PORT ANGELES — About 20 Port Angeles High School students staged a sit-in Thursday morning at the school’s flagpole, protesting school policies they said infringe on their rights of self-expression, such as limiting the ways students can dance at school dances.
A new set of rules for what kind of dancing is allowed at school-sponsored dances, beginning with Saturday’s homecoming dance, triggered the protest.
The new rule says: “No back to front dancing. Couples must dance face to face and leave some space.”
“This back to front dancing has at times led to situations where students were ‘grinding,’” said a letter sent home to parents.
A separate, older rule specifically forbids “grinding” and “freak dancing,” two forms of dance that include back-to-front dancing.
Too far
Students said the new dance rule goes too far in forbidding modern dance styles.
“Dancing is a freedom of expression. We can’t even do the conga line,” said Salina McMaster, a 16-year-old junior who took part in the protest with the permission of her mother.
“I support my daughter in protesting the new dance rule,” said Salina’s mother, Andrea McMaster.
Earlier in the week, a group of students and parents made several attempts to organize an alternative dance not associated with the school, Andrea McMaster said, but as of Thursday morning, it was apparent there would be no “anti-homecoming.”
Won’t attend dance
Andrea McMaster said none of her three students at the school will attend the official homecoming dance, in protest of the school’s policies.
“This whole thing is crazy,” she said.
School Principal Garry Cameron declined to comment on the students’ concerns and released an official statement before escorting a Peninsula Daily News reporter off campus.
“We, as a staff, encourage all Port Angeles High School students to attend our school-sponsored dances,” the statement said.
“To provide a safe and fun environment for all students, we will strictly enforce a dance code of ‘face to face and leave some space’ at all PAHS dances,” it continued.
“The safety and enjoyment of all students is paramount during school activities.”
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
