Schools
Administrators to Clamp Down on Senior Antics at Graduation
School officials said they have put a plan in place to limit the distraction and damage caused by past graduation ceremonies.
In light of behavioral problems at past gradations, Newtown High School administrators are moving to keep students in check during the upcoming graduation ceremony on Thursday, officials said.
"In the past, the behavior of Newtown High School has been inappropriate," principal Chip Dumais said.
Students have brought beach balls, as well as blow-up dolls and other paraphernalia to The O'Neill Center, which is on the grounds of the Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
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The litter as well as damage to the center have not only proven to be distractions, they also have cost the school district in additional cleaning fees, Dumais said.
After last year's graduation ceremony, he was called to a meeting with facilities managers at The O'Neill to answer questions about damage to the center. Dumais said the center warned him that the school must rein in student behavior this year or risk being barred from using the facility for similar purposes in the future.
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In light of that, Dumais said new rules are being instituted.
"We're doing graduation a little differently this year," he said.
An adult moderator will be assigned to sit in every row, and if a student tries to inflate a balloon, the moderator will ask the student to stop. If the student ignores the request, that student will be asked to leave, Dumais said.
The end of classes and anticipation of graduation have already brought out another side of seniors.
Yesterday, a student was arrested and charged with threatening and breach of peace in connection with damage done to cars in the parking lot of Waserman Way and Oakview Road. Even the class valedictorian was reprimanded for tossing a water balloon in the parking lot of the high school.
About 4,000 people, mostly family and close friends, are expected to gather at the center to watch the ceremony on Thursday, Dumais said, adding he doesn't want to distract from the main event – which is graduation.
"This is about their legacy," he said of the current class of seniors.
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