I am a some what recent grad of Shorewood High School (class of '08) and all I really have to say is this. Come on police and Joynt, get some sense of what this means for those of us who have grown up with older brothers and sisters going out the night before school starts and hanging out with them practically until school starts that day. I know it was one of those few things I looked forward to when senior year was approaching, and things have gone down hill for so long, i mean they took away Toilet papering the Freshman's houses, Big Hound Little Hound Day, then the senior march through the halls, then the car parade to start the school year, and now this. I mean what can seniors look forward to other than its that last year in the school system and then they can get out and be free. Joynt I am willing to bet that you are younger to the school system then any of the SHS seniors or even Juniors so I think you should have waited at least a few years before you made any decision like this, (I know you want to make a name for yourself so kids don't think that they can get away with anything but getting rid of a time honored tradition id the wrong way to go) you need to know how much everybody looks forward to these events and the time when it is their turn to do them. Also one more thing Joynt seniors are some people that can make you job a little easier and when you have a crowd of people not happy at you at a time, things can't end up too good, I mean you want to make friends with the seniors not to mention the rest of the kids.

Good. Spoiled brats and whining parents should get a life. Suck it up and accept responsibility.

Yes, it is fair. Three years ago, the school cracked down on the toilet papering by hiring a security firm to monitor campus on the night before the start of classes, said the school's second-year principal, 33-year-old Matt Joynt. Also, parents were told in a newsletter before the start of the 2008-'09 school year that the toilet papering and parade were no longer allowed. Some traditions are not right and its time steps are taken. Yes it is a fair decision.

I grew up in a small town an hour north of Milwaukee and this was a major tradition there as well. We accepted the risk when we stepped onto school grounds and purposely starting covering it in white. We had to run from the police from time to time. All of which we knew was against the law and brought us closer to the hands of the law and the school. I don't feel any sympathy for these kids besides the fact they got caught. They will be able to plead out with some hours of community service and a hard slap on the wrist. No major harm or foul. But the school does incur additional cost in cleanup and resources. If these kids weren't punished by law and the school, what's the determinant for other kids to not repeat next weekend or next month? Kids were having fun but even fun has repercussions.

The students were told last year that the toilet papering would no longer be tolerated, and when you add in the other vandalism committed beyond the toilet papering, they definitely deserve the tickets. This is a good chance for the parents to teach these kids to be responsible for their actions, but the parents are teaching them just the opposite lesson- mommy and daddy will get you out of trouble for whatever you do.

Officials were not too harsh on the student vandals.I do relize that this was a time honored tradition that has been a harmless prank to toilet paper the school which to me is fine.But now the students have to take that harmless prank a step further with also toilet papering homes of freshman students.Who wants this mess on their property?Also the worst part of the whole deal is that some geniuses get bored with just toilet paper and decide to vandalize property.If the students were encouraged to put as much effort into their studies by their parents rather than giving them rolls of toilet paper this would not be an issue.

tax payers have to pay to clean up the mess....fine the parents

After reading Stephen's comments I think someone needs to look into the grammer program at Shorewood. Yikes!

It's sad that some of you think that this is being "solved" by Mommy and Daddy and that this is a case of "spoiled brats," obviously none of you have children and none of you were children at any point. Kids mess up, that's what kids do...Did you know what you were doing when you were 17 years old?! I sure as heck didn't. If the police and the principal had such an issue with what the boys were doing, they should've immediately notified parents and informed the boys of options, such as cleaning the school and houses (so it didn't come from "TAXPAYERS" money) or the option of the ticket and the intimidating arrest (obviously unnecessary and clearly used just to make a statement). Also, if Shorewood High School and Shorewood Police Department wanted to use these students as an example, they should've been "fair" (as they saw it so fair to address and treat the students as they did), gotten all the names, and punished EVERY individual involved in the TP-ing incident, not just the ones they could actually catch after chasing them. I agree that certain actions of breaking rules should have repercussions, but I also believe in being fair and that the punishment should fit the crime. In this case, I think they took the extreme way to prove a point and that it was unjust.

I think it's too much. The school did not reiterate this year that there would be no pranks, and my son (also a senior but not involved) didn't know that they were still banned. I would suggest community service instead.

I'm tired of our communities letting our children off the hook every time they screw up. There was a rule, they knew about it and they deliberately disobeyed it. Take responsibility, suffer the consequences and get on with your life. Sorry if you have to answer for that on a college application. That's a consequence too. If a student had been injured during these 'traditional' festivities, you can bet that there would have been lawyers standing in line to sue the school district for not controlling the behavior. The consequences would have been born by the taxpayers then!

If I walked down the street dropping paper, I would expect it to be littering. The Journal/Sentinel does this with the Weekend Plus section that used to be delivered in the mailbox. I would expect both of these incidents to be punished equally with tickets for littering at the least.

Shorewood ... get a life! Once again the "political correctness" capitol of the state upholds its reputation. Are students who T.P. freshmen' homes now going to be arrested ... the jail will be overflowing and budget problems will be solved? How about going after bike riders who go through stop signs and dog owners whose canines mess up lawns. There are so many real problems with which to deal in Shorewood! through stop signs and dog owners whose canines mess up lawns.

