The FCCLA is selling Yuda Bands as a community service project. What is a Yuda band? They are bands made by kids who want to go to school. They are made from coconut shells and leather, with different colors and pictures, so there is a style for everyone. These cute bracelets will make a great stocking stuffer or gift for everyone on your list this year. The student we are sponsoring this year is Richard Norman. He is 14 and lives with his terminally ill mother who is unable to pay for his schooling.

The FCCLA will be selling Yuda Bands at basketball games or you can contact a FCCLA member and get one from them.  The cost is $7.00.

If you would like to see a picture of who we are sponsoring please click on the picture of the bracelets to bring up more pics.

You can now download the Irene-Wakonda School District App to your Android or iPhone.  You can have easier access to things like the calendar, lunch menus, infinite campus and your school email.  If you have any issues with this app please let me know or if you would like to see something added to the app let me know.  You can email me at stephanie.ganschow@k12.sd.us

The I-W FCCLA chapter is starting a community project for the Ronald McDonald House (RMHRMH).  We are looking for gently used stuffed animals and blankets.  The RMH find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children, with a goal to provide a place where families can be together.  Families can stay at Ronald McDonald Houses for free while caring for their sick children.

The RMH gives out “fluff” bags to the children that include a book, stuffed animals and a blanket.  Our FCCLA chapter would like to help collect these items and donate them to the RMH in Sioux Falls.  We will be collecting stuffed animals and blankets until the end of December.  You can drop off donations at the high school. Thank you for your support.

E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Juul

One of the biggest trends right now among middle school and high school students across the country is the Juul. It is a popular e-cigarette system that looks a lot like a USB flash drive. You may have seen one in your teenager’s room, figuring it was used for homework. Based on Twitter and Instagram posts with the hashtag #doit4juul, students are “juuling” wherever, whenever. They are getting away with it because the device is discreet, the vapor “cloud” can be hidden in a sleeve, and the vapor smells sweet and fruity, unlike cigarette smoke. Among teens, e-cigarettes are more popular than traditional cigarettes, and the Juul brand is currently king.

The nicotine contained in e-cigarettes is extremely addictive and has been shown to have long-term impacts on brain development in teens. Additionally, there are legal and school consequences for students who are in possession and/or using nicotine products. Individuals under the age of 18 will be issued a citation for the possession of nicotine. Students will also face school consequences that may include suspension.

Please take time to view the information below that discusses the impact of e-cigarettes and also includes examples of various devices. Take some time to discuss with your student the seriousness of these nicotine-delivering devices and the impact that nicotine can have on your child.

Examples of E-Cigarettes, Vaporizors, and Juul