As our students make their final arrangements for the school’s prom, we are taking this opportunity to emphasize the importance of appropriate parental engagement. While we hope that students will make memories that last a lifetime, we need to ensure they make good choices too. It starts with parents monitoring their student’s plans for the entire night. Make sure that you know how they are getting to the venue, when they are planning to leave, who they intend to be with, and where they are going after the prom. Some common things to question include party buses and limousine rentals, going to houses with limited or no supervision, and hotel rooms rented for an afterparty. These are all potential settings for illegal and/or dangerous circumstances that can be difficult for students to cope with due to peer pressure. Parents must intervene and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
We are aware of past cases when parents or other adults set up situations for minors to engage in illegal activities. Attached to this email is information about our state’s “Open House Party” statute. If the police become involved, parents or adults who knowingly allow minors to possess an alcoholic beverage or drug, and do not take reasonable action to prevent the possession or consumption of the alcoholic beverage or drug, may be charged with a violation and face imprisonment. Considering these negative consequences, we hope that no one makes this mistake.
We also want you to know that reasonable suspicion gives school officials the ability to search all patrons attending the prom, their belongings, or vehicles while at the event. Anyone who uses or possesses an alcoholic beverage, vaping instrument, or drug will be punished by the school. All students traveling in a vehicle, on a party bus, or in a limousine may receive consequences for contents found within the vehicle. Consequences may include forfeiture of the right to attend the prom and the payments associated, other school events and the payments associated, suspension, loss of privileges, and/or a recommendation for expulsion.
If you have any concerns about your student’s safety at the prom, or regarding situations that could be unsafe for others, contact the school for support. Our staff and SRO are available to discuss your concerns.
Student Transportation – If a student or guest shows signs of being impaired as they exit a vehicle, whether it is private or rented, they will be separated from other patrons along with all of the other passengers. For safety reasons, everyone in the vehicle will be excluded from the Prom regardless of whether or not they appear to be under the influence so that they can be fully monitored. A parent will be required to pick them up immediately, no exemptions.
