Blue Zones Project tobacco policy work takes off!
Over the past month, St. Helena fifth and seventh-grade students have been hard at work crafting posters to educate their community on the dangers of tobacco. These posters were created as part of a design contest held by the school district in partnership with the St. Helena Police Department, UpValley Family Centers and Blue Zones Project.
Before embarking on poster creation, St. Helena School Resource Officer, Melissa Brown, and UpValley Family Centers Program Coordinator Daniela Flores provided classroom education on topics such as addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal. In addition, students engaged in interactive activities and lessons.
The poster submissions rolled in, and Blue Zones Project’s Tobacco Policy Committee voted on the top two posters. Winning students (seven students in total) were awarded bags of prizes. The bags included various swag items from Blue Zones Project, Napa County’s Tobacco Control Program, and UpValley Family Centers. Winners were also excited to find two movie passes in each bag generously donated by The Cameo.
All poster submissions are displayed around the middle school, and the top three posters are displayed around downtown St. Helena. Next time you’re strolling down Main Street, stop by the following locations to check out a student poster: Fideaux, Lolo’s Consignment, Sportago, Steve’s Hardware, and The Cameo.
Thank you to all our partners who made this initiative possible:
The student posters were also highlighted at the November 17th St. Helena Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, where Blue Zones Project and UpValley Family Centers joined together to present a newly developed Tobacco Protocol. This protocol was developed by Blue Zones Project’s Tobacco Policy Committee and in partnership with the school district. The document focuses on non-punitive options for students found using, or in the procession of, tobacco products, along with support resources available in the district. A separate bilingual Youth Tobacco Resource List accompanied the protocol that UpValley Family Centers are piloting through their work with families in the community. Both the protocol and resource list were approved by the Board of Trustees and will now be used by the district.
In early November, Blue Zones Project and Calistoga School Resource Officer Samantha Arlen presented a similar tobacco protocol and resource list to the Calistoga Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees. Officer Arlen provided insight into the amount of youth vaping on school campuses. As a result, the board is considering amending a current school policy to reference the new protocol. They will vote on the topic at their December meeting.