Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2007
Source: Scituate Mariner (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Community Newspaper Company
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/scituate/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3842
Author: Ryan Bray
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MEET WITH STUDENTS AFTER LOCKDOWN

After almost two weeks of discussion between students and 
administrators, the effects of a school-wide lockdown drill can still 
be felt throughout the halls of Scituate High School.

The school was the site of lockdown drill coordinated by Scituate 
Police earlier this month that lead to the arrest of seven students 
on various charges, including drug and weapons possession. Students 
and teachers were forced to remain in their classrooms for nearly two 
hours as police searched the building and student parking lot for drugs.

The drill, which started as a routine run though the school, 
escalated to a legitimate lockdown after dogs brought in by police 
allegedly detected traces of marijuana in the building. A cardboard 
box allegedly containing marijuana and various drug paraphernalia was 
found in the building, while police said canines also found a scarf 
with traces of marijuana in a music room and additional drugs in a 
student locker.

Police said they also found drugs, bongs, beer and in one instance a 
weapon in plain sight upon searching four vehicles in the student parking lot.

While police and school officials have received accolades for their 
treatment of the incident, several students reacted with anger and 
confusion to the drill, which some saw as an invasion of their Fourth 
Amendment rights. Last week, a group of students gathered outside the 
school in protest of the drill, which administrators coordinate on 
occasion with police to prepare students and faculty on how to react 
in the event of a school-wide emergency. Students and faculty are not 
given notice of the drills in advance.

Superintendent of Schools Mark Mason said following the student 
protest, he and Lt. Det. Michael Stewart of the Scituate Police 
Department, as well as administrators within the school, met with 
students to address their concerns regarding the drill. The 
discussion, he said, was productive and left students with a better 
understanding of what happened.

"The students wanted to be heard regarding their perspective of what 
happened that day," Mason said. "They were very courteous and 
respectful and they made many good points."

Last Friday, fact sheets with information regarding the drills were 
distributed to students throughout the schools, while high school 
Principal Donna Nuzzo-Mueller met with a group of about 30 students 
to further discuss issues regarding the lockdown. She said much of 
the concern from students came from a misunderstanding regarding the 
schools' jurisdiction over students and staff, which is broader than 
that of the police.

"A lot of students don't understand that schools can search through 
their lockers and their other property if we think we have reason 
to," Nuzzo-Mueller said.

Reflecting on the reaction from students, Nuzzo-Mueller said while 
she did not anticipate last week's protest, she wasn't surprised. She 
said it's natural for students, particularly upper classmen, to test 
the boundaries of authority within the school from time to time.

"It doesn't surprise me," she said. "There are students who question 
authority and the rules, and I think that's healthy. Many of the 
seniors are ready to be done with school and move on, but they're not 
done yet, and that sometimes can lead to some frustration.

"One of our goals here within this district is to promote active 
citizenship, and this is a prime example of that," Mason said of the 
response from students. "The kids should be applauded."

School committee members commended administrators for addressing 
issues from students Monday night.

"I'm glad we're reacting to students in such a way that their 
concerns are being validated," committee chairman Libby Michaud said.

The response from students has led to a reevaluation of the 
district's lockdown policy. Mason said he has met with Scituate 
Police Chief Brian Stewart to discuss alternatives to the drill that 
better address students' concerns. He said whatever the outcome might 
be in the future, administrators within the district will remain 
committed to keeping the schools safe and free of drugs and alcohol.

"We're not looking to put anyone through an intimidating exercise, 
but we have to take a bold stance on these issues," Mason said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman