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School’s Drug & Alcohol Policy Is Controversial
Some students feel that the school’s Drug and Alcohol Policy is too strict.
By Nikki Goldman
Editor-in-Chief
Some students feel that the school’s Drug and Alcohol Policy is too strict.
According to Dean of Students Mr. Shank, however, “Our policy might be more therapeutic than other schools’ policies.
“Rather than just throw them out and say ‘We’re done with you’, they go into the system and get evaluated, which is more therapeutic.”
If a student is on campus and found to be in possession of drugs or alcohol, or drug paraphernalia, they will be expelled for 6 months until they can reapply for admission. The school is also required to contact the Tredyffrin police, and all contraband is turned over to the police. From there, it is up to the police to decide if the student is arrested or not. If they reapply and get accepted, they then go into the school’s system and get an evaluation.
The policy is much different if a student is on campus under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They will be suspended for 15 to 30 days, or more. The student is also put into the system, and when they return from the suspension, they must undergo an evaluation.
This same policy applies to students who use drugs or alcohol off campus.
Mr. Shank encourages students to self-report that they have a drug or alcohol problem. If that happens, and the student is a first-time offender, they won’t get expelled.
“That is why we have the policy. So students could feel comfortable to come to us for help so they will know that we will support them.”
As long as the student who needs drug or alcohol therapy follows the medical evaluation, they are still in good standing and can remain at the school; if they don’t follow the medical procedure, they won’t be able to attend Woodlynde.
“Woodlynde School's commitment to the development of the whole student includes a commitment to educating students about and protecting them from the dangers of illegal drugs and alcohol use,” according to the Student Handbook.
When asked how he feels about the policy, Mr. Shank said, “I love it. It supports kids and helps them.”
Senior Anna Lambert feels that the “policy is pretty fair to me because all they are doing is trying to keep you safe in school.”
“When I heard that a student in our grade got expelled for breaking the rule last year, I thought the school handled it well.”
However she takes a different view if the offense occurs off campus. “I don’t think Woodlynde should worry about student activity outside of school campus because it doesn’t have to do with them.”
Senior Larissa Crater agreed, saying, “I don’t feel it is fair if you are drinking outside of school on a weekend, and someone tells the school and you get in trouble for it.”
In response, Mr. Shank explained, “the only reason why we would hear about a student drinking outside of Woodlynde is if it is a major concern. If it does not affect their ability to efficiently thrive here or the school community, they are fine.”
Senior Anthony Samarco dislikes the policy. He believes that it is unfair, and when asked why, he said, “You know my friend [who was caught in school with drug paraphernalia last year and subsequently expelled]? Yeah, well, he got into trouble for breaking the policy.”
“It’s ridiculous. It’s too harsh. They should have warned him or something. At least give him a three-week suspension at first. That’s what I would have done.”
Larissa agrees with this, saying that a classmate “got expelled for just having a smoking thing.”
“He wasn’t using it and I think Woodlynde overreacted and should have done something before he got expelled, like detentions or suspended. I think they took it a little too far to judge.”
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Woodlynde School is a private, co-ed college prep day school located in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves intelligent, talented students with learning differences in grades K - 12. Woodlynde provides a comprehensive, evidence-based Kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school program in a challenging yet nurturing environment for students with average to above average cognitive abilities (IQ) who have language- or math-based learning differences (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia), Executive Function Challenges, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Auditory Processing Disorder. Even for those students without a diagnosed learning disability (LD), Woodlynde offers expert and caring teachers in small classroom settings that support academic success. Woodlynde School also offers a post-graduate (PG) program in partnership with Rosemont College as well as a regional Summer Camp for students who learn differently.
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