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Read comments (100)Le Mars 18-year-olds Michael Donlin and Victor Fischer face criminal charges and won't get to participate in the LCS graduation ceremony after they confessed to letting in the pigs after midnight Monday.
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"The school corralled the pigs and called one of the veterinarians to come get them," said Officer Dan Plueger of the Le Mars Police Department.
The pigs were smaller than full-grown pigs, he said.
"The pigs were out by 7 a.m., in plenty of time before school started," said LCS Superintendent Todd Wendt. "There was enough of a mess."
School officials interviewed students Monday to find who was behind the prank. Eventually Donlin and Fischer admitted to it.
The school administration decided to call in the police and have criminal charges filed.
"Pranks are not acceptable at school at graduation time, by seniors or at any time," Superintendent Wendt said.
The police filed charges and made them public Tuesday.
"The school wanted to set a precedent," Plueger said. "They wanted to discourage any future incidents."
Both Donlin and Fischer were charged with theft in the fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor, for stealing the keys to the building from a parent. They also face a charge of trespassing, a serious misdemeanor, for being in the school without permission.
The two seniors were not arrested, but were given a date to appear in court. They will face adult charges since they are both 18.
School officials made the decision to ban Donlin and Fischer from being a part of LCS's graduation ceremony on Sunday.
at this point, we have 100 comments on this issue. combined with the ink spilled over the t&i program, i think it fair to say the community has a large voice that is, generally, critical of the school.
i really feel lchs administration and the town of the lemars need to reconnect. go about how you wish, but the higher-ups at community need to strengthen the tie back to the community. asap.
To all,
I think number 1 you need to start with the grade schools about repecting others. Kids act up there and they don't even get really dissplined there.The first time they are bad they should be reported to the principle but they are not.Number 2 I think the bomb threat kids should of not been about to Graduate with there class. Which is worse pigs in the school or a bomb? I THINK IT HAS TO START IN THE GRADE SCHOOLS AND ITS NOT!!!
Its not just the fact that the punishment was WAY overboard and harsh. It's not just the fact that this will go on there records. Its not the fact that this was blown way out of the water by the school. Its the fact that these kids were LIED to. Straight to there face lied too. These are school officals that our kids are suppose to listen to and obey. But its ok for them to lie to there face to get what they want. What values is that teaching? Thats the issue I believe that should be at stake here. The fact that they told the students that if they confess no legal charges would be applied. Yea I guess that end held up. Are you people that dirty and cruel? We try to teach respect and honesty as the back bone of education and at the first chance we break that? WHY? Because you wanted to set an example so nobody will do it again. Well you taught a great lesson here. Wise up Le Mars and realize what is becoming of our once honest community!
I believe the school and school officials acted correctley. If you can't do the time, then don't do the crime. Kids now aday get away with far to many things that they shouldn't, maybe it is a parenting issue and they weren't installed values and integrity, they wouldn't do this to their own home so why should they get away with doing it to a public school. Keep up the good work school officials. I believe I also read a blog about these kids lives being ruined by the Le Mars Police Department, I believe in the article they were only cited into court, they could have been taken to jail, they will probably only get probation so I fail to see how there lives are ruined. Once again if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
All I have to say is because of the stupidity of the court, the stupidity of the state, and the stupidty of the people for keeping Plueger (who was more than happy to ruin more young lives) on the police force that's the reason I moved out of the City & state, and WILL NEVER RETURN. The school system of that town is a joke, you are not allowed to think or dress in any manner that is "up-setting" to the the people in charge.
The town of Le mars, and its "Idea" of a "justice" system are so flawed, and pathetic that its proves the police are nothing more than local terrorists!!!!!!
They are teenagers, they did something stupid, here's an Idea...make them clean up the school do community service, they didn't harm anyone!!!!!
1 more reason I will not be in attendance or step foot back into that town, or school for my 10 year graduation.
I don't understand. What century is LeMars living in. I think you need to know the world has changed and is full of hate, murder, drugs,pornography and many evils our children are exposed to daily. I believe these young adults and their parents have been punished enough when they were not aloud to graduated with their class. You attend school 13 years for the privilige of graduation. They were denied this because of why? This was a harmless prank! Who was hurt or injured? Yes, it was stupid, but do you really feel they understood they were trespassing-it's their school too and they had keys. I can't believe they had any intensions of breaking any laws. Even though ignorance is no excuse - give them a break. Have they ever been in trouble before? It's not to late to actknowlege it's a mistake tarnish these boys with a criminal record. Be honorable representatives, honor your word and make this all go away. DROP THESE CHARGES.
I am by far not a class suck up and i am a firm believer in christ i stick up for my values and beliefs that have taken me so long to find i was once a troubled kid now all i do is to stick up for what i think is right opposed to as before let others run all over me..........
Long Time Educator wrote "The boys made the choices, they took the risk, and now the consequences are there's to face."
Wow.
How about "...and now the consequences are THEIRS to face"?!! Wrong spelling AND unnecessary punctuation.
Hope you have been a long-time educator somewhere other than at LCHS. Hopefully my kids were not your students...
Greatgrand, you have a real problem with people, don't you. My nose was not in the sky. I am not high class, believe me. I just believe in discipline and respect. Those two go out the window and where are we? I don't see a lot of respect anymore. I agree that the bomb threat kids were not dealt with properly. They should not have walked with their class but I did say that Mike and Victor should have walked with their class. I also agree that name and money has a big part of the end result. The boys had to know that they were going to get in some kind of trouble. Yes, God is in the school all day and everyday and He does see all and even He doesn't get the respect HE deserves.
For the record the piggies was not turned loose all over the School like Wendt said.
They where put in a small area and they fixed it so they where in that area,and thats the only area that had to be cleaned,one mop head and the boys paid for.Wendt why blow this thing up so much.What is it the boys didn't have the right name,or the parent didn't give the school enough money.
It make sense why the students dislike you.
If you don't know how to get along with students mybe you need more education or try another school Please.
WELL anewlight
WHY is it that you cant see behond your little brain and read what you are saying.
A slap on the wrist,isnt that what the one's got when they did the BOMB threat.So whats the difference except their names and who big name the parents are.IS that right.No matter what your brain tells you.God made us all the same,our body organs all work the same.Nobody can change that.
But the brain works on what it is feed.And with your thinking I can bet it was feed about,you are good and better then others. Always ready to be the class one suck up.The Mr. Wendt and principles;Yes they are ruining the School because of the miss conduct toward some students,all should be threated the same no matter what the last name they have or the money they have.God does not look at it this way.
