Principal Patrick Tutwiler sent out a controversial e-mail to parents on Monday, in anticipation of next week’s Senior Show and the class-wide parties that often follow.
In the e-mail, he discussed the show, the after-parties, and the binge drinking that can accompany the event. However, the core of his message was a call for a “change in tradition.”
Citing the potential for dangerous behavior, Tutwiler requested that parents abstain from hosting any parties after the Senior Show.
“The post show party has become something of a mainstay, but one riddled with dangerous behaviors and poor decision making,” he wrote. “This is not a tradition that the school endorses, and I would be derelict in my duty if I disregarded it because it happens off campus. I am unwilling to sit by idly and hope that nothing tragic happens.”
Tutwiler also announced that WaylandCares, WHSPO, and the Wayland Police Association would hold a potluck dinner before each of the three show performances.
The message has created a strong reaction among students, particularly the senior class of 2011. Among seniors, it has been a subject of discussion at school and on Facebook, although some remain neutral.
“I’m really indifferent about it, honestly,” said senior Nina Tehranian.
A few students expressed concerns that the message would push determined partiers to gather in more secretive and dangerous locations.
“I think he’s going about this the wrong way because, by sending this e-mail out, he’s possibly encouraging kids to drink by themselves,” said senior Swathi Sivasubrmanian. “I don’t think it’s really going to do anything because parents who are going to have parties are going to have parties anyway.”
Sophomore Yannick Schaefer put it a little more simply. “When I’m a senior, I want to have Senior Show parties,” he said.
“High school kids are going to drink no matter what,” said senior Ryan Meiselman. “So, they’re going to have these parties in semi-safe situations, or they can go out into the woods, they can go out by themselves, they can go out and put themselves and other people in more danger than they should be.”
“I think that if they’re chaperoned, and they do a good job, then they should be able to have parties, cause it’s a great way for the grade to come together,” said junior Sophia Lesser.
In an interview on Thursday, Tutwiler could not agree with those opinions because of a key difference in principle. “School should not ever endorse any behaviors that are dangerous or illegal. And history tells us that, at these parties, unfortunately, both are happening,” he said.
However, others disliked the method of delivery, rather than the message.
“I sympathize with his motives, but I highly dislike his execution,” said senior Amanda Whittaker, one of several students who e-mailed Tutwiler in response to his message.
“I think he has the right idea behind it, but I don’t really like the way that he’s going at parents, trying to be like ‘Stop the partying,’’’ said senior RJ Bolivar.
Fellow senior Taylor Rockwell was similarly frustrated. “Go talk to the students first, warn them, remind them, talk to the students before you go straight to their parents,” she said.
In defense of his e-mail, Tutwiler expressed a desire to ensure that parents were fully informed.
“I understand people’s concerns or issues with the method, but it takes a village, and I want everybody on the same page,” said Tutwiler. “There are parents who don’t know what happens on those nights. And I think that it’s important for them to know – and not so they say ‘You can’t do XYZ,’ just so they know and have a conversation with you.”
Tutwiler has not yet brought up the partying issue directly with the senior class, but said that he intends to do so next Wednesday, prior to the Senior Show’s full run-through rehearsal.
On the other hand, he welcomed students to discuss the matter with him, whether in person or by e-mail.
“What this is designed to do – and it needed to be powerful, and it needed to be forward, and it needed to be honest, and it needed to reflect my profound care for everyone who attends Wayland High School and in particular the seniors – the idea is to get people thinking and talking,” he said.
“Bottom line, bottom line – it evoked a response.”
Anon Y Mouse • Mar 21, 2011 at 6:57 PM
I believe an editorial in the Wayland Town Crier submitted by Jonathan Bower pretty much summed it up well. " …we don't need no mind control…"
anon • Mar 11, 2011 at 9:59 AM
welltoobadfor you part last night was awesome!!!!
bob, a parent • Mar 10, 2011 at 6:51 PM
I believe the administration is taking the wrong approach here, as they did with the lock-down and dog-search earlier in the year. They are saying "it is hopeless to expect students to behave responsibly, so let's just give up on that." I don't believe we should give up on that, and I don't believe this effort to eliminate certain traditional off campus celebrations will have any effect on student behavior or safety. It is offensive to the students and offensive to me as a parent. What's next?
M. Sacramone • Mar 10, 2011 at 1:47 PM
To the Students and Parents of the Wayland High School Community:
The Wayland Guidance Department and Health Office wish to respond in a simple way to the discussion that ensued as a result of Mr. Tutwiler’s E-news piece about post senior show after-parties.
First and foremost, Mr. Tutwiler is our spokesperson for the faculty. Although he authored the E-news, his concerns relating to the senior show parties have been expressed by many faculty members for several years. In no way should he be chastised for writing something which, at the core, is simply the leader of our school communicating with the community about a grave concern involving the health and well being of our student body.
Second, we applaud Mr. Tutwiler’s concern and recommendations because although he, and every administrator and class adviser before him, speak to seniors each year in a heart-felt way about making good choices and staying safe throughout the senior year, each and every year there are substance-related incidents during the week of senior show. Please understand that we do fully recognize that it is not the majority of students that make poor decisions around this time, but the incidents that have occurred have been dangerous enough to remind the entire class and community. Just to name a few such incidents: Students have been caught driving under the influence and in possession of alcohol and drugs both before and after the senior show; students have been hospitalized as a result of binge drinking prior to attending after-parties; students have brought alcohol onto campus and been penalized heavily as a result; students have shown up to school before the show and are too sick to perform; and students show up for school following late night senior show parties and reek of alcohol, or are even too sick to come to school due to substance use and abuse the night before. These are not behaviors that Wayland High School can condone, or write off as “a rite of passage.”
Although we understand and commend our students for respectfully expressing their opinions, it is our hope that students, and parents, will trust and believe in our collective experience with regard to the senior show and the events surrounding it. In past years, even when parents volunteer to host substance-free parties and do all the right things (collect keys, bottles, bags and jackets, and supervise closely at all times), still on several occasions, as reported to us by parents and the Wayland Police Department, within less than two hours (sometimes even sooner), there have been incidents where students’ parents are called to pick up their kids because they arrived intoxicated, or students have to be rushed to the emergency room due to alcohol poisoning.
This week we have heard that some students and parents believe that Mr. Tutwiler is just trying to take away the fun of the senior show celebrations and another WHS tradition, and that we, as a school, are overstepping our boundaries to suggest doing away with post-senior show parties. Simply stated, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our primary concern for students is to help them to make healthy decisions and to take care of themselves and their peers. Our job as educators is to make students and families aware of issues of concern based on our knowledge, education and collective past experience. Mr. Tutwiler’s letter was just one way to remind students and parents of our concerns. Mr. Tutwiler’s letter may not prevent students and parents from having parties after the senior show because everyone has the right to make their own decisions. What his letter did accomplish though, and very successfully, was to make people aware of some possible dangers for our students, and to spark important and timely discussion on a topic that is at the core of education in our community: presenting accurate and reliable information to help students to make healthy, informed, safe and smart choices.
So although we are disheartened to hear of the negativity your E-News has brought to your doorstep, we want you to know, Mr. Tutwiler, we stand beside you and thank you for being the truly caring and wise leader our school community needs.
WHS Guidance, Health Office Staff and the Student Services Team (Central Office)