<p>My child's boarding school recently expelled many students right before Christmas break. I know this because of my child, but the school has not said anything.</p>
<p>My question is this. Shouldn't the school tell non affected parents? The kids don't get second chances at this school.</p>
<p>The school has spelled out the consequences for everyone in advance and has enforced them. I don’t see any reason for the school to contact anyone but the parents who needed to remove their students from the premises. The problem has been solved. Are you concerned about needing to know that there were drugs on your child’s campus? That is not news anywhere. Drugs exist. When kids get caught, they are expelled. What would be the purpose of communication to other parents? I don’t believe there is a drug culture at any of these schools. Some kids break rules and get caught, same as anywhere, but at most BS you can be assured that these breaches are handled swiftly and permanently. What else should the school communicate?</p>
<p>The schools do not have any moral responsibility in the situation Rose2014 posted beyond what they did. BS kids are well informed about the consequences of drug use. If anything, the swift action witnessed at Rose’s school speaks louder than any words.</p>
<p>CM, I would agree with regard to most cases; however, I would really want to know if there were a large “drug bust” at my children’s school, or if there were evidence of widespread criminal activity of any sort, and I would expect a school to inform parents (before they hear it from their kids or read about it in the papers). Is that a naive expectation?</p>
<p>It’s spelled out clearly in the handbook and there are definite (student) privacy issues at play. With all boarding schools you will always find an unwillingness to trot everyone out into the public square. It’s the right approach. I don’t care about what other kids do. If they want to squander an amazing opportunity by breaking rules- that’s their business. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.</p>
<p>Personally, I am happy to see swift action for drug abuse. It is a great reminder to the students that they are putting everything on the line if they make that choice. I don’t think the school needs to make a public statement, the information will make in back to you eventually.</p>
<p>Thanks all. It is good to read other’s opinion.</p>
<p>I’ll add that an important effect of these disciplinary actions, which are both fortunate and unfortunate for those punished, is that the majority of the student body who are living more healthfully get some reinforcement for their own choices. These students, who may openly express a range of reactions, are better off inwardly knowing that the wrong choices have not gone without consequences. The worst situation is certainly when drug use is well known but tolerated, without any institutional repercussions. All of this speaks to the social contract and bond that any good community needs to have. As parents, it is helpful to be able to discuss with our own children how the issues of trust and the social bond work at their school, if and when we do find out about larger-scale dismissals. In particular, it’s important for kids to advance their thinking about “the snitch” or snitching that often accompanies these cases; the first tendency among kids is to criticize the student who was honest and forthcoming. If this can be a difficult conversation to have, it still seems important for getting the most good out of a regrettable situation. It seems to me that the conversation at home may be significantly different for the child than the one that may or may not take place at school, where “confidentiality” affects the adult input.</p>
<p>Because of the scale of the event, I think the school should inform the greater school community. The fact that so many students were involved demonstrates that a lot of people don’t “get it”. Would be good to acknowledge the expulsions to remind the everyone that the school is serious.</p>
<p>Expulsions have a profound effect on the community. It doesn’t matter if it’s one or ten students. Kids see departing students pack up their room and they witness distraught parents load up the family car. It’s very unpleasant to watch. If your child is sharing this news with you it means the message has been felt and reinforced beyond measure.</p>
<p>Kids make mistakes. By not publishing, broadcasting or announcing (even in vague terms), a school is affording the departing family a courtesy. All schools have expert legal council advising them.</p>
<p>I have a nephew who is a drug addict. Each time that I hear about an expulsion, I wonder if another child is being saved from this fate. The kids are seeing first hand how large the consequences are. I hope the kids expelled have learned a lesson that is far greater than the school they attend. The lesson being that there are consequences to actions and to parrot an old TV show, crime doesn’t pay. The momentary pleasure of the feeling of the drug is not worth the long term consequence.</p>
<p>Am I the only one here uncomfortable w a one strike policy? It is draconian. </p>
<p>I wonder how evenly the policy is meted out. Rose, where there any “high profile” kids that got kicked out? Or were they all “nobodies”.</p>
<p>The students ranged from legacy to scholarship, from day to boarding. The group was together and everyone of them was removed.</p>
<p>The school clearly stated their policy and reminded everyone of it at the beginning of the year. The consequence was no surprise. </p>
<p>My DD’s opinion is that the kids knew they were wrong and they knew the consequences. In her opinion, the schools response was appropriate.</p>
<p>What was the offense- Drug use?</p>
<p>Per the title, I’d say yes.</p>