![The Wayland Police Department have issued a warning on the rise of scammers during the holiday season. “Hang up [the phone]. if you get a text and you do not know who it's from, just delete it. Don't click on any links, nothing,” Wayland police chief Edward Burman said. “Every single one of them is a scam.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_0954_720-e1734676255647.jpg)
![WHS’s Connect Program ran its annual holiday gift drive to fulfill the wishlist of children enrolled in the Dorchester based non-profit daycare organization, the Yawkey Center. This drive brought the town together and impacted both the students in Connect, as well as the greater Wayland community. “You could see how helpful the town was and how our community came together and wanted to help out a community that wasn't our own [and] kids who were less fortunate than we were,” senior and Connect Program member Jordynn Lee said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot_2024-12-20_at_12.21.24___pm_720-e1734734228474.png)
![The Boy Scouts will be selling trees on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m. until they sell out.
“This event is one of the things that [the Boy Scouts] get to have a direct impact on the community,” freshman Alex Macleod said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-11-at-8.38.38 AM.png)
After 2nd block on Friday, Principal Patrick Tutwiler instigated a “shelter in place” drill. According to an e-mail sent out to parents and guardians the purpose of the drill was “twofold.”
First and foremost, shelter in place is an emergency protocol that provides extra security measures when there is a threatening situation outside of the buildings. We should be as familiar with this protocol as we are with the exit procedure in the event of a fire. I also used this opportunity to conduct a k-9 assisted search of the campus. In partnership with local and regional law enforcement and a representative of the District Attorney’s office, the search took place during homeroom and lasted a little more than twenty minutes. – Principal Tutwiler in an e-mail to parents and guardians.
“Someone told me about it yesterday, and said it was going to happen today,” said junior Ariel Chates. “I didn’t actually seen any dogs though, I was secluded in my homeroom.”
“I informed the student body via written message that was read aloud in homerooms shortly before the event took place,” said Tutwiler in his e-mail. “I am thankful to report that nothing was found.”
According to Tutwiler, this was the first k-9 search ever conducted at WHS. “I didn’t know it was going to happen,” said sophomore Corinne Hubbuch. “I was just walking to class and I heard the announcement go on, I didn’t even know what it meant, so I just went to homeroom and then they told us.”
In the beginning of the school year, the high school administration put a new substance abuse policy into place. In short, the policy has zero tolerance of any illegal substance intake during the duration of the school year. The policy also prohibits Wayland students from being in the presence of others who are consuming substances illegally, a rule designed to crack down on drinking parties and other common drug use.
“I heard rumors that it was going to happen, but I didn’t know it was going to be today,” said Wayland junior Jason Simches. “Kids were up against the windows looking at the dogs, they were wondering whether the dogs were going to come into homerooms or stay outside.”
“A lot of people were just excited that there were dogs around our school, they thought it was cool,” added Hubbuch. “I don’t think anyone was worried. I personally thought it was needed, because a lot of people smoke. It’s so obvious too.”
UPDATE: “Its never happened here, and that’s odd truth be told,” said Tutwiler in an interview with WSPN. “At peer schools, other schools in the Dual County League, it’s pretty regular. The fact that it hasn’t happened here is a little strange to be honest with you, given the problem we have. If we didn’t have a problem it wouldn’t be strange.”
When asked, most students weren’t surprised that nothing was found, however some weren’t happy about being searched. “A lot of people thought it wasn’t fair,” said senior Jenn Adler. “They were questioning their rights.”
UPDATE: “I don’t want people to think that I don’t trust them,” said Tutwiler. “I do want people to know that there’s a problem here, and that I’m serious about trying to do something about. Is it going to fix it? I’m not crazy, okay I’m probably a little crazy, but I’m a realist. I’m a pragmatist, I know that this isn’t going to end the problem, but I think it sends a pretty clear message that I’m willing to go to this length to keep kids safe.”
Melanie Wang and Basil Halperin contributed to this report.
[polldaddy poll=2381164]
Parent • Dec 21, 2009 at 12:34 AM
You folks that are trying to make cohesive, well thought out arguments would have a lot more credibility if you could actually spell your words correctly.
Robby2010 • Dec 17, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Snapoutofit, if you think drug searches are going to keep our schools drug and alcohol free, your wrong! I am a student at Wayland High School and I know for a fact that the people who are or have done drugs and alcohol are not affecting the students who aren’t in any way. Also, most of the kids who do it aren’t going to do it at school, probibly after or before school. All this search is going to do is keep kids from taking it directly into school. Which most of them don’t do anyways… And even if they dont bring them into school theyll probibly still come into school high…. and not affect anyone.
snapoutofit • Dec 16, 2009 at 12:06 AM
It is about time the administration did something to address the drug and alcohol problem at the high school. They should start using breathalyzers. It is an outrage that some young people are using drugs and alcohol before and during school and, not only jeopardizing their own health and well being, but creating a very negative environment for others. I fully support Mr. Tutwiler’s decision to conduct a search. More should be done to keep schools drug and alcohol free!
