June 5, 2006

Dear Students, Staff and Families:

This morning I picked up a local newspaper with my daily cup of coffee. The headline read: Attorney to file appeal with SED. Apparently, a number of seniors were found possessing alcohol on their senior trip. Twelve students were suspended from school and several from athletic teams. The article went on to describe that four parents hired a lawyer to appeal the suspensions based on denial of due process. What a way to end a school year?

As a former high school principal, I both looked forward to the end of the year and dreaded the possibility that some seniors would step over the line. Fortunately, this rarely, if ever, happened. Our senior trips were always great fun and our advisors would always return with compliments concerning the maturity of the senior class. 

Teenage drinking has become part of our culture despite the number of deaths that result from DWI accidents. Frankly, no one in this community wants to read a headline concerning teen drinking either on the senior trip or during end of year festivities. Teens can have a good time without alcohol or drugs. As a school we need to communicate our expectations clearly, but we also need the support of parents and the community. Class advisors, Mrs. Rynish and Ms. Tatten, will be meeting with parents on Wednesday to explain the itinerary of the upcoming senior trip. I greatly enjoyed the prior senior trips that I attended. Our seniors at DCS have always respected our need for mature behavior on their last big outing of the year. We ask for your support to mutually reinforce our expectations.

I have been contacted this week by a parent who would like to plan a post prom party for next year's senior class. The district is very much in favor of assisting parents plan an activity after the prom with the help of the senior class. If you are interested in being part of a planning committee, please contact Principal LeForestier or myself. June should be a joyous time of year as families and our school celebrates the great success of its youth. Adherence to a few simple rules can make it both a happy and safe time of the year!

Sincerely,
Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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