Share your talents with Newton North! PTSO seeks volunteers for board and committee positions

The NNHS PTSO welcomes new and returning NNHS families who want to get involved. Please review the PTSO's current volunteer openings below. Contact the PTSO at co-presidents@northptso.org to learn more and to volunteer!

(FILLED)Vice president, Fundraising: Oversee PTSO fundraising efforts and attend board meetings. (Sept.-June, two hours/week).

(FILLED)Vice president, Programming: Determine content of PTSO programs; arrange logistics. (Sept.-June, one hour/two weeks).

Nominating/volunteer coordinator: Solicit and welcome volunteers; fill positions. (Sept.-June, one hour/two weeks).

Celebration co-chairs: Plan and oversee early June post-prom party for all seniors. (Feb.-June, three hours/week).

(FILLED)Class liaisons: Serve as parent representative for the grade, including communication. (Sept.-June, one hour/two weeks).

Communication co-chairs: Post stories on PTSO website; update PTSO Facebook page. ((Sept.-June, one hour/two weeks).

Educational Excellence co-chairs: Oversee annual check-writing campaign for a need identified by NNHS. (Oct.-Mar., three hours/week).

Just Think Expo co-chairs: Organize and oversee community prevention expo. (Sept.-Jan., three hours/week).

Just Think: Vaping causes health risks

As the use of e-cigarettes (called vaping) has increased, so has the risk of more teens becoming addicted to nicotine, the active ingredient in e-cigarettes. In particular, with its cool design, Juul has helped popularize vaping among teens. Juul devices were designed to look like a tech product; one of the designers worked for Apple before joining Juul. Juul now makes up 68 percent of the $2 billion e-cigarette market. According to the Surgeon General, in addition to nicotine, Juuls contain the following:

Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.
Volatile organic compounds like benzene, which is found in car exhaust.
Nicotine, affecting brain development, which is not complete until age 25.

Here are some other facts about e-cigarettes.

Many teens don’t believe that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive.
Advertising for Juul and e-cigarettes is not regulated like tobacco advertising.
E-cigarettes are sold with sweet flavors (e.g., crème brulee, mango, cotton candy) that appeal to teens.
E-cigarettes are easier to start using than cigarettes; they are inconspicuous and hard to detect.
E-cigarettes are much more addictive than cigarettes. Nicotine affects chemical receptors in the brain and it can prime the developing teen brain for future substance abuse.

Here are some healthy ways to take your mind off Juuling.

Chew gum
Take a walk
Find new ways to socialize
Change your daily routine

Resources

FDA is failing to protect kids from e-cigarettes, American Lung Association says

How to Talk to Your Kids about Vaping (WBUR)

Vaping, Marijuana, and the Effects on the Adolescent Brain with Dr. Ruth Potee

To Curb Youth Smoking, Vaping, FDA Announces Plan Aimed at Flavored Products

In-house experts share strategies at PTSO program on October 26, 2018: “Just Think: Vaping, alcohol, marijuana--Know the risks for your teen”

Watch this six-minute video about Juuling with your teen, and use it to start a discussion.

NNHS PTSO

Share your talents with Newton North! PTSO seeks volunteers for board and committee positions

PTSO 2018-19

PTSO fundraisers support NNHS

Just Think: Vaping causes health risks

Newton North Information Booklet