In regards to this article, you have no place to say a comment about the class of 2012. Unless you have watched these students grow for the last 4 years your input has no reflection of this class. Senior Pranks have no attack against any other student no matter who they are, what their beliefs are, or where they come from. You are judging the class of 2012 like the examples you gave in the article. Not every class is like the on you mentioned. This is the 21st century and you how ever do not know the class of 2012 so you have no say or judgement as to who they are as a class. Your article once again was not needed.

I did not attack anyone.I judge no one. I just suggested that students stay home that day

Another pointless article that accomplishes nothing. I'm going to be so distraught when no underclassmen show up on senior prank day!

So, you're saying that you're unintelligent and imprudent. You've not only proven this through your terrible grammar, but also through your lack of a link between your references to historical figures and today's senior pranks. Even if Romney pulled a prank, or Ravi is no longer accepted to prestigious colleges, that doesn't justify having all underclassmen stay home from school on senior prank day. The odds are that most underclassmen will remain unaffected by all of the pranks, as most of them are witty and harmless. Pranks, for the most part, aren't aimed at underclassmen, and therefore, underclassmen classes will continue as they normally would.
"I judge no one." - You do judge every senior class each year, otherwise you would not be publishing meaningless articles about what "could", but almost never does, happen. Whatever your unfulfilled personal vendetta against the Barrington School system is, please leave it out of the senior classes.
In conclusion, as you have little insight on what actually occurs in Barrington High School, and have, in the past, written false statements about their circumstances, parents shouldn't take your irresponsible advice to skip school on a day that, most times, does not affect underclassmen beyond a fun and light day to see the senior class off.

Joel,
First off, as a student of Barrington High, and a proud member of the class of 2012, I must say that I'm disturbed by the comparisons you decided to include in your article. Your claims of neutrality are unjust, as you fabricated a parallel between historical acts of homophobia to the future actions of the senior class in an effort to demonize my fellow classmates. Before you claim innocence again, perhaps you should realize that publishing such libel against me and my fellow classmates is an injustice in itself.

Joel, your understanding of Barrington High School students is warped. To suggest that the class of 2012 is capable doing anything even remotely as cruel as the two scenarios you described above demonstrates how disconnected you are with today's students. If you want to pass your misconstrued image of BHS seniors onto parents, fine. Nobody can stop you. But please at least make an effort to get your information right. The class of 2012 is a genuinely intelligent, kind, and understanding group of students, and when Friday rolls around, you will look like a fool for warning parents to keep their kids home.

As a member of the class of 2012, I have been to school 3 times on previous senior skip days. And because it is a Friday, it is usually when we have a test, or something of educational purpose. For you to say that there is very little education going on during senior skip day is completely false and you are therefore encouraging students to skip school. This is based on pure guess that ALL underclassmen do not have something going on that day.

"Any smart, prudent person would leave it alone and never talk about it again."

....So why are we here? Are you saying you're not a smart, prudent person? Also you have used two very poor examples of "pranks." Your examples are not pranks whatsoever and are hate crimes. If you do not know what your talking about you really just should not say it because it is very apparent you do not know a single thing that happens inside the school.

If you think kids are going to cut students' hair off or personally harm others, you clearly need a reality check. Maybe you should go back to highschool.. That way you will learn when to use the words "then" and "than" correctly.

I think what Joel said was that the Romney incident was not view at that time as it is now. The point being that what seems innocent and fun now may not appear that way later in life; it could be a regrettable incident. The Rutgers incident, because of the horrific outcome, now is viewed differently than if the death had not followed so closely to the incident. That night, how many student at that fine university viewed the video and did nothing, or worse, thought it was entertaining?
Obviously, Nothing anyone says is going to stop the seniors. Clearly what they are doing is wrong, even if they feel it is harmless. [and, can you guarantee that every particpant will not do something inappropriate? (case in point the tennis court incident). ]I just wonder why the angst toward Joel? I think his facts aptly described the activities of the seniors, and, he gave his opinion of them. Where is the grave harm? Are the students so thin-skinned that they can't bare criticism?

Joel, I'm glad you directed this to the parents, as I am a parent of a senior. I have to disagree with your comment that their will be no education happening tomorrow. My son has a test, a final exam, a 20 minute presentation and a paper due tomorrow. I realize that this is a personal opinion blog, but you shouldn't present things as facts when they are not.

