to address this growing issue. 

Last year, Mapleton secured a Vaping Prevention Education grant from the Colorado Department of Education, from which the district will use to fund a series of student assemblies and virtual parent education nights in early May. These efforts are designed to help students understand the risks of vaping while empowering them to make healthier choices. 

The student assemblies will be engaging and interactive, where Mapleton’s middle and high school students will listen to internationally recognized speaker and "edutainer" Robert Hackenson Jr. Known for his ability to connect with students through magic, illusions, and humor, Hackenson blends entertainment with serious discussions on the dangers of vaping. His presentations go beyond just listing the health risks—he also equips students with practical refusal skills, helping them navigate peer pressure and make informed decisions. 

As parents also play a critical role in Mapleton’s vaping prevention efforts, the district will host two virtual parent education nights, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 8, where Hackenson will share insights on why vaping companies target youth, how to recognize signs of vaping, and how to talk to teens about making healthier choices. These sessions will provide parents with concrete strategies to support their children and resources for intervention if needed.

"By educating both our students and their families, we aim to create a supportive environment that discourages vaping and promotes healthier choices," said Monica Ycaza, Mapleton’s Lead District Nurse. "These assemblies and parent sessions are essential steps in helping our community understand the risks and take action."

In addition to the grant-funded programs, Mapleton is also implementing Project EX, a research-based tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation program developed by the University of Southern California. While originally designed as a cessation program, at Explore PK-8, school psychologist Heather Gorey is using it as a proactive prevention effort to help students understand the dangers of vaping before they even try it. Every seventh and eighth grader at Explore participates in the program as part of their Health and Wellness class, making it a key part of the school’s strategy to keep students informed and vape-free.

The curriculum is highly interactive, incorporating role-playing, trivia games, and even activities like yoga to understand and appreciate the material. Gorey also teaches students how vaping companies use flavors and advertising to get young people hooked, helping them recognize these tactics and make more informed choices. For those who are already vaping, the program provides practical tools to help them quit.

“Many students don’t realize just how harmful vaping is,” Gorey said. “They don’t know how much nicotine is in a single hit or what those chemicals do to their bodies. When they learn that the same substances used in road tar are in vapes, it’s a real eye-opener.”

Mapleton’s vaping prevention initiative is a direct response to student concerns and a commitment to reducing suspensions related to vaping by 20%. By engaging students, parents, and staff in a district-wide conversation about vaping’s dangers, Mapleton is taking a proactive stance to protect student health and well-being.

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Mapleton secures grant to combat youth vaping through comprehensive prevention program 

Mapleton Public Schools has been awarded a Vaping Prevention Education grant of nearly $37,000 annually for three years from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The grant program, made possible from a large settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs Inc., for deceptive marketing to target youth, is intended to combat the youth vaping crisis in the state.  

The district will use the funds from the grant to implement a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to combat youth vaping. First, Mapleton will prioritize staff training by hiring a vaping prevention expert, certified by the American Lung Association, to conduct two full-day training sessions. These sessions will equip health assistants, culture coaches, and mental health providers with evidence-based tools to address vaping prevention and cessation effectively. 

In addition to staff training, Mapleton will hold four Parent Education Nights throughout the school year, roughly once per quarter. These events will be offered in English and Spanish, and will educate parents about the dangers of vaping, how to recognize signs of vaping in their children, and provide strategies to discuss this issue with them. This ensures that parents are well-informed and involved in their children’s well-being. 

Mapleton will also establish an “alternate to suspension” program for students caught vaping. Rather than facing punitive measures, students will participate in educational and supportive interventions designed to help them quit vaping and understand its health risks. 

Finally, the district will launch a district-wide wellness campaign that will include anti-vaping messaging. This campaign will use visual materials, social media ads, and other media to raise awareness and promote healthier behaviors among students. 

This initiative aims to reduce student suspensions related to vaping by 20% and decrease repeat offenses, ultimately fostering a healthier school environment. In a 2023-24 survey of nearly 600 Mapleton students, more than half identified smoking and vaping as the top health issue in their schools.