Suspended Cascade students allowed to return Thursday - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Eyewitness News has learned that suspended Cascade High School students will be allowed to return to school on Thursday.

School officials say the six students who were suspended after being identified as responsible for an end-of-year prank will be instrumental in "a healing process" in the school.

However, some parents told us they're not satisfied with any purported agreement, and want to attend an upcoming meeting at the school to resume an effort to have the suspensions removed from their child's record.

This is a statement issued Wednesday evening by Superintendent Patrick Spray, Mill Creek Community School Corporation:

This afternoon, I had the pleasure to meet with several parents and students regarding the recent disruptions within our school community. With the help of six students who were initially suspended, the healing process in the Mill Creek Community has begun. These students have developed plans to bring the student body together in order to refocus their energies on academics and providing a positive climate for learning.

These students will begin their work when they return to school tomorrow, May 17, 2012.

Students who were suspended today for participating in a school disturbance may return to school tomorrow as well in an alternative to suspension program beginning at 7:35 (regular starting time) in the performing arts center at Cascade High School. At that time, the original six students will meet with them along with the school administrators.

We appreciate the cooperation that has taken place today and the understanding that there must be communication in the school environment and everybody takes a part in that responsibility.

EARLIER STORY:

The start of the school day Wednesday ended quickly for over 50 Cascade High School students in Hendricks County.

The students held a sit-in in the school gym over the discipline handed down after a senior prank. Five seniors used 10,000 Post-It notes to make artistic arrangements all over the school.

Suspended Senior Anthony Canaday said, "Ninety percent of the sticky notes were all removed and we were brought down to the office one by one, picked out and all suspended."

Canaday is one of the first students who got suspended for the prank. He admitted they posted the notes in secret after school. The district used the school's surveillance video to identify the students.

Cameras also recorded suspended student Justine Weatherman. Channel 13 learned that Justine's mother, Mills Creek School Corporation board member Margaret Weatherman, may have played role in the students getting access inside the school Monday night.

"She said, 'Here is my key. This is an easy prank. There is no vandalism involved. It's kind of cute, it's creative, have fun with it,'" said Canaday.

But by Wednesday the fun turned into even more suspensions. The principal gave students protesting their classmates' punishment the option of going to class or suspension themselves. That led to dozens more students joining the demonstration across the street from the school.

Although some parents joined their children for the protest, other parents called the students' actions immature.

Concerned parent Lori Walton said, "A few kids got into the school unauthorized and did something. There are consequences."

Walton believes the principal is doing the right thing by holding the students responsible for their actions. However, Parent Carla Henderson said, "For them to be suspended and a custodian fired over a sticky note is purely ridiculous."

The students continued their protest throughout the school day as other students walked out of the building following their suspensions and refusal to return to class.

"We are working with administrators and parents and with my board," said School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Spray. "We are simply just trying to continue to get the facts."

He told Eyewitness News Tuesday that the suspensions stemmed from the students entering the school without permission and the potential liability that caused, although no one was hurt and no damage was done.

An emergency school board meeting was scheduled for Wednesday night but it was later called off.

Meantime, Canaday says the Cascade High Class of 2012's valedictorian decided not to participate in the demonstration. He and other students have also organized a Facebook campaign to drum up support.

Original story