As for the flour and water in the halls, I’m not sure when that happened but I know some sr’s decided to pour oil all over the hallway floor in the 20 building on Monday morning, that is significantly more dangerous than flour and water. I’m not against senior pranks UNLESS they pose a threat to another human being; whether it be a slip and fall or wreckless driving. Now putting undergarments in trees and countless numbers of Post-Its on classroom windows reading “2010″ is just fine with me…

The Who, My Generation

What happened to all you old fuddy-duddies? It’s more dangerous for pedestrians when Skyline lets out every day and the cars come roaring down the hill. Oohhh – flour in the hallway…

Did anyone get hurt? Did anyone “slip” on the flour? Answer NO. Let the kids walk. This is not the end of society as we know it. Nor is it the slippery slope leading to our demise. Now the oil spill on the other hand…

This type of “prank” can’t be tolerated on our campus. One reason that the driving age is 17 rather than 13 is that a car is a potentially dangerous tool that requires maturity to operate. To drive a car recklessly is to demonstrate a disregard for the lives of the people around you. If that doesn’t deserve a consequence, I’m not sure what does. These students should be happy that they aren’t facing charges, and hopefully they understand that similarly reckless actions in the future could have far greater consequences than not walking across the stage to get their diplomas.

I hear you about having a special needs kid with biologically related judgement problems. I have seen this in the courts and where it doesn’t get into the courts by luck or planning or fast phone calls. I have seen robberies reduced to disturbing the peace and I have seen people get life who never had a speeding ticket previously.

There are terrible consequences awaiting an 18 year old who has a bad day or a bad moment. Best chance of averting that is planning, rehersal, acting out what if’s, and lots of dinner table talk backed up with field trips.

Most parents just don’t bother, thinking it’ll probably never happen to them. If you know your kid is vulnerable you have a better chance to do realistic preparation for all the hazards life will throw at a young man. Parents who think their kids is just normal are more resistant to coaching them.

I have had sobbing parents tell me how they lost their bi-polar children. That is sad. They could see it all slipping away into madness and not stop it. He/She didn’t want to see the doctor or take the pills. You can’t make them. California says you have a right to be crazy. They know their rights.

Mostly, I’m really *really* relieved that my Skyline senior went home after the graduation rehearsal today. He’s a sweet kid, but because of his autism, his judgment isn’t what most 17-18-y-o’s are capable of, and he’s easily led astray.

Last year he repeated the “F”-word after some of his friends were saying “F- coach “. Unfortunately, my son walked into the gym teacher’s office, so he got into trouble.

If any of his friends had invited him to ride in the “parade”, he would have joined them. If he were to miss his graduation, he’d be completely devastated, and so would I.

The only possible question here that is proper is whether the proposed action of the school administration is so far out of line than no reasonable administrator could ever do it. In other words, is this a complete abuse of discretion.

I don’t think it is an abuse of discretion. It is an excercise of discretion. And a fine lesson for the kiddies – ALL of them – marching and not marching, to learn on the way out of the door.

It doesn’t matter if I would personally have made a different decision. I would not insult the administration by expressing my own possible decision. I don’t do their job and I don’t have to live with what they live with. It is their profession to discipline these kids and I would never interfere with and protect the students against the faculty or administration except in cases of clear abuse.

Good Luck to all.

Troy Flint, a spokesman for the Oakland school district, said the prank posed a safety threat. He said a number of teachers reported that cars were doing donuts and other tricks near students and staff, and that the drivers refused to stop, even when staff approached the cars. They also reported that some bystanders were almost hit, he said.

“I don’t think anyone at the school would classify this as a parade (other than those involved),” he said.