Here's what happened with the whole Breakin' thing...
I. Background
A. The breakdancing crew, who are participants in the Orchesis dance club thought it would be effective to promote the 80’s Dance (sponsored by Orchesis) by performing during lunch hour.
B. I, as a representive of the crew, spoke to Ms. Parhas about this at the planning meeting for the 80’s dance, and she thought it was a good idea. Ms. Parhas asked me to speak to Christina Garret, who was the board member in charge of the 80’s dance. Christina asked me to list a number of potential people who we’d like to perform. We were hoping to perform on the Friday of the 80’s dance, Feb. 20th, and asked Christina to try and get this date arranged.
II. Thursday, Feb. 19th
A. I returned from off-campus lunch (5th hour) to find Ms. Parhas in the cafeteria. She appeared to be searching for someone.
B. I got her attention, asking how things were. She informed me that our 80’s dance promotion was supposed to be that day, instead of Friday as we had hoped. I was not informed of this decision.
C. I asked Ms. Parhas if there was any possibility for us to breakdance Friday instead. She asked us to attend the Orchesis meeting that afternoon at 3:30 PM, to further discuss this possibility with Christina Garret.
D. We met with Christina for a short amount of time during the meeting, and she said that if we wanted to dance on friday, she wouldn’t really have any objections. After speaking to other interested dancers, we decided we’d go ahead and perform 5th hour on friday. Brandon said he would bring a CD player to provide music.
III. Friday, Feb. 20th
A. I found Brandon at the beginning of Fifth hour. He said he had the CD player in his locker, and we decided to perform at the end of the hour. I told him he could come and get me when he was ready.
B. At approximately 12:10, we got the CD player and a sheet of cardboard out of his locker, and gathered up the other dancers. We decided to dance near the middle of the cafeteria where most students would be able to see us.
C. As we taped down the sheet of cardboard, Ms. Zayner, a lunchroom supervisor, asked us what we were doing. We told her that we were doing a demonstration for 80’s dance promotion. She said that she wanted our sponsor there, and told us that we had to pick up the cardboard. Many students groaned; we told them that we were still going to dance. I sent a student to go and get Ms. Parhas. Mrs. Moody followed shortly after Ms. Zayner came over, and asked what was going on. We informed her, and Mrs. Moody said she was going to go check with student activities regarding whether or not we could dance.
D. She returned approximately one and a half minutes later, stating that we had to go and get our sponsor in order to perform. The student I sent to go and get Ms. Parhas returned, and I took this to mean that she was present. I informed Mrs. Moody that our sponsor was there, and we began to dance. The music was started, and I danced for approximately 30-45 seconds. Three other people danced, with an overall time of about two and a half minutes. I noticed kids getting on the tables, and I motioned for them to get down. Luke Di Ciurcio had come at one point to tape the demo, to try and get some more footage for his movie for the film festival. We had no objections to this. Brandon was about to dance when I saw Mr. Farson push students out of his way and stood in the middle of the circle where we were dancing.
E. Mr. Farson then told us to turn off the music. Brandon took his CD player and turned it off. The crowd began dispersing, and Mr. Farson pointed to Brandon specifically, saying, “You need to go to the office. I’m going to have you arrested.” I refused to let Brandon go by himself, because it was unfair for him to have to go all alone when other people were participating.
F. Ms. Paisley showed up as we began to leave asking, “What kind of message we were trying to send today?” We explained that we were allowed to do this, and that it was cleared ahead of time. She stated that, “We can discuss it in my office.” She then proceeded to tell Luke he was also to go to the office.
G. After arriving in the dean’s office, we waited approximately twenty minutes before speaking with both Dean Paisley and Dean Farson in his office. He asked us for the name of the student who was holding the CD player while flipping through a yearbook. We asked, “Why do you need that name? What does it matter?” Both of them demanded the name from us, and Dean Paisley stated, “We don’t have time for these games. You guys are in enough trouble already.” So Brandon told them it was Mike Kaffka. Mr. Farson didn’t think that’s who it was, and it was left at that. Both deans then proceeded to ask us why we did this, and how we thought it was a good idea for us to do so with kids standing on tables and trying to see. They felt that it was our responsibility to have stopped doing this in case someone had fallen, or gotten shoved or injured. Had it happened, the school could have been sued. Mr. Farson went on to state that, “There were special needs kids in there, and that they could have been injured.” This, however, was certainly untrue. All special needs students eat in the large cafeteria, and we were in the small cafeteria, nowhere near any of these students. Furthermore, if anyone had been shoved, it was by Mr. Farson. There was no violence, only some people dancing, and some other people cheering for those dancers.
