Senior prank day......

[MarkV]

We did senior pranks when I was in school. It was part of the tradition in our Illinois farm community and everyone looked forward to it. I think the school administrators even were interested in what the next year would bring. Now that was 35 years ago and "the times they are changen" (as are the songs) I would be concerned if my involvement could be construed as my responsibility in the event of damage.

As a side note, I have been in the wood floor business for about 20 years. Those gym floor finishes are pretty tough and I don't know if chickens could hurt it or not. Just don't know enough about chicken droppings, which is OK by me. I do know that the last gym floor we refinished we charged $18,000. Just food for thought.

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Oh I think I'm pretty well done with the idea. The world is an ever changing place. We always did stuff like that in our school too but nowadays I guess it's just considered vandalism in most circles.

I'll just advise against it and let them know about the potential damage and let the kids sort it out on their own.

 

[TimSullivan]

<font color="blue"> Part of any Senior prank is taking responsibility for it, and that means cleaning up any mess and paying for any damage. If the kids won't take that part on, it isn't a prank, it's vandalism. </font>

Franz, You are right on the money.

The problem is these pranks are sometimes not so innocent. Parents need to be the parent and not one of the planners of these malicious activities.

 

[WVBill]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'll just advise against it and let them know about the potential damage[bold] and let the kids sort it out on their own. [/bold] )</font>

Uh - Cindi - how about "I will forbid my kids to participate in any such senior prank". and/or "I will help them come up with a 'prank' that is not destructive or demeaning".

How many times do we read about teens-gone-wrong, shake our heads, cluck our tongues and say "Where were the parents?" - well, in most cases they were letting the kids sort it out on their own.

Sorry to sound harsh but IMHO now that you're involved, you have to be the adult and follow through.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Well, yeah, I realize that, and now I regret that my daughter felt I was 'with it' enough, or whatever to include me.

What would you suggest? What would be an acceptable prank that wouldn't make somebody mad?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Well, since there already seems to be a supply of chickens that have been devoted to the prank, Each Senior developes a leash, or humane containment system, for 1 chicken, and spends the day escorting that chicken to school.
I can think of a couple lessons that might be learned from that, and it sure would be disruptive. Each chicken escort should also be carrying a roll of paper towels and spray cleaner.
It might even be educational.

 

[dourobob]

Well, if you really think they have to "do something", I kinda liked the idea of putting a load of oranges in the swimming pool - as long as they don't get into the filtration system and the chlorine doesn't damage them. They could be retreived (by the pranksters) and donated to shelters, group homes, senior citizen complexes, etc. once the prank is over.
Now oranges my not be such a treat in Florida so maybe they could fill up the gymnasium (or the principal's office or ??) with beach balls or balloons and, once again, when the "prank" is over, donate them to ??

I assume (dangerous I know) that the great joy of this activity is doing the deed without getting caught.

No damage. No waste. Responsible persons "clean up". Surprise gifts for the recipients of the oranges, balls, balloons, ??

Bob

 

[WVBill]

Cindi:
Rather than suggesting a prank, let me suggest an approach:

Sit down with your daughter and her friends and discuss their idea. Point out the two dangers of their current idea: possible damage to the gym floor and possible damage to the mass of chickens and then talk about ways to mitigate those dangers. You and they might then come up with something like Franz's chicken-on-a-leash idea.....

 

[DaveNH]

Any one got a URL for PETA?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The reason I think so many kids come up with the ideas of using some type of livestock is that so many of them are into hunting, or FFA or AG, etc.

I have to admit I like the chicken on a leash idea, if they all did it, it would be hilarious. I bet the kids would too, if they feel they have time enough time to organize it.

After reading all this I have to wonder why no one reacted to the pigs in the admin building part.

I don't want to be irresponsible, but I don't want to be a stick in the mud either. If I suggested they did something like community service (no offense) that would go over like a lead balloon.

I can only speak for the kids I know personally, and they are good kids, they hold jobs, they are as responsible as you could expect for 'adults in training', but they are also kids.

They do their good deeds, but this is supposed to be fun, surprising and mildy irritating. That's the whole point. These pranks are always well documented and are published in the school yearbook the following year, every year. If the school was really trying to discourage this behavior, they certainly wouldn't allow the highlights to be published in the year book. That's as good as granting permission.