Posted: Jan. 20, 2010 |(0) Comments

Menomonee Falls — After a summit meeting held to discuss the expected conduct of students at high school dances, it was unclear whether administrators will allow any type of grinding, or a form of dirty dancing.

A turnabout dance is scheduled for next month, and administrators have been working on a solution for inappropriate behavior, most recently witnessed at the homecoming dance in fall. They received complaints about a mosh pit and grinding. A mosh pit is an area where very physical and rough dancing takes place.

Whatever the outcome, a group of parents has decided to hold an alternate dance at the Richfield Chalet, Menomonee Falls High School Principal William Hintz said at the meeting last week. A flier has been circulating, but Hintz cautioned that the event is not sanctioned by the school.

Proponents for a ban say grinding is indecent or sexual; opponents say it is the current style of dance.

What is excessive?

With a group of about 20 administrators, staff, parents and students, the dancing discussion began with a ban on excessive grinding, but several people asked for a definition of excessive.

Freshman Keaton Shurilla was vocal in his opposition to any type of grinding.

"I can't think of a situation where a man's genitals touching someone's butt … is not sexual," Keaton said.

He said it is a matter of setting an example to change the current style of dancing.

"What's cool changes every other month," he said.

By the conclusion of the meeting the group eliminated the word "grinding" from the code and banned any dancing that imitates a sexual act.

One student asked, "Is there a style of grinding that doesn't imply sex?"

Hintz hedged a bit when asked if administrators would allow nonexcessive grinding.

"I want to see what the kids can come up with," he said. "I'm trying to keep an open mind."

Boycott could impact prom

Junior Alyssa Barczak said grinding "is the way that we (students) dance. This is not just a Menomonee Falls dance style."

She described a nonexcessive grinding as a boy standing behind a girl with full body contact. His hands are at her waist and they rock back and forth, she said.

"There is a visual difference with the two styles," junior Kyle Kiepert said.

"When I'm grinding, I'm not trying to be sexual," Kyle said. "It is how we dance. I don't think it is going to change as much as anyone wants it to."

Adults chimed in, in support of allowing the current style of dancing.

"It is the way kids dance now," said Felicia Perkins-Peterson, school social worker.

Some people had financial concerns if grinding is banned.

Alyssa said if there is a ban on grinding, the dances - Student Council fundraisers - will not be profitable.

"No one will come to the school dances," she said.

Brenda Larson, a prom adviser, said the school signed a contract with Silver Spring Country Club that has a $10,000 minimum - an amount the school hasn't had a problem with in the past.

"I am a little bit worried with the boycotting of turnabout," she said.

Warnings will be given

The group also discussed other expected behavior including dress code and guest passes.

"If we do this right, we could be on the cutting edge," Hintz said of the new code of conduct.

Administrators plan to train chaperons to look for specific dance moves. The expectation is chaperons first would give misbehaving students a warning, and then kick out the students if the inappropriate behavior continues.

"We are trying to get some of the discretion out of it," Hintz said. "All this gray area stuff is going to create bigger problems."

FYI

A draft of the expected conduct of students at high school dances includes the following:

• Students who are suspended from school in the period between dances will not be allowed at the upcoming dance.

• Students kicked out of a dance will not be allowed at the next dance.

• Menomonee Falls alumni one year out of school will be allowed to attend dances.

• High school students from other schools in good standing will be allowed to attend dances.