“Clear the Air” Youth Vaping Awareness Campaign

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) joined Governor Parson, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and the Department of Public Safety recently to launch the “Clear the Air” youth vaping awareness campaign. “We are grateful to our educators across our state who face this issue head on each day,” says Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “Providing both parents and educators resources to be better informed on the risks of vaping – and on how to identify vaping devices and the signs of their use – will give them greater support to address this issue with their students and children.”

Clear the Air Awareness Campaign Resources:

Clear the Air toolkit – resources for educators, including youth-focused social media graphics and posters to print.
Clear the Air PSA – 15 second youth-focused message
StoptheVapeMissouri.org – website for youth
Vaping and Cessation information from DHSS – see the “Teen Vaping Train-the-Trainer Webinar and Resources for Adults” section at the bottom of the webpage

Governor Parson’s Press Conference Regarding Vaping

On October 15th, Missouri Governor Parsons gave a press conference regarding the issues vaping is causing in our state.

Follow this link to a YouTube video of the press conference.

School Wellness Symposium

The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals will be hosing an event in Columbia, MO, November 17-18, entitled “School Wellness Symposium – Building Bridges Together.” The target audience is for K-12 educators, counselors, support staff, health professionals, higher education, clergy, and community decision-makers.

SCHOOL WELLNESS TOPICS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED:

Closing Gaps in Achievement and Opportunity: Tyrone Howard
Race and Culture in Schools: Tyrone Howard
Creating A Culture of High Expectations: Anthony Colannino
Making Equity Matter: Maisah Howard
Trauma-Sensitive Classrooms: Maisah Howard
Building Relationships: Linda Jordan
Anxiety and Depression: Polly Patrick
Cultural Competency: Erica Battle
Social-Emotional Learning: Denise White
Hope in Learning: Venola Mason
Self-Care: Adam Drummond
Chemical Dependency: Linda Jordan
School Safety: Missouri School Boards Association
Medicaid 101: Missouri School Boards Association (Kim Ratcliffe) NKC Schools (Perry Hilvitz)

Registration and hotel information can be found here.

Grants Awarded

Congratulation PTA Grant Winners:

Espy PTA of Nixa

Russell Blvd. Elementary PTA

The PTA Connected Be Internet Awesome Family Workshop Grant, sponsored by Google, has awarded these 2 local PTAs in Missouri with $1,000 in funding and materials to host Be Internet Awesome Family Workshops in their school communities during the 2019-2020 school year.

Scholarship Opportunity: Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is looking for Missouri’s top youth volunteers of the year! Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past twelve months. Winners will receive $1,000 scholarships, medallions and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. with a parent or guardian for four days of recognition events from May 2-5, 2020. Applications are due by November 5, 2019.

· More information and application