Oldham County secondary schools install sensors to detect vaping use

With the popularity of vaping among teenagers skyrocketing, one school district in the Louisville area has a new tool to detect it – a small but powerful one installed in the bathrooms of all four high schools in Oldham County. The smart Halo sensor not only detects evaporating food, but also detects fights and loud noises, immediately alerting staff via text and email. “It determines which toilet the alert is coming from, so the administrator or anyone else can quickly get in there and try to intervene. whatever happens,” said Eric Davies, Director of Student Affairs at Oldham County Schools. Davis says there has been a significant increase in e-cigarette use in high schools this year. , vaping was the vast majority. “I’ve seen several medical emergencies come from them and we don’t want that for any child,” Davis said. School officials say the effort is not only to punish students, but they could be suspended if caught. “There are punitive measures, but also an element of trying to get student help if they need it.” Davis said. “They are being assessed and we are connecting them with community service providers for help. This is the district’s way of fighting and working to curb a dangerous trend by taking the necessary steps to prioritize the health and well-being of the students in their care. I don’t know if we have the ability to completely stop it as kids only spend six to seven hours a day here, but we don’t want that in our schools,” Davis said. funded by the Board of Education.

While vaping among teenagers is skyrocketing, a school district in the Louisville area has a new tool to detect it.

It is small but powerful and installed in the bathrooms of all four secondary schools in Oldham County. The intelligent Halo sensor not only detects evaporating food, but also fights and loud noises, immediately alerting staff via text and email.

“It determines which restroom the alert is coming from so the administrator or anyone else can get in there quickly and try to intervene in whatever might be going on,” said Eric Davies, Director of Student Affairs at Oldham County Schools.

Davis says there has been a significant increase in vaping incidents in high schools this year.

Of the 52 drug and alcohol-related offenses committed by students so far, vaping made up the vast majority.

“I have seen several medical emergencies that have happened because of this, and we don’t want this for any child,” Davis said.

School officials say the effort is not only to punish the students, but that they could be suspended if they are caught.

“There are punitive measures, but also an element of trying to get help from students if they need it,” Davis said. “They are being assessed and we are connecting them with community service providers for assistance.”

This is the district’s way of combating and working on a dangerous trend by taking the necessary steps to prioritize the health and well-being of the students in their care.

“I don’t know if we have the ability to completely stop this because kids only spend six to seven hours a day here, but we don’t want it in our schools,” Davis said.

The sensors were launched as a pilot project a few years ago and are funded by the Board of Education.