But there is one,that you can not fool and thats the man upstairs he knows your thoughs,every whisper,in all you do and say he is the final judge. So don't get so high and mighty becuase you my fool people but not God. Thats way they have taken God out of the schools.But he is there all the time.Isn't that something and nobody can do a thing about that.Think about it,come down off your high and be what God made you.Read his word.
School Broad needs to sit the Admisistration
straight.This was their call not Wendts.
Lets vote for diffrent Superintendent.Weed out the bad and come clean.It's our Tax dollers
that is paying for the bad judgments they make for the School.Enrollment is already down.And he is paid way to much just to sit on his brains
Okay..... so i really think everyone has taken this way to far....when we get into trouble for something we can't go around saying "Well why didn't they get into trouble" i mean you have to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Alot of people that do get Charges or something about illegibility for code of conduct they don't just get a little smack on the wrist they get what they deserve. Noone would ever follow the code of conduct if it was just a little slap on the wrist......THEY WOULD KEEP DOING IT!!!! Some people really care about extra curriculars and stuff therefore one time you screw up you should normally seee well that's not always the case some take others longer to learn.. but really i mean this is like done and over with now why keep dragging it on i for one am a LCHS student and i still have trust for my principle and vice principle and respect for Todd Wendt i mean they do the best they can under the circumstances they don't wanna just ruin everyones. life they aren't out to get you.......
You can bet that the ISL tax gets defeated by an even bigger majority this time. Save the taxpayers some money, be smart, and forget the ISL tax.
I think there is some more poop to cleanup some where.
Does anyone remember the Code of Conduct we as parents had to sign with our students (but of course applies to only the nonpopular, nonessential athletes in the school system)stating that if you turn yourself in the consequences would be less? This was put in place for our kids to be able to turn themselves in and face less punishment than letting the crime go. What happened to that policy? Did they not turn themselves in but then get slapped with a huge punishment? Maybe administration should be made to sign the Code of Conduct too and they too can sit through the boring essential meetings. The administration needs to practice what they preach......It goes both ways. Now administration has ruined the trust of the students. Someone was not thinking here......Now wait for a another tax vote to come, remember these kids are 18 and can vote too, can't they!!!! What a mess.
I am embarassed and very disappointed with the school officials that did not handle this properly in the first place. Also the Le Mars Police Dept should have had the good sense to calm down the school officials, tell them to think twice about what they were doing by filing charges. A good lawyer would have done the same, think twice before you make actions. I for one am glad that I no longer have any students in this school. Mr. Wendt and Mr. Iverson need to learn some common sense instead of taking everything to the police dept. These boys did not and do not deserve legal charges. Le Mars school board, when are you going to wake up and do something with these men?
Well Olivia may be you need to ckeck your record on disrespect,Get your high class
nose out of the sky and deal with reality.
Those boys did no harm,and the pigs was not running all over the school they where in a area they made for them.One mop head to clean up and the boys bought a new head.
Think about a bomb,that happen 3 times and those people got to be with the class on Graduation,now whats wrong with that picture
not a crime right????they didn't have court
just a slap on the wrist.Big money family
they can get away with that.Know tell me which is the true crime.We have to many people in this town that are hippocrates. thats way our town is dying, look for the light people.
I just heard about this blog. What has happened to discipline? There has to be discipline or misconduct will continue. I do agree that the punishment was too harsh but it seems that people are not accountable for their actions anymore and that is why we have so much crime. Too many get away with what they have done. I think Victor and Mike should have cleaned up the mess. It would have been good for them. But please, this wasn't funny, it was disrespectful. Whatever happened to respect for others, our school, and our town? Oh, by the way, I do think that the boys should have been able to participate in commencement but the whole class being asked to "boycott" was stupid.
To the Long time educator -- thank you for your comments and insights -- I fully agree with you.
I am appalled at the blogs -- in particular those from the two 18 year olds who were responsible. Instead of trying to blame others for the repercussions of their own choices IN MY OPINION they should be apologizing to their family, to their fellow classmates, to the LCHS students and teachers, to the school administration, and to this community.
To greatgrand:
HAHAHA I have family in California calling me and asking me about this story THEY heard on the news! Its all over the place!
Iverson has done it again. Last week my son was stabbed with a pencil at school and I contacted the school about it and it was brushed under the rug. But last year when my other son did it accidently to someone he was punished. But this time because the kid that stabbed my son was well known they couldn't give him the punishment the child deserved.And they say it's not who you are in Le Mars?
Not sure this is an innocent prank, but it was pretty funny. Too bad the the LCHS didn't see the humor in the three little pigs...LOL
Everybody should get a grip.... All of us have done things in life that seemed like a great idea at the time, but in hindsight they weren't such good ideas... This doesn't call for school officals to resign, or for the boys to face criminal charges... Boys will be boys... If this is the worst thing these two young men do in life; they'll be o.k. So, figure up the damages and charge the boys for the clean up, repairs / replacement etc... Just as if they had damaged someone's personal property... If the young men don't want to pay the tab for damages, then charge them with a crime... Oh yeh, not letting them walk at graduation is fitting...
Way back when; I know a couple of good old boys who took a part an hay wagon and reassembled it on top of the Liberty Township school for a graduation prank... They were not charged with a crime, but they had to get the wagon down... and as the story was told to me; It wasn't as nearly as funny getting the wagon down as it was putting it up... My point; the little pig prank may not be as funny when they pay the bill; as it was when they let the pigs loose... That's make take on the story...
LCHS and anyone connected needs to wise up.
Starting with the School Board,Mybe you need to take some classes so you know what you are doing with young childern thats going to make a future for us.The one boy is going to college to study police science.You high class snobs don't know how to think beyond your nose thats stuck so high in the air. Why is it that why,We are all Gods people and he treats us all the same.So why?Wendt and Iverson.This Boys are just like you at that age.So take a look in the mirror.Wendt your plate is not clean,and Iverson you do the same and see what you come up with.
This as been on 4 TV stations in New Mexico 8 Radio stations The Quadcity paper,Cedar Rapids,DesMoines,Mason City,Houston Tx,Oprah W wants the boys to come on the show to tell everyone about what happen and how they where treated.Just think people the mockery
Wendt and Iverson as made for the School
and the Town.And you call ourselves professionals?????It is all over the world.TV&Radio and you think these two boys made a mess????
In regard to Long Time Educator and Imconfusedrntu...being in a position of authority does NOT make it o.k. to lie to the boys. These boys trusted and respected these authoritive figures enough to fess-up, thinking their word could be trusted. Would you lie to your children to get them to confess to something they did wrong and then turn the tables, making your trust and word invalid? I sure wouldn't. That's how so many kids get into trouble...they have nobody they can trust or count on to keep their word. A poor example, I think. These are the guys that I entrust my kids to 5 days a week?! I hate the thought. LCS wonders why the enrollment is down...hmmm? No mystery there!
