Despite a mountain of concerns from parents and students, Rogers Heritage High School staff appear to be turning a blind eye to the rampant vaping problem on campus, leaving many questioning their commitment to student well-being.
The vaping issue here has escalated to alarming levels, with students frequently seen using vapes in bathrooms, hallways, and even classrooms. Despite numerous complaints from concerned parents and students, there is little indication that school staff are taking significant action to address the growing problem. With the health risks of vaping becoming more widely acknowledged, many are calling for stronger enforcement of school policies and more proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Students have also expressed their concerns about being able to use the bathrooms, as other students who often vape have taken sanctuary and filled said bathrooms.
When asked about what the staff could do to improve the current vape issue, Jenna Mondragon (9) said, “Honestly, I’m not quite sure but probably moderating less popular bathrooms [though in more popular bathrooms, especially in the cafeteria bathroom, they need to be properly monitored.]”
It’s no secret that vaping has become an epidemic in schools nationwide, and Heritage is no exception. But what’s most frustrating isn’t just the issue’s prevalence— it’s the lack of effective action. Despite the administration’s awareness of the problem, their efforts to curb it have fallen short. Students like Jenna are left speculating on solutions that seem obvious and overdue by the staff. If the administration can’t even keep an eye on high-traffic hotspots, how can students trust that less popular spaces are being handled with any degree of seriousness?
When Jerah Goessens (9) was asked if she felt the staff had done enough against the vape issue she said, “I’m not exactly sure what they’re doing, but considering it’s still happening, no.”
The administration’s efforts to address vaping seem to be more about appearance than effectiveness. When even students admit they’re unsure of what, if anything, is being done, it’s a clear sign that the measures in place are failing. Vaping continues to be a persistent issue, and the lack of visible or impactful action only exacerbates the problem. Suppose students don’t feel the staff is doing enough. In that case, it’s not just a perception issue— it’s a failure of leadership and strategy and an invalidation of Heritage’s very own mission statement to provide an environment where all can learn and succeed. What’s most frustrating too is the sense of apathy surrounding the issue. Students and staff alike see the problem happening in real-time, yet there’s a glaring lack of urgency to fix it. The administration must realize that their passive approach sends a dangerous message—that they are either unwilling or unable to protect their students from a growing health hazard.
Heritage’s failure to address the rampant vaping crisis is nothing short of negligent. This is not a minor issue, nor should it be ignored any longer. The vaping epidemic is a direct threat to student health, and the administration’s complete lack of effective action is putting every student at risk. The fact that students are forced to propose such obvious solutions as better bathroom monitoring or vape detectors shows just how badly the staff has dropped the ball. The sheer lack of care shown by the administration is staggering—how can they sit idly by while students are to vape in plain sight, with no meaningful repercussions? This is more than just an oversight; it’s a blatant failure of leadership. The administration has proven time and time again that they’re either unwilling or utterly incapable of confronting this problem. Their consistent unwillingness to take action sends a message that the student’s well-being is not a priority–and that is a message no school should ever send.
