Key MS - News You Choose - Important for Safety Awareness Information

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/27/2025 07:54 AM EDT

Key Middle School Families

New TikTok Trend

Monday, October 27

Dear Key MS Families, 

We are reaching out to make you aware of a new TikTok trend that involves damaging school property. It’s called the Paper Dart or Paper Plane challenge. Students fold sticky notes or pieces of paper into small darts, sometimes with a thumb tack or sharp piece of metal, and throw them at the ceiling in hopes that they stick. 

Damaging school property is a violation of the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) and carries serious consequences. In some instances, students and families may even be required to pay for repairs to damaged property. The darts, especially those with metal tips, present a serious safety concern for schools and could be used as a weapon, which is also a violation of the SR&R that could even lead to criminal charges.

As a partner in your child’s education, we encourage you to be aware of your child’s online actions, including who your children are interacting with and what they are sharing on social media. It is also important to have an open conversation about making safe and smart choices online, and how those decisions can have real world impacts. Some helpful resources you can use include the FCPS Guidance for Technology Use and Digital Citizenship Resources for Families.

We ask for your help in reminding students about their responsibilities and expectations as a Key MS Patriot and reinforcing with them why damaging school property is not acceptable.

Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Drew Campbell

Principal

Key Middle School

Vaping

Talk About Vaping with your Student

Dear Key Middle School Families,

We are writing to you today to address an important and growing concern we are seeing across the middle school environment: the increased experimentation with vaping among students.

We want to be clear that the use of any vaping product on school grounds or at school events is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action. However, our concern extends beyond policy. We are worried about the significant, well-documented health risks associated with these products. The developing brains and lungs of young adolescents are especially vulnerable to the high levels of nicotine found in most vapes, which can lead to rapid addiction and long-term health problems. Even products marketed as "nicotine-free" often contain harmful chemicals.

We believe that educating our students and families is the most powerful tool we have. We urge you to take time this week to have an open, non-judgmental conversation with your child about vaping. Many students are unaware that most vaping products contain nicotine and can lead to addiction.

Here are a few things you can do:

  • Talk about the facts: Discuss the health risks, the speed of addiction, and the chemicals involved.
  • Discuss social pressures: Help your child develop refusal skills for when they are offered a vape.
  • Know the signs: Vaping devices can look like USB drives, pens, or even items of clothing. Be aware of new smells (sweet or fruity) or secretive behavior.

We are committed to providing resources and support for any student struggling with this issue. If you have any concerns about your child or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact our school nurse, a school counselor, or the main office.

Working together, we can ensure our students make healthy, informed choices.

Sincerely,

Key Middle School