Long time educator has it 100% correct!
Placing the blame with someone else does not take away your responsibility for the choices you have made.
As I read the blogs on this site, many thoughts and concerns pop into my head. Some of you have written about how funny you think this pig incident is, but I have asked myself why? What is funny about having pip poop spread throughout the school? I sure know I don't think it's too hilarious when my husband accidently gets a little pig poop on the floor in my home after he's been outside doing chores. I'm sure that the other businesses in town wouldn't think it was funny if they had pig poop all over their work area. What may have been more humorous is if the boys would have released the pigs during the middle of the day rather than at night. The students would have thought it was funny to see a pig in the hallway, but the staff, teachers, and administrators would have all been there to take care of the situation immediately without allowing the pigs to roam freely throughout the school property. This also may have saved the boys the legal action because 1. They wouldn't have STOLEN school property to break in and 2. They wouldn't have been TRESSPASSING because they should have been at school during that time anyway.
I am a long time educator. Times have changed. Today, we as a society, tend to look to blame someone else for what is actually our own blame to take. We believe it's not our fault or we're being treated unfairly. Some parents rush to blame the teachers if their child doesn't do as well as they want them to or we blame the coach if our child doesn't play. We tell ourselves, we're being treated this way because of who we are. Could it possibly be that your child didn't study for the test or that he/she didn't put in very much time during the off-season to get ready for the sport? People sue others because they drink coffee and they get burned. Hello, coffee is hot! We are always trying to pass the blame to someone else.
We need to learn to accept the consequences for the choices we make. Our lives are going to be filled with choices and risks. Before we take those risks or make our choices, we need to weigh the consequences. We may not know if the choices we make will lead us to success or failure, but we have to be willing to accept the outcome: good or bad.
The blame here does not belong to Dr. Wendt or Mr. Iverson. The boys made the choices, they took the risk, and now the consequences are there's to face. Accept responsibilty for the choices you make and don't make another bad choice by messing up graduation for the rest of your classmates or by making your administrators look bad because YOU made a bad choice.
For those of you that think the administration should have had the boys clean up the mess, obviously you have never been around pig poop. From reading the blogs, I can't tell for sure what time the boys confessed, but I don't imagine if was right away when they came to school. Should the administration left the pig poop around the school all day long to expose all of the students to it? Here's another case, as another blogger put it, damned if they do and damned if they don't.
I once had a teacher that said if you can learn something from our actions or from the actions of others then it can help make you a better person. Maybe we all can learn something about respect, responsibility, and accepting concequences for choices we make.
Good luck boys! I wish you well in your future.
I graduated from LeMars a few years ago and I once took pride in graduating from one of the great rural schools in this country. It was a great experience to go to a smaller school where things were better, more family based and where kids are taught and embraced by the school and community. I am astonished that a funny prank such as 'three little pigs' by graduating Seniors has been taken this far! There were FAR worse pranks done in my day, not that long ago and the parents and school dealt with such pranks by some type of lesser punishment realizing it was a harmless prank and gave Community Service as punishment. They didn't vandalize the school, nothing was harmed it was an age old tradition that was carried out and what makes these smaller schools in America unique and a great place to grow up. Where kids can still be kids and have fun! I'm sure the boys expected some type of punishment like Community Service or cleaning the school as well they should have, but the punishment should fit the crime! Keeping them from walking at Graduation and pressing criminal charges is horrendous! People need to step back, take a breath and recognize it was a harmless prank. I am astounded that the Bomb Threat kids get to walk but not the "Three Little Pig' boys. Its ridiculous and makes the Le Mars School Board seem like power abusing jerks. They should be ashamed. It was not a heinous crime but a harmless prank. The school board I think, needs to go back to school and learn the basics and definitions of these two things and differences. Congratulations boys on Graduating as its a tremendous achievement. Regardless if you walk or not, the majority of the rest of the Alumni are proud of you!
I believe the stupidity of Think Twice's posting speaks for itself. Clearly, when the south end of north facing mule has access to a computer, comments like Think Twice are the result.
Our spineless School Board did nothing to assist the kids. A Board member asked Wendt 3 times if Iverson promised no charges. It took Wendt three times to fess up. A Board Member was called at home regarding the situation. Her response was "Why did you call me?" UHHH- Maybe because you are a Board Member!! This is what we have entrusted our school system to. Pawns with no desire to think on their own and a dictator with an ego far to great for his small mind. They both really need to go.
I would strongly urge parents to try and open enroll their kids out of this district.
Lose more kids. Money goes down. Budget problems get worse. Wendt tries to tax us again. We say no. Maybe we'll finally get rid of the whole group. Come on Wendt & Board Members: Do the upstanding thing-resign in protest!!
What a joke that the Mayor recognized this group of incompetents this week.
To those who think this was a creative expression check this link …http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senior_prank
To sum up what has happened so far in this episode…
1. They found a prank on the internet….Not too difficult.
2. They knew someone who didn't take care of their set of keys to the school….Maybe too many people have been trusted with keys (did the boys have copies made?).
3. They knew someone with pigs….How do you "borrow" pigs without the owner's knowledge?
4. They broke into school….Did they make a practice run to know for certain what door the key would open, or did the employee tell them?
5. They released the pigs….After having creatively numbered them.
6. They now have the sympathy and excuses of a majority of posters here….Who probably wanted to be pirates after watching Pirates of the Caribbean.
So what's the big deal?
What if the person with a key had been a Harkers', Wells, Daily Sentinel, or Pizza Hut employee? Charges would have been filed. There probably would have been no cry of sympathy from these folks. The employee with a key may have lost a job.
Oh, by the way, enjoy your class reunions boys. As your peers get older, the prank will get less funny. The rest of the "Class of '08" will resent what you did to blemish their graduation. You better hope there isn't a big demonstration at commencement as I have heard of schools handing out empty folders in case disciplinary actions need to be taken later. These boys have had their 15 min. in the spotlight; the question is what will they do with the rest of their lives?
Dr. Wendt did the right thing.
We are not saying LET THEM OFF THE HOOK. The punishment the boys received was way harsh. They do deserve to be punished but not like they did. Community Service is the best way to punish them. They didn't break anything! They didn't vandelize anything. All they did was let some pigs, with painted numbers on them, into a school. BIG DEAL... Its funny and was a harmless prank. Even most of the staff at LHS where laughing. So why hurt these too young men with a record and court appearances? Why does it have to go that far? Because you want to set an example? The only example your setting is that the school administration are full of liers. If the story is true about telling the boys that if they confess, no charges with be brought on them. Now your telling me that is fair? These kids spend over 68% of there time at school and the people they trust LIE right to there face! Now that takes some balls if you ask me.... I'm glad we teach kids to be honest cause it pays off in the end!!!! I guess Gehlen's enrollment for next year might be going up!!!
