The School rule
In recent weeks, we have seen the emergence of vaping among students and I wished to write today just to clarify the school’s stance on vaping, and to provide some general facts for your consideration.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is a risky behavior by which an electronic cigarette or vaporizer delivers nicotine, marijuana, and/or other chemicals to the body. Vapes contain chemicals (e-juice or vape juice) and a heating mechanism to deliver an aerosol form of those chemicals into the body and the environment around the user. Vaped chemicals enter the lungs, bloodstream, and brain in seconds. The user may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or experience a rush or high, which may set off cravings for more. Vapes come in many styles but generally look like high-tech cigarettes.
Vaping is a risky behavior by which an electronic cigarette or vaporizer delivers nicotine, marijuana, and/or other chemicals to the body. Vapes contain chemicals (e-juice or vape juice) and a heating mechanism to deliver an aerosol form of those chemicals into the body and the environment around the user. Vaped chemicals enter the lungs, bloodstream, and brain in seconds. The user may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or experience a rush or high, which may set off cravings for more. Vapes come in many styles but generally look like high-tech cigarettes.
Forming identity
The Middle and High School years are a critical time for developing personal identity, as students this age explore various sides of themselves. Whether through adult encouragement or rebellion against authority, adolescents will look to find ways to define their interests, opinions, and personalities.
Identity formation is a normal part of adolescent life. Our role as parents and in school is to help this formation to be from a sense of security and confidence. Even the most ‘mature’ and sensible teenager may at times explore areas of risk for themselves as they form their adult identity. Vape manufacturers know how vulnerable young people are and are working hard to become a fashionable option for our children to make vaping a lifestyle with which to identify. Vaping, they hope, will become the new socially accepted addiction to replace cigarettes.
The Middle and High School years are a critical time for developing personal identity, as students this age explore various sides of themselves. Whether through adult encouragement or rebellion against authority, adolescents will look to find ways to define their interests, opinions, and personalities.
Identity formation is a normal part of adolescent life. Our role as parents and in school is to help this formation to be from a sense of security and confidence. Even the most ‘mature’ and sensible teenager may at times explore areas of risk for themselves as they form their adult identity. Vape manufacturers know how vulnerable young people are and are working hard to become a fashionable option for our children to make vaping a lifestyle with which to identify. Vaping, they hope, will become the new socially accepted addiction to replace cigarettes.
Some truths about vaping
Nicotine is the primary chemical in e-cigarettes, and is highly addictive. Research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Vaping may not mean absorbing quite as much nicotine as through normal cigarettes, but the amount ingested is still both dangerous and poses a high risk of addiction. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.
There are many unknowns about vaping, including what chemicals make up the vapor and how they affect physical health over the long term. E-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health. You are exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that are not yet fully researched and are most probably not safe.
Labelling claiming ‘bubblegum’ or ‘watermelon’ flavor does not mean the makers were good enough to remove dangerous chemicals, they have just added attractive flavors to help more young people become addicted.
Nicotine is the primary chemical in e-cigarettes, and is highly addictive. Research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Vaping may not mean absorbing quite as much nicotine as through normal cigarettes, but the amount ingested is still both dangerous and poses a high risk of addiction. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.
There are many unknowns about vaping, including what chemicals make up the vapor and how they affect physical health over the long term. E-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health. You are exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that are not yet fully researched and are most probably not safe.
Labelling claiming ‘bubblegum’ or ‘watermelon’ flavor does not mean the makers were good enough to remove dangerous chemicals, they have just added attractive flavors to help more young people become addicted.
There is increasing evidence that those getting hooked on vaping are turning to traditional cigarettes as well. Young ‘new’ smokers are a different issue than older smokers trying to give up a lifelong habit of smoking.
The school rule
As with all new and emerging risks, we will be including more education about the dangers of vaping in our programs next year. Our school rules treat vaping in the same way as smoking traditional cigarettes. Students caught vaping at school will be suspended on the first occasion, with consideration for other consequences on subsequent occasions.
The following is taken from the Parent/Student Handbook 2018
TOBACCO USE BY STUDENTS, STAFF AND GENERAL PUBLIC
In order to foster good health habits for students in a smoke-free environment, smoking or other use of tobacco products by staff, students, and members of the public is banned from all school buildings and grounds; from the areas surrounding the school; and from all vehicles used to transport students and teachers.
Tobacco use by students and staff is banned at all school events, even when this event takes place away from school grounds. Further, the possession of any smoking related materials including lighters, matches, etc. on school grounds and school sponsored events is strictly prohibited.
Tobacco use by students and staff is banned at all school events, even when this event takes place away from school grounds. Further, the possession of any smoking related materials including lighters, matches, etc. on school grounds and school sponsored events is strictly prohibited.
Electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems and other products associated with the concept of smoking are also banned. This includes such systems that do not contain nicotine but imitate the process of smoking.
Adrian Leece
Main Office
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Yearbooks 2018-2019
The yearbooks will arrive soon! Come pick it up at the Jaguar Shop this June 13th.
