If you are unhappy with the school board overturning the punishments, let them know. Write them letters, make phone calls, go to school board meetings. What lesson did the students learn out of this entire situation? If you threaten with a lawsuit, you can get out of anything. It shows them that, if your parents complain enough, you can get out of anything. I am sure that the school board had a hand in the original set of consequences. There is no possible way the principal and superintendent would come up with the punishment on their own. Too many students were involved and they knew that there would be a kick-back coming if they took away all extra-curricular activities. The school board had to have been consulted and granted permission. To tell both the principal and the superintendent that they could do this and then turn over the punishment is completely unacceptable.
What sort of parenting is this? There are parents that feel they want to be friends with their students before they are parents. This is not the way to teach a lesson. The school board has essentially told the students that it’s fine for them to go out and drink alcoholic beverages. The board showed them that they should not use their heads when picking their friends and the situations they are putting themselves. It does not matter what the law has to say about them not reaching the age of 21. Not one of these students has said that they were not the ones in the pictures. There are parents that had purchased the alcohol for these parties. If these students were in college and caught with the alcohol, it does not matter who you are or what you are, you are off the team. Colleges do not care if they get every parent calling them to complain that it’s “not fair” for a scholarship to be taken away. You pay a heck of a lot more to go to college (I’m sure that most scholarships do not completely cover the cost of a university) than it does to go to high school.
We need to let the school board know that we are not happy with their decision. The silent majority needs to come out and not stay silent on this decision. The school board told the principal and Dr. Shank what to do. We need to tell them that we can not go handing out punishments and then taking it away. The board were the ones that had already agreed upon the conduct that is expected of all students and athletes. To go against their own rules is the most idiotic thing. Students have not learned a single lesson. Write a letter, make a phone call, send an email, go to the school board meetings...let them know how much you completely disagree with their back-and-forth decision making skills.
I disagree more with the policy period since it is open to too much interpretation but also what you refer to as their “back and forth decision making skills” as well. Also, with how it takes away parental responsibility. I’m not threatening a law suit, but suggesting a legal student would probably be interested in conducting research and finding a way to change current policy as a project to their studies. What does it take to change policy? Who would be in support of it? If one could not find support to change why not? Who created the policy? I think its just a poor policy to begin with.
This might apply, it might not, but I am reminded of an older proverb...---It takes a village to raise a child---...the simple truth is that all of us, (children, students and adults) need to be reminded there are consequences for our actions, no matter how trivial we or others may feel the infraction to be (i.e.-speeding, seatbelts etc., etc., etc.)
This might apply, it might not, but I am reminded of an older proverb...---It takes a village to raise a child---...the simple truth is that all of us, (children, students and adults) need to be reminded there are consequences for our actions, no matter how trivial we or others may feel the infraction to be (i.e.-speeding, seatbelts etc., etc., etc.)
This might apply as well and it might not but thats why there are lawyers to defend them. People have rights.
I was born and raised in this village and I was scared to do anything wrong, because I knew my mom and dad would find out, because they also were born and raised in this village, so they knew everyone. And, they would be parents and give me a consequence I would not like for my actions. I know the village has changed quite a bit since then, but we are all responsible in a small way for what occurs in the village and what is produced by the village! It is a shame a local pastor has to plead with the community to leave Sunday’s “unscheduled” so children and youth can have one day to focus on that aspect of their lives too. Maybe if faith was more of a priority, these students wouldn’t be in the situation they are in.
The “who” would be “whose” child is this? If the same situation happened last year and it was “only” one child as compared to this year when it is 43, doesn’t it seem odd that the punishment has now been retracted? Could it possibly be that the children were athletes, better connected or just the shear number of parents complaining caused the reverse? One set of parents versus 43 sets certainly is poor odds. I wasn’t at the meeting but were the coaches? Who else was pressuring the board? that is the problem I see. I agree it is a bad code but were is the consistency here? I feel it is sending a message that the rules are enforced based on “who” you or your parents or your coach might be. JMO. (And I don’t know the Chesnavages at all. ) I agree with Marge though....the parents need to get this policy changed to something reasonable, appropriate and clear. the way it stands now, going to church could be considered “in the presence of alcohol”!
They were students and none with any “connections” that I could see. The situation you talked about last year was a child of a coach and seems to look like someone was out to remove them from their positions and standings at the high school. This is were this policy needs work, so this cant KEEP happening. What happened to Al and his family was wrong as it is that it happened to these other 14 kids. Yes, Lisa Marsteller (girls softball) and her asst. coach spoke for their athletes and did a exceptional job. The other people that were “pressuring” the board were parents of the accused students and the largest group were concerned parents of students/atheletes that want to make sure this will not happen again.
The “who” would be “whose” child is this? If the same situation happened last year and it was “only” one child as compared to this year when it is 43, doesn’t it seem odd that the punishment has now been retracted? Could it possibly be that the children were athletes, better connected or just the shear number of parents complaining caused the reverse? One set of parents versus 43 sets certainly is poor odds. I wasn’t at the meeting but were the coaches? Who else was pressuring the board? that is the problem I see. I agree it is a bad code but were is the consistency here? I feel it is sending a message that the rules are enforced based on “who” you or your parents or your coach might be. JMO. (And I don’t know the Chesnavages at all. ) I agree with Marge though....the parents need to get this policy changed to something reasonable, appropriate and clear. the way it stands now, going to church could be considered “in the presence of alcohol”!
