As I have noted before in earlier communications, the decision to change the age range and to move to a later date are based on what we believe to be a safe and appropriate framework for the event given the age and maturity of students, the increased size of the Upper School, and other events that fall at the same time of year. A date closer to the end of the school year will hopefully promote student responsibility for both their behavior and their academic performance.

 

As noted earlier as well, we have also decided to eliminate After-Prom. Over the years, attendance at After-Prom has decreased, even when it has been held at different venues or locations. Experience has shown that the older the student, the less likely he or she is to attend After-Prom. Meanwhile, one of our most reliable venues, Dave & Buster’s, is no longer renting out their space for After-Proms, which has forced us to consider more out-of-the-way alternative locations. Finally, it is increasingly difficult to find volunteer parent chaperones for the early-morning hours (usually from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.).