Due to the upperclassmen’s behavior during and after last Friday’s pep assembly, students activities director Jessica Pritzker and the administration announced consequences today for juniors and seniors regarding prom.
The new rules, which were delivered via email at 3:15 p.m., state that students are no longer allowed to choose their form of transportation; buses will take students to prom and back to the school. In addition to that change, students’ parents are required to attend a meeting and sign in before a prom ticket can be purchased.
“While I agree that our actions weren’t the best last Friday, I think the prom punishments are a bit too much and a little unfair. The entire grade shouldn’t be punished because there are some seniors who didn’t partake in unsafe behavior and don’t need to be punished for the behavior of their classmates,” senior class president Justin Sia said.
Many students don’t support the new circumstances and concur with Sia.
“I feel that the changes are ruining many plans for the seniors. Many have already made payments for limos, trolleys, etcetra. Because of these changes, a handful of seniors are thinking twice about even going to prom anymore,” senior Monika Cieszynski said.
“I wasn’t even a part of the assembly so I’m just mad my momma’s gotta meet my dean when I didn’t even participate,” senior Dustin Dumalang said.
“It’s like eighth grade all over again…asking our parents for permission just to go to a dance,” senior Elizabeth Quito said.
Although many students are upset about the changes, student government members said they understand the compromise.
“I think that this is a very appropriate outcome, considering many of the seniors thought prom would be canceled. This one big moment will not be taken away . There’s restrictions, but it’s all cool,” senior Lyba Zia said.
Registration for prom tickets will close Sunday, April 28.
Sophomore • Apr 24, 2013 at 9:06 AM
I’m glad prom wasnt cancelled even though I’m not going but it’s gonna suk for all the people dressing up especially the girls in long dresses to climb on a dirty bus to go to prom an if they thought it was crazy at the pep assembly just imagine a bunch of seniors on a bus. I kinda like the idea that the seniors should organize their own prom it sounds really cool but idk who would organize it or if all of the seniors would go. I just hope they have nicer buses than school buses to take people to prom.
Buzzy • Apr 23, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Here is my take on this.
The WHOLE school was warned of possible consequences if they did something during the assembly. Admins did some precautionary actions such as instructing students to not bring their bags in gym but it still happened. That was the last straw that broke the camels back, admins cancelled the assembly, now taking some prom privileges away. Punishing the whole group should be the last resort, and it is an unfortunate reality of life that we all DO get punished for the sins of a few.
student government • Apr 26, 2013 at 12:23 PM
The buses are coach buses. They are not school buses.
Buzzy • Apr 26, 2013 at 6:01 PM
I know that. I think your comment is more appropriate for the guy above my comment –Sophomore(^^)
Former Senior • Apr 23, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Instead of arguing with the school that seems to care less and less about their students and how their high school experience should be enjoyable and more and more about money, ranking, and rules, the seniors should just come together and plan their own prom. If another one was set up, with a hotel ballroom and some music, you can not only show Niles West that they were absolutely wrong in their punishment, one that is comparable to ones given in grade school, but you can also make sure they don’t profit off of any money you give them. Hey, you can also make it at the end of May like it’s supposed to be! I am proud to say I’ve never stepped foot back into that school since I’ve graduated because I never felt like it was a place I wanted to be and definitely now is not a place I’m proud to say I’ve come from because school spirit and all around morale have dwindled so much since I first started. (MIGHT I SAY this was still the year that Fliman/Ogulnik/Pritzker wasn’t in charge of student activities.) Seniors: you can make this happen. It’s really not hard. You’ve planned cabins or afterparties before now let this be you shining moment!! Get the prom you want. It’s your special night, not “Pritzker’s” or whatever her last name is, seeing as it has changed three times in the last four years. Take control. Make this the most memorable prom night Niles West has ever seen.
*If I was still suffering within the walls of 5701 Oakton, I would be doing this as we speak8
Buzzy • Apr 23, 2013 at 10:24 AM
woah relax dude. Profit from prom really?? I wouldnt go that far. Its a public school for crying out loud. They are not a profit-based institution. If they are making profit, it all goes back to the school, nobody is pocketing the money. As for the punishment, its just the transportation policy that kinda threw me off but its a fair punishment considering they did not cancel prom entirely.
lybzzzia • Apr 25, 2013 at 9:36 PM
Woah there!
For someone who doesn’t care much about Niles West and is so glad to be done with it, what in the world are you doing at the Niles West News’ page?
And talk about disrespect.