They were students and none with any “connections” that I could see. The situation you talked about last year was a child of a coach and seems to look like someone was out to remove them from their positions and standings at the high school. This is were this policy needs work, so this cant KEEP happening. What happened to Al and his family was wrong as it is that it happened to these other 14 kids. Yes, Lisa Marsteller (girls softball) and her asst. coach spoke for their athletes and did a exceptional job. The other people that were “pressuring” the board were parents of the accused students and the largest group were concerned parents of students/atheletes that want to make sure this will not happen again.
NONE with any “connections” seems a bit far fetched, don’t you think? Everyone in this area seems to be “connected” to someone! I’m sure there were “connections.” Does anyone know who the board members were that voted to change the punishment? I think the voting positions of the board members should be made public on this screw-up.
The policy does need work, however it was not changed since last year, so it should still be enforced as written. If you have a problem with it, then get together and confront the board and find out how to change it for next year. But those involved were aware of the policy and signed a paper stating they would abide by the policy. This was a HUGE mistake by our board undoing the punishment that was already handed out by administration. Shows no accountability once again. And they wonder why we have behavior issues in our schools - are you kidding me? Keep sending this kind of message and it will only get worse. Make the kids accountable for their actions as well as the school board.
For the record, Lisa Marsteller is the assistant coach. I’m sure they were begging for their athletes. Gee, what’s more important a game or following the rules? Again, what have we taught our kids? Not just the ones who had the punishment taken away, getting them off the hook but all the other students in the district - it’s now a free-for-all. Enjoy yourselves, kids and don’t worry we’ll bail you out, because our softball record is way more important than your life and following any silly rules.
What is wrong with a strong alcohol and drug policy? It may be a bit vague as it is written now but with the current situation, the kids and parents used the vagueness to their advantage to get out of the punishment. THAT is what needs to be changed. I 100% support the meaning behind the policy....no drugs/alcohol (or blatantly stupid behavior) as long as you are a student and representative of our district. As an athlete who puts on the school jersey (or a sr putting on the school colors in cap and gown) - you are to set an example. We need the school to reinforce what should be taught at home.
whats really ridiculous is, are the parents more worried about their kids drinking, or taken out of activities? my parents would definately of defended me in certain situations, but these, you, parents, are basically saying “oh, nieve i am, there was alcohol, but no way my kid was drinking” come on!!! fight good fights for your kids, like skateboard fines, lol......
Did parents see the agreement before it was signed? I would think something like this would be sent home? Am I wrong about that?
we sign the agreement every year, parents and students. No differant than signing a mortgage with an ARM and then complaining about the terms when the rate increases. If you don’t like the policy, don’t sign it and bring it up then!
Did parents see the agreement before it was signed? I would think something like this would be sent home? Am I wrong about that?
we sign the agreement every year, parents and students. No differant than signing a mortgage with an ARM and then complaining about the terms when the rate increases. If you don’t like the policy, don’t sign it and bring it up then!
Late to the party, but in with a splash…
The entire drug and alcohol policy is unreasonable as written. Previous posts have pointed out that a student can be held in violation (and, as I understand it, were) for being at a party where someone of legal drinking age was (gasp) drinking alcohol.
No, it is not at all like an ARM, it’s not even a contract.
“Students and parents/guardians should be aware that this document is reviewed annually since policy adoption and revision is an ongoing process. The changes will generally supersede the provisions found in the code, which will become obsolete by the newly adopted policy. The Student Code of Conduct is not a contract between the school and the parents/guardians or students. It can be
amended at any time at the discretion of the district. If policy changes are enacted during the school year, the Administration will communicate those changes to students, staff and parents/guardians.”
Rules can change at any time for any reason. So, the rules were changed. Not a problem.
Did parents see the agreement before it was signed? I would think something like this would be sent home? Am I wrong about that?
we sign the agreement every year, parents and students. No differant than signing a mortgage with an ARM and then complaining about the terms when the rate increases. If you don’t like the policy, don’t sign it and bring it up then!
Does one’s child have the option to participate in extracirricular activities if you don’t sign the paperwork every year?
my point was, people sign things all the time and then claim ‘foul’ when they don’t like what they signed after the fact....whenit does not suit them anymore.
It is not a drug and alcohol policy. It is a behavior policy. The code of conduct is not a contract. But it is an agreement that is entered into by three parties. All three agree to be bound by the conditions of the policy and agree to be held accountable for thier actions.
............ If policy changes are enacted during the school year, the Administration will communicate those changes to students, staff and parents/guardians.”
Rules can change at any time for any reason. So, the rules were changed. Not a problem.
Since the ‘Changes’ were not communicated to students, staff and parents, then there is a problem. You can’t make changes to a policy to suit the moment, or the people. Since I still have not been ‘communicated’ with, I can only assume that the rules were ‘Suspended temporarily’ for the benefit of those at that particular moment, and that the policy, as written, is still in force.
Either stick to the policy or revise it the right way. That is all I am asking. I have signed that policy or similar ones to it for a long time. I make sure my student reads it every time before he signs it ...... both so he knows what he is signing and to teach a lesson that you should ALWAYS read what you are signing. So, I guess the school board has just taught my student that it doesn’t really matter. Just cry fould and all will be forgiven. I wonder how long it will take me to get that idea out of his head??????????