Joel, while I think your examples may be a little extreme, I do agree with your premise that some thought is warranted about the outcome of a prank before it's pulled. And certainly, acceptable behaviors then and now do change. If a student wouldn't want it coming back to haunt them in 20 years, then they shouldn't do it. Unfortunately, biology has it that this type of critical thinking is just developing in teens and doesn't fully form until the mid-twenties. We adults all know how dumb we were in our teenage years - everyone has a story. I, for one, at 18, rode belly-down on the top of a moving car, fell off, cracked my head, and had a tremendous concussion - real smart. So, unfortunately, many seniors may not be able to see past the immediate "permission to prank" to the prank's potential harm. So I would offer this tip to seniors: limit your pranks to ones that do not involve other people, animals, dangerous or unhealthy situations, or property damage. Flamingos on the front yard? That's okay. Smelly sneakers in the ventilation system? That's okay. Pigs, excrement, bullying, intimidation, etc? NOT OKAY.

As a member of the class of 2012 and a strong supporter or gay rights, I have no idea where you were going with this article. Bringing up brutal attacks and suicides associated with harmless senior pranks (which you have no idea about) is absolutely ridiculous. I think it's disgusting that you are stereotyping the senior class as destructive delinquents and, most inportantly, homophobic. I have rarely seen any hatred towards the gay community at this school, and cannot see why you are linking this to our senior pranks. I know no one in our class that would deliberately target pranks towards the LGBT community, and the fact that you are implying that our pranks could make someone commit suicide - that is completely disrespectful and outrageous. I am personally offended that you would think that the class of 2012 (which you do not know personally) would target such groups with our pranks. I would truly appreciate it of you left our class alone. Our last day is there to enjoy each other's company and celebrate as a class, not to terrorize underclassmen and members of the LGBT community. Please learn more about our class as a whole before you judge us next time.

Joel i personlly know you and you couldnt be more wrong, its different class from when your daughter graduated.

by the way, im dragging her into it becasue im doing the same thign you did, dragging incorrect irrelevent information into this conversation

Come on Class of 2012 – you are capable of intelligent responses to Mr. Hellmann’s critique.

If he’s wrong, tell us why he’s wrong.

Please don’t go down the wrong path on this just because someone expressed an opinion you don’t think is correct.

Best Wishes to all!
May each of you have great success.
May you remember the good times.

So what are you planning for the prank? Our little secret... I promise!

Just think …you could be the first class to flash mob Tap In with canned goods.
Flash mob act of kindness. In an orderly fashion, of course.

Choreograph it.

Good music.

Kids with canned goods.

Videotape it and post it on YouTube.

Barrington High Class of 2012 Canned Goods Go Viral!

Very 2012.
;-)

Trust in the fact that we have evolved beyond the point where the arguments made in the article are relevant. I trust this class and this generation of people to know what is correct and appropriot. Oppression breeds hate and encourages narrow minded ways of thinking which no longer belong in this time. The point of this article is nullified because if it's archaic arguments. The opinions stated in the article are so inconsequential that they are hardly woth getting mad about. Let the angry closed off people wallow in the past where their ideas belong. We know our class transcends these ideas and is the beginning of a new generation. The past's inadequacies have no place in the lives of those who make the future.

Thank you, Prime directive.

"The past's inadequacies have no place in the lives of those who make the future."

That is one GREAT sentence!

It's offensive that you think the class of 2012 would harm any students just because they were seen as different. That is not the case at all, and I suggest that you stop assuming things you clearly know nothing about. If there is ever any pranks done which are considered destructive they are definitely not agreed upon by the whole class, and only a small group of kids who decides they want to be disrespectful end up going through with them. No students will be hurt on senior prank day, that's not the point at all. One day of harmless fun for the senior class on the last day of high school really shouldn't be a concern of the entire community unless you have kids attending the high school at the time. The class of 2012 is doing nothing wrong and I suggest you stay out of it because you've made it pretty clear you think it should be monitored more closely in addition to the fact that you do not approve of the high school administration- you're not helping anyone by writing these articles. If you really think you can control and fix the problem, then become part of the administration. Otherwise it has nothing to do with you.

According to your article, Mr. Hellmann, you've generalized the entire senior class.
Not only that, but you made slanderous insults towards many innocent people.
Unless such a thing is your desire
Such a thing only causes anger, and it makes you look like an ass.

Part One: I have always said that I would never respond to one of these articles, but I will not go on and allow for people to be saying crap about the man I have come to call my father. Even more than that, I won't allow people like AWenjyionhioe to drag me into this. You do not know me or the progress that I have made in my life. You are not aware of all the events that have happened. I cannot speak for everyone, but to criticize me for my misfortunes only speaks to your own arrogance and stupidity. Many of you students of the class of 2012 are making claims about how your class is different from any other class in that you wouldn’t dare make remarks that would hurt or offend anyone. Well then, why are you making horrible remarks about me or my father?

