Exeter HIGH.
Before choosing which high school a parent should send their child to, many factors come into account. The education program is always the most important, followed by convenience of location, and then extra curricular activities. As if this wasn’t stressful enough, adults now have to worry about their children being exposed to drugs at an early age. Stories of children drinking and smoking are being talked about throughout the nation. Exeter High School in New Hampshire, however, has topped any story most parents have heard. A few students decided to take ecstasy pills at a school dance. Now parents have to consider circumstances similar to this before sending their children to school. They question whether or not their children will be in this position, and if they want to take this chance. Pattey Gardner, a mother of a former Exeter High School, was interviewed and gave her opinion on how she feels about the situation. She has a daughter who is currently in 8th grade and will have to make a decision on which school she will send her to.
Q: Multiple rumors have gone around about Exeter High School students experimenting with drugs on school grounds. What is your opinion on this?
A: My first daughter who is now in college actually went to Exeter High School. She graduated in 2012 and we had no problem. Now, there’s all this talk about the use of drugs by minors and I just don’t know what has gotten into these kids.
Q: What would you say is the cause of the increase of students using drugs?
A: I blame the parents. There is no way a parent who is actively involved in their child’s life would not know their kid was using drugs. And if they do know they should get their kid help, not send them to school and have them corrupt their friends.
Q: Do you think the school should be held accountable for the use of drugs?
A: Not until I heard about the incident at one of their school dances.
Q: What exactly happened?
A: Well not too long ago they had a school dance. But at this one a bunch of girls decided to take ecstasy tablets with their boyfriends. Apparently they were peer pressured into doing it, but at that age they should be able to say “no” and stand up for themselves. If their boyfriends are forcing them to do something they don’t want to do, then they shouldn’t be together.
Q: You said that this happened at a school dance, so where would they be able to do this without getting caught?
A: I don’t know, maybe in the bathroom. There supposedly are chaperones supervising the event. I’m not sure how a bunch of students would be able to get away with that. They should get their bags checked in the beginning and a closer eye should have been kept on the kids.
Q: Were the students caught at all?
A: Oh , they were caught all right. Not because someone saw them or another student told a teacher, or something. I almost wish that is what happened, it would have been much better that way. Instead, one of the girls was in the lobby area and had a seizure. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but I know the girl is ok.
Q: That’s terrible! Did the kids end up getting in trouble?
A: From what I heard, and this is just word of mouth I am not exactly sure, but it sounds like all they got was a slap on the wrist. I think they weren’t allowed to play varsity soccer and lacrosse, but were still allowed to come back.
Q: What’s your opinion on this? Do you feel like that’s fair?
A: Absolutely not! I understand kids make mistakes, but what kind of message is this sending? It’s almost like telling the kids that it is okay to do drugs because they won’t get in trouble. The kids should of went to some treatment center and not been able to come back to school. I’m sure those girls don’t even care about the situation and feel powerful because they didn’t get in trouble.
Q: I understand you have another daughter. How old is she?
A: Yes Rachael is 14 and in 8th grade.
Q: So summer is quickly approaching and she will be going to high school next year. Have you given any thought as to where you will be sending her?
A: I’ve talked about it with her father many times and we still haven’t decided. My first daughter, Alexandra, had no problem at that high school. She loved it actually, and it had made her who she is today. But when she went there, we didn’t have to worry about any drug issues. Sure you have the kids who smoke pot and drink, but ecstasy? I don’t want my child exposed to that. I don’t want her thinking it is okay to do drugs because you won’t get in trouble.
Q: Has Rachael ever said she wanted to go to this high school?
A: Of course, her older sister went there and so do all her friends. If she goes to another high school, she will have to make all new friends and she’ll be the new kid.
Q: Would you ever consider letting her go to Exeter?
A: There’s pros and cons to every school we considered. I just don’t know if Exeter can live up to our expectations anymore.