Ha Ha!!! What a funny prank... I think that Iverson and wendt have taken this small prank in to something big... I don't see how the people that threatened are school got to walk across graduateion and the people that pulled a little prank don't get to. (NOT RIGHT) The people threatened our school and the people in the school and a fine/ slap on the wrist dose not pay for what they did. I think that the class of '08 needs to stand up for Mike and victor.
It is not whether it is a less or even a bigger crime that doesn't not matter what matters is that they BROKE THE LAW!!! If we allowed everyone of the hook this world would be corrupt. Don't minimize your actions take responsibility for them!!!!
Here is a lesson - (more valuable than anything you'd take from the LCHS graduation ceremony):
Anyone with the slightest bit of authoritative muscle will use it against you whenever and however they want if you give them the opportunity.
Get used to it.
18 year old adults should understand there are consequences to their actions. Sure, this punishment is harsh, but what else would you possibly expect in a town like Le Mars? Are you seriously that surprised?
Many of you will soon leave for your first year of college, and you'd be wise to keep these things in mind.
Those with authority will use it (campus cops, resident assistants, hall coordinators, etc.) - and being a smart-ass know-it-all isn't going to help the situation at all.
Once you're 18, you are no longer a "kid." Keep your head low and be smart. If you get caught, don't expect to whine your way out of it.
Congratulations, seniors.
Welcome to real life.
has anyone actually talked to wendt and iverson yet?
Good going, DR. WENDT. Once again, it's all about you and your arrogance and what you want. This is a time when it should be about the graduating class! Including Mike and Victor! You have had and will have many other opportunities to force your influence and to make a name for yourself, but now is not the proper time. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2008 AND GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER YOU MAY DO!! DON'T LET THE ADMINISTATION RAIN ON YOUR PARADE!
By the sounds of it, the Superintendent is NOT a very well liked man, and not just because of the piggy ordeal. Maybe he should catch a hint and resign.
IF THE BOMB THREAT PEOPLE GOT TO WALK AT GRADUATION WHY SHOULDNT MR D AND MR F WHO HAVE COMITTED A LESS SERIOUS CRIME!!!
I graduated a few years back. When I went to this school, it was a school to be proud of. I loved it there. What happened? With all of the things that I have read about this year, I am thinking maybe we need to take a look at the administration, and maybe the school board. Usually problems start at the top and work there way down. Now all that needs to be done is a petition to change things, and it will be done. Who is going to take the initiative to help fix the problems and rebuild the integrity of this school? So we can once again have one of the greatest school systems in Iowa. By the way for the two guys that did it, good luck to you, and I hope you get to walk with your graduation class. Just hang in there everything will work out.
I completely agree that there does need to be respect for authority. However, I fail to see why this pig prank is worse than a bomb threat. In the elementary schools, kids get into trouble if they make a "gun" shape with their finger and thumb, but I believe they are still allowed to push up their nose and make "oink" sounds!
I'm afraid Dr. Wendt really "stepped in it" when he chose to press criminal charges against these boys. Wouldn't it have been more sensible to make the punishment fit the crime? First, you have the boys clean up every shred of evidence left by the pigs in the school. Second, you say you will NOT press charges IF both boys show up once or twice a week, all summer long, to spend 4 or 5 hours doing some type of labor at the school (ie. cleaning, lawn care, etc.). If Dr. Wendt really wanted to make it a punishment for a recent high school graduate, you make these hours start around 7 a.m.!
I think its pretty funny. HAHA! I think the school needs a little humor after all the b/s that has been going on.
What ever happened to the days when my parents were young and when ever they had a run in with the police the cops would just tell them to go straight home and stay there and let the parents do the punshments. I know if i was in this siuation and had done something like this i would be working for my day doing chores for him and my grandpa all summer but yet he would have still laughed at it. punshment form the school i agree 100% getting the cops involved not so much. they should let them pratipate in graduation and give them community service help each other out dont give them a bad mark on there recourd and let them help you clean up the school and community drop the charges
congrats class of 2008
Maybe someone ought to ask why those after the bomb threat were allowed to participate in graduation if that's the case and true. If a source is correct it might be such a thing that they were represented by a board member. If that's the case it is a direct conflict of interest. Of course no one will ever know other than these boys are made to be the example with the wrong representation.
this whole thing is getting blown up. mike and victor's charges should have never happened and if iverson knew how to keep his word they wouldnt have gotten charges. it was joke our school needs to get a sense of humor. its getting sad. we cant even joke around in school anymore???? i remember years back when a couple of seniors at the time trashed the gym and messed with chairs so when you sat down you feel straight on you butt. they didnt get charged!! something needs to happen. im sad to say i go to this school, anymore, and the only reason i will graduate from lchs is because i want to be the first girl in my family to. i will be honest and say there are some good teachers at our school, but IVERSON needs to realize what it was like when he was in school and what its like to be in high school. the school should honestly listen to what we have to say or we need to do something
wish the heck i would have been smart enough to think of that we set off m-80's in the halls that is funny PIG's WOW !!!!!
bulldog85:
If I should ever choose to have children, and they mess up (which I know is inevitable, as I have done so millions of times!), I can only hope that I will react with the same grace and dignity that you and your family have shown. Thank you for your example.
I should also mention that I have nothing but respect for the boys confessing to their parts in the prank- and honesty is without a doubt taught at home. So thank you for that as well.
here's the deal. the best way to work against an unfairness is together. solidarity, people.
you have to protest. you have to boycott. you have to act as united front.
tell them if they can't walk, then you'll all wear pig snout masks.
them them if they can't walk, then you're going to stand outside the school assembled in protest.
let's move from the comment section to action, people.
this goes far beyond a ridiculously harsh punishment for a senior prank. this is standing up against the head of an administration that pushes classist and elitist agendas and then punishes its students with gross inequality to the point that one cannot help but think the punishments are outgrowths of its previously-shown discrimination.
so let's get together and act now!
