Water Bottles, Money, Paper, and a Shoe:

THS Students Continue to Throw Things From the Rotunda

Everything from paper airplanes and backpacks to pens and keys have been thrown from Talawanda High School’s rotunda, according to Brenda Wright, a librarian at Talawanda.

However, administrators say this is not a new problem. Last year students throwing various items from the top of the rotunda was a serious issue. The beginning of last year was particularly bad because it was very new to the students, say administrators.

“I’d like to think that our quick action to give consequences deterred people from doing it,” said Assistant Principal, Chris Rhoton.

As of now, people haven’t been throwing as many items, but, “the year is still young,” said Rhoton.

Because of the location of the library off of the rotunda, Wright said she has witnessed students throwing objects on numerous occasions

People have thrown bottles of water, coins, wads of paper and gum, and even money, as Rhoton and Wright report.

Due to the advancement in video technology at Talawanda High School, administrators say are better able to monitor the school. Rhoton said once an administrator is informed of an incident, the appropriate film will be reviewed and the punishment will be dealt out accordingly.

As stated in the school handbook’s Code of Conduct, “No form of violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior, including excessive truancy, will be tolerated.”

Rhoton said, because Talawanda has this “zero tolerance rule,” breaking it would result in immediate punishment. In this case, the punishment would be an ISA (In School Assignment).

An ISA could be served for a full day or just a part of the day, as the administrator sees fit.

Rhoton said he expects that people will continue to throw things, but said he hopes the punishment will deter students from doing so.