BEFORE I RETIRED, I WORKED AT A BUSINESS IN THE SHOREWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AREA AND ALWAYS ENJOYED SEEING THE TOILET PAPER AS AN AGE OLD HARMLESS WAY FOR KIDS TO HAVE FUN. IT WAS AN AWESOME SIGHT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, HER BOYFRIEND TOILET PAPERED THE TREES IN OUR YARD AND DID A REALLY GREAT JOB. I TOOK PICTURES! LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE.

There is nothing different about what these children did and what happens every weekend with the Journal/Sentinel delivery of the Weekend Plus section which used to be delivered into your mailbox. Throwing paper or toilet papering a property is simply what it is. Littering. And, I would expect both instances to be treated equally.

They were warned, they knew the consequence,They did the deed. What else can I say. Maybe that the administration should not have backed down on the two day suspension. My advice to the parents, Butt out. If you did nothing to stop the kids, or did not advise them not to do it, then let them take their punishment. Seniors who are heading off to college are no longer children. They have to own up to their decisions and accept the consequence.

What ever happened to the notion of "you do the crime, you do the time?" Toilet Papering real estate is against the law. It is vandalism. Tradition doesn't make something any less illegal.

Yes it is. They should also have to pay the cost of cleanup.

Nope. They should also have to pay to have the entire mess cleaned up.

Make them clean it up, during their one day suspension, while wearing t-shirts that say "I'm Stupid" on them.

Ah yes, parents teaching their kids it's okay to deface property that doesn't belong to them, and supplying the materials. Does the entire world exist solely for their childrens' amusement? High school is the step right before adulthood. A place you should learn behavior has consequences. Regardless of whether your parents correctly taught you. The parents should get an additional bill for the custodial clean up time.

Are people forgetting the fact that this was more than just a simple TP'ing? There was ketchup, mustard, etc also thrown onto the school. The students that were caught claim that they did not partake in the ketchup slinging, unfortunately they are guilty by association. People need to realize that there are consequences for their actions, how does it teach your child to be responsible if you step in every single time they get in trouble for something. The school system even reduced the suspension for the students and they didn't have to do that either. If the parents are so worried about how it may affect their child's acceptances into colleges, then maybe they should have told their child to stay home and not particpate at all in the prank.

Big deal! Make them clean it up, most of the toilet paper eventually melts away with rain! This is much ado about nothing... there are much more pressing issues to deal with both in our community (drug abuse) and in the US and world. Get a life people!

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. First, they chose 2 nights before the school start - - that indicates they were aware the police would be looking for activity. Second, someone needs to clean it up and that's a taxpayer expense. Third, nice lesson from the parents . . . if you do something stupid you can count on me to whine to the school board and police about fairness.

Great, I can't wait to read all of the responses from people who have never, EVER done anything wrong or stupid in their entire lives. Was this a stupid thing to do? Yes, of course it is - THEY'RE 17 YEARS OLD!!! Find me one 17 year old who has never done anything wrong in his/her life, and I'll tell you that kid has social problems. High schoolers TP houses. No policy or rule you could ever put into place will change that. Heck, making it illegal will only make it MORE appealing to these kids. And really, there is nothing more amusing than seeing a guy who is WAY too young to be a principal, attempt to rule with an iron fist and end up having his whole plan blow up in his face. I mean, if you REALLY want to tick off a few hundred kids who are already boiling over with hormones, then go right ahead. Let's just say I'm happy to be far, far away from Shorewood right now.

Are you serious? In this day and age when children are killing children & children are having children? I have a daughter that just entered SHS. My home was TP'd twice! It was a clear and proud sign of welcome to SHS for my daughter. Instead of punishing these students, can we please just thank God or someone that their spirited pranks are so easily remedied. I love this tradition and hope the principal and law enforcement can just chuckle at this annual venture and spend their time addressing more serious issues. The vandelism of SHS property is another issue and should definitely be addressed and punishable.

Its too harsh. Honestly, growing up next door in Whitefish Bay, we have similar traditions.. we do the toliet-papering on homecoming, and toliet paper the football player's homes, or anyone that goes to state. Honestly, get a grip.. its just a traditional prank!

I absolutely think it's fair for these students to be punished for their actions. It's against the law to vandalize property, and if one breaks the law, he or she should be punished. That is how our criminal justice system works, and no one should be excused from it. Laws exist for a reason and should not be ignored. I think it's very unfortunate that these parents are excusing their childrens' behavior, thus giving them the message that they are somehow above the law and should not be expected to follow laws that they do not believe in or find inconvenient at one time or another. Students need to take responsibility for their actions, and parents need to step up and hold their children accountable instead of throwing a bunch of money at a lawyer and teaching their children that they can buy their way out of deserved consequences. If this were to happen at any other school district in the area, and especially if the students caught were not white, they would certainly be punished, and I don't believe anyone would complain. It's time for everyone, wealthy white residents of Shorewood included, to realize that no one is above the law, and everyone should be treated equally for law violations.

I currently live in Shorewood, and feel that the kids should not be punished for any sort of tradition that they and their parents have seen passed down for years. I do however feel that if there were other acts that damaged property there needs to be accountability. The village of Shorewood police in my eyes almost cause more of a burden to its residents and visitors at times, and this seems to be another case. They are paid by the tax dollars of the residents they are there to serve and protect, NOT profile and/or bother. Maybe find out who tried to burn down the old Shorewood Inn, or stop the speeders that go 45 through my neighborhood full of children and not worry about issues such as toilet papering...