Mónica Duarte
Marketing and Communication
Requirements for a scholarship
We now have the list of requirements in order to apply for a scholarship from the Secretaría de Educación del Estado de Querétaro for 2019 – 2020. If you want a copy of that list, please ask for it in the Student Records Department or follow this link click here to download it.
Ana Torres
Student Records Coordinator
Business is a Kids thing!
Musical June
Fé del Carmen García
Extended Learning Coordinator
Xtreme Challenge
We want to thank all the attendees, sponsors, staff and volunteers who participated in the 5th Xtreme Challenge Race that took place last Sunday at our school.
You can pick up your prizes in the Institutional Development office.
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Elementary School 1°,2°,3° and Prefirst ( 8:00 am start) | Sun and fun team |
| Preschool | Ana Frank Team |
| Elementary School 4°, 5°, Middle School and High School | Rainbow Team |
Gaby Platas
Institutional Development Coordinator
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High School basketball team grand finale
Come and support our High School male basketball team in the grand finale that will take place this Thursday, June 4th at 18:00 pm vs. Lafayette in the Colegio San Javier.
Sports Results
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Preschool
Piggy Bank Challenge
Great job, Jaguars!!! We raised almost $51,000 for our new plaza! It was a great experience where the community came together to really make a difference at our school. The winning class was calculated by dividing the amount of money raised by the number of students in the class. The winning class is……K3D!!! Thank you all for your support!
End of the Year PYP Presentation
Our final presentation will be this Friday, June 7th in the school auditorium. Please arrive by 8:00 AM in order to take part in our great learning scavenger hunt while you visit the grade level displays. The show will begin promptly at 8:30 am and students will be dismissed immediately following the presentation. Please remember to bring your JFK ID for dismissal.
K3 Mini Promotion
We are preparing to say goodbye to our K3 students in a simple ceremony on Monday, June 17th at 8:00 AM in the auditorium. Students should arrive directly to the auditorium in their complete school uniform. There will be normal classes following the event.
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
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Elementary School
JFK Reads program
Our JFK mission states that we lead, we serve, and we create beauty. The JFK Reads programs celebrates our students who are, “Today a reader, and tomorrow a leader.” On Monday, over 140 students and teachers were celebrated with championship medals for completing the JFK Reads program and demonstrating a love of reading and evidence that they are becoming lifelong readers. When children are Elementary School aged, it is the right time to build this important habit. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you Parent Association for donating the beautiful medals. Keep reading during the summer!
This week, from Tuesday to Friday, students can participate in the new logo design contest for the JFK Reads medal and stickers next school year. Here is how it works…
- Design the logo for 1, 2 or up to 3 levels of the JFK Reads. It MUST be related to the theme of each level. (THEME CHART BELOW)
The logos can be made by hand or in digital format. (Using Canva or any other design platforms can be a great way to start!)
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Level and Theme Chart |
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Lower Elementary
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Upper Elementary
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1 |
WATER |
1 |
SEED |
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2 |
LEAF |
2 |
GRASS |
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3 |
OCEAN |
3 |
PLANT |
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4 |
SKY |
4 |
TREE |
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5 |
PLANET |
5 |
CLOUD |
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6 |
STAR |
6 |
SUN |
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- Send a scannedor digitalized version of the design to Miss Ana Medrano at [email protected]
- Make sure to include:
NAME, GRADE, and LEVEL of the logo you designed.
- You will be graded by creativity, originality connection to the theme, and overall design.
LIMIT DATE OF ENTRY: FRIDAY June 6th.
The winners will be announced in the next Flag Ceremony.
Elementary School Principal
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Middle School
Important dates.
Hello Middle School Community,
Some important dates:
- Friday, June 7th-“Make Art, Make Time, Make a Difference”, Social Service Art Auction event in the Elementary Multipurpose Room. At 5pm, 8th graders will be presenting their Social Service portfolios, and at 6pm the auction begins. Seventh and eighth graders must attend, it’s optional for 6th graders.
- Monday, June 10th-Flag Ceremony color guard will hand over their duties to the new color guard. Families of these students will be contacted to attend the ceremony.
- Tuesday, June 11th - Wednesday, June 12th- PLANEA exam, grade level TBA.
- Thursday, June 13th - Band Concert and Art Exhibition at 9am!
- Thursday, June 13th is also the last day of classes for students who have exempted extraordinary exams.
- Friday, June 14th- PD day for teachers.
- Monday, June 17th - Friday, June 21-Extraordinary exams, schedule TBA
- Wednesday, June 19th-Farewell Ceremony for 8th grade students at 8:15 am in the auditorium.
Have a great week!
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
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High School
Key dates for the end of the school year
I want to take some time to communicate some key dates for the end of the year in High School:
- June 4th - June 7th - Voluntary Semester Exams for 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade
- June 11th and 12th - SEP PLANEA 9th Grade
- June 13th - Last Day of Normal Classes for 9th Grade
- June 17th - Graduation Rehearsal at 11:00 am for 12th Grade
- June 18th - Graduation
- June 11-19th - Extraordinary Exam Dates for 9th - 12th Grades
Thank you for your support this year!
Bob Callahan
High School Principal