I agree that it was a prank and it was harmless, I don't think anyone should have been fired or suspended, ESPECIALLY the peaceful protesters. On the flip side though stuff like this if left unchecked elevates. So say next year they do something a little crazier and a little crazier until something gets damaged or someone gets hurt. I think the person on the board that gave them the key should have been more accountable for checking with the whole board (I don't know if they did or not) and also being there that day. No one should have been punished but they should make it known if anyone actually does anything that involves theft or damage they will be held legally accountable. My opinion principals a butthead.

I agree that the school board member should have let all the members know and have them all agree on this before taking action. Although it was a harmless and awesome prank, I can see why the Principal took the actions. I guess had something happen to the students, it would have come back and bit him in the *kitten*. Or no?

Ugh. I know I'm going to be hated on for this but here goes. While yes it was a harmless prank and no one got hurt there are other issues here that aren't being addressed. First, who is the school board member that "gave them a key?" Why is this person not being fired or punished in any way? Secondly, if this board member knew about the prank why did he/she not let the students into the school and then stay on school grounds with them instead of supposedly just handing them a key? Why was the principal not brought into the loop? Why did the principal not go to the board member and ask for details from that person?Why was no one from the school's administration (principal, assistant principal, a teacher, someone) there at the time this all happened? Sorry, while the janitor may be an adult, he's not a member of the school's administration and if someone got hurt then there would be an even bigger problem. And before someone asks how could someone get hurt putting up post-it's, keep in mind they COVERED the school. Granted I'm assuming here, but that gives the impression that it was more than just arm reach and to reach the upper portions of walls or anything out of reach they would have to stand on something be it a chair, a desk, a ladder, whatever. So yes, the potential for someone to get hurt was there. While yes, it was a harmless prank, and I've got nothing against that, I just think that the way it was done could have been handeled better by multiple parties involved and this whole mess could have been avoided.

Punishing people for something that has always been accepted, tolerated and even celebrated is ridiculous. On top of that, the punishment hardly fits the "crime." How about making these kids clean it up or putting them on last-day cleanup duty. Do kids still empty their lockers and binders and strew the papers all over the hallway? Do kids still even have binders and paper?

If the school board & principal are honestly worried about things escalating with every year, the right thing to do is to make it clear that senior pranks will not be tolerated from here out. Give them fair warning. It probably won't prevent pranks from happening, but at least the kids will know they risk suspension, losing walking privileges, etc. if they participate.

The board member on the other hand needs to be disciplined, placed on probation, and possibly terminated. What adult thinks it's a good idea to give a bunch of 17 year old boys a key to the school and leave them alone in there???

Ok am I the only one who can't believe the principal reacted like this. The prank was very mild and suspending 50 plus other students for non-violent protest is crazy. As for suspending the original 6 those students had premission from a school board member and had a janitor present.. They really shouldn't be in any trouble. If the principal wants to have issues with anyone it should be the school board member who gave these students acess. I have to say he over reacted

Maybe the principle is just trying to discourage lame pranks. This way the class of 2013 will try something involving drugs, destruction and porn.

"Canaday said the original six would be allowed to return to class Thursday.

Canaday said the rest of the students who were suspended for two days after walking out of class in protest today would have their suspensions reduced to a single day, and the punishment may be served as after-school detention."

They were trespassing, right?

The principal says they were, though he also says a janitor/parent let them in. The students are still saying a school board member gave them a key to get in and do it.

They can give up the name of the school board member.

When I graduated in 2005, no one really did pranks. One kids stayed after school and put zip ties on all the lockers and was suspended.

My oldest son graduated in 2005, and his class did lots of pranks (they even had a streaker in a thong). I think they did the other usual pranks: vaseline on teachers' door knobs, wrapping the school, removed our speed bumps in the parking lot, stacked picnic tables against the doors to the Dining Hall, mice in the library.........your typical boy pranks!

I think the reason I got the dentention is because I asked, maybe in a smart tone, if he was even allowed to repremand me for being late to lunch.

Also, you weren't allowed to exit and re-enter the building at all through the day. Any door you took outside would be locked if you tried to re-enter. Sound much like a prison? :laugh:

Good lord! And they wonder why there's an obesity epidemic... Guess there weren't too many lunchtime games of frisbee/football/cricket/anything that requires space to run around in at your school. Is that normal in the US, or was your school particularly restrictive?

I've never understood the 'smart' thing - surely you want to encourage kids to think for themselves and question things that are unjust? Sure, there're polite ways to do it, but 'tone' is so subjective. It's like the whole 'talking back' concept - utterly flawed, in my opinion. If a child has a reason/explanation for their actions, I want to hear it!

I remember at graduation we were forbidden to throw our hats in the air, they would hold onto our transcripts. Can you believe that BS. Oh no someone might be looking up when they come down and the corner of the hat might permanently blind them.

Hahaha....well, they are quite pointy! :laugh:

I think that the reason american test scores suck worse than most of the rest of the modern world and why productivity is low is because of these high school shenanigans. What we need to churn out are more obedient workders who never rock the boat. Oh, wait, we don't have factory jobs for them anymore. Oh well, the Principal was probably right, young boys and their pranks are a major epidemic and must be dealt with as though a they are a terrible crime. And let's face it, they were tresspassin. Good thing they didn't try this crap in Florida, because according to state "Stand Your Ground" law, if the principal was there he could of shot them instead of suspend them.

But HEAVEN FORBID

Wait....what???? I KNEW you believed in Heaven. Now put the baby-sammich down and quit pretending!