My son expressed a desire to do some "friendly" TP-ing this year. "Ya know there are class rivalries", I was told. I told him if he chose to do that, then he would have to accept the full consequences for his actions. That would possibly mean (1) cleanup, (2) a fine or compensation for cleanup, (3) a citation, or (4) if on school grounds, possible school disciplinary action.

I would give the parents a choice. Either the disorderly conduct tickets for $177, or they can reimburse the school district for the time and money spent to clean up the mess. BTW, I used to live in Whitefish Bay - so I know the traditions well of toilet papering houses well.

Yes it's fair to suspend and fine them. There should also be a penalty for the parents who knowingly supplied the toilet paper for this reason. It seems everyone was told this behavior is unacceptable. It's unfortunate that a simple tradition like this turned dangerous a few years ago. Now, because of the poor decisions of others, rules are put in place and have to be followed. If these 5 students were only toilet papering, then they should tell administrators the names of the other individuals who defaced property, or they accept responsibility and the punishment.

Yes! Everyone in the village looks forward to the toilet paper and the wake up parade! It was a disappointment not to have it this year. The school should have had the Seniors clean up the next day! There is nothing wrong with that instead of using the employees time. But I do agree that ketchup and mustard should not be used! But being ticketed for that is way out of line!

I understand that the toilet papering has been a long-standing tradition in Shorewood. However, the students were warned last year that this acticity would not be tolerated. It is about time that students (and their parents) are held accountable for their actions. What about the workers that had to clean up after the students? I'm sure the workers get tired of cleaning up after these rich kids constantly. High school age students (and their parents) are well-aware of the consequences of any vandalism/criminal activity will/may have on the student's college applications. What are the parents going to do for their children when they get fired from a job for their actions? Are the parents going to run to their children's supervisors and beg for their children's jobs back, too? Life is about accoutability and consequences. This lesson may be harsh, but it should stand.

Really? I think you have to grow up in Shorewood to know what this means. Lets start this way,think back to your High School, and what the traditions where there. Every school has something, and all the seniors would be just as mad if that got taken away. To the point that a note was sent out at the beginning of the 08/09 school year, those seniors are now freshman in college, it's hard to say that, that note is still applicable to the current senior class; a new note should have been sent to the current seniors. Toilet papering is a tradition, and it's harmless. It's been done for over 30 years, and as far as I know no one has been hurt. Yes, there are cases that cross the line, vandalism in no way should be a part of it or accepted. If the students truly did vandalize the school then yes they should be held accountable for it. However, is is fair to make an example of these 5 kids, when the whole senior class was there? Probably not. I'm not sure why school employees had to cleaned this up. When we were seniors, we had to clean up everything (including the toilet paper) during lunch on the second week of school. Honestly the tradition of TPing, the parade, and just about every other crazy tradition that goes on at Shorewood is important to the community. TPing is a way to welcome in the freshman (and honestly its looks kind of pretty), the parade gets the whole community up and ready for the first day of school. If you've ever driven through Shorewood on the first day of school you know just how great this tradition is, everyone loves it. No one's getting hurt, they give every freshman the option to get their name off the list and not get TPed.If it's going to be such a big issue, let us vote on it. I'll bet that they end up keeping it.

They took the risk, pay the penalties. I think they should pay the fine, have it stay on their record and they should have cleaned it up too! Deal with it! Parents, stop enabling your kids to do stupid things...this reflects on you.

Suspended? I don't know, I think maybe that's unnecessary. The tickets are fair game though and justified. These kids are stupid & so are their parents. Yes, I was young and I never did anything this stupid and was socially well-adjusted. You know why I didn't do anything stupid? Because I had intelligent parents that respected good manners & public & tax payer funded property.

Give me a break. The police are screwing up the children's collegiate future. Don't they have bigger fish to fry, like, oh, I dunno, corrupt politicians? When was the last time a politician got busted around here? At least the toilet paper was new.

Lighten up. Must we take all the fun out of being young and foolish? Papering is not high crimes and misdemeanors in my book.

First off, let me state that the simple TPing of freshmans' homes and the SHS campus, along with the car parade on opening day & other events like Big hound/Little Hound are fun, harmless, time-honored traditions. ( RE: the 'costly/time consuming cleanup', toilet paper is biodegradable is it not, green folks? Streamers at our residences certainly dissipated quickly enough.) Secondly, as much as I cannot understand attempts to ban these activities, if it had been made clear to students that there would be consequences for them, then accept the time for the 'crime' w/o parental units trying to save their li'l angels. However, if the true problems lie in eggs/catchup/mustard on windows, etc, then punish THAT and not the non-destructive aspects of the traditions. Lastly, in regard to the severity of the punishments, I'm somewhat amazed that these edicts came down from the some of the same people that I understand have decided to correct student papers in GREEN pen rather RED to avoid possibly hurting anyones' feelings!

That is the chance they took, AFTER they knew what the consequence was. Pay up! The principal sounds like a real gem...