Part Two: If you think you are going to pull the “he started it card” all I would have to say is, what are you a five year old? This is not a contest of who is smarter than the other, or who can say the rudest comments, this is about an opinion that comments on history itself. After all, my class and numerous classes before us did things that we are ashamed of and THAT is what my father was commenting on. It is not about putting down the class of 2012, it is about opening people eyes to reality. For too many years students have been getting away with vandalism, destruction of property, hate crimes, etc. and its high time people are made to pay for their actions. When you’re older and forced to be “an adult” there is no such thing as a “time off” from the “real life.” When you spray paint schools or write hurtful messages on people’s cars or tennis courts, or let poor animals lose in buildings, you get sent to jail. So to the class of 2012, think before you act, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Part Three: Next I would like to say to those who addressed my father's grammar, who are you to judge. Aside from the fact that that comment is completely idiotic, who the heck cares if his spelling is wrong, the message is the same. Spelling does not equate to intelligence and you are a fool if you think so. Yes, “smart” people know how to spell and to speak, but at the end of the day is it the words that are spoken that matter or the manner in which they are written? Will you downsize our presidents or other famous people for being unable to spell correctly or use grammar? Perhaps my opinion is bias, but considering my father’s article based on pure content alone (which I'm sure you as BHS students should be able to do by your senior year what with how many papers you are forced to write), you must realize the grains of truth to this argument.

Part Four: It is true that perhaps the Class of 2012 will not go to the extremes that my class or years before went to. In fact, I find it unfair that those assumptions were made...HOWEVER, stating that my father does not know your class is COMPLETELY false. In fact, he has taught numerous students from your class in theater and I am currently dating a member of your class to which he spends EVERY day with. Yes, he (like EVERY parent) may not know the ins and outs of your class, but he has a way better understanding than many other parents in my opinion. As my final statement know I would like to say this, say what you want about the arguments my father may make. Call them invalid or stupid, but NEVER belittle him or myself. My father has done more good for foster children and Barrington kids with his theater program than many will do in their entire lives.

I would like to repeat that questioning people is not harassment, but rather discourse. It is only wrong if it's done in a way that brings people who have not consented into the conversation.

Sara, it is wrong for people to bring you up in this conversation. But it is probably okay for them to address the arguments your father has brought up.

Your right Sarah. My wording in that was incorrect. I have no problem with discourse over a topic that someone has said or written about, but when you judge their character or bring people into a conversation (as you pointed out) that are not at ALL linked to the argument being made, THAT is harassment. I know how important the last day is for any senior, I've been there. It's the end to a longggg road that will bring them into some of the best years of their lives and award them with the independence that they so desire. I hope people find happiness in their last day instead of dwelling on this article.

The idea of senior "pranks" (I put that in quotations, considering few of them are pranks at all) are completely immature and disrespectful towards the high school, most importantly its janitorial staff. In fact, most have left me utterly disgusted, but they are inevitable. I don't see the necessity in making assumptions about the class of 2012 and their plans for tomorrow, or to tell my parents to take me out of school. Three days before exams? Get real. As an underclassman who has experienced senior prank day twice already and undoubtedly will tomorrow, I have never once felt targeted by or unsafe because of a senior prank. Sure, sometimes they were inconvenient, but god forbid I have to clean Vaseline off my locker or cut a ziptie. And maybe there are pranks I do not agree with, or wouldn't do myself. But I KNOW that it is not the seniors' goal to target me personally, risk my safety, or disrupt my time in class. They have my and my peers' best interest in mind. I'm going to school tomorrow because, speaking from experience, stuff does and will get done.

I can't run the risk of missing class time because of Mr. Hellmann's predictions. We know from experience that Senior Prank Day is a sore topic. But it's going to happen and it should  just be left alone. I don't plan to participate in any prank that involves vandalism, animal cruelty, or risks my chances of walking at graduation when my day comes next year. And I hope that the majority of my class won't either. I know that individuals in the class of 2012 have made the same choice as I have. The select few are the stupid, and they are the ones who should be criticized. Nobody has the right to generalize the entire senior class, nor my class, nor any past or future graduating class solely based on the choices that a certain person or group makes. People are stupid, they act impulsively, and they don't think carefully about their decisions. But who are we to try and control it, and what good does keeping underclassman away do?

