Noemi Arellano-Summer is schools, youth and families reporter at
the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. She previously reported on homelessness and the 2020
eviction moratorium with the Howard Center of Investigative
Journalism through Boston University. She was raised in Long Beach,
California, where she started her journalism career reporting for
her high school newspaper. In her free time, she can be found
meandering through a bookstore or writing short stories.
UPDATE: Teenagers who defaced and vandalized Mountain View High School earlier this week have been issued consequences by school officials and police. Among them: Some students won't be allowed to attend graduation.Â
On Tuesday night, Mountain View High seniors filled containers with concrete, knocked over tables, broke thermometers and put hot dogs in toilets. Wednesday night, students went back and wrote obscene messages on windows, said Bend-La Pine Schools officials.
On Thursday, the students believed to be involved were brought in to discuss consequences. About 20 students were involved, and not everyone had the same level of involvement, school district officials said. Consequences included a hand-written, "sincere" letter to any future students who might be considering damaging or pranking the school explaining why it's a bad idea, and five hours of school-specific, supervised community service.
Another consequence: a few students will not be involved at graduation on Saturday, June 8. Further, 14 adults and three juveniles were cited for second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, by Bend Police Department. The adults were cited and released and juveniles referred to the juvenile department, said Sheila Miller, the police department's communications director. Those people are not allowed on any Bend-La Pine Schools campuses for a year beginning June 9.
Principal Michael Hicks said in a statement: “In the past there have been senior pranks that are creative, memorable and harmless. What happened this week was malicious and insulting toward our building staff and student body. I cannot condone this sort of behavior toward our school. This is a week for gratitude, reflection and celebration with family and friends."
At Mountain View High School Tuesday night, students committed extensive vandalism throughout the school, with damage including knocked over tables, concrete dumped on the entrance and hot dogs stuffed into toilets.
Approximately 20 students committed vandalism and theft, according to Bend-La Pine Schools. In response, the school canceled the senior barbecue and assembly planned for Wednesday.
“This was not a prank; this was willful destruction and theft of school property and does not align with our core values about caring for our school and for one another,†said Principal Michael Hicks in a statement.
The district believes the students were seniors and will hold those responsible accountable for the damage. Students who were believed to be involved were brought in to talk about consequences Thursday, said Scott Maben, the district’s communications director.
Food and garbage were spilled on floors. Equipment in a math classroom was broken, a wall was damaged and approximately $1,000 worth of yearbooks were stolen, said Maben. Around 40 employees, along with students, helped clear the mess.
On Wednesday night, vandals spray-painted exterior school windows with obscene messages, said Maben.
Photos taken are being used for investigative purposes. Â
The perpetrators also put concrete over the front entrance of the building and filled a refrigerator with concrete, according to student Lily Hakala, a senior at Mountain View.
“I was pretty upset, it was one of the event that I was looking forward to,†wrote Hakala in a text message. “I’m not sure why they thought it was a good idea.â€
Parents expressed disappointment on Facebook that the school chose to punish all seniors by canceling the events rather than the few who caused the damage.
Hicks said in a statement, “I’m deeply disappointed that a group of students would choose to do something so disrespectful and tasteless to our school community, especially as we focus this week on celebrating the accomplishments of our senior class.â€
Noemi Arellano-Summer is schools, youth and families reporter at
the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. She previously reported on homelessness and the 2020
eviction moratorium with the Howard Center of Investigative
Journalism through Boston University. She was raised in Long Beach,
California, where she started her journalism career reporting for
her high school newspaper. In her free time, she can be found
meandering through a bookstore or writing short stories.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
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Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
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