
Vaping on Campus a Concern for EHS Administrators, Students

Many schools around the country have seen a large increase in the number of students who vape or smoke on campus, and Elmira High School is no exception. Chances are that if you’re a student, you have seen or heard about students vaping or smoking — or maybe even done it yourself. With the ease of access to e-cigarettes and vaping pens, schools have been forced to act.
At Elmira, Principal Rick Gardner told Falcon News that more than two dozen students have been written up for vaping and smoking-related problems this school year.
“It fluctuates. Typically it comes in waves,” Assistant Principal Joel Smith said.
In an effort to crack down on the problem on campus, staff members have volunteered to patrol the restrooms during their breaks and prep periods. In addition, school officials have looked into installing sensors that detect tobacco and marijuana vapes, including in the restrooms near the courtyard that are expected to be remodeled this summer.
The sensors “send a notification to whoever you determine, and can also talk through it,” Smith said.

In a survey conducted by Falcon News, about 29.4% of students who responded said they witnessed vaping on campus once a day, 18.6% said they see vaping on campus two times or more a day, 8.8% reported seeing it five times or more a day and 11.8% reported seeing it 10 or more times a day. However, 31.4% indicated never seeing it.
“Kids need to take control back of their spaces,” Smith said. “We have rows of bathrooms, but people can’t use those bathrooms because people are doing things in there that they shouldn’t be doing. … I get that nobody wants to be a snitch, but at the same time I want to empower the strong voices in our community, the good voices, the ones that are trying to do things the right way.”
When asked how vaping around campus has affected them, 41 out of 104 respondents said it hasn’t really affected them directly and they just mind their business. There were multiple people who said they’re afraid to go into the bathroom now because they don’t want to get in trouble for other people vaping.
Students also were asked whether they thought vaping around campus was a problem. Out of 104 responses, 59 said yes, 27 said no and 18 others provided “other” responses.
When asked where vaping occurred the most, 42 people said the bathrooms and 62 said a mix of other places, including classrooms and the foyer by the front office.
People being so addicted they’re willing to vape and smoke in class shows the hold that tobacco has on some students.
However, student vaping isn’t just an Elmira issue. Some studies show that one in seven U.S high school students vape, and that number is only getting bigger as time goes on. U.S. News reported about this study that found that about 2.5 million middle school and high school students reported that they had vaped in the past 30 days in early 2022 — which equals 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students.

Later that year, the FDA’s federal data from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that more than 3 million middle and high school students reported vaping and tobacco use as of 2022.
A few years back there was a large increase over the course of one year. In that year high school students using vape in school has seen a dramatic increase in just one year. In 2018 37.3% of 12th graders reported vaping, but just one year prior in 2017 only 27.8% of students reported vaping.
Vaping on Campus a Concern for EHS Administrators, Students
Efforts to help crack down on the problem include installing bathroom sensors
Spaceflight Insight: A New Artemis Lander
A new lander, A bankrupt startup, and a SpaceX Crew launch.
Students Gather for Last BIP Assembly of the Year
Check out this gallery of half-court shots and Hi-Q teams; new NHS members named
German Class Demonstrates Their Skills in the Real World
Students visited Germany and the surrounding countries from March 22 to April 2
Track Athletes Get a Send-Off to Their Second Day of Districts
Check out a photo gallery of EHS gathering in the hallway to celebrate the Falcons
“Find Your Voice” in Teen Community Art Show
The event is for everyone ages 13-19 and work must be submitted by July 3
Kick Off Summer Reading by Attending the Fern Ridge Book Sale
It will be held from 10 to 4 both days, with all books half-priced Saturday afternoon
Summer School Offers Credit Recovery
Classes in math, science, English, health, and social studies are offered
Red Cross Blood Drive Rescheduled for May 22 at EHS
Donors will receive a free beach towel
EHS Sources of Strength Team Launches Spring Campaign
The week of activities, dress-up days and special schedules runs through Friday
Spaceflight Insight: Raptor V3, Commercial Space Station, And More!
Has the JUICE spacecraft recovered?
Dementia Action Week Aims to Raise Awareness
The theme for the week, May 15-21, is ‘Dementia Diagnosis’
EHS Homeroom Classes Work Around Campus to Cleanup Trash
Students work as a service to the school as the end of the year draws near
EHS Class of 2026 Showcasing Wall-E to Raise Funds
There will be a $5 admission and snacks will be sold at the event
EHS Students Thank Staff For All That They Do
Teacher Appreciation Week lasted from May 8 to 12
Incumbents Face Contested Races in Fern Ridge School Board Election
Jackie Turle, Lorie Daniels run against challengers Kathleen Pizzola, Lisa McCann
Seniors Jake King and Caleb Johnson Crowned Prom Kings
There was 100% attendance and 170 tickets sold for the Rose Gold Masquerade
3 Elmira Students Honored at High School Art Contest
Ethan Eutsler places 1st, and Madisan Ginter and Kaden Velarde earn Merit Awards
Spaceflight Insight: The World’s Largest Communication Satellite
JUICE in danger, SpaceX lawsuit, and the world’s largest communications satellite
Youth Action Council Works to Connect EHS to the Community
YAC also expands awareness about the services provided to students via Orchid Health
Seniors Take Center Stage to Perform Spoken Word Poetry
Guest mentor works with Mr. Hart’s class on their writing and performance skills
EHS Drama Club to Host a Music & More Night
The final performance for Drama Club seniors will see them honored during the event
Spaceflight Insight: Was The SpaceX Test-Flight a Success or Failure?
Why is an exploding rocket a good thing?
This Year’s Prom is a ‘Rose Gold Masquerade’
Tickets are on sale now for $20 as a single and $35 for couples
Spaceflight Insight: The JUICE Is Loose!
The Juice Is Loose, 50 in 1 launch, and Starship Orbital Flight Test
Read to Farm Animals at the Fern Ridge Library
Visit the library to see goats, ducks, and even donkeys in outfits
Celebrate Earth Day and ‘Invest in Our Planet’
The EHS library will display dystopian books and the Elmira Grange will have a celebration
‘Everyone’s Welcome’ at Veneta Elementary Auction
There will also be a raffle with many prizes and a banana eating contest
Fern Ridge School Board Approves Plan for Weather-Related Makeup Days
May 26 is now a school day, and there will be no early release the Wednesday before
Senior Pranks and Spirit Week in Germany
Foreign exchange student Hannah Gwosc reveals some of the traditions of German students