RHS Handbook
Is Very Clear

In response to the current events at Rochester High School, I was in a similar situation while I was a student there. I was caught underage drinking while on a sports team.

My punishment along with the others involved went into effect the Monday after I was caught. I was dismissed from the team. There were no objections made by parents, teachers, principals or the School Board.

The reason why? I had broken the Student Athlete Drug and Alcohol Policy set in place by the School Board which I signed before participating.

Recently, at Rochester High School, two student athletes were caught underage drinking at a party by a teacher and a coach. This incident was brought to the attention of the principal, who suspended the two students 10 days later from playing basketball. A day later the school board overturned the principal's decision and allowed the students to continue participating on the basketball teams.

Currently, the school board is still determining the punishment for these two student athletes.

Rochester High School has a Student Athlete Drug and Alcohol Policy which is signed by the players before participating in sports which states:

"A player, who is determined by the principal who has been in possession of alcoholic beverages, will be banned from participating in interscholastic activities during that sport season in which the rule was broken. This rule applies to the behavior on and off school property as reported to the principal by law enforcement officials, teachers or coaches".

It is unfortunate that the correct disciplinary action has not taken place. The fact that appropriate action has not taken place gives the impression that underage drinking is accepted in the town of Rochester, and the rules and regulations set forth by the School Board will not be enforced.

When rules are broken there are consequences. These students should accept responsibility for their improper behavior and show regret for how their teams are being affected; accept this as a hard-learned character building experience and get on with their lives.

Alicia Gendron

Concord, NH