RbyFrtJngle2011 • Dec 15, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Okay, to start, I’d love to say I completely agree with tecumset, Thomas J, and Senior 2011. Tut’s actions here demonstrated his distrust in us, which really doesn’t set a good teacher-student relationship. I’ve always trusted Tut and seen him as the jolly principal, but this drug search has taken it too far.
I completely agree with Senior 2011 when he/she says that my out of school activity should in no way be related to my school. I’ve NEVER understood why if I get caught drinking that the cops tell the school. The school is my home of education, not my home of discipline. That’s what the police are for. I’m repeating the past arguments, but I’m really disappointed in the administration for forcing such a right-violating search upon the student body.
Senior 2011 • Dec 15, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Not only is this drug search a show of king tut’s distrust for us, but even though it’s technically legal, i don’t feel that they should be able to do this. On another note, the new drug/alcohol policy is the stupidest thing i have ever heard of. Unless I get in trouble with the police, it is not the school’s buisness if i want to drink or do drugs or not. Because i do not believe in the school’s ability to control my out-of-school activities, i did not sign the thingy that they make us sign at the beginning of the year.
It is, actually, legal for me to drink with my parents. Just fyi.
and tecumset? YOU RULE.
Thomas J. • Dec 15, 2009 at 12:30 AM
a self-proclaimmed realist? hmm
Thomas J. • Dec 14, 2009 at 11:58 PM
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have … The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.
I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.
Most bad government has grown out of too much government.”-Thomas Jefferson
What do you think one of our founding fathers would say on this issue?
__________________________________________________________
School should be designated for educating, not upholding law. This act was justified in the name of safety. From what? The concept that someone could be carrying rather harmless drugs on them? I would bet that no student at WHS has trouble understanding ionic bonds just because the kid sitting next to them on cloud9 has some green stuff in the pocket. And that same kid is making that choice, disrupting his own education. It is not the schools, let alone the gov’ts, job to tell you how to make decisions. We should learn through trial and error, expirience and reflection.
Makes me wonder, could this have been done for reputation? exertion of power? or maybe even the fact that the media lately has been portraying Marijuana as more acceptable(music influence, tv shows, hempfest)?
reader • Dec 15, 2009 at 1:04 AM
Well put @Thomas J! That’s a thoughtful, cohesive argument.
I agree with the majority of your argument. I think that the school should be a place for education, law and crime should be left in the capable, trained hands of the Wayland Police.
However, the school is entitled to the right for a drug and alcohol policy. I think it’s fair for the school to ask students to keep drugs and alcohol off school campus. It’s “their house, their rules.” However, any extension of that alcohol policy beyond campus is over stepping their bounds. The current drug and alcohol policy is unreasonable, and redundant. It’s state and federal law that it’s illegal to smoke marijuana, the school has no business chiming in on that with their own policy. Leave legislating to people who are elected to do it. Leave protection up to the WayPo.
However, I don’t believe it’s fair for the school to disrupt classes for a drug search. The administration gets all high-and-mighty about the loss of class time for hill day, and the seniors run. Taking 20 minutes out of classes is practically murder by their standards. This was out of line, as are a number of new school policies and administrative personnel.
Jon • Dec 14, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I would like to personally thank Principal Tutweiler for keeping our kids safe. With his actions as well as the entire Wayland Public School System, they have taken an action that will keep our kids safer, and more importantly keeping our schools a learning environment where drugs are not acceptable.
For those that are naysayers….why do you feel that drugs in school are acceptable? K9 dogs such as the ones that were brought into the Wayland High School do not “tag” certain cars in the parking lot….if there was an issue with anyones car, the K9 officers and other law enforcement would have dealt with it then and there.
For the person who finds it absurd that a K9 was wondering around the halls of Wayland High School to look for drugs, I am curious why is absurd? Do you want your kids to be going to school with people with drugs? Do you have a problem with admitting that, possibly, just maybe there is an issue within the schools population where kids believe that it is acceptable to bring drugs to school?
Principal Tutwieler has taken the step to continue our kids go to a school where it is not acceptable or the norm where our kids are able to do drugs.
I congratulate Principal Tutwieler, his staff and the law enforcement for their efforts to keep the Wayland Community safe and drug free.
tecumset • Dec 14, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Jon,
you said that you “would like to personally thank Principal Tutweiler for keeping our kids safe” Safe from what? marijuana? No one is being harmed by marijuana. Marijuana causes less health problems than alcohol and cigarettes. and don’t say its a “gateway drug” because we all know that alcohol is a worse one that leads to coke and heroin.
by the way, i do think that marijuana use is unacceptable in school, i just think that k-9 drug searches are far more unacceptable
the cops cannot just “deal with it then and there”, so instead they “tag” (write down the license plate) and keep it for future reference.