H. Ms. Paisley said that she needed to speak with someone, and asked Mr. Farson to go with her. Mr. Farson then stated as he left that, “Well, if you guys were my kids I would have you all ten-dayed (we assumed this meant a ten day suspension), and arrested.” Ms. Paisley and Mr. Farson left. Ms. Paisley returned about five minutes later. She continued the previous conversation telling us how dancing in the cafeteria was a bad idea, and asked for all the details, as previously stated above.
I. Ms. Parhas came in about two minutes later to speak with Ms. Paisley. Ms. Paisley asked what was supposed to happen with this situation. Ms. Parhas went on to state that she waited for us again at fourth period today, as she had the previous day, and no one showed up. She said she had gone to student activities and told them that if some guys wanted to dance, that they should come and get her. We were also not informed of this ahead of time. After explaining that I had sent a runner to get her and had seen him return, Ms. Parhas said that no one had come to get her. When that student returned, I had thought that she had come with him.
J. Luke was brought in after Ms. Parhas had left. He was told that he couldn’t be videotaping without permission from the district and all student’s parents permission. He was told to hand over the tape, and Ms. Paisley wrote us all one day suspension forms for Monday, Feb. 23rd. She told us specifically that we would still be able to attend the 80’s dance that evening. We headed back to class.
K. After school that day, I proceeded to my rehearsal for the musical. Mr. Yarbrough said I should go and ask Ms. Paisley whether or not I would be allowed to attend dress rehearsal on Monday. I went to speak with Ms. Paisley concerning this. She stated that we were only unauthorized to be on school grounds on Monday, so I would not be allowed to attend.
L. Later that evening, I attended the 80’s Dance with some friends. I stayed until the end of the dance. I spoke with Brandon and Luke’s sister on Saturday at rehearsal, and they told me that Mr. Farson instructed Brandon and Luke to leave. Brandon told Mr. Farson that Ms. Paisley had said that we were allowed to be there. Mr. Farson went on to tell them that, “I don’t care what Ms. Paisley said, you guys are out of here!” Brandon said that he left without argument, for fear of further punishment.
A. The breakdancing crew, who are participants in the Orchesis dance club thought it would be effective to promote the 80’s Dance (sponsored by Orchesis) by performing during lunch hour.
B. I, as a representive of the crew, spoke to Ms. Parhas about this at the planning meeting for the 80’s dance, and she thought it was a good idea. Ms. Parhas asked me to speak to Christina Garret, who was the board member in charge of the 80’s dance. Christina asked me to list a number of potential people who we’d like to perform. We were hoping to perform on the Friday of the 80’s dance, Feb. 20th, and asked Christina to try and get this date arranged.
II. Thursday, Feb. 19th
A. I returned from off-campus lunch (5th hour) to find Ms. Parhas in the cafeteria. She appeared to be searching for someone.
B. I got her attention, asking how things were. She informed me that our 80’s dance promotion was supposed to be that day, instead of Friday as we had hoped. I was not informed of this decision.
C. I asked Ms. Parhas if there was any possibility for us to breakdance Friday instead. She asked us to attend the Orchesis meeting that afternoon at 3:30 PM, to further discuss this possibility with Christina Garret.
D. We met with Christina for a short amount of time during the meeting, and she said that if we wanted to dance on friday, she wouldn’t really have any objections. After speaking to other interested dancers, we decided we’d go ahead and perform 5th hour on friday. Brandon said he would bring a CD player to provide music.
III. Friday, Feb. 20th
A. I found Brandon at the beginning of Fifth hour. He said he had the CD player in his locker, and we decided to perform at the end of the hour. I told him he could come and get me when he was ready.
B. At approximately 12:10, we got the CD player and a sheet of cardboard out of his locker, and gathered up the other dancers. We decided to dance near the middle of the cafeteria where most students would be able to see us.
C. As we taped down the sheet of cardboard, Ms. Zayner, a lunchroom supervisor, asked us what we were doing. We told her that we were doing a demonstration for 80’s dance promotion. She said that she wanted our sponsor there, and told us that we had to pick up the cardboard. Many students groaned; we told them that we were still going to dance. I sent a student to go and get Ms. Parhas. Mrs. Moody followed shortly after Ms. Zayner came over, and asked what was going on. We informed her, and Mrs. Moody said she was going to go check with student activities regarding whether or not we could dance.
