Summit High School
Dear SHS Families,
Wednesday, November 6th marks the first day of the 2nd marking period. This is a great time for students to get re-organized and develop new study habits. Grades for the 1st marking period will be posted at the end of next week.
Please be reminded that we don't have school on Tuesday, November 5th, Thursday, November 7th, and Friday, November 8th.
It's a great day to be a Hilltopper!
Stacy Grimaldi
Principal
At Summit High School we commemorate Red Ribbon Week to show support for our family, friends, and community members who struggle with drug and alcohol misuse and to encourage open communication about the impact that drugs and alcohol have on our families and community.
So many of us have been touched personally by drug misuse - 48.5 million Americans aged 12 or older - one in 10 - have a Substance Use Disorder. We must work together to combat this epidemic. Please join the conversation about drug misuse prevention. After all, everyone knows someone…so let’s prevent the next one!
Did you know…
9 out of 10 addictions start in the teen years.
Studies have shown that frequent marijuana users, especially those who begin smoking before age 18, are at a higher risk for cognitive (brain) dysfunction and psychiatric and mental illness, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) happens when you have cycles of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after using cannabis (marijuana) for a long time.
Vaping THC Oil increases the rate of short-term anxiety, paranoia, memory loss, and distraction.
Edibles are the form of marijuana consumption most likely to lead to emergency room visits for marijuana overdose.
Edibles are now being associated with medical complications that we never knew were associated with marijuana such as: Confusion, Vomiting, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Agitation, Psychotic Episodes, Hallucinations, Paranoia, Impaired Motor Ability, Respiratory Depression, Heart Problems (ranging from irregular heartbeat to heart attack), Increased Likelihood to Cause Self-Harm or Hurt Others.
Abusing drugs and alcohol while your brain is still developing can change the brain’s structure and how it works—both in the short and long term.
Using Cannabis while the brain is growing affects: Memory, Concentration, Focus, Decision Making
Using Cannabis while the brain is growing increases: Anxiety, Stress, Paranoia
Research shows that:
Adolescents who start using before age 16 are as much as 4-7 times more likely than adults to become addicted
Marijuana use tripled the risk of psychosis and mental health disorders. Approximately 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have a marijuana use disorder
Marijuana use results in a decline in IQ (up to 8 points if prolonged use started in adolescent age)
Prescription drugs can help with medical problems when used as directed. However, whether they are used properly or misused, there can be side effects:
Using opioids like oxycodone and codeine can cause you to feel sleepy, sick to your stomach, and constipated. At higher doses, opioids can make it hard to breathe properly and can cause overdose and death.
Using stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin can make you feel paranoid (feeling like someone is going to harm you even though they aren’t). It also can cause your body temperature to get dangerously high and make your heart beat too fast. This is especially likely if stimulants are taken in large doses or in ways other than swallowing a pill.
Using depressants like barbiturates or benzodiazepines (Xanax) can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, sleepiness, disorientation, and lack of coordination. People who misuse depressants regularly and then stop suddenly may experience seizures. At higher doses depressants can also cause overdose and death, especially when combined with alcohol.
Signs to look for in our teens
Physical Health
Frequent sickness
Unusually tired and/or lethargic
Unable to speak intelligibly, slurred speech or rapid-fire speech
Nosebleeds and/or runny nose, not caused by allergies or a cold
Sores, spots around mouth
Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
Skin abrasions/bruises
Frequent perspiration
Seizures and/or vomiting, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)
Flu like symptoms
Messier than usual appearance
Poor hygiene
Behavioral Changes
Change in friends
Loss of interest in school and activities
Avoids eye contact
Uses chewing gum or mints
More cash/ change of clothing
Sullen, withdrawn or depressed
Less motivated
Silent, uncommunicative
Hostile, angry, uncooperative
Deceitful or secretive
Hyperactive or unusually elated
Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.
When teens find their true passions — those activities that uplift, motivate, and inspire them — they are more likely to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Resource: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/risks-of-edibles
https://drugfree.org/article/vaping-and-marijuana-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/addiction.html#print
Did you know that you can view your student's check-ins on Genesis? Students scan into the bathrooms, library, help centers, counseling office, and nurse's office when they visit these locations during the school day. You can view these check-ins in Genesis. Log into your Genesis account, and click check-ins on the left side of the screen. Please discuss with your student any excessive time out of class.
You can also view how many times your student did not have their ID badge with them in school. Please help ensure that your student has their ID badge with them each morning.
Students are required to remain home if they have a fever of 100 F or higher accompanied by a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and/or cough. Students may return to school when their temperature is below 100 F without the use of fever reducing medications and their symptoms have begun to improve. Please do not give your student fever reducing medication or cold/flu medication that contains fever reducers prior to attending school as these medications wear off during the day causing a rebound in symptoms.
Additionally, students who are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms with 2 or more episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea must remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours and tolerating fluids and a small solid meal. If your student has been prescribed antibiotics, please reach out to the school nurse for guidance on when they may return.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Akian or Mrs. Driscoll at (908) 273-1494 X5501.
Please be advised of upcoming road work on the following streets and areas, as of today, Sunday, October 27. Road closures and detours may be in effect in these areas; please leave extra time while driving in or near these areas. Schedule subject to change.
Monday 11/4
8AM – approx. 4PM Cromwell Pkwy at Nassau Dr
8AM – approx. 4PM Knob Hill Dr at Twombly Dr
8AM - approx. 4PM Evergreen Rd at Madison Ave
8AM – approx. 4PM Portland Rd at Warwick Rd
8AM – approx. 4PM Portland Rd at Ramsey Dr
8AM – approx. 4PM Russell Pl
8AM – approx. 4PM Walnut St at Sylvan Rd
8AM – approx. 4PM Edison Dr
Wednesday 11/6 – Friday 11/8
8AM – approx. 4PM Cromwell Pkwy at Nassau Dr
8AM – approx. 4PM Knob Hill Dr at Twombly Dr
8AM - approx. 4PM Evergreen Rd at Madison Ave
8AM – approx. 4PM Portland Rd at Warwick Rd
8AM – approx. 4PM Portland Rd at Ramsey Dr
8AM – approx. 4PM Russell Pl
8AM – approx. 4PM Walnut St at Sylvan Rd
8AM – approx. 4PM Edison Dr
The scheduled time frame for road work is weather-dependent, and every effort will be made to minimize any inconvenience to residents during this time. Please call the Summit Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau at 908-273-0051 with any questions.