Make them clean it up. Paying a fine is to easy,

There is a big difference between the kids and the pranks they pulled 30 or 40-yrs ago and the kids and outright vandalism that occurs in this day and age. Today some school districts spend hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars every year to clean up grafitti and repair damage to the buildings. Security firms have to be hired to protect school property from the ongoing threat of gang and other criminal activity that occurs in and around the schools. In may districts, local police officers are actually stationed in the schools to address the multitude of disruptive and criminal issues that face the students and teachers. Today's schools are forced to play by a different set of rules than they did in the 1960's and 70's - today's students have to learn to accept that.

I agree with Andre. If you get caught doing something wrong, suffer the consequences! The problem today, is that too many parents bail out their children for their inappropiate actions and wonder why we have deliquincy problems...DUH!

The times they are a-changin'

Don't do the crime if you can't pay the fine. Even if they were only having fun, too bad. This is what HS prepares us for -- real life.

If the school hires a security company to watch the campus the night before school starts to stop students from doing anything, even toliet papering, then how can you use the excuse it was tradition? It is pretty clear to me that this behavior is not tolerated at SHS. Tje students thought they could "outsmart" the administration by doing it two days before. Now, they are sorry that they got caught. If you don't follow through with the punishment, which is not too severe by any means, then who will ever take the administrations policies seriously. Obviously, the parents do not as they supplied the TP. The administration has the right to set rules and boundaries. With tough budget times, no administration wants to spend time and resources cleaning up even after harmless pranks. I don't want my tax dollars spent that way. It's a tough lesson, but given that the students planned it when security wasn't there shows that they knew the administration did not tolerate that behavior. I do not feel sorry for them. Sometimes we have to face that traditions fade because not all traditions were "great ideas" in the first place. The parents of Shorewood should be more concerned on how to keep their schools from closing and providing constructive fun activities for students. All this other stuff is a waste of resources at a time whe resources are scare. Bottom line, don't whine when you get caught. Your intentions while relatively harmless still have consequences. The consequences aren't over the top. Accept them and be humble.

As a past graduate, I feel this is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! I agree that the condiment damage was uncalled for. The TPing...give it a rest! The students should have been the ones to clean it up, not Shorewood employees (wrong decision Mr. Principal). I know that there are more malicious crimes committed that the department has to worry about!!! Bano, I'm very disappointed in this decision!! You were a year ahead of me at SHS...don't you remember some of the things we all did back then????? We're not that old!!! A 33 year old principal...WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?????????

Shorewood High School is public property. The public paid for the building, its athletic facilities, the books inside as well as the staff's salaries. The Shorewood Police Department is also public property. Do you think any of these kids or these parents would have found it acceptable to TP the police department? Come on people - pull your heads out! Those who think of it being a harmless prank should pay for the man hours it took to clean up this juvenile mess, pay the fine and do community service.

It's very fair. As a tax payer, why should I have to pay for these delinquents fun? They should have to pay the entire clean up cost. You want to break the law? You pay the consequences when you get caught. Welcome to adulthood you stupid, immature idiots. You got caught, now suck it up and take it like an adult. It's no wonder these dumb kids are deliquents. Their parents are immature as well or they wouldn't defend their children's wrongdoing. GROW UP!!!

The kids should have been forced to clean up the ketchup/mustard/shaving cream, but toilet paper? I think it's great and I'm a Shorewood resident. Reminded me of the relatively carefree days of youth.... I agree with those who are saying 'lighten up!'

Even though high school was nearly 30 years ago, I still remember doing goofy stuff like this. We all knew that we were risking arrest when we pulled these sorts of shenanigans. The possibility of getting caught only added to the excitement. So pleading ignorance is just plain disingenuous. However, we feard running afoul of our parents far more than being caught by the police. So I have to ask -- who is parenting the parents? Maybe along with the fine (and a chance to learn that actions can have consequences) we should add parenting classes to the sentence. Repeat after me, "As a parent, I cannot also be friend to my child." Keep at it. It gets easier with practice.

As a former resident of Shorewood, I say it's about time -- because students have abused this privilege (and that is what it is to be allowed to break the law and vandalize property) for years. The cliques of seniors did not just welcome freshmen this way; they also hit homes of other students whom they did not like -- if, in our case, we let other parents know of the Shorewood students' "drug houses" and homes where drinking also was allowed, enabled, and even encouraged by some parents trying to be "cool." So I tired of having to take down toilet paper in my yard, and I wearied of the vandalism as well to my home and garden. I moved to Milwaukee, and it's much more civilized here, even in a neighborhood of high school and college students, too. Shorewood students and parents who did not police this "prank" themselves brought this intervention by the police on themselves. In my many years there, the village budget kept going up to keep hiring more and more police officers, and it was not for them to clean up the messes of irresponsible children . . . of all ages.

As a 2000 graduate of Shorewood, I always thought it was a stupid prank. Why not do something that makes people laugh or entertains if you want to do a prank. As kids we just wanted to feel badass and if you want to do that, do something that takes real bravery and might actually help improve the world. You see this kind of "prank" at the spoiled schools, with kids who are from affluent backgrounds, and you wonder, don't they have something better to do? If these schools are so good, why are the kids so uncreative on their pranks? If you're going to pretend you're a badass, at least do something entertaining and wild. There are places in the world where all that wasted TP would have been really valued and utilized. I lived in a part of Venezuela where we bought TP one roll at a time because the family could not afford to buy 12-packs or other things Americans are accustomed to. Think about how you want to be remembered, I don't care how old or young you are. Be remembered for something special, no one will remember you for TPing your houses and school.

