Walpole principal sends letter to parents defending school dance decision

WALPOLE, Mass. — Earlier this month, Walpole High School canceled all dances held at the school for the 2016-2017 school year.

School officials said they posed a danger to the students, and they didn't want the dances to be a venue for intoxication.

After much debate, the principal sent a letter to parents saying he stands by his decision:

Dear Parents:

I have heard from a few of you over the week regarding our decision to cancel school-sponsored dances. You should know that we made the decision last spring to focus on different forms of social/fundraising activities other than dances. This was in response to the growing concern that dances brought, in regards to underage drinking. This concern was raised at PAC meetings, as well as at Drug & Alcohol Coalition meetings. During a recent School Committee meeting, I was asked to report on the school's plan this year to deal with Chemical Health. Among other plans, I mentioned that we were planning to cancel dances at this meeting, which in turn led to the recent press coverage.

In the interest of clarity, I believe that it will be helpful to know the specifics that led to this decision…

On a typical school day last year, students were dismissed at 2pm. Dances at the school are scheduled for 7pm. During that 5-hour period of time, the Student Council, under the leadership of Ms. McMenimen, worked hard to decorate the cafe and the hallways, help set up lights, DJ, and Photo-booth, and set up the snacks and water near the dance floor. They are a group of students who work to help create a positive culture and build a sense of community in our school. Other students went home or spent time hanging out together having fun getting ready for the dance. It is an exciting time, full of anticipation, and relief from the academic rigor.

While this was happening, however, a few students chose a different path. Some arrived to the dance under the influence, but managed to conceal this fact as they entered the school. Others brought alcohol into the dance where they consumed it and shared it with friends. As the night progressed, the behavior of these students deteriorated to a point that would embarrass any parent in Walpole; students falling around the dance floor being held up by their peers; students throwing up in the bathroom; students dancing in ways that shocks the teachers and the adults who are in charge of educating and shaping the future of those students. This behavior is fueled by the music, the lights, the 'safety in numbers', and the alcohol.

We, the staff who have volunteered to chaperone the dance, are compelled to intervene. After escorting the worst of the offending students off the dance floor, contacting their parents and waiting for them to come and pick up their child, we return to the dance to assess the situation. At this point, it is clear that a number of students have left the dance. I can only conclude that they did not wish to be the next student escorted off the floor. Finally, after a long week, and after a 15-hour workday for myself and the chaperones involved, the dance ends and I pray that every student gets home safely as I walk around and pick up empty nip bottles from the floor and the bathrooms.

Over the past two years, we had five consecutive dances where students arrived to the dance under the influence or were in possession of alcohol and have been disciplined. Over that two-year period, we had a total of thirty three (33) drug and alcohol violations at Walpole High School. Twelve (12) of these occurred at school dances. With these statistics, it is impossible to sanction events that can possibly put students in such grave danger. Students have told me they cannot continue attending dances due to this behavior, and faculty members have requested that I not ask them to chaperone dances again.

Some have suggested that we breathalyze everyone as they enter the dance. First, with over 400 students, to do so would take an inordinate amount of time. Second, a breathalyzer would not detect the alcohol in kid’s pockets, so we would have to search everyone as well. This does not breed a positive culture, which we have worked so hard to create.

Some have suggested that the kids who want to drink will drink regardless of whether there is a dance or not… “If there is no dance, they will just drink in the woods”. Well, if there is no dance, they are on your watch… I have no more to say on this as I find this excuse to be such an avoidance of the real problem.

Some have complained that I am “punishing the majority of ‘good children’ because of the behavior of a few”. Well, would you allow your ‘good child’ to wander around the city of Boston late at night? No, because you would not expose them to an unsafe situation. Likewise, dances at Walpole High have become unsafe situations, and I cannot allow your child to be exposed to situations that are unsafe.

I would welcome the return of our dances if I had a clear commitment from all students and parents that they would arrive sober and without being in possession of alcohol or other drugs. Kids love to dance. Dances provide an opportunity for our students to socialize and relax with their peers in a fun way. However, when alcohol and drugs are introduced, the fun ceases and the danger increases. I will not expose your children or my staff to this kind of behavior anymore. Students know they are doing wrong when they consume alcohol before or during a dance. They need guidance in this regard, not complicity.

As a community, we need to decide how to move forward. All members of the community need to employ more time having face to face, tough conversations with our youth or with those parents who are either oblivious or worse, complicit in this poor behavior. In the meantime, before one of your children gets hurt or mistreated on the dance-floor, gets assaulted after they leave the dance by an intoxicated student, or wraps their car around a tree, I maintain my stance regarding dances at Walpole High School. I care deeply for your children. Let’s work together to keep them safe.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

Walpole High School

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