As a parent, I have always thought that the school talks out of both sides of their mouths. They 'say' they want the parents involved, but, of course, that is only on 'their terms.'I have had numerous teachers over the years actually tell me that I can call them at home if I have any questions, but am I to believe that they don't really mean it? Sometimes, I think the school sticks their noses where it doesn't belong (I am speaking from my personal experience with the school). They want to take credit for raising our children IF they are good kids, but IF they aren't....who is the first ones they blame?? You got it!!! Us, as parents. Respect is something that you earn, because you deserve it, not because you are who you are. As a parent, my kids know what is the limit and what lines ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE! I have also raised my kids to be independant thinkers and doers and NOT TO BE ASHAMED! I am proud of the way my kids think and that they aren't ashamed of what they know to be right when their friends are telling them different. If I feel that my kids have been treated unfairly...YOU BET YOUR BOTTEM I AM GOING TO STEP UP!!
Isn't it easy to judge others? Please don't judge me until you've walked a mile in my shoes. I have raised four teenagers, and believe me, it was not an easy task. I have experienced my fair share of awkward moments, sleepless nights and questionning my parenting skills. To the person who says this starts at home...your right, I agree. However, we all know as parents of small children or grown children, we cannot be with them 100% of the time. I pray each night my children make wise choices and it is my job to guide them and counsel them through life. I feel I have done a great job of this. Once in awhile one of your kids will fall flat on their face, and they have to learn a hard lesson. As did Vic, with the decision made by the school. We as parents have accepted his punishment quietly and did not seek legal council.I am dissappointed, as a parent that I do not get to see my son, nor will he get to experience a very big milestone in his life. We have shed tears over this. I suppose you can ridicule our grammar, writing skills, parenting skills ect. But we are downhome Bulldog fans, proud of our family, community and school system.
Congratulations Seniors of 2008! Mama Fish
Give me a break, it was a prank. Victor's Greatgrandfather was the head custodian at LCHS for 25 years. Victor would have had to face the punishment of cleaning the school, probably for the entire summer, but his Greatgrandfather would have been laughing his butt off the entire time. I cannot believe the Supt. at LCHS is such a stick in the mudd. Let the boys walk at graduation. I hope the class stands behind them. I graduated from LCHS several years ago and trust me there were worse pranks but the administation was smart enough to handle the problem without criminal charges.
Give me a break, it was a prank. Victor's Greatgrandfather was the head custodian at LCHS for 25 years. Victor would have had to face the punishment of cleaning the school, probably for the entire summer, but his Greatgrandfather would have been laughing his butt off the entire time. I cannot believe the Supt. at LCHS is such a stick in the mudd. Let the boys walk at graduation. I hope the class stands behind them. I graduated from LCHS several years ago and trust me there were worse pranks but the administation was smart enough to handle the problem without criminal charges.
Mike and Victor what you did was wrong and you have come here to post your comments and clear up some confusion and are accepting of some type of punishment, good for you. If the school trapped you into a confession by promises then they now have established and built a lack of trust among all the students at LCS.(another wrong bad for them.) And I know the police had no choice in what they did because the charge was pressed by the school
or DID THEY? Seems to me a better solution could have presented itself between you boys, the police, your parents, and the school. The setting of an example usually does backfire and it probably will in this case. Get a bunch of people together, get a tv news station in town ASAP and if for a fact others have gotten their diploma with more serious situations than this, the TV station can interview Wendt and find out why you and not them are being singled out. Get them media involved out of Sioux City if you and other seniors feel this strong.
Congrats to the class of 2008...bet you're glad to be done with LCHS!!!
To the boys that put the pigs in the building:
I thought that numbering the pigs was a HILARIOUS move. I can just picture the faculty looking for the "missing" pig! Good thinking!
My most sincere apologies. I was trying to be subtle and non-accusatory, but see that I failed as apparently 'no one understands what I am saying' and have been asked to 'cut to the chase.' So, here it is, cut down.
1. I did not state that in THIS instance, parents called to complain. I just said that it has happened. I also meant that no matter which student/s is/are involved, someone is crying that the punishment is unfair.
2. I think it's unfair to say that all the recent stuff at the school (in the last 5 years or so) is all the school's fault. Some of the blame MUST rest at home.
3. Of course you should graduate from high school. It's not rocket science, it's high school; pretty much any American teenager can do it.
4. Writing skills are a matter of personal priority. If you care about how you write, you'll take the time. If you don't, you don't. Teachers can teach, but students must be self-motivated to learn.
5. I'm not interested in a prank contest, though it might be fun!
Hopefully this is straightforward enough.
Bulldog16.... I am with you.
This is damn funny. We pulled pranks at LCHS and never got in this much trouble. Let thes kids walk down and get their diplomas, I chose not to do it 20 years ago and have regretted it ever since.
honestly i think the school has made some bad choices in the past, but this takes the cake! the boys were playing a prank and if dr. wendt or mr. iverson can't see that then they are ultimately to blame i think. i agree with some of the ppl on here...why dont we start a petition? why dont the school have an assembly outside in protest? why dont the students stand up for their classmates? i mean this is their school too. to all former graduates of LCS, how would you feel if one or in this case 2 of your classmates had a court date because of an innocent prank? i would be mad and i'd complain. i would have to do something. i couldn't just walk through graduation and pretend it's all ok especially when the school has been acting the way it has the last year.
HAHA! I say we petition against wendt. and make him resighn!! WOOT! and we can get media and stuff too!WHOSE WITH ME????????
I am a parent. If they were my children, I would expect them to be punished. Clean the mess up?? YOU BET. 70 hours of community service?? ABSOLUTELY! Perhaps a fine?? Uh Huh. A permenant POLICE RECORD? Thats just plain STUPID! Like I said before, they did'nt kill anyone. They didn't hurt anyone. They were just animals! Someone called one of the boys' work?? Sounds like they are out to get them. Yeah If I were their mom, I'd be Kickin butt and takin names!
i wonder if any of these people on here are administration and trying to bring us down if u are then y bother people are still gonna see that wendt has finally gone insane or maybe the hawk one is Dr. Wendt?
gohawks
you wrote that big long blog but nobody can figure out wat your saying just cut to the chase.
