Prom night is a night that high school students eagerly anticipate and parents often secretly dread.
But this year there will be something new at the Riverside-Brookfield High School prom, which will be held Friday at the Museum of Science and Industry, that might help parents rest a little easier.
Along with the tuxedos, prom dresses and chaperones on hand Friday night school officials will also have portable drug testing kits that they will use if they suspect that students might be high on something other than excitement. Breathalyzers will also be available to test students who appear drunk.
In order to purchase prom tickets, students were required to sign a release stating that they would be subject to drug and/or alcohol testing if they appear high or intoxicated. If prom-goers are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs they will be tested. If they test positive for drugs or alcohol they will be removed from the prom and their parents will be called to pick them up.
“It’s a real deterrent,” said RB drug and alcohol counselor Jim Keck when he outlined the policy last week at a meeting for parents. “You got public humiliation.”
The drug kits, which cost about $25 each, can test for the presence of a number of drugs in just a few minutes, said Keck. RB has had Breathalyzers available for school dances and past proms for a number of years, but this is the first time school officials will have drug testing kits available according to Assistant Principal John Passarella. Last year one student was removed from the prom because of alcohol consumption, Passarella said.
“What’s new is that we also have drug testing kits available,” said Keck.
School officials had considered the possibility of testing every prom-goer as they entered the prom, but decided that would be too intrusive and decided to only test those whom they suspect might be under the influence.
Students have reacted mostly positively to the decision, said Keck. Students thought it was fair to be able to test for drugs as well as alcohol unlike in previous years.
There will be about 24 chaperones at the prom, with some stationed in restrooms, to make sure attendees don’t indulge in drugs and alcohol and have a fun and safe evening.
“I want to make sure we see kids on Monday,” said Passarella.
The eight parents who attended the meeting with school officials last Wednesday applauded the precautions.
“My impression is that this seemed to cover all the bases that the school is responsible to cover,” said Riverside resident Mel Tomeczko, whose daughter will be attending the prom.
But a few parents expressed concern about kids driving on Chicago expressways after the prom lets out at midnight.
The post-prom activity, funded by the RB’s Patron’s Council and is mandatory for prom-goers, will be a Second City comedy sketch performance held at the Museum of Science and Industry from 11 p.m. to midnight.
“At midnight they will be released from us,” said Passarella.
While many students have arranged to take limousines to the prom, others will be driving and that has some parents concerned about the late night trip home or to other activities.
Last year the Patron’s Council sponsored a Lake Michigan boat cruise, but this year chose to have the post-prom activity at the prom site.
RB is not providing any transportation to the prom this year, but may provide prom transportation in the future.
“We’re seriously considering [next year] having a bus from RB to the venue and the bus would bring them back,” said Superintendent/Principal Jack Baldermann. “It will be mandatory.”
But for this year, school officials told parents to make sure that limo drivers know that the students are minors and to insist that students not be allowed to consume any alcohol or drugs on their way to and from the prom.
School officials also warned parents that unofficial prom activities go on beyond Friday night and that they must monitor their children and remain vigilant.
“Prom is a weekend-long adventure,” said Keck.
