Huntley principal says dress up, within reason
Huntley High School seniors who dress up for theme days during the school’s Homecoming Week will not be punished or barred from attending this weekend’s Homecoming Dance, school Principal Dave Johnson said.
Rumors and miscommunication began swirling around the school and on a Facebook page dedicated to the Huntley High School senior class of 2013 after students said they were told that the school’s traditional senior spirit days were canceled.
In an email Sunday to the Huntley High School student newspaper, The Voice, student council adviser Tom Kempf wrote that students would face disciplinary action if they do not comply with the school’s Spirit Days guidelines.
“If a group actively pursues spirit days that are not supported by the school, we absolutely have the right not to admit them to the homecoming dance,” Kempf said in an email Sunday night.
But Johnson said students are allowed to participate in Spirit Days if students are dressed appropriately and outfits are not outlandish or demeaning. Tuesday is ‘80s Day.
“Seniors are dressed differently,” Johnson said. “As long as it is not completely inappropriate for the school setting, we are fine with it.”
But senior Tom Heagney said students were told they would be banned from the dance if they went against the school’s dress code during Spirit Week.
“We want the pride of standing out because we are seniors just like senior classes have done in the past,” Heagney said. “Today was CEO Day and students wore suits to class. but some people were afraid to because it feels like they are trying to crack down on us.”
Johnson, however, said there was miscommunication between one student council adviser and students.
“Mr. Kempf probably said some things to a senior or a groups of seniors that has been repeated and transformed,” Johnson said.
Kempf declined to comment to the Daily Herald.
Johnson said students who have not served outstanding detentions are denied entry to the Homecoming dance.
“We know that the more kids are involved and make a connection with the school, it makes a difference in how well students do at school,” Johnson said. “We wouldn’t want to do anything to squelch that school spirit.”