THE LAST TWO COMMENTS ARE COMPLETE BOGUS NUMBER ONE THEY DONT JUDGE US ON OUR WRITING SKILLS AND IF THEY DO THEN LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO TAUGHT US AND NUMBER TWO MY MOM DID NOT COMPLAIN TO EITHER OFFICIALS AND NEITHER DID VICTORS PARENTS THERE WHERE ONLY TWO PEOPLE ANGRY AT US AND THAT IS WENDT AND IVERSON I DO BELIEVE THE CHARGES WERE TO HARD AND IF THE PAPER WOULD HAVE WRITTEN THE ENTIRE STORY IT WAS ALOT MORE FUNNY AND DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH U COULD NEVER BATTLE ME IN PRANKS BUT ANYWAYS I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE SCHOOL WILL PROBABLY CHARGE US FOR THE MOPS TO WHICH THEY THREW AWAY SO THEY COULD HAVE SOME DAMAGE CHARGES BUT THAT WAS STUPID THERE IS A PROPER WAY TO CLEAN THEM
What's wrong with the SCHOOL? What's wrong with SOCIETY? We now live in a society where kids are taught, through example, that as long as you whine long enough, or your parents whine long enough, you will never truly have to deal with the consequences of your actions. The question is, when is it too much? Was this punishment perhaps too strong for the crime? That is up for debate. The truth is, no matter what the incident had been, and who the kids were, SOMEONE would be complaining about SOMETHING- most likely that his or her child had been treated unfairly. We now have parents that will call teachers at home to ask that grades be changed, parents that will call coaches at home to complain about playing time, and so on. There has to be a line drawn between providing support for your child and enabling him or her to do whatever he or she wants. I'm not sure what I as a parent would do in this situation, were it my child that perpetrated this act. I do know that I would not condone the action personally. The administrators have an incredibly difficult job in a town that has become increasingly hostile towards them. Every day they make decisions that are going to make someone mad. I can think of a million 'pranks' that would have been funnier. I mean, really, pigs in the school when no one's there? Really, how funny is that?
PS- Mr. Donlin and Mr. Fischer, although this is not a 'college essay,' people do still tend to judge you by your writing skills. You should probably get used to that, unless your future profession will be completed entirely via texting and blogging.
sammysmom, it's not easy to oust anyone but if I'm not mistaken, several schools in NW Iowa have already been apart of ousting boardmembers, supers, and principals. Start a petition and get going. Janitors had to clean up the pig crap maybe it's time the parents clean up the the crap too.
ok...seriously LCS get a sense of humor!
i wanna say this first before i go any further. to all of you who are going to criticize my typing or abreviating or punctuation, obviously you dont have an opinion on this matter and you just wanna make other feel bad or insecure.
i love mike and victor and i'm standing behind them 100%. yes i think they should be punished but not like this. this was going way overboard. i agree with all the ppl on here that are supporting mike and victor. yes iverson should have kept his word and not pressed charges and yes wendt needs to "pull one body part out of another body part".
when i attended LCS i was proud and full of school spirit like senior would be, but i was so happy to get out of there because our school is getting run into the ground. i could see that was happening last year when i graduated.
when i went to school at LCS last year, iverson had a sense of humor and could take a joke. i mean my class was doing stupid stuff all the time and he was ok with it. IVERSON, WHAT HAPPEND TO YOU?!
oh and in response to common man's comment: I've known these boys for years and no one has more respect for ppl than these two boys do. they joke around alot but they do respect ppl and its obvious that you dont know these so you can not say that they have no respect for anyone or for the school or teachers. our school is suppose to help teach the students respect and if you think these two boys dont have any then obviously the school also failed. it's not just the parents so dont even blame them.plus mike has worked with pigs for years and he knew that pigs this size would not harm anything. that shows a sign of respect for the school b/c they didnt wanna cause any damage to school property.
i think they should be able to walk through graduation with their class like they were suppose to. and i think iverson needs to remember what it was like to be a kid and loosen up! DROP THE CHARGES and give them something else. i know they would prolly gladly take community service.
again i've herd of students pulling worse pranks and they got a slap on the wrist. take into consideration the bomb threats. they got a lil slap on the wrist and were able to walk through graduation with their class.oh and were the parents even called when that happend? i dont think so! honestly the school needs to look over everything that they have been doing, budget cuts, pay increases, and everything b/c i think this was the last straw and everyone is gonna speak out and stand up again this. i think the school is in for a rough road ahead from the community.
our class turned birds loose in the school and that caused more chaos than the three lil piggies. i mean we had teachers chasing the birds with tennis rackets and trying to catch them that way. nothing was filled against the students that did that.
oh and p.s. THE JANITORS EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY AND THEY HAD TO CLEAN IT UP!
Mike and Vic, what you did was funny as, well let me just say, I laughed my butt off!!! Maybe you two guys should have been made to clean up the piggy mess but criminal charges?? No way!! Wendt is sooo far out of touch with the young kids of today and you are lucky, you are out of there, but it is only going to get worse since he is moving entirely out of the High School building. There is no reason a Superintendent of a school district should be in a building with students. Ya ok whatever!!! How can we get a new Superintendent? Anybody know proper procedure to do that?? Wouldn't work anyway, Wendt has the school board wrapped around his little finger. Maybe in hindsight Mike and Vic, you should have made a bomb threat. At least you could have participated in your graduation ceremony.
I was a senior once too. I think that these kids should not be punished as far as the school went. I am sorry but the kids were just having fun and I wish that the school officals could see that. I have 3 children of my own and 2 of which are attending Le Mars and I hate to see what the school will be like when they get to high school. There are already bomb threats, kids selling drugs at school, and trouble makers. What is this school coming to. So these kids get in just as much trouble as the ones that are doing worse things. I just don't get it. These 2 boys should be allowed to graduate with their class and the theft and trespassing should be droped. I am embarrased to say that my kids go to community. Further more I am embarrased to say that I went to community. I am in total agreence with the things that some of the people are saying on here. As for Dr. Wendt shame on you. I hope that you remember being a senior and how much fun it was. Calm down and find alittle humor in the situation.
Way to go boys. I thought it was great. I hope Mike you get your job back because Iverson had no right to contact your employer. Like everyone said it's who you are at LCHS or how much money your family has. I hope the all the high school does a sit out Friday in support of you and Vic because I feel that the Nazi man has gone to far this time.
If in fact others with more serious offenses in the past were allowed to graduate under the current authority and the school board, I suggest you 2 boys not walk down the aisle at school graduation but rather walk up to the courthouse steps and file a discrimination suit. Maybe that's the attention that's needed and deserved.
its sad when the people who did the first bomb threat can walk down gradution, but when two seniors pull a little prank "THEY CANT"!!!!!!! we all know that if it were someone higher up in the social ladder they would have gotten a LITTLE SLAP ON THE WRIST, and OUR SCHOOL WONDERS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH OUR SCHOOL AND DROP OUT. THIS GOES TO SHOW HOW ARE SCHOOL PLAY FAVORITES. THE PEOPLE HIGHER UP IN THE SCHOOL SHOULD TAKE IN CONSIDERATION WHAT REALLY GOES ON IN OUR SCHOOL AND FOR ONCE ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE STUDENTS. ITS LEMARS FINEST FOR YOU THEY CAN PLAY GAMES ALL THE WANT, BUT THIS SITUATION WITH THE TWO SENIORS IS A JOKE!!! IT WAS A PRANK!!!!! way to go IVERSON u turned a SIMPLE PRANK INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE. VICTOR AND MIKE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK DOWN GRADUTION. LIKE THEY SAID YES THE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A PUNSHIMENT BUT NOT LIKE THIS IM SO GLAD ILL BE OUT OF THIS SCHOOL SHORTLY
That prank is great, wish I had thought of it back in '82. The pranks we did were worse and had alot more clean up duties for the janitors. Thank goodness that the superintendent at the time (Mr Bradley) and principal(Mr Bitterly) had senses of humor and remembered what it was like when they were that age. I never remember a reaction from them that had a negative impact on a students life like this might.