D. She returned approximately one and a half minutes later, stating that we had to go and get our sponsor in order to perform. The student I sent to go and get Ms. Parhas returned, and I took this to mean that she was present. I informed Mrs. Moody that our sponsor was there, and we began to dance. The music was started, and I danced for approximately 30-45 seconds. Three other people danced, with an overall time of about two and a half minutes. I noticed kids getting on the tables, and I motioned for them to get down. Luke Di Ciurcio had come at one point to tape the demo, to try and get some more footage for his movie for the film festival. We had no objections to this. Brandon was about to dance when I saw Mr. Farson push students out of his way and stood in the middle of the circle where we were dancing.
E. Mr. Farson then told us to turn off the music. Brandon took his CD player and turned it off. The crowd began dispersing, and Mr. Farson pointed to Brandon specifically, saying, “You need to go to the office. I’m going to have you arrested.” I refused to let Brandon go by himself, because it was unfair for him to have to go all alone when other people were participating.
F. Ms. Paisley showed up as we began to leave asking, “What kind of message we were trying to send today?” We explained that we were allowed to do this, and that it was cleared ahead of time. She stated that, “We can discuss it in my office.” She then proceeded to tell Luke he was also to go to the office.
G. After arriving in the dean’s office, we waited approximately twenty minutes before speaking with both Dean Paisley and Dean Farson in his office. He asked us for the name of the student who was holding the CD player while flipping through a yearbook. We asked, “Why do you need that name? What does it matter?” Both of them demanded the name from us, and Dean Paisley stated, “We don’t have time for these games. You guys are in enough trouble already.” So Brandon told them it was Mike Kaffka. Mr. Farson didn’t think that’s who it was, and it was left at that. Both deans then proceeded to ask us why we did this, and how we thought it was a good idea for us to do so with kids standing on tables and trying to see. They felt that it was our responsibility to have stopped doing this in case someone had fallen, or gotten shoved or injured. Had it happened, the school could have been sued. Mr. Farson went on to state that, “There were special needs kids in there, and that they could have been injured.” This, however, was certainly untrue. All special needs students eat in the large cafeteria, and we were in the small cafeteria, nowhere near any of these students. Furthermore, if anyone had been shoved, it was by Mr. Farson. There was no violence, only some people dancing, and some other people cheering for those dancers.
H. Ms. Paisley said that she needed to speak with someone, and asked Mr. Farson to go with her. Mr. Farson then stated as he left that, “Well, if you guys were my kids I would have you all ten-dayed (we assumed this meant a ten day suspension), and arrested.” Ms. Paisley and Mr. Farson left. Ms. Paisley returned about five minutes later. She continued the previous conversation telling us how dancing in the cafeteria was a bad idea, and asked for all the details, as previously stated above.
I. Ms. Parhas came in about two minutes later to speak with Ms. Paisley. Ms. Paisley asked what was supposed to happen with this situation. Ms. Parhas went on to state that she waited for us again at fourth period today, as she had the previous day, and no one showed up. She said she had gone to student activities and told them that if some guys wanted to dance, that they should come and get her. We were also not informed of this ahead of time. After explaining that I had sent a runner to get her and had seen him return, Ms. Parhas said that no one had come to get her. When that student returned, I had thought that she had come with him.
J. Luke was brought in after Ms. Parhas had left. He was told that he couldn’t be videotaping without permission from the district and all student’s parents permission. He was told to hand over the tape, and Ms. Paisley wrote us all one day suspension forms for Monday, Feb. 23rd. She told us specifically that we would still be able to attend the 80’s dance that evening. We headed back to class.
K. After school that day, I proceeded to my rehearsal for the musical. Mr. Yarbrough said I should go and ask Ms. Paisley whether or not I would be allowed to attend dress rehearsal on Monday. I went to speak with Ms. Paisley concerning this. She stated that we were only unauthorized to be on school grounds on Monday, so I would not be allowed to attend.
L. Later that evening, I attended the 80’s Dance with some friends. I stayed until the end of the dance. I spoke with Brandon and Luke’s sister on Saturday at rehearsal, and they told me that Mr. Farson instructed Brandon and Luke to leave. Brandon told Mr. Farson that Ms. Paisley had said that we were allowed to be there. Mr. Farson went on to tell them that, “I don’t care what Ms. Paisley said, you guys are out of here!” Brandon said that he left without argument, for fear of further punishment.