Water Balloon Fight Costs Withrow High School Its Prom

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130207/NEWS0102/302070145?fb_comment_id=fbc_558089007543277_105868331_558279374190907

 

HYDE PARK — Withrow High School has canceled its May 2 prom to punish students for a senior prank.

 

Sharon Johnson, principal of the Cincinnati public school in Hyde Park, said students used social media last month to plan a massive water balloon fight at lunch.

 

Staff found out about it and tried to stamp out the plan.

 

Johnson made two separate school-wide announcements on the day of the prank, and another in person at the start of the lunch period.

 

“We asked them respectfully not to do it. We talked to them about safety issues, including causing panic and kids who could get upset because they got hit or wet,” she said. Each time, she said, she warned them that prom would be canceled if they proceeded.

 

“I didn’t think they were going to do it. I really thought they valued their prom,” said Johnson.

 

But toward the end of the lunch period, one student stood up and the water fight was on.

 

“I think that was the signal. They went haywire,” she said. “They had them in backpacks and duffel bags. There was water everywhere, running down the hallway. Kids were getting upset, kids were slipping and falling on the staircase.”

 

About 150 to 175 students were involved, she said.

 

So Johnson stuck to her guns and canceled prom. Letters were sent home to parents. Johnson said she’s only received about three phone calls from parents upset about the issue.

 

“It was very painful for me. I was looking forward to them having (prom), too,” she said. “But there are consequences to actions.”

 

....

 

Johnson said Withrow will be holding a breakfast to celebrate the graduating senior class. But prom is still off.

 

She said this is the first time in her 11 years as principal that she’s ever had to give an ultimatum for a senior prank. She hopes the seniors – and future senior classes – learned something: There are consequences.

 

“I had to stick to what I said, so that’s what I did,” she said.

 

“We have high expectations at our school and we strive hard for academics. We are about keeping a safe and orderly environment.

 

“For them to go forward and go against the rules and the administration of the building, we felt that was a fair consequence. They made the choice.”

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

What does everybody think?

[MNCM]

They were warned and chose to ignore the warning. Good on the school for sticking to its guns.

[plantmanky]

They were warned and chose to ignore the warning. Good on the school for sticking to its guns.

 

I agree with this, they were told not too and they did, so accept the punishment. However too, it was a freaking water ballon fight, for peats sake we let lose 300 chickens in our school for senior prank, it took 2 weeks too find all of them. :banana:

[gchs_uk9]

I agree with this, they were told not too and they did, so accept the punishment. However too, it was a freaking water ballon fight, for peats sake we let lose 300 chickens in our school for senior prank, it took 2 weeks too find all of them. :banana:

 

But man were lunches good for that fortnight!

[plantmanky]

But man were lunches good for that fortnight!

 

My senior year, in the new high school, the freshman class planned the best food fight I ever saw, somehow they managed to lock out anyone from outside the cafeteria getting in and it was on, a good 25 minutes.

[TAC]

Kids are idiots--love the prank, but the use of social media for-warned the administration. My child was part of a senior skip day and got busted because they were able to view his facebook page and confirm he was talking about doing it. "I told you so" only made it worse.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

I can't help but think that this is pretty unfair to the +/- 25 kids that weren't involved, but are apparently losing their prom all the same. I realize life isn't fair...but is there a better way to dole out this punishment?

[SvFan4life]

Even though it was just a water fight there are still major safety issues involved and injuries could have happened. If you look at it 150-175 kids involved and say each o those had 5-10 water balloons tht is a bunch of water and could cause a serious injury to someone not involved.

 

I agree with canceling prom because the principal warned students multiple times before I even took place. If she allows prom then she looks like a pushover.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Honestly...that water balloon fight will probably more memorable than their prom will be anyway. Saves everyone some money.

[Run To State]

She warned them, they didn't care. The principal is doing the right thing.

[SportsGuy41017]

If she is going to do anything, then cancel it ONLY for those involved! It's not right to punish those not involved.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

She warned them, they didn't care. The principal is doing the right thing.

 

Wouldn't "they" refer, specifically, to the +/- 150 who did participate in the water balloon fight? What about the others that chose to heed the principal's warning and didn't involve themselves in the water balloon fight?

[uselessinfo]

First this is not a cool prank at all. Especially after having the students talked to about the safety of the issue, etc. She has to cancel prom due to saying it. In hindsight perhaps she should have said "if you have any involvement you will not be allowed to attend the prom." But since that is not the gauntlet she threw down she must stick with what she said.

[ErnestTBass]

Hmmmmm, I bet the next graduating class doesn't do something like this!!!! Great call by the PAL!!!