Criminal charges are crazy!! Consider yourself lucky, you don't have to sit in a 100 degree gym and listen to boring speeches for 2 hours.
To all the other Grads, have a fun and safe graduation.
In response to LCHSAlum
This is the internet not a college essay so you can say what you want but its not our fault you can't keep up with the times!!:)
we obviosly should graduate even though we may not punctuate our sentences on here doesnt mean we dont on our school work which is way more important than this blog grammerwise everyone thank you for the positive comments all u who had negative ones srry u feel that way
With writing skills like that, I'm shocked they are even graduating.
Who is signing these diplomas???
What an embarrassment!
Wonderful prank, loved it. So what a mess, if you live on a farm you are used to it. I guess that puts me as unusual because I have a sense of humor. I think the school is totally wrong and to get the police involved was absolutely uncalled for. I guess the school also that the police need something to do. What happened to Iverson, who gave the kids their word that this would not be criminal. You promise the kids something, they rely on your word but they you go back on your work. Where was the trust? How can any kid come to you when they need to anymore. You should have kept your word and now the kids have lost your trust. Way to go Iverson!!! You are a rat!!! I am so glad this is the last of my 3 children. It has been a trying year for us. Of 3 children this has been the worst year ever. Not for studies but for the administration procedures, etc. I can only feel sorry for parents and students who are still dealing with this.
I hope the kids graduate with their group and the school needs to worry about their own administration procedures and let the kids have fun. The adminstration was once kids in school and I am sure they were not angels too.
As far as cleaning, don't stop with the mop continue to clean adminstratively also (including Hitler)and others at the top. Shave off their salaries and then maybe the budget can be managed successfully.
For the 2 graduates I hope your class stands behind you 100% and makes some noise at graduation, because I as a parent stand beside you and support your class. Sure a little punishment you need but this is far in excess of what you deserve. Good luck in the future and hope you can graduate with the rest but remember if you don't, when you are coming back to the community, remember where you support should be, open enroll out of LCHS!!!
im with mike instead of everyone reading the paper aand beleiving the words wendt told the paper go straight to the people who know the story best and stop thinkin wendt has a hard job b/c if i got paid $120,000 a year id make it look like i work hard too. what has he really done he gets his pay upped while we lose teachers to the tax cut that he wanted thats all he has done. the studtents raised $42,000 for a new score board for shawn and lindsey hayden and i bet he didint donate a dime. yeah punishment is needed but it was taken to far and "common man" said to respect or teachers and crap, why should we when they lie to us and in the past three years the school has had 4 bomb threats its just you didnt hear bout the ones from this year b/c wendt didnt wat you to.
i would like to respond to common man the janitors didnt come in early they were the ones who found them when they went to work at their usual time and yes we deserve to be punished but they took it way to far and there was no damage done except the mops which in the schools poor judgement threw them away see i used to work at a confinment until iverson called my boss bout the incident and it isnt that hard to get pig crap out of that stuff
Everyone has been talking on how funny this "Prank" was. Yes I can see the humor. But I also see the cost of bringing in the custodians early to clean up the hallways so the kids and the teachers won't be exposed to the mess and the smell.
When you pull a prank like this you also have to be ready to deal with the consiqences.
Dr. Wendt has a very hard job to do. He has to please everyone who has different opinions as to what is fair and what should be done.
If a bomb threat is made and they know it is false and they don't let the kids out, he is wrong and putting the kids in danger. If he lets them out he is told he is over reacting.
Like a lot of things you are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.
In the past years seniors have pulled pranks, or attempted to pull pranks and the kids are told what the conseqences could be.
The trouble with our society is that we no longer respect the people that we put in authority and back the hard decisions they have to make.
It's time to back the people we put in charge at the schools and teach our children respect.
Well, well,...I heard about this same prank being played by some seniors in eastern Iowa, only that one involved sheep. See now, it could have been worse! I am sorry that you have to miss your graduation ceremony because for some reason the school has chosen THIS incident to start setting examples for future students.
I have a question that maybe someone could answer for me. It used to be that when something of this nature happened and there was to be a 'ban' or 'expulsion' or whatever you want to call it, the situation had to be brought before the school board and discussed before any decisions as to what should happen is to be made. I am wondering if the school board was involved or not or if these boys were just hauled into the office and banned from the school without anything further. (Other than the police, of course, which was totally out of line!) Just curious as to the protocal...I am sure that it is in the school handbook that nobody actually reads or follows anyway. Maybe I'll look it up.
well you mad me laugh mike. job well done.
hey i want to take this opportunity to thank you for talking about this incident and how Dr. Wendt hurts the students i mean he never did anything to the last bomb threat people and the person who shot up the school what happened but we put three pigs in the school and we get the book but anyways that is not y i am blogging i am going to tell the real story it went down like this we woke up at 2 A.M. and left to pick up the pigs we got to the place and put them in the back of my truck spray painted them one two and four so they will look for the third one we pulled up to the middle school dropped the pigs off and moved the truck then pushed the pigs to the front lobby and left them there the next morning the janitors come to school and clean up we get caught by confessing to it because iverson said we would not be persued legally but we were lied to and are being pressed with charges of theft of keys and trespassing and that is the truth and how it went down this is written by the boy who did it
This case sounds like the typical small town school situation. The kids that let the pigs in the school were from the "wrong family" and were given a punishment that did not fit the crime. Had the pricipal's or one of the teacher's kids done this, they would have had to clean up the mess and the situation would be over. Crimial charges were NOT warented in this case.
Would it not have been far more EDUCATIONAL a punishment (and giving the last laugh to Dr. Wendt) to have made the two young men clean up the mess that their prank created? Not only would they have been given the chance to learn the lesson of how the hard work for cleaning staff is; but also, a possible lesson in public relations for both the two young men & Dr. Wendt.
We will try again since my earlier comment was removed. From the tone of the blogs, the comment I entered referencing having a certain part of one's anatomy located in another part of one's anatomy, on behalf of Wendt, was much more applicable then I realize. Apparently the moderator of this blog has no sense of humor! How can such an "educated" man have so little common sense?
