Waldwick March 24, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 This September, random drug tests may be given to students at Waldwick High School. The current proposal is for school officials to randomly select five students per month for the testing, Waldwick High School Principal Kevin Carroll explained. “We are doing this to protect the kids, not to hurt or punish them,” Carroll stressed, adding, “We have great kids.” The principal explained that district officials have been researching the possibility of using random tests in Waldwick, and have spoken with various schools that conduct these tests, including Hasbrouck Heights and River Dell high schools, where Waldwick representatives made on-site visits. Local officials also investigated drug testing programs in Pequannock and at Hunterdon Central. Carroll explained that any student who wants to be a member of a team, club, or band, and any senior who parks a car on campus and/or leaves the campus during lunch would be subