QUOTE(Parizienne @ Oct 8 2008, 10:20 PM) 
My daughter wasn't there because she is currently having her freedom curtailed due to a lapse in judgment. However, she did say her friend, (a self-described prep/nerd type), saw a used condom on the dance floor.
I've chaperoned 8th grade dances at the middle school. The kids do make a circle and try to shield their attempts at freaking from chaperones. When I saw that, I'd just bust into the circle nonchalantly and pry them apart by sticking my arms out in front of me and weaving myself between. They hated that, but it's not appropriate and they know it.
As a parent, I say no dances, period, unless these kids understand they will NOT engage in lewd conduct. If they do, all bets are off for Homecoming, Prom, all of it.
It's not a flippin' brothel. It's an educational institution. Dances are tradition and a privilege, not a right, a given, or a mandate. These kids need a cold, hard and rude slap in the face.
Drugs are everywhere at that school. Something needs to be done. It's so bad that even the non-stoner kids say it's common knowledge as to who sells and where various "products" can be purchased.
Terrifying.
(sigh)
Pari.
I've chaperoned 8th grade dances at the middle school. The kids do make a circle and try to shield their attempts at freaking from chaperones. When I saw that, I'd just bust into the circle nonchalantly and pry them apart by sticking my arms out in front of me and weaving myself between. They hated that, but it's not appropriate and they know it.
As a parent, I say no dances, period, unless these kids understand they will NOT engage in lewd conduct. If they do, all bets are off for Homecoming, Prom, all of it.
It's not a flippin' brothel. It's an educational institution. Dances are tradition and a privilege, not a right, a given, or a mandate. These kids need a cold, hard and rude slap in the face.
Drugs are everywhere at that school. Something needs to be done. It's so bad that even the non-stoner kids say it's common knowledge as to who sells and where various "products" can be purchased.
Terrifying.
(sigh)
Pari.
Pari--I'm glad you volunteer to chaperone at dances--you seem like a cool headed--mama protecting her child kind of teacher.
with that said..........
I never--ever did drugs. Never had. Never will. But I do clearly remember eknowing exactly who was the pot head and who was the seller. Sometimes they were were jocks and cheerleaders/ sometimes they were bangers/ but incredibly-sometimes you would see a few nerds out there hooking and selling dope. Or crack.
at around 8th grade is when these kids start to learn how to transform their personalities like chameleons depending on where they are at ( like school or home ).
My best friend went to a catholic school and wore a mini skirt there---at home she palled around cut off jeans. Her other catholic school friends wore regular length skirts to catholic school and were "doing the nasty" to the boys at Sacred Heart.
Sex in high school is not new. Its not suddenly prevalent. Its the parents not understanding that their kids are high schoolers now---and they need to be parents--not cool.
I know, I like being the cool parent and picking my kid up from school and taking her out to eat and watch a movie and go shopping and then help her cram for tests.
But I also show up early every now and then and check her back pack in front of her friends for make up and boys notes and...... whatever else.
What was it my mama said to me a long time ago? Sometimes it sucks to be cool, don't it?
