Wynn Students' Plea: Don't Take Away Our Semi-Formal!
Students upset over decision to change end-of-the-year tradition to a "tie-dye" dance.
Rachel Bradley, Nicole Liggiero and other 8th graders at the Wynn Middle School don't feel like they are asking for a lot. They just want their dance back.
Specifically, they are hoping school officials reverse a decision to change the traditional 8th Grade end-of-the-year celebration from a semi-formal to a "Tie-Dye" dance.
Rachel said she first heard rumors about the change a month ago. The rumors were conformed when a school-wide e-mail went out a few weeks later.
"It's just really disappointing," she said. "(The Semi-Formal) is pretty important to us. It's been a tradition for so many years. We love to get dressed up -- all the sparkly clothing."
Nicole, whose two older sisters both attended Wynn 8th Grade semi-formals, said she was upset because her class had already lost out on a semi-formal last year, when it was switched to a "Neon" Dance.
"It was shocking, really," she said. "We didn't get our seventh-grade semi-formal last year and now we're not getting it this year."
Rather than just complain about the school's decision, the girls decided to try and do something about it, with Rachel taking the lead. She reached out to Wynn Middle School Principal John Weir and the Wynn Parent Advisory Council, which sponsors the dance.
Here e-mail to the PAC read, in part:
"Semi is the end of the year dance that I have looked forward to since 5th grade when my older cousin had Semi. Semi is the last dance that EVERYONE is together. Semi in a way is like senior prom, not in the dresses or clothing, but in a way that it is the last dance before people go to different high schools. Me, being one of the children who have applied to different high schools, makes me upset. This was going to be our last big dance. Semi has been in this town for years, along with many other towns across the country. I am not a begger, but I am begging that we have our semi back."
In response, the PAC has agreed to discuss the dance at their meeting on Thursday, Jan. 17. The council also plans to put together a committee to discuss and go over plans for the dance.
Allison Bradley, Rachel's mother, said she fully supports her daughter's efforts.
"I'm just so proud of her for standing up for something she believes in," said Bradley.
Rachel had a chance to talk briefly with Weir. She said he indicated he had hoped a tie-dye dance would be part of a larger, end-of-the-year celebration that would include all 8th graders, whether they intended to go to the dance at night or not. Reached by phone, he said he'd be happy to talk about the dance and the end-of-the-year celebration once the PAC has had a chance to meet Thursday night.
denise
11:15 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
What is the reason for the change? I am not for or against either, it seems like the kids should be able to help in the planning of things...
Mamad23
11:27 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Shame on the school systems for changing all of the old traditions that we all look forward to as we grow up!!
Karyn
12:00 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Not for or against either, but I do remember the semi from when my own daughter was there and it seems many parents go "overboard" with these kids/this event. While deserving of a dance for sure, these are eighth graders after all and 'some' of the dresses and 'some' arriving in limos as I witnessed EVEN BACK THEN is WAY over the top, IMO. It tends to stress the 'haves' and the 'have nots' ....so perhaps this decision is an attempt to be more inclusive/equal. Makes one wonder if it's more about the parents than the child....just sayin'.
Linda S Willette
4:08 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I would have to agree that this type of dance can cost alot of money, some just don't have it, and are therefore excluded. There are people in our town with little to eat, or live in less then optimal conditions. Lets try to think of everyones needs. It is a great life lesson.
Comment
12:02 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I can see having a theme'd evening for decorations, etc. but I know kids look forward to this. it's really their first opportunity to get dressed up. The girls buy cute dresses and the boys wear way too much Axe. Parents drive carloads of excited teeny-boppers and they all go to the 99 or one of the other local restaurants afterwards. It's their first opportunity to feel like grown ups. A tie-dye dance is fine for a regular dance, not their last big hurrah.
Courtney Spinelli
1:18 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Couldn't agree more! I went to my eighth grade semi six years ago and it was the highlight of our year. We all got dressed up and sure a few people went overboard as far as dresses and makeup goes, however, it was our second to last day of eighth grade and was a really great way to end off our two years at the high school. I for one will be disappointed if my sister does not get to experience the semi that she has been waiting for (she is currently in eighth grade).
Courtney Spinelli
1:19 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
To edit my last comment, our two years at the middle school*
Brooke
1:32 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My middleschool semiformal dances in Tewksbury 10+ years ago are some of my favorite adolescent memories. I don't blame the kids for wanting their dance, its one of the rights of passages into being a young adult/highschooler that they look forward to. At that age theres something really exciting about getting ready with your girlfriends for a night of listening to music and getting up the courage to ask your crush to dance haha I too would be curious as to the reasoning, as long as it's well chaperoned and an 'appropriate' not-too-revealing dress code is enforced I don't see a problem :) Hope they get it, and kudos to the students for taking a mature initiative!
Mike
1:33 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
That's retarted when I was in 8th grade in 2008 we had the semi formal
And most kids went why would that change it to a tie dye dance? It supposed to be what the kids want not the adults the kids are the ones who are actually going to the dance not the parents. If it's not broken, don't fix it!
Melissa Onorato DeVeau
1:44 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I am proud of you Nicole and Rachel!! Keep the Semi Formal!!! This is their last year together before Tewksbury High / Shawsheen Tech or a Private High School where they will all be split up! And to be honest a tie die shirt dance??? really?? I cant remember the last time I saw a kid my sons age (8th grader at the Wynn) wear a tie die shirt..!!!
Marc
1:45 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I am definately agree that these kids should have an end of the year dance. However, I also think that rules should be in place as to whats appropriate and whats not appropriate. Nails done, hair done, dresses that can be worn at a prom, limos? A little too much..Yea some of these parents can afford all that but there are also parents who cannot..So whats left is a child that is completely out of place from the others..I realize girls will be girls, but its too over the top..