“drugs” in our school is NOT a problem. there are some people who bring marijuana to school. most dont even smoke it in school, they just need it afterwards. If king tut wants to actually stop these people, he should not put the whole school under a search when it is just a few people he is looking for.
under no circumstances should the whole school be subject to a drug search because of a few people using something as harmless as marijuana. Even if it looks bad on our schools reputation, having k-9 drug searches just makes our school seem worse.
one last comment on how ridiculous this drug search is:
why does king tut think its ok to have this useless drug search (no drugs were found), and take up class time, yet he wont even let the seniors run through the school on their last day because it “disrupts class”.
Outsider • Dec 15, 2009 at 9:25 PM
The administration provided no evidence that there is a drug problem! The truly “absurd” thing is the fact that any adult given an authority position (especially in school) assumes they have the right to do whatever they want in kids’ lives. I see this as another administrative power trip brought on by the LACK of a problem, and their desire to create a public image of themselves as guardians of our youth. Trust me, we can take care of ourselves without your hawk eyes all over us.
Tom • Dec 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I don’t understand how you could think it keeps the school “safer” if kids didn’t have some marijuana on them. Marijuana isn’t going to start attacking students. Most kids who bring marijuana to school or have it in there bags are planning to smoke after school at a freinds house anyway. For the kids that smoke during school a K-9 search isn’t going to stop them. If you think that a K-9 search will motivate those kids who are lazy and don’t want to deal with school by smoking pot you are wrong. Marijuana doesn’t effect motivation it is up to the student to work hard in school.
Jon - a parent • Dec 14, 2009 at 9:59 AM
As a parent, I am dismayed by the administration’s actions. I feel that they have panicked over the type of drug use that has been endemic in high schools for forty years. By bringing in the dogs, they have demonstrated that they lack the ability to manage the school. By abrogating our childrens’ civil rights, they ask you to learn what they say, not what they do. It is a sad day for Wayland.
tecumset • Dec 13, 2009 at 4:57 PM
all of the history teachers are against this drug search. doesnt that mean anything considering that they teach about rights? what if some person had adderall and got in trouble. some people don’t want others to know that they have add or adhd, and by doing this search it could easily make a big scene out of the smallest things and make people feel uncomfortable.
i also don’t think marijuana is a problem at all. if people were snorting coke on the bathroom sinks or shooting up heroin in the stalls, then theres a problem, but all that is happening is that a few people might smoke a bowl and then go to class. sure, this could be bad, but it is not worth getting dogs because no one is being harmed at all. and even if people are high in class, it doesn’t seem to affect their ability to learn. it only seems like it because most people that do smoke and go to class dont pay attention anyways. ive seen people high in class that are actually more active in class discussions, as if the fact that they’re high doesn’t make a difference.
it is also ridiculous that the cops tagged a bunch of students’ cars. just because some dog smells something in a car doesn’t mean it should be tagged. i heard that one dog mistook a moldy sandwich in someones locker for drugs. what if some students just have moldy sandwiches in their cars? theyll still get tagged by the cops and then the cops will find some dumb excuse to pull them over. even if the person was just speeding a little bit, they could get pulled over and have their license suspended.
this whole k-9 drug search is extremely aggravating. marijuana is not a problem now, and in the future it will never cause a big enough problem where we have to resort to k-9 drug searches. i used to respect king tut but now i have no respect. peace
ps: excuse the grammar
Jimmy Iverson • Dec 13, 2009 at 1:37 AM
Does anyone have any information or is there any factual proof that Wayland is experiencing drug problems? I find it fairly absurd that K-9 dogs were roaming the Wayland halls trying to sniff out drugs. If a drug problem is apparent do your job, find the kid some counseling and go from there. Don’t turn Wayland into a place where people aren’t comfortable learning, worrying about constantly being searched etc..
Concerned Resident • Dec 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM
And who’s budget does this come out of? It’s not like times are tough or anything? If the prinipal insists that there is a ‘problem’ on campus, funny that nothing was found !!
David Ryan • Dec 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM
@Concerned Resident
The cost to the school district and the town of Wayland was $0. The money for school drug searches is appropriated at the state level. It didn’t come from the school’s budget, Wayland Police, or the Town’s.
bob, a parent • Dec 11, 2009 at 9:18 PM
this lockdown and search was a big mistake on the part of the administration. in modern-day America, students seem to have few rights. but parents have the expectation that their kids won’t be taught to be cowed by adults’ impulse to exert control regardless of the costs. i hope students will slowly warm up to the idea that this action was wrong and insulting and shouldn’t be repeated.
brill crosby • Dec 11, 2009 at 7:14 PM
The school has the right to search you. End of story.
Wayland resident • Dec 14, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Just because they may (or may not) have the right to search you, does NOT mean that it’s the right thing to do. That’s a horrid attitude of blind following of authority. Shame on you.