Maridsa Choute • Apr 23, 2013 at 4:43 AM
I understand that there has to be consequences for the behavior at the pep assembly, but it just sucks because I wasn’t even at the assembly so I’m being unfairly punished on behalf of my class.
Connie • Apr 23, 2013 at 7:40 AM
I was standing by Pritzker and Osburn to take pictures of the assembly for the site and now I have to deal with the consequences too even though I wasn’t even with my class. And what about the people and athletes who were performing for the assembly? Not only was their moment cut short, but now they have to accept these consequences too… There has to be a way to cut out the people who were clearly not involved. Some people are merely being punished by class association…
Anonymous • Apr 23, 2013 at 12:42 AM
I think the only people who agree with this punishment are the ones who really didn’t have any other plans, besides what the school had laid out for them. The punishment is unfair to the senior who still haven’t experienced what prom is like. Most people wanna remember what an amazing prom they had later in life; this punishment will most likely take a toll on that dream. I know Many seniors, including me, are even questioning going to prom now. Why give the school we are so mad at $80 a ticket, (or in my case $160 for my date and I) for a bus we don’t want and bowling we are not going to go to. I do hope they reconsider the punishment they have given to the juniors and seniors.
Anonymous • Apr 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
I’ve been chewed up and spit out by both sides of the issue elsewhere, so I’m going anonymous to give my full opinion on this.
Kids on both sides are acting like spoiled brats about this, but not all of both sides.
First off, some of the kids pissed off were involved in the rowdyness and are defending it for their own sake. Yes, we deserved some kind of punishment for it. Kids disobeyed teachers and staff and brought in silly string, glitter, balloon and an inner tube and threw many of these items around during an assembly after being specifically asked not to. There’s no getting around the misbehavior students displayed on Friday and the fact the school had to be closed early and students sent home when many clubs and groups had scheduled activities and performances for the day and worked hard. Some people went very very overboard in their efforts for school spirit – even more so than in previous assemblies, with many typical behaviors, but amplified to an obnoxious level.
Kids on the OTHER end of things are being pretty crappy themselves. The holier-than thou “told ya so” attitude isn’t exactly helping anybody out. Telling people not to complain but then jumping upon the “I’m just expressing my opinion!” horse is extremely hypocritical and just fans the flames. A lot of people had plans for prom that have to be changed significantly and just because you’re okay with it doesn’t mean everyone is, or has to be. I was told by one person it was my responsibility as a student to prevent other kids from misbehaving if I saw their plans beforehand, but it should be noted that Mr. Osburn’s warnings about backpacks and silly string only came out the day OF the assembly, so there was nothing I could’ve done in advance – not that anyone would’ve likely listened to me. The point is saying YA’LL DESERVE THIS GROW UP isn’t going to make anyone feel better.
My personal opinion is that while some kind of punishment was definitely in order, it’s unfair all seniors have to take the brunt of something less than half of them participated in. I feel a majority should not be persecuted for the actions of a smaller minority. I’ve been told that as a member of this graduating class, we “act as a team”. If that’s the case, then I suppose based on the handful of kids at the assembly out of hand, I should simply choose to hate my entire class of fellow seniors for their behavior, despite only taking issue with a very small group that misbehaved. I suppose that’s logical to some people, but to me it’s just going to lead to harsh generalizations and further fighting and hatred among an already very fragmented senior class.
I’m not saying we didn’t deserve some kind of punishment four our stupidity on Friday, but I think something different could have been in order.
Jesse • Apr 22, 2013 at 9:59 PM
Hey, if you guys decide to be a bunch of idiots and ignore the many warnings that we got from Mr. Osburne, too bad. You knew there were going to be consequences, so don’t do it. This isn’t even that bad of a punishment. I wasn’t even involved with the “explosion of school spirit”, and you don’t see me complaining about the consequences of your actions. Quit being a bunch of brats. Grow up and take some responsibility. I mean, the fact that I have to say that should be troublesome. I’m a senior and all I see is a minor inconvenience in the fact that we need to have a meeting with our parents before prom, because the staff knows that we can’t listen to those with authority and are not able to heed warnings.
Sibling to a senior • Apr 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM
that’s ridiculous. its not fair. the transportation should have nothing to do with this. the dance, yes, is supported by the school but transportation has NOTHING to do with it.
Buzzy • Apr 22, 2013 at 8:23 PM
The “student no longer allowed to choose their form of transportation” punishment is a little too much…I dont know if I agree with that. But I guess this is better than not having a prom.
Anon • Apr 22, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Im not even a senior but this is bogus