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School Uses Burt Bacharach as Weapon Against Grinding
Freak dancing at high school dances isn’t a new trend, but it’s one that’s getting old for parents and school administrators.
“The sexual nature of the dancing just seemed to be increasing,” says Principal Charles Salter in a report at MSNBC.com. “One school found condoms on the floor.”
Condoms on the floor, kids taking off their clothes, and what chaperones say are simulated sex acts — as the moves get more shocking, school administrators are getting more creative in their ways to discourage freak dancing, or grinding.
At Pacific Hills School in West Hollywood, the kids know that if things get too suggestive, their principal will throw on the lights and blast Burt Bacharach, or “anything William Shatner has recorded.”
Other schools are taking a more serious approach. Contracts, which must be signed by both students and parents, lay out dress codes and appropriate behavior are required before kids can attend dances. At Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, according to MSNBC, dances were put on hold until students and staff could come to an agreement.
In 2006, Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota started a “Dance Like Your Grandma’s Watching” campaign, which included a series of awkward but funny videos depicting the “dangers” of grinding.
School authorities say these tactics are working in their schools, but not all teens are happy about being told what to do. When a principal at a local high school here threw three kids out of a Sadie Hawkins dance for freak dancing, 200 of their fellow students also left in protest. A week later, parents swarmed the school board meeting demanding an apology from the principal, saying that freak dancing is just “what kids do.”
What do you think? Is freak dancing just another passing fad? Or is it a trend you hope will be long gone by the time your kids reach high school?
Photo: marfis75, Flickr
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8 Comments
[...] School Uses Burt Bacharach as a Weapon Against Grinding SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Even Robots Wear Underpants and Other Things Parents Never Thought They’d Say”, url: “http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/02/22/even-robots-wear-underpants-and-other-things-parents-never-thought-theyd-say/” }); Related Posts:Student Fights for the Right to Wear Pants at Graduation [...]
Even Robots Wear Underpants and Other Things Parents Never Thought They’d Say | Strollerderby commented on Feb 22 10 at 11:00 am[...] Pacific Hills High School, someone needs to borrow your Burt Bacharach CD. Only this time it’s not teens getting freaky on the dance floor, it’s the [...]
Watch Video: Teachers Perform Lap Dance at School Pep Rally | Strollerderby commented on Feb 25 10 at 11:00 am[...] Pacific Hills High School, someone needs to borrow your Burt Bacharach CD. Only this time it’s not teens getting freaky on the dance floor, it’s the [...]
Watch Video: Teachers Perform Lap Dance at School Pep Rally | Strollerderby commented on Feb 25 10 at 11:00 amEric commented on Feb 17 10 at 12:21 pmI think that is brilliant. The it’s “what kids do” arguement never flies with me. Kids exhibit behaviors. Parents decide what behaviors are acceptable and what are unacceptable.
PlumbLucky commented on Feb 17 10 at 12:29 pmI was going to say hilarious, but brilliant works too Eric!
Anonimon commented on Feb 17 10 at 12:58 pmI cannot believe that parents expected the principal to apologize. If my child was freaking dancing, that would be the last dance he or she would go to for the rest of the year. Not to get all “Footloose,” but that type of behavior is just unacceptable and if you can not have fun dancing in a respectable way, there will be no dancing at all.
LolaLane commented on Feb 18 10 at 11:54 amSchool dances are a privilege, NOT a right kiddos. What ever happened to kids break dancing and trying to best each other? That’s what high school dances should be about (and who’s dress is cuter, obvs). I’m only about ten years out of high school but I was grossed out then over the few kids that were basically having sex on the dance floor sans penetration. And, I’m no prude for the record.
Trey commented on Feb 18 10 at 12:48 pmReally? Swarming the school demanding an apology for actually expecting their teens to be respectful? Ridiculous! This is why our culture is getting so effed up. I agree, dances are a privilege, not a right. And, I welcome Burt B. anytime. I may have to draw the line at Shatner though ;)
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