The suspension is valid. The kids should be made to clean up their mess. In addition to the fine they should be subjected to some form of community service and taught a lesson. Northshore rich punks in action as usual.

Please punishing students fortoilet paper and condiments! Do they have any idea what pranks have gone at that school! Spelling out "1992" in beer kegs was the best.

Please punishing students for toilet paper and condiments! Do they have any idea what pranks that have gone at that school! Spelling out "1992" in beer kegs and jumping into the new pool was the best.

Isn't part of a "prank" doing something that's not officially condoned? Isn't part of the "fun" having some level of consequence for getting caught? Why bother if it's "sanctioned?" If they're on to the "TP Prank" then be creative, don't get caught, and don't be destructive - but a prank that's condoned is no longer a prank and is pretty wussy.

Charge the kids who got caught for the costly cleanup, but suspending? that's ridiculous (and may lead to more toilet papering) kids should be in school.

THE STUDENTS DIDN"T JUST TOILET PAPER THE CAMPUS. my house was covered in toilet paper and shaving cream the day before school started and i have NOTHING to do with shorewood high school. i didn't go there (even tough i grew up in shorewood) and i have no children that go there. the house has been owned by the same owner since 1967. to be fair i'll say this has never happened before in the 42 years we have owned the house. BUT the inconvenience of having to be late to work, hose down my driveway and front stoop because of excessive amounts of shaving cream as well as cleaning up all the toilet paper that i could -- there is still some in the trees -- was HUGE. i still can see what the seniors wrote on my driveway and front stoop from where the shaving cream was. i think that the students who did it should be punished. at the least be smart enough to double check your addresses. because now i'm am completely against this ritual when i was ambivalent before. the next day there was some more toilet paper as well. i guess they were punishing me for cleaning it up. kudos to the proncipal of SHS for whom i left a voicemail. he was very responsive and completely apologetic. and also very irritated to have to pay a service to clean up the campus. i say make the kids clean it up. i don't want my taxes going to that.

Toilet-papering is a right of passage for the seniors and the students getting TP, let the Shorewood students have fun!!!! Let them clen it up, they would love getting together as a class and doing the clean up. Serve refreshments and make a party out of the clean up. Think young, think fun, life is short look at the River West killings.

As a resident and victim of this 'crime', I agree with those who say 'lighten up'. It's not like they're setting fires, burning tires, etc. The vandalism (condiments) was uncalled for and should be dealt with, but toilet paper in my eyes is pretty harmless. If they get caught, have them clean it up on Saturday morning. I think a suspension is ridiculous. I don't understand why everything and anything kids do nowadays is such a damn federal case. No wonder they're doing tons of drugs and drinking. You take ever single avenue of rebellion from them and wonder why they push it to the next level. Every adult on this board knows damn well they did things that were probably a lot worse than a simple TP job. And every parent on this board knows that if their kids was suspended for this and it jeopardized a future college chance they would fight it also. As someone with kids in the Shorewood school district, I say let them squeeze the Charmin. In fact, maybe I'll do it next year if they can't, I can pay the fine and they can't suspend me.

I think the punishment is not only extreme, but ineffective. As a 40-something "teenager", there's nothing as fun as the thrill of toilet-papering friend's house. As a 40-something adult with 2 teenagers, who thankfully haven't been TP'd yet, I dread the thought of it. I've learned, however, that the most effective punishments are those that are more natural consequences to the crime. So... if you make a mess - clean it up! Those kids should have had to report to school on the first day with their buckets, brushes and garbage bags and spent the whole day cleaning up their mess. The janitor could have supervised to make sure things were getting done properly and to make sure that when they were done that the school looked as good or better than before. Then they would realize the consequences of their actions. AND, you know, it really was a harmless prank, once they got it all cleaned up, wasn't it?! If handled properly, it wouldn't have had to cost the school district anything!

The punishment should stand. Times have changed, and what was "harmless fun" escalated to vandalism. School authorities hired a security firm three years ago to patrol campus the night before school begins. The kids choose to prank two nights before school began, when they knew the security guards would not be present. Sounds like intent to me.

Everyone keeps mentioning that they don't want their tax dollars going towards cleaning this up. 1) Toilet paper is biodegradable and once it rain's its gone. 2) The percentage of your tax dollars that goes towards cleaning this up is minuscule. Calm down it's just harmless fun. In no way are the SHS seniors running a muck and in reality they could be up to much, much worse (look at MPS).

When I was young we did many things that are punishable under the law. The main difference between these five students is they got casught and of course they have to pay the price. If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.

Is this a joke? Are kidding me? This is an actual issue? What is so hard to understand about the term"AGAINST THE LAW"?

They took their chances and got caught. 35 years ago in another place my class did the same. A few got caught and were cited. Half the excitement was knowing that even though relatively harmless, it was against the law. I think the suspension and civil citation is double jeapordy. Let the court give a community service sentence, and clear the record when completed and the school drop the record of suspension at the same time. This does not have to be a big deal.

