Las Lomas Prom Night: A Knight at the Museum

The Las Lomas Senior Ball is on Saturday, and the students will be heading to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. 

In days of yore, proms were kind of a mixed bag of decorations, dancing, and socializing. They took place on campus, had cheesy themes, local bands, and were kind of notorious for behaviors that were not, let's just say, particularly acceptable to parents or school administrators. 

These days, proms are elaborate affairs. They are held out at out of town locales, with decor that's far more professional. The cost of attending a prom has "reached for the stars" as well. This one is $65 for students, plus additional outlays for clothing, transportation, etc. It adds up fast. But it's worth it, because the prom is usually one of those nights you remember for the rest of your life. Sometimes with fondness, sometimes with trepidation. 

But if students are attending with the expectation of getting in trouble, of maybe smuggling a beer or a joint into the event, Principal Matt Campbell has made it clear that such behavior will be identified and dealt with harshly. 

In a memo to the students and parents, Campbell wrote that the ball will begin 8 p.m., and last until midnight. Doors will close after 9 p.m. "and will not reopen until 11 p.m." 

More from the memo: 
o   Academy of Sciences has a policy that shoes must be worn at all times. Please ensure your student has been informed of this policy.

o   A word to the wise about party busses/limos: Obviously it is against the law for students to drink alcohol and for any driver to allow students to possess illegal substances. In the past we have had issues with drivers who ignored the law. Parents should make sure that they have a conversation with the student's bus/limo driver to be satisfied that the driver will follow the law.

o   All people attending the Ball (Las Lomas students and guests) MUST bring ID as part of admission. 

o   I do need to advise all families that all attendees of the Ball will be breathalyzed as they enter and leave. Any participant refusing to be tested will be denied admission. If a Las Lomas student is found to be under the influence of an illegal substance, he/she will be suspended for 5 days and not allowed to participate in any of the remaining Senior Activities (the Senior Breakfast, Senior Reflection Ceremony, Graduation, and the All-Knighter). Parents will be contacted to pick their student up. Non-Las Lomas students found to be under the influence of illegal substances will be turned over to the San Francisco Police Department. 

o   Students must arrive at the Ball by 9 pm. Parents will be called for those students who do not arrive on time. If students are going to dinner beforehand, please plan accordingly. 

While it has never really been permitted to misbehave at the prom, it's always been more or less assumed that at least some students would find some trouble to get into. But this event seems designed to prevent, as much as possible, any kind of 'fun' that involves illegal substances or dangerous behaviors. 

As the parent of a teenager three years from his own senior prom, I am all in favor of such steps. It's just that things have changed so significantly from what was, I suppose, a simpler, more naive time. 

What do you think? Are these rules too restrictive, or are they appropriate? Tell us in the comments.