John
6:51 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Marc - In all fairness to your comments, this happens from a much earlier age. We should just start with removing the father / daughter Valentine's dance which is held at the Country Club for the girls age 7-14 because the same thing goes on there, hair done, nails done, groups of fathers/daughters going out to dinner. There are things that I can / cannot afford for my children and when I can do it for them I do, when I cannot afford to do it for them I don't, it just the way life is and I teach my kids this all the time.
Italian Mama
2:18 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Great job ladies. It's a good thing to make your voice heard. Weather peope agree or not. Young people today make the future happen. Stand up for what you believe it right, it's not always popular :)
Julia
2:33 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'm in agreement with the comment above. A semi is fine...with parameters. Some of these kids take it WAY over the top with expensive dresses, limos, after parties. It should be an all-inclusive event for ALL students. I would suggest no dates, no limos, and a dress code that is appropriate for 13-14 year old "children", after all, it's not a HS prom but a fun end-of-the year event.
Karyn
2:59 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Well said, Julia....that is the point of my original comment....was to set parameters to eliminate the 'taking it to extremes.' Save some excitement and anticipation for your prom years rather than "been there, done that" in trying to grow up too fast.
Marc
3:07 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I hate to say this but I also agree with the High School not having a jr. prom..I think all schools should do the same..High school is about he seniors leaving the school forever kind of like this situation as well..
wendy spinelli
12:37 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I was on the committee when my oldest daughter attended the dance and it was a great event. The kids came in groups (no limo's allowed). Some were in sun dresses, others a little dressier (you can find a "dressy" dress in Deb or even at JC Penny, Sears or Macy's on clearance from Christmas for as little as $20.00.). We allowed the students to vote on the theme of the dance (afterall it is their dance). The student council passed out ballots to all the 8th grade students and gave them two choices for the dance and let them vote on what they wanted for their big night. To my knowledge there haven't been any incidents that would warrant the change and it is my hope that the school reconsiders.
Marc
2:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Well put Julia..
Italian Mama
2:39 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
agreed Julia
Who Me?
2:42 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I have yet to see the reason for the decision, is one out there?
Bill Gilman
2:49 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Mr. Weir, the principal, has said he will speak on this after the PAC meeting Thursday. However, from what Rachel said, his goal is to put together an all-day end of the year event that would include all of the children, not just those who choose to go to the dance.
Candie Walker
2:46 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thank you to the PAC for agreeing to discuss at the next meeting and letting the students' voices be heard. The 8th graders are extremely disappointed in the change of format. I think over the years the over the top issues have been addressed. They just want a memorable right of passage into High School.
Bill Gilman
2:47 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A comment has been removed from this stream for violation of terms of service. C'mon fat billy ... you know better. I also removed an affiliated comment because it made no sense without the first one.
Italian Mama
2:55 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thank you Bill once again for reaching out for your readers :)
Marc
2:56 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Do an all day event would be fun..Kind of like a grease scenerio lol..But these kids do look forward to the dance all year..This is the kind of stuff that should have been discussed over the summer with the school committee/pac..Not when they only have 4/5 months left of the school year..Wow scarey thought there schools almost out already another year gone by so quickly..Whatever they decide to do should be a memorable day/evening for the kids. But a tie dye idea really!! they're not 5 they're pre-teens
Bobby J. Nicholas III
3:22 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
It is a dance FOR the students, so why not make it what the students want?
Tie-dye does seem quite childish for teens who are about to enter high school, and have their lives changed.
Annie Whitehouse
3:53 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
How silly! Knowing teen girls, some of them have probably bought their dresses already. It's nice for those "graduating" the middle school to have a proper send-off...seems unfair to change the terms for them at this point.
Comment
8:19 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
It never was a "date only" event. All of my kids went with groups of friends and not with dates. There was a rule in place for no limo's allowed which was followed. Most of them got their dresses at places like Deb's for $40. And as for getting rid of the junior prom, I understand people are having trouble financially, but why is it always we have to take away from the kids because of it. People complain there's not enough for the kids to do and now people want to take away dances that kids look forward to.
There are places that assist people who can't afford dresses and things like that when you want to attend but are struggling financially.
Marc
11:08 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
when you get into high school I feel its all about the seniors getting ready to graduate and move on with furthering their education, work status etc. Just like the middle school its all about the 8th graders moving on and furthering their education..Therefore its about the seniors whether it be 8th graders or 12th graders..Jr prom is the stupidest thing..I feel it takes away from the seniors. It has nothing to do with finances.
Sheryl Logiudice Liggiero
10:11 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This issue has nothing to do with the junior prom.
Marc
3:16 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I know it has nothing to do with the Junior prom, however again its about the older kids in the school. I spoke with my son and he said he doesn't even care one way or another about the dance the girls are the ones that want it. But regardless who goes or doesn't go, i think they should have something for the kids that are moving on. Now whether they have an all day event so all kids who don't usually attend a dance can participate or they continue to have regular dance should be up to the kids to vote not the school administration. They should do something like the end of the year carnival or something but that wont happen because of the cost. Its always the cost of things cuz the freakin town never has money..Its becomeing a dump..All things aside, there was never a problem at any of the dances so not sure why they feel the need to change.
Alison
8:00 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I was disheartened that Mr. Weir seemed to have already made up his mind before tonight's PAC meeting. I was hoping that he would, at least, allow the 8th grade class to vote in what they would like to see for their dance.
Bill Gilman
1:26 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
a comment has been removed from this stream for violation of terms of service.
C'mon mike, we've been over this. No fould language.