No the school was not too harsh given the students were warned not to do it. This is evidenced by the fact that they did it 2 days earlier then tradition in order to avoid the school and police's security measures. Now after they have a consequence the parents are upset that the boys college opportunities will be affected. Should have thought of that before they did it. Secondly, I don't read anything in the story which shows that they boys are remorseful for what they did. Did any of them offer to clean up the mess? Actually if I were the Principal or Police that would have been part of their punishment.

RE: Mike Hester's Comment: "The police are screwing up the children's collegiate future." I belive it's the CHILDREN that are screwing up their OWN future. The cops didn't make them break the law.

Who are these parents who say it's okay to vanalize public property? It cost the tax payers money to clean up the mess that these kids caused and the parents encouraged. You wonder why our society has gotten into the state it's in, that being the "nanny" state, it's because of parents like these who direct kids to do things they wish they could be doing.

Yes. Who gets to clean up the mess? Not the students I am sure. Suspend them and make them pay.

I fully support the stance that the police and the school took, it's time for some of these people to wake up and grow up - their parents as well. Calling this a "tradition" and that the seniors have some rite-of-passage and be allowed to do something which is not allowed makes no sense. This group of "Shorewood's finest" are getting a message from their parents that no matter what the little darlings do, mommy and daddy will make sure they don't get in trouble. Gosh golly Batman, does this mean that when this precious children get to college that they can drink alcohol (which they'd be under age at least in Wisconsin) or do illegal drugs and they should never have to take responsibility for their actions? When they get caught speeding are their parents going to argue that the police had no right to stop them? It's the same old story of the kids getting caught but they shouldn't be responsible, great life lessons there mom and dad.

It is clear that Shorewood administration had made their policy clear and effectively communicated it to students and parents. School officials did the right thing. Parents need to hold their children accountable.

Times sure have changed...It's all about the money. The only reason the school is cracking down is because of the overtime it now cost's janitors to clean up the mess. I would guess that 3 or 4 years ago you had budget cuts or a new contract in the district that cut funds to maitenance crew. As a result the cleaning crea at your schools call the shots. It's like that up here in Fondy. It has nothing to do with laws or morals. It is cheaper to hire security guards and fine kids than to pay your schools janitor's

According to the article this 'tradition' was stopped 2 years ago, why would anyone feel that they would not or should not get punished for breaking the rules. Why would these 5 be above anyone else. And at 17 years old the student are old enough to know what is right and wrong, let them take their punishment like men.

Did the tradition involve getting caught?

It's sad that a time honored tradition has come down to this. For my Senior year at SHS ('02), we did it all. TPing, Parade, Big Hound/Little Hound day, without punishment BUT with cooperation from the School and Shorewood Police. Our class president met with the Police to organize a choreographed TPing of the School and a safe parade. The Police even bought us Breakfast Burritos from McDonalds and hosted a breakfast on the freshly TP'd lawn of the school for the Seniors. It's sad that now-a-days everyone has a stick shoved so far up their behind that they can't even allow a little fun. The students should clean up the mess (as we were made to do) and that should be it. Tickets and suspensions? Come on Greyhounds...

Punishment should be given to the fullest extent possible. Clearly the kids showed intent. What was "harmless fun" DECADES ago is now considered vandalism. How about starting a new tradition of enriching the community with volunteerism? There is only one real purpose for toilet paper and it is not for hanging from trees. It is no wonder our Country is in such financial disarray with “kids” not appreciating/understanding the costs associated with their actions. Do they really think toilet paper grows on trees? (Pun intended). I would hope that today’s college administrators would rather bring in students who use their intelligence and skills for the benefit of our world than those who think running around throwing crapper paper in trees is a good use of their time. Not only should the kids “get a life”, but they should start participating in one that will not come back to haunt them years from now.

The punishment was too harsh. I think it's sad that the school district and the police took away the parade because I think it was a wonderful opportunity for the students to show their pride and leadership. The students deserve a way to celebrate their senior year. Although I'm very glad that the school has rejected the first day hazing that used to happen, I believe that there should be some way to allow the seniors to celebrate their status, and perhaps such an event would avoid some of the destructive behavior that took place on August 31.

The punishment seems fair. The kids were warned that this was no longer acceptable behavior. Life is full of choices and the kids had a choice. They did not have to do what they did. They chose to do it. And they should face consequences for deliberately defacing public property. Little Bobby can't go to the college of his choice? Good. Let's hope it knocks down the kids' sense of self-righteousness a notch or two.

Good. Bunch of whiny parents and kids trying to side step accountability. I hate liberals.

The brats and parents should do the clean up work not the sckool employees, every district complains of a shortage of tax money.I was born a country boy during the great depression,dont know what was great about that in our life time. We couldnt aford toilet paper those days were happy we had sears roebuck catologues to use for wipeing They should give the money to poor people and do something worth while.

This is funny to me. Tax dollars to clean up toilet paper and some condiments... Yeah, what an expensive act against the law. A lot of things are against the law that we all do every day. It's a little toilet paper. Let it rain. It's not hurting anyone. The prank was stopped because kids were being foolish. They weren't being foolish and hanging out of cars here. They threw some toilet paper around... Lets throw a fit about it. No. The article said tradition was stopped because of kids doing dangerous things after the act was committed... Not that it had anything really to do with toilet papering. These kids aren't ruining their future by toilet papering. I'm in college. They encourage us to have whip cream and chocolate syrup fights on campus. That is a bigger mess than a little toilet paper Calm down. Seriously.

