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Connors says Mashpee will strengthen MTSS, counseling and prevention after concerns about vaping and substance use
Summary
Superintendent Michelle Connors described existing counseling teams, outside referrals and peer supports for students with substance-use concerns and warned that vaping is harder to detect and a growing problem; she said the district will scale MTSS and focus on prevention and education.
In response to an audience question about substance abuse, Michelle Connors said the district relies on a strong school counseling team, outside referrals and family engagement to support students in need. She named peer-based approaches and programs such as Hope Squad as part of the response and said formal referrals to outside counselors are used when appropriate.
Connors also warned that vaping has become a prominent challenge: device designs and flavored cartridges can mask use and make detection difficult. "Vaping is a big concern in our schools," she said, noting that devices now resemble highlighters and that the district emphasizes prevention and education alongside consequences. She linked these efforts to a broader plan to scale an MTSS framework that responds to academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs earlier rather than reactively.
The superintendent asked for community support for prevention work and emphasized the need for timely communication and clear feedback loops between schools, families and service providers.
