Rallies are no place for parents

Deirdre Newman

The burgeoning student population at Newport Harbor High School

has squeezed the parents out of school pep rallies.

Starting Friday, parents will no longer be admitted to the

enthusiastic demonstrations of school spirit because of space

limitations, Principal Michael Vossen said.

The school’s population has exploded to 2,380 students while the

gym comfortably seats about 700 maximum, Vossen said. So the

administration has already decided to split the rallies into two

performances to accommodate all the students.

Some parents whose children participate in team sports say they

are disappointed that they will be prohibited from seeing them bask

in the glory of recognition.

“I was really disappointed when I heard,” said Allyson McDonald,

whose son Michael is quarterback of the football team. “I think they

should let those football and cheerleading parents attend the

grade-appropriate pep rally. There can’t be that many of us.”

McDonald added that she heard some parents are considering

sneaking into Friday’s rallies.

Vossen said overcrowding at the rallies became an issue last year.

“There were a lot of complaints at the last couple of rallies

about the size,” Vossen said. “We had standing room only with

students. We’re really concerned about the exits and the safety.”

The school does not have a policy that enables parents to come to

rallies -- it had just become more of a traditional practice, Vossen

said.

To accommodate parents who feel like they are missing out, the

school will be videotaping the rallies, Vossen said.

Vossen said he expects the school will one day have a new gym that

could accommodate the entire student body, with the school’s Measure

A facilities improvements to begin construction next summer.