Wendt got even again. Make it hurt. Showing his power. Don't question or mess with me! As previously said: He has done plenty of damage in Le Mars, his chances of moving up are history and he really needs to be "expelled". A little school lingo for those of you with a sense of humor! Our School Board is simply his puppets and will do nothing. Board members think for themselves - what a concept! If they do not show their displeasure with, at the next meeting, it will clearly show it is time for them to go also!!
Let the kids do community service cleaning the school when summer break starts and move on.
You can thank Wendt for the charges. He is the one who want's to set an example...Just like his choice of 'cuts'
Good thing we have him running our school into the ground with budgeting issues and now sending kids off to their future with a criminal record.
Punish - yes. Court/police - come on.
This is in regard to ohyeah's comments...so what if the boys are 18. I know people 3 times this age and they are still doing harmless pranks and enjoying their life. Life can be tough, and there are 2 things that will get you through...1. your faith, first and farmost and 2. A SENSE OF HUMOR!!! No, you shouldn't go so far as to hurt people and No, you shouldn't go so far as to damage property, but a little harmless fun never hurt anyone! And sometimes, you have to get a little bit 'dirty'!
Thats like the dumbest reason EVER to press charges against someone. My gosh! They are high schoolers. Not drug smugglers or murderers. Who ever called the cops is a moron. That should have been handled by the school.
ok first of all i am very close friends to both boys. and they deserve to graduate just like every other senior at LCH! to have one last little fun in high school. they wanted to be remembered. i love it though how they ban them from graduation and called the cops to "discourage" it.(when nobody got hurt) they didnt call the cops when a bomb threat was made. (where lots of lie could have been in danger) hmmm....sounds kind of stupid if you ask me. Alls i have to say is that im glad i dont go to that school where they dont call the cops when a bomb threat is made but do when a harmless prank is done.
PROTEST GRADUATION!!!! WHO'S WITH ME??????
Criminal charges? You've got to be kidding me! This is a funny prank. The boys certainly deserve a punishment, but not a court date. Seniors have been pulling harmless pranks for years. Ever hear the one about kids bringing cows into two story schools? These stories are old news, my grandmother (a sweet old lady) pulled pranks similar to these. Are these kids' parents not "rich enough" for them to get off the hook? Time to move on Wendt, you've done enough damage.
Wendt has another 3 year contract now with even more pay than before. The school board just approved that. The cost of this prank to the 2 boys may not fit the crime but the handling of it may have cost Wendt personally again. It maybe best if those here that feel this was unjustified as a punishment to contact the school board. I would find it difficult to believe that the statements here about the bomb threat students are true. If it is true, a justification on this decision by Wendt with the crime and punishment deserves an explanation to the readers here at the Sentinel, the boys, and the parents.
This is hilarious. Way to go boys. Its too bad you will miss your graduation. Maybe the whole class will get together and not attend how good would that be? Go for it.
The school should give these students community service and use it as one last learning experience for the two of them. Criminal charges and not allowing them to graduate is too extreme. Now they get to go through life with a record and they never get to go through the graduation ceremony. That is not a misdemeanor slap on the wrist, it is taking away an important part of a persons life and it is something they can never get back.
Dr. Wendt has lost his sense of reality and needs to be brought under control. He does work for the school district and can be punished. If anyone on the school board has a sense of humor they should show Dr. Wendt how funny he is and terminate his employment before he causes undo harm to other LCHS students. It may be your child next.
To the seniors of LCHS, congratulations and good luck with whatever you choose to do. Now start your adult life the right way and support your classmates. Do you really want to walk through graduation without them. I know that I wouldn't want to...they can't take away your diploma, but you can rain on Dr. Wendt's parade.
I, for one, think this is a harmless prank and kind'a funny. Nobody got hurt and the punishment sure DOES NOT fit the 'crime???' I thought that you were supposed to enjoy your senior year, but I guess I was wrong. Leave bomb threat messages all over the school, don't notify the parents/community, read about it in the papers, and THAT isn't an issue? Sorry, but I feel that is more criminal than what these boys have done! Not to mention the fact that those who phoned in the bomb threats got to participate in their graduation ceremony! Make the boys take semesters, or do community service, or give them detention, but don't make them sit out their graduation. I'm sorry, but calling the cops was 'way extreme'! They didn't do any vandalism. So someone had to get out the mop and bucket...wow!!! Just another case of LCS going too far! There are so many cases of LCS going too far that I would have to write a book!!
The funniest part was left out of the story, the pigs were numbered 1,2, and 4. They say about 1 1/2 hrs was spent looking for pig #3 which never existed. I personally would have thought it very funny to find them in my house and would have released a bigger animal for a little payback to the guilty party(s). People need to get a sense of humor!!
this year has not been a stellar one for superintendent wendt. i, for one, hope he can take the summer to reconfigure his approach to the school and increase both his job performance and public approval. a public official like him can attract attention because of the good work done or the poor handling of major (or, like here, minor) issues. this year we've had plenty of the latter without the former, it seems.
real quick, i would like to address a public sentiment about a public official with the hopes that it does not come off as a personal attack, which it is not meant to be. rather, i hope the issue can be discussed and remedied:
there is a belief out there that superintendent wendt took the lcs position as a hopes to springboard to a larger post. now that his tenure has been less than stellar, his hopes of advancing to a larger market have crumbled and, as a result, there's a resentment toward the school that is marring his work.
like so many ideas, it doesn't matter so much as to the truth of this concern but the fact people believe it.
i hope this isn't the case. and if it isn't the case, i hope there are less episodes like this one that bring negative attention to both dr. wendt and what has historically been an excellent public school system.
I agree that these kids needed punished but definately NOT like this. They cannot participate in graduation? Thats a right of passage that everyone should be allowed to do (if grades permit it). The punishment did not suit the crime.
the kids who were behind a bomb threat got to walk on graduation. These two do not. I just dont understand the school's reasoning behind this discrepancy.
They're 18, time for them to grow up! Guess you'd be just as forgiving if they had let them loose in your house.
I don't imagine the school was thrilled with the mess they had to clean.
This is a great example of no sense of humor. This was just a prank for goodness sake. I to me I will be honest I think its funny as hell and harmless at that. I can't believe that police had to get involved. These kids were just having fun. I remember doing much worse for our senior prank and all we got was detention. "They wanted to set an example" example of what that you can't just let something be funny give them a lite punishment and be done. Nope you have to give these kids a criminal record FOR WHAT????? For pigs in a school!! ANOTHER NICE JOB LE MARS SCHOOL!!!!
that is a bunch of bull they got charged way to hard it was an innocent prank that should never have gone to the police level