First of all the "sanctioning" of this event has been banned. Like everything else, a few people ruin it for everyone else. The problem this year was that the kids were informed well in advance that the t papering of the high school was not allowed this year. So, the police get called to the school for acts of vandalism. This included ketchup and mustard as well as tipping over bike racks. The police go there and naturally, the kids that were caught know nothing about any other vandalism. Of course they know who did it. It's just that the "no snitch" rule is in effect. So they get it for disorderly conduct. So be it. What are the cops supposed to do? Not respond to the school because "it's a tradition?" And as far as the senior parade goes....give me a break. Yeah...I want to hear a bunch of kids screaming and sounding their horns at 7 AM. The Village of Shorewood and people here do not revolve around the schools here. If people would figure that out, this would not be an issue. Also, if the kids need to be taught any responsibility in life, the first rule of thumb is to respect and follow the law. Now the whiny parents can try to get their kids out of the whole mess so the kids will learn nothing. Wait till they go off to college and get caught drinking and smoking dope. But......"It's a Shorewood tradition!!!"

wow. such a bunch of anger and nastiness from people who don't even live in Shorewood. These "brats" "whiny rich kids" and "delinquents" attend a school district with - what? - a 99% graduation rate with most of the kids going on to college and one of the highest ACT averages in the state. They aren't "stupid" - they just are rebelling against a stupid rule. I agree that crossing the line and engaging in vandalism that requires power washing to clean up (like eggs - as was the norm during the hey day of the WFB/SW rivalry), or blantant destruction of property, should be punished. But one day of toilet paper, if the kids are made to clean it up, is not harming anyone. Same with the parade - a tradition enjoyed by residents of the village for years. There must be too many people with their butts glued to a recliner watching episodes of "COPS" out there - we don't need to live in a police state in a village with such a low crime rate and kids who overall go on to become very productive members of society. The punishment absolutely doesn't fit the crime and only pits kds against the administration and police force when there could be a spirit of cooperation and respect as evidenced by the example Crandon gave above.

We used to live in Shorewood too........and enjoyed Toilet Papering of our trees every fall ! It was so great to see such school spirit. We have all gotten a little too up tight in this political correct world.!!!! If anything.....sure make them clean it up insteAD OF PAYING someone else to do it . Use your heads..pranks DO NOT CALL FOR A BLEMISH ON THEIR RECORDS !!!! THIS IS A PRANK !!!!!!! NOT A CRIME !!!!!!!

Of couse they should be punished and yes, it is fair. They were warned; they are approaching adulthod; and they not only should be fined and held responsible, but should do all of the cleanup so that no tax payer is punished. And daddy, if you think I'm being to hard on your baby, wait until he finds out you're old enough to get waved into adult court. Why not teach your children to be responsible and respectful of public property

This is a perfect example of parents not letting kids take responsibility for their actions. At what point was it EVER unnderstood that this behaviour is acceptable? The students knew the consequences and should accept them. It is part of growing up. Years ago "Drinking & Driving" was commonly acceptable. It doesn't make it right. Parents - teach your kids a learn by letting them take responsibility for their actions.

The guys that were caught should help round up the rest who were involved, they ALL pay the fine, & do community service. They knew the consequences- what, did they think that for one year they couldn't do their mischief, then it was OK again- in that case,they're even dumber than they seem! Oh, if they refuse to give up the rest of those involved, their fines (and/or community service) should double.

To clarify: 1) The vandalism that happened this year, while unacceptable, is the result of the administrative crackdown in recent years. The solution is to lighten up and allow SHS to keep a few of its traditions, not to crack down even harder and piss even more people off, which will only lead to more vandalism. I'm not saying lightening up will 100% eliminate vandalism, but the surest way to minimize it is to have a situation where students actually respect the administration, as was the case several years ago when there were no vandalism problems and plenty of harmless traditions. 2) Students were never clearly warned that toilet papering the campus wouldn't be tolerated, and the administration brought in the outside security force in a very hush-hush kind of way, as though they wanted kids to come on to campus ready to toilet paper without realizing that they were about to be arrested. The administration just wanted to make an example of the students with no concern for if such treatment was fair to the individuals actually caught.

The students planned the prank one day before the start of the campus security. If it is a tradition why the worry of campus security. They deserve the ticket.

Had it been simply TP'ing then a fine is appropiate, but they also damaged property. That is unacceptable and for the parents to say it's unfair, then it's bad parenting.

the students deserve everything they got. period.

If vandalism is a problem, address that. If kids hanging out of cars is a problem at the parade, address that. But to throw out the entire tradition is to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let's be more thoughtful than that in addressing problems. Like all traditions, it holds a lot of meaning to many people, not just the students. For this one day of the year, the community pauses for a moment and is really happy for, and proud of, those seniors.

I think the original punishment was fair. The principal should not have backed down and reduced the suspension to one day. These are young adults and they need to start exercising the judgement of one. Where were their parents the night before school started? Doesn't Shorewood have a curfew? Don't come running to bail out your precious sweetheart now. And to assume that your darling child couldn't have committed the additional vandalism is truly ridiculous. They were there weren't they? When has any type of vandalism ever been acceptable? Shame on you Journal Sentinel for even wasting the ink on these priviledged ingrates.

