<p>Since most of you on here are very involved parents of highly intelligent and responsible students, you may not consider this an issue. The fact remains that they are still teenagers and many are likely to develop senioritis about now. It may be a good time to remind them to use caution about becoming involved in the tradition of senior pranks. They are a rite of passage in many communities. Most of them are innocent and funny. Too many times, terrific kids from great parents get caught up in innocent pranks that go wrong as others become involved and things get carried away. If you or your student doesn't need this warning, that is great. However, in our home state a group of 30 to 40 kids have recently been arrested for a prank gone wrong. The class valedictorian is among the group now facing multiple felonies after an initially harmless prank got out of hand involving spray paint. With the downturn in the economy, school districts cannot turn a blind eye to destruction of property any longer at the expense of the taxpayer. I have seen good kids be arrested, miss graduation, and lose scholarships. It is sad for both students and parents. Otherwise smart, responsible kids will often become caught up without realizing how quickly it can get out of hand. Better safe than sorry. Our D never got into a single bit of trouble in school, but we still took the time to talk with her. We were very happy we did. My advice to teenagers: JUST DON"T RISK IT! :)</p>
<p>Very timely advice!</p>
<p>This is also the time of many senior trips…and some kids get in trouble on those, as well. :(</p>
<p>And don’t forget prom. At the school one of my kids attended, drinking alcohol on prom night got several top students excluded from the graduation ceremony.</p>
<p>Both very good points.</p>
<p>According to news reports, these students have now been suspended from school for the remainder of the year and will not be allowed to graduate with their class. Very sad to see otherwise apparently smart teens make such a bad choice.</p>
<p>Several years back in our area was a story of seniors who apparently thought it would be “funny” to slash tires on the school busses. Don’t even ask–it’s beyond comprehension to the adult mind. These weren’t stupid kids but you certainly couldn’t tell that by their actions. It pretty well ruined their lives. They were all college bound seniors who instead of going to graduation parties ended up facing criminal charges.
One thing to remember is that is only takes one “ring leader” but a bunch of followers.</p>
<p>When S2 was a senior (football player) two of his senior friends, one of whom was a licensed pilot, decided it would be the greatest prank in school history to fly over (rented a plane) and buzz the field during the final football game of the season against their fiercest rival sch. They did it not once but twice. Flying very low, one opened the door and dropped out a football that had been signed by all the players and the coach!
The kids in the stands went wild. The football players (including S2) on the field saluted them. It was like some crazy stunt out of movie. Meanwhile, the adults in the stands had no idea what was happening and were terrified. Some thought it was some sort of terrorist thing (we live very near a nuclear power plant).</p>
<p>The boys got arrested and and were kicked out of school. The kid piloting the plane lost his license.
S2 and friends went out the next day and painted the school rock…“Class of 2008…First in Flight”. The local tv station came out and filmed them doing it. It was big news across the state School administrators had the painted over the next day.</p>