The Loft is open for business! We have a fun, youth-friendly space, that teens 6th-12th grade can come hang out after school on Wednesdays from 3:00pm-5:30pm. We are located on the 2nd floor of the La Center Church.
Thank you to River City Enterprises for donating your time and supplies to help renovate The Loft. Thank you to all of our volunteers who spent time preparing and painting the space. We could not have done it without you!
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Discipline Policy Updates:
Substance-Use and Possession
Recently, important changes have occurred regarding discipline in schools. These changes relate to substance-use and substance possession. Comprehensive revisions to state discipline rules under Chapter 392-400 WAC that became effective July 1, 2019 task schools with:
- Improving proactive behavior supports, and
- Moving away from zero-tolerance, exclusionary discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions
Click here to read more about these changes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- As of Tuesday, 9/24, the count stood at 805 reported cases in 48 states, which includes 12 deaths in 10 states.
- CDC lab representatives spoke and indicated they are seeing an increase in samples from affected patients arriving at their labs. They are testing for information about what is in the vaping products used by patients as well as what is causing the injury. They stated their findings are not yet conclusive, but offered the following information:
- No specific device, substance, or chemical has been blamed as the cause
- Based on initial data most patients reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC.
- 55% of the samples from affected patients who used cannabis (THC) also contained vitamin E acetate.
- Discovery of the vitamin E link offers a lead, but they do not have enough data to conclude vitamin E is the cause of lung injury.
As part of the CDC’s response effort they plan to update their lung injury information website frequently. Click here to access the site.
Federal Trade Commission
Back to School: Online safety
Even if your child knows how to use the latest gadgets, they don’t always have the skills to think critically about that they’re seeing, saying, or doing online.
To help with this conversation, the Federal Trade Commission offers the following tips:
- Use everyday opportunities to talk to your kids about being online. For example, news stories about cyberbullying or texting while driving can spur a conversation about their experiences and how you expect them to behave.
- Clearly communicate your expectations and how they apply in an online context. Sharing your values clearly can help your kids make smarter and more thoughtful decisions when they face tricky situations. For instance, be specific about what’s off-limits — and what you consider to be unacceptable behavior.
- Resist the urge to rush through these conversations with your kids. Most kids need to hear information repeated, in small doses, for it to sink in. If you keep talking with your kids, your patience and persistence will pay off in the long run.
- Keep the lines of communication open. Even if you find out your kid has done something inappropriate online, listen and consider their feelings. You may not have all the answers but being honest and receptive can go a long way.
Click here for more tips on talking with your kids about online safety
Community Survey
We are asking you to participate in our annual community survey that asks about your views on issues youth are facing in La Center. We will use this information to help us understand your thoughts and feelings, in order to better serve youth in our community.
Click here to take the 5 minute survey!
Positive Community Norms
Positive Community Norms (PCN) can help us design and implement powerful communication campaigns that shift perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors to achieve authentic community transformation. La Center United will be using this approach to help reduce youth substance abuse, improve relationships, and create a safer and healthier community. We need volunteers to help us with this process.
Email lacenterunited@gmail.com to get involved.
The Loft Teen Center
We are always looking for volunteers to help out at The Loft on Wednesdays. We need people who care about youth and want to be a positive role model in their life. You can learn more about The Loft by going to our website, lacenterunited.org, or reaching out to us via email.
Click here to complete a volunteer application.
La Center United
Our Mission:
Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient
Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies
Supporting those in need, sharing ideas, and offering help
Our Vision:
A healthy and resilient community for youth and families
Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: lacenterunited.org
Location: 111 East 5th Street, Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-952-3488
Facebook: facebook.com/lacenterunited