Can we just say this is stupid all around? The pranks were stupid. No doubt this is much of their appeal. The parents, if any, who facilitated it were stupid. (What kind of a kid wants to play a prank with mommy and daddy helicoptering over them, anyway?) Finally, the gross overreaction seems pretty stupid. If you catch the kids, make them clean it up (ALL of it), and save everyone a lot of time and money--and yes, keep that 'demerit' off the kids' precious permanent record. If parents helped out, by all means ticket them--they are legal adults and obviously should know better. Wouldn't that be a much better lesson in actions and consequences--and in proportionality of response?

As a 20-plus year resident of Shorewood and a parent of a child in the school distict, I am disgusted with the ridiculous overreaction of the SHS Principal and the School District. Evidently they think they are making some sort of strong statement to the student body and the community about how they are "in charge" , but what they've really demonstrated is that they are inept, petty and vindictive to boot. Let's review the facts here. The School Distict has conveniently pulled the statement from its webpage which stated that they had notified students and parents a number of times over the past five years that this conduct would not be allowed. Gee, I wonder if they pulled the statement because it isn't true? Even a school administration as inept in the use of information technology as they are should surely be able to provide documentation - real proof - to back up such claims. Also, SHS Principal Joynt states that students this year should have known this was not permitted because [previous] students were informed of this prior to the beginning of the LAST school year. Gosh, 25% of last year's students have graduated, and 25% of this year's students are new to the school - was this information supposed to have been transmitted telepathically? I hope all the parents and students involved not only contest these citations in court but also bring legal action against the school district if the suspensions are not expunged. At a miminum I hope they request that the School Board take some disciplinary action against the principal and other district administrators for this abusive use of authority.

PLEASE!!! WHY IS THIS EVEN A NEWS STORY OR AN ISSUE???? A man was arrested and charged with multiple counts of homicide in Milwaukee. We are in the biggest recession that most of have ever seen or ever will see again. Unemployment and. crime is on the rise all over. Is there no other news out there? This is an issue that involves the Shorewood School District, the Police, and the students and parents of those involved. I'm sick of hearing about this and seeing it in the paper. Life goes on, deal with it. Oh, and Eileen.....the kids were not charged with a crime. They were issued ordinance citations, just like for not having your dog on a leash. This is completely different than a crime. Please read the story and learn the difference. It's not going to impact their future.

Shorewood??? More like Borewood. Lighten up! Have some harmless fun.

Do they want to stop the toilet papering? Make it a school sponsored event, then no body will want to go.

There's a spot on a college application that asks if you've ever received a ticket? Don't think so.

ALL ONE HAS TO OBSERVE IS THE BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT -B. MCHANN TO SEE THE GENERAL "I AM ABOVE THE LAW "ATTITUDE OF THESE STUDENTS WHO KNEW IT WAS WRONG AND DID IT ANYWAY. IT IS THE NORTH SHORE ATTITUDE IN GENERAL-WE ARE SUPERIOR AND THAT IS THAT.

Ah, but the youths are ENTITLED to engage in vandalism because it's "tradition." The names of these kids and their parents should be published. The money spent to clean these messes up should be appropriated from the budgets of the sports and "drama" clubs that the vandals belong to. When their classmates lack Gatorade and makeup they can influence the perpetrators with "peer pressure."

Come on people, get a life. A parade at 7am, go outside and watch instead of whining about it. Some toilet paper in the trees, looks pretty cool as the sun comes up. The next rain will take care of it. Tradition-yes, a criminal act-no. Crandon and dra summed it up perfectly.

I just can't believe that in this day and age fun is out of season!!! I wonder whether the principal and police men have never TP'd in their younger years????? I'm 79 years young and I can remember the fun my four sons had, joining others in TPing their coaches' or schools' trees. It was an honor to be TP'd - it meant you were thought highly of. C'mon, tell me you can't help laughing about this!! Are you fun to live with? Lighten up. I'm all for the youngsters. Why does clean fun have to be punished? Please, please do not punish these kids nor their parents. Shame on you! Hoping you change your mind. . .

The penalty should fit the crime. But wait...in "75 the boys SHS swim team unloaded a batch of chubs into the BAY pool, the Bay Eagle has been defaced for decades... and so... what the heck is the difference? Shorewood police want an end to a history of nonviolent expression. Maybe that black woman shouldn't have sat in the front of the bus back in '58. Let these kids be kids.

Having the kids clean up the mess or community service would have been sufficient? Although the other actions should not be allowed, TP'ing a tree has been a tradition in Shorewood for years and is harmless--this should not wreck their chances for college. I can't believe Shorewood is spending our money on security firm to monitor whether or not their trees will be TP'd? That is ridiculous! I think we could spend that money in a more worthy cause.

I remember fun pranks at SHS when I attended and they were far more creative than toilet papering, and certainly not destructive or illegal. Ignorance of the law is no excuse--that's a good lesson to learn for the future, kids! And I agree with the poster appalled by the mechanical errors in the posts by recent SHS grads here. I remember when you couldn't graduate unless you passed English I and II and knew your gerunds from your gerundives and your "its" from your "it's." What is going on with the English standards at SHS?

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time NO don't do it. And keep your eye on the sparow. When the going gets narrow.