USS will not be hosting a prom

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite Education Minister Paul Calandra urging three Durham Region high schools to reconsider their decision not to host proms, it appears his plea will not be heeded.

On Monday, Uxbridge Secondary School principal Mellisa Lee was asked if she would overturn her cancellation of the prom. She replied that she had, in fact, never cancelled the prom.

Earlier this month the principals of USS, Brock High School and Brooklin High School sent out a joint letter saying the schools would be “moving away from organizing a formal prom” beginning this year.

"The realities of hosting such a large-scale event have shifted," the letter read. "The growing expectations, liabilities, and risks connected to school-run proms make it increasingly difficult for schools to continue offering them in the way they once were.”

Calandra told the Ontario legislature recently that if the three schools don't reconsider, "the minister of education has to step in to . . . force them to put students first, then I'll do that."

"Let kids be kids, for crying out loud," he added.

But Lee stood by the letter that was sent out. She said the school is willing to help students arrange their own prom if help is needed.