This is an open letter to the parent who supplied the champagne to the graduating Newbury Park students:
After they'd had their "small amount" of champagne, how did the students get from Point A, your house, to Point B, where the bus was? Did they drive themselves to the bus? If so, what would have happened if they'd been stopped by the police? "Gee, Officer, it was OK with the other parents!"
When August comes around, a senior packet of letters is sent home. One very important one lets you know that during that year, if at any time there is a behavior problem, that student will face the consequences. That letter is then signed by both the student and parent and sent back to the school. There is also a letter for the prom, stating that the students are supposed to act accordingly before, during and after the prom. That is also to be signed and turned in.
One set of parents mentioned they wanted the punishment to fit the offense. OK, how about community service during the summer -- not just for the students, but also for the parents who gave their OK?
Did you miss what happened April of 2008? A Newbury Park High School student lost his life and others almost lost theirs. This was from drinking and driving.
I am not saying one "small amount" of alcohol will make these underage kids drink. What I am saying is that you gave them the idea to think it's OK to drink and that they can't have fun without it.
So instead of blaming others -- the student with the swine flu who forced the prom date change, the high school principal, the Conejo Valley Unified School District, the security at Skirball Center where the prom took place -- for your mistake, stand up like a parent. Admit to your child that you made a mistake. Learn from it.
-- Anita M. East, Thousand Oaks