This is honestly ridiculous. The assumption that because there are pranks that exist in the world that have been terrible and dangerous, all pranks are terrible and dangerous is a laughable logical fallacy. I don’t know if it’s possible to communicate it to you at this point Joel, but there IS such a thing as a harmless prank. Being very well acquainted with the group of brilliant, conscientious and mature individuals who comprise the class of 2012, I am familiar with some of what they are planning on senior prank day, and much of it is in fact a celebration of the teachers. They are very much on the same page with the administration, and are continuing on the tradition of hosting a cleanup committee after the day’s events. In short, these are incredible kids who have worked hard and given a lot and deserve to have one day of fun and team spirit to culminate their four years of high school.

However, I have to concede that frankly I’m done addressing you. You clearly just want to stir the pot and get some attention, since I am sure you are intelligent enough to realize that the citizens of Barrington are smart enough to realize what a poor argument you have and continue to make. I’m addressing the class of 2012 now, and future classes of the amazing high school at which I was fortunate enough to obtain an education. 2012, I am so proud of you guys. I’m lucky enough to know many of you personally, and I want to thank you for maintaining the intelligence, spirit and integrity that proves all of Joel’s arguments wrong. I hope you enjoy your day because you truly deserve to, no matter what anyone else says. And to this class and future classes: so what if Joel posts the same moronic argument every year on Patch? I personally hope he does, because I know that with every ill-informed comment, he brings senior classes past, prior and future together in defense of our school and our community. In an intelligent debate, I would bet on any one of you against Joel any day. I hope you all continue to use these ridiculous posts as an opportunity to come closer as a class by defending the BHS community, and thank you all sincerely for being people so very worth defending.

Joel, I am sick and tired of reading your useless, hatred filled stories about Barrington kids, more particularly my graduating class (2011) and now 2012. There are some well known facts about these two classes as-well; one of them being the fact that your daughter and ALL of her friends graduated in 2011; with your previous article you did nothing but point fingers at them and tell them how awful they were. Now, in 2012, your pointing fingers at numerous kids you have taught in your little theater program; how does this make them feel about you? Just like Libbi Gildea said, stop stirring the pot. As much as you like getting the "spotlight" on stage, its not shining on you, nor does anyone care about you. We are ending the school year, a time that is both happy and sad for the 2012 graduating class. How dare you insult anyone (even if they do pull a prank-- which is completely normal since every high school in the country has pranks), why does it matter to you? Most pranks are so harmless. Please, tell me what do these silly, harmless pranks do to you? Nothing right? So why waste your time and write an article about it? Your opening statement proves the point; " I wrote about the "senior pranks" and people went after me, my family, even people I just knew. It was, as I call it, a cyber-crucifixion. Any smart, prudent person would leave it alone and never talk about it again". You sir, just called your self a moron. Congratulations. Earn som respect for your nearby civilians

Well i call that we all stop arguing about the inevitable and all have a piece of cake! :D

Right on Joel! That spiel was even more fatuously articulated than last year's! What do you have in store for next year, I wonder? I reckon I'll have to STAYYYY TUUUUNED!!!

I'm a Junior at BHS right now, and I cannot begin to describe the amount of work I have right before exams. Also, I thoroughly enjoy senior prank day; the worst that has happened to me was that there was vaseline on my locker, and I actually found it hilarious. You should know that the senior class DOES clean the majority of the pranks up at the end of the day and even enlists underclassmen to help out if they so choose. I don't like animals being used as pranks, but there will always be those one or two kids who have a complete disregard for the rules. It is unfair to generalize the entire class (and although I'm sure the author does in fact know many students, I can guarantee that I have walked with these wonderful girls and boys for three years and know the majority of them and their values).I have never felt "victimized" by a prank during the three years that I've been in this school, and the pranks are mainly harmless! It is sad to think that Barrington's students have so many labels placed on them, and our reputation is slowly depreciating. I have moved from many different areas around the country and never have I seen a more welcoming atmosphere to the LGBTQ community and any other groups that were once targeted. Never have I seen a student humiliated or personally attacked during senior prank day. I had no idea vaseline on lockers and some water personally attacked people for being who they were! I implore you to stop tarnishing the name of BHS. See you tomorrow!

The High School is for sale! Bids start at $0.99 .... & 4 pigs. Now THAT'S funny!

Well, that was an extremely successful prank day if I do say so myself. I thought we did an amazing job. And seeing that we did not vandalize, didn't break anything, and all the pranks were harmless I please ask that you write a new article praising the class of 2012 for having a day filled with fun and clever ideas.