SPHS Homecoming Venue Feedback

We are expressing our feedback on the 2011 Homecoming Dance, specifically the choice of the House of Blues (HOB) as the venue.

Lets start by stating that we understand all the reasons that have been given for finding an alternate venue for school dances lack of air conditioning, difficult chaperoning because its too packed on the dance floor, and no place for kids in case of inclement weather when hosted on campus. Those are valid and legitimate reasons to look elsewhere. That being said, a significant number of parents (of all grade levels) were shocked at the choice of venue specifically a bar, in a bar district 30 miles from the school. The distance from home, the parking, transportation, driving challenges for our students at night in city setting, the safety logistics of the venue itself, and the concerns over the Gaslamp District being inappropriate for teenagers on a Saturday night should have been enough find another suitable location because on so many levels it sent the wrong message to our kids.

It is hard for us to comprehend why the school decided on the HOB. How about supporting our local venues like the California Center for the Arts. The comment given from SP staff was that the kids wont go if we have it there. With all due respect, that is just not true. In fact, an informal poll of students indicated the HOB experience was so underwhelming that they would have preferred to have the dance in the SP gym! Evidently the HOB was so crowded that kids were being pushed to get to the dance floor, the bathroom, or to get water. It was too loud, provided no opportunity for the kids to talk, and the dance floor was so small that many of the kids could not even get close to it. And it was extremely hot. All the same problems cited as reasons for not using the SPHS gym.

The Parenting Tips letter sent home prior to the dance was not only insulting to those of us who do pay attention to what our kids is doing, but also it was very puzzling. The letter mentioned student misuse of alcohol several times. It is clear that there is an alcohol problem associated with dances in general. If you are trying to discourage such behavior, why locate the dance in a bar in San Diegos premier bar/party district?

The anxiety on the part of the kids and parents as to how to get downtown, to dinner and to the dance in the safest, least stressful way and the heated discussions that many of us had with our kids about this dance were so unnecessary. The suggestions from school staff regarding party busses and limousines were appalling we cant believe that anyone would think or condone this as the norm, especially for Homecoming. Many of us cannot or chose not to indulge our kids with a ridiculously expensive party bus or some chauffer whom we do not know. These would not have been issues if the dance had been held at SP or at almost any other venue closer to the school.

The basic point is we parents do care about raising our kids in a responsible and safe manner. While the trend seems to be lets make it bigger and more extravagant, we are requesting you keep it simple and local. Lets remember why Homecoming is special to build a sense of community for our school and our city, and to help the kids and alumni appreciate how wonderful our community is while having a good time.

Thank you for your time.