GMHS Lasso Online News Story

Dance to Follow Mr. and Ms. Mason
New Guidelines Finalized for
Behavior at School Dances

By Margaret Lipman (February 1, 2007)

TA representatives convened Wednesday morning for a special meeting in which SCA officers Graham Downey and Will Stewart and seniors Maggie Jones and Louise Robertson presented the new guidelines for behavior at school dances. Ever since the Homecoming dance, the administration, the SCA, and a special committee of interested seniors have been actively deliberating over how to change the existing rules for dances. Their goal was not only to make behavior at these dances safer and more appropriate, but also to create an environment in which all students could feel comfortable and enjoy themselves.

The new guidelines restate certain existing rules from the student handbook concerning appropriate dress, alcohol and drug use, and public displays of affection. They also list specific behaviors that will not be permitted at dances and reinforce the duties for chaperones, who will be expected to intervene in situations in which “over the line” dancing is taking place or in cases when they suspect students to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Although they will make every attempt to maintain student privacy, chaperones will be able to stop behaviors that they deem inappropriate by warning students, and, if the situation escalates, by dismissing them from the dance floor.

The guidelines were also e-mailed to all GM parents by Assistant Principal Guy on Wednesday. Before entering Friday’s sophomore-sponsored dance, attending students will sign to acknowledge that they understand the new guidelines, which may be seen in full on the GMHS website.

SCA Vice President Graham Downey and seniors Louise Robertson and Maggie Jones, members of a steering committee on the issue of appropriate behavior during dances, introduced guidelines during a special meeting of TA representatives yesterday. (Photo by Margaret Lipman)