60 local kids suspended for riding bicycles to schools

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Kenowa-Hills-bike-ride

Honestly...wtf was this principal (not) thinking?

Biking Kenowa Hills seniors punished Senior prank rolled over school officials' toes Updated: Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 1:34 PM EDT Published : Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 10:12 AM EDT By Joe LaFurgey WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) - As high school seniors get set to walk commencement, toilets are exploding, lockers are getting graffitied and doors are getting super-glued. The vandalism is part of the tradition known as senior pranks. But a decision by Kenowa Hills seniors to do something a lot less harmful has drawn the ire of their principal. The plan was to hold a bike parade as a nice, non-destructive, healthy senior prank. Seniors called police for an escort, and even called Walker's mayor, who road in the parade. "Police escort, with the mayor, who brought us donuts. ...The mayor brought us donuts..." said a group of seniors following the ride. But school official weren't told in advance, hence the word prank, and were not happy with the event. They kicked the seniors out of school for their last day and threatened to keep them from walking in graduation ceremonies set for May 30. Cellphone video caught audio of principal Katie Pennington in a post-prank gathering in the school's performing arts center. "...Get your butts home. You're not participating in senior walk today." About 60 seniors got the day off and missed the traditional last walk through the hallways at Kenowa High, although students say many more seniors got the one-day suspensions. It all began when seniors decided to do something original that wouldn't hurt anything for a senior prank. So they arranged the parade, which followed Kinney Avenue to Three Mile Road to Fruit Ridge Avenue to Four Mile Road to the school, complete with a police escort. But when they arrived at the school, Principal Katie Pennington went off on students. She claims the parade backed up traffic for two miles, kept busses and staff from reaching school on time and put students in danger. "If you and your parents don't have sense enough to know your brains could end up splattered on Three Mile and Kinney, Fruit Ridge, then maybe that's my responsibility," she is heard telling students on the cellphone video obtained by 24 Hour News 8. Mayor Rob VerHeulen was in the police car escorting the kids and says the officer wasn't concerned about a backup, or the bike riders' safety. Kenowa Superintendent Gerald Hopkins admitted to 24 Hour News 8 the reaction and punishment from school officials was as much showing them who's in charge as it was reacting to problems they claim were caused by the prank. "It's a combination…certainly a combination of both," said Hopkins. "Because of its nature on the last day for seniors to be here it is certainly being classified as a prank...and the communication to the students were pranks won't be tolerated and there will be consequences for those pranks." School officials have since backed off on the threat of keeping the seniors involved from walking in graduation next week. The senior walk though has been rescheduled for May 30.

Classic case of "cars are the only way".

Old people.

I was featured in Saturday's newspaper because I ride to work as often as possible. I wish I could get 60 coworkers to ride with me.

"Kenowa Superintendent Gerald Hopkins admitted to 24 Hour News 8 the reaction and punishment from school officials was as much showing them who's in charge as it was reacting to problems they claim were caused by the prank."

Showing people who, in two days, will cease to give a E36 M3 about your rules for the remainder of their lives exactly who is "in charge". I'm sure that isn't counter-productive at all.

That's a sweet senior activity ("prank" for all you uptight superintendent types). Much more wholesome than what we did as seniors. Not sure where they got bent out of shape about a 2 mile bike ride on public roads with a police escort and permission/endorsement from the mayor.

Damn. I suppose if they had TP'ed the whole campus instead that would have been OK, huh?

School administraions are copmletely out of hand. It's like reality doesn't apply there.

Asshattery . . . . at its finest.

Curmudgeon wrote: Damn. I suppose if they had TP'ed the whole campus instead that would have been OK, huh?

No joke. Thats what we did and nothing came of it, but these kids are obviously bad seeds for riding bikes.

That principal is an ass.

Curmudgeon wrote: Damn. I suppose if they had TP'ed the whole campus instead that would have been OK, huh?

As long as they didn't get caught!

Relevant: http://cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=37245744&feed_id=76&videofeed=43

Kids on bikes are hoodlums! with their long hair and rock and roll music....OFF MY LAWN!!!

So stupid. Maybe they should have just graffitied the school.

Any person in charge should have a level head and know what fights are worth fighting, keeping in mind the image they portray. Modern times are making these individuals more and more less common.

Thats a shame.... i think it is pretty cool that these kids went through the proper channels to be safe, but make a big ordeal by riding their bikes, it had to be hilarious...

I wonder what basis the principle used to suspend the students. Last time I checked it was not illegal to ride your bike on public streets.

I'm surprised that the principal or superintendent didn't catch wind of the "prank" ahead of time. Organizing 60 students, police, and the mayor takes some serious effort. To keep that under wraps is impressive.

If the students don't get to walk for graduation, they should circle the ceremony like a scene from "The Wild One" on bicycles.

What are you rebelling against?

Waddiyah got?

e_pie wrote: School administraions are copmletely out of hand. It's like reality doesn't apply there.

And we wonder why some kids are so f'ed in the head.

N Sperlo wrote: ...more and more less common.

Is that like non-inflammable ?

Appleseed wrote: What are you rebelling against? Waddiyah got?

I watched that again a while back. Brando was damn good in that movie, but I had forgotten how good a loony Lee Marvin played.

How were people in Michigan late for work? The news tells me every single person in the state is unemployed.

Katie Pennington needs to find a new job.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: "Kenowa Superintendent Gerald Hopkins admitted to 24 Hour News 8 the reaction and punishment from school officials was as much showing them who's in charge as it was reacting to problems they claim were caused by the prank." Showing people who, in two days, will cease to give a E36 M3 about your rules for the remainder of their lives exactly who is "in charge". I'm sure that isn't counter-productive at all.

It'll sure teach them a lot about "authority figures". From that point of view it might have been a very valuable lesson .

I'm sure there is an HOA somewhere that badly needs Ms Pennington as its president.

BoxheadTim wrote: I'm sure there is an HOA somewhere that badly needs Ms Pennington as its president.

If I one of the high school seniors in this school I'd organize a boycott of the "walk through". BUT, just like the bike ride, I'd notify the same folks in authority ahead of time as to what is (not) going on at school that day.

I guess it's just me, but being suspended from school and not being able to get my diploma in person? BFingD.