by Matt Marquardt –
Sources are now following up today with NIT with reports that the Mason City High School homecoming dance went bad.
NIT is told by several sources that as some students were attempting to “grind” (a provocative style of dance) at the homecoming dance on the dance floor that chaperones or teachers asked the students to stop.
Sources say that students defiantly continued to “grind” and the music was turned off and the lights turned on in the cafeteria where the dance was held. Students reluctantly stopped and many then left. NIT is told that on their way out, these students proceeded to “tear down decorations” and “pop balloons” as they then headed for the MCHS parking lots where they resumed their “grinding.”
There were reports today that some students and even some teachers were in tears after the behavior of this group of students.
Our sources also indicated that once the students left the MCHS parking lots they went to other locations, like the Hy-Vee East parking lot and continued to “grind” there.
UPDATE: Mason City School District Superintendent Anita Micich explained Monday that “The following information was in TJ Jumper’s information to families regarding homecoming. We did not experience vandalism. The decorations he speaks of included balloons and crepe paper.
‘As they were leaving, they decided to tear down the decorations that student senate members spent most of day hanging up.'”
This incident culminated a weekend where the Mason City football team fell to 0-5 after losing to Fort Dodge; students took to the parks and yards of Mason City Friday night (it was said some had crowbars and threatened adults) as police used loudspeakers and other law enforcement techniques to disperse them; and an MCHS student was seen in the homecoming parade wearing a t-shirt that said “enjoy vagina” on it.
More information as it becomes available.
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Statement from MCHS Principal TJ Jumper:
Many times I have the opportunity to share the great student achievements and all the exciting things that occur at MCHS. Unfortunately, this email is not one of those as it is one of disappointment related to actions by a group of students. Tonight at the homecoming dance, students were asked to stop doing a dance move that many know by “grinding.” This request came from the DJ a couple of times and by chaperones. After several attempts, a chaperone turned on the lights and the DJ cut the music for a short period of time. Once the music started again and lights were being turned back off, a group of students decided the dance would no longer be fun and left around 8:30 P.M. As they were leaving, they decided to tear down the decorations that student senate members spent most of day hanging up. It is unfortunate that this group of students jumped to conclusions and did not talk with administrators or staff members before leaving. A few students who did not know what was going on decided to follow and leave as well. At no time did administrators, faculty, or chaperones ask students to leave. Once a student leaves they are no longer allowed to come back into the dance.
This was an unfortunate start to the homecoming dance especially after having such a great homecoming week leading up to it, but for those that stayed (approximately 500 students) it appeared they were having a great time. As a school community we want our students to enjoy student gatherings, but we also expect them to follow high expectations. As a community, we want our students to make the right decisions, think for themselves, be responsible for their behaviors, be leaders, and to think through decisions before actions are taken. We as adults all have a collective responsibility to continue working with our students on these actions and characteristics.
I would like to personally thank the chaperones, the staff members, and the student senate members for the time they spent in preparing for the homecoming dance as all them were volunteers.
Sincerely,
T.J. Jumper
Director of Secondary Programs
dont remember going to the homecomming dance when I was in school. Most of us went to a keg party somewhere.
Who cares how the kids were dancing…honestly. Would you rather have them dirty dancing or off doing who knows what?
Public masturbation even with your clothes on is not necessarily something we want to promote in society is it?
“Not saying they are right or wrong, just saying kids. Hormones raging.”
So what you are saying is, it’s OK for kids to let their hormones decide right and wrong behavior? One can hope that their parents taught them better.
What separates us from the rest of the animal world was our ability to use reason in making decisions of consequence. What you suggest in saying that “they are just kids” is an excuse for any kind of behavior, with out consequence.
It’s no wonder when they come into the real world, they are confused about the rules which society demands they follow.
Rediculous,
Grinding is NOT dancing, and it is not appropriate at a school dance. These are young kids who should not be doing an act that involves grinding their bodies and parts into each other!
Kudos to the DJ and the parents that stopped the dance! These kids couldn’t have their way so they stomped off and ruined property in their wake. Shows real maturity doesn’t it? I agree, ban them from future dances.
Mellisa, they are kids. Not saying they are right or wrong, just saying kids. Hormones raging. lol
Melissa, sorry.
It’s just dancing, good god, big deal!
I thought this was a good response to what happened. Too bad they don’t make students sign out if they leave before a certain hour and notify parents!
It’s to bad that certain kids have to ruin it for everyone else. I hope these kids that caused trouble aren’t allowed at anymore dances. I can just here the little brats moms and dads but my johnny wouldn’t do anything like that.
AMEN!