On Tuesday, Westfield High School Principal Raymond K. Broderick lifted 10-day suspensions for four seniors, responsible for “bad choice” incidents that occurred on the Montgomery Road campus last week.
WESTFIELD - On Tuesday, Westfield High School Principal Raymond K. Broderick lifted 10-day suspensions for four seniors, responsible for “bad choice” incidents that occurred on the Montgomery Road campus last week.
Broderick announced his decision to lift suspensions after meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday with two senior boys who staged a light saber fight, with toy replicas, in the school cafeteria last Thursday.
His decision also lifts a suspension handed down on two other seniors earlier in the week for an incident involving spreading Vaseline on door knobs to offices and other rooms at the school.
When news broke of the suspensions this past weekend, it sparked a debate as to whether the punishment fit the offense. Some people argued that the principal's response was too much while others came to his defense.
Now that the suspensions have indeed been lifted, allowing all students to attend the graduation ceremony to pick up the diploma they have earned, most readers have said they believe justice has been served.
Here is what some of our readers had to say:
kakistos says: Nobody thought that these students shouldn't have been punished. What had people in an uproar was the 10 day suspension and missing of graduation for an offense that warranted a couple detentions.
jackie says: I'd like to think the principal thought back when he was a kid in high school & pranks that were pulled back then. Glad they lifted it. Glad they can go to their graduation. Kids will be kids. As long as no one got hurt over the pranks.
ThisMachineKillsFascists says: I think a lot of older folk forget what it means to be young. Fake laser-sword battles and slippery doorknobs are harmless fun and I for one sympathize fully with the students, and give kudos to the administration for wising up and seeing things in the spirit of which they were intended... as fun diversions, not serious usurpations of authority.
dwisniow says: Thank God sanity has prevailed! I've known all of these kids for years and they truly are good kids. I agree that some punishment, like a detention, should have been given, but taking away graduation was way too harsh. Thank you Mr. Broderick for making the right choice. Teaching is a hard profession in which not only black and white are seen, but a whole lot of grey, and teachers have to choose what is right and wrong and then address situations individually. Good job!
What do you think? Was a three-day suspension punishment enough for the incidents? Were there more serious senior pranks pulled in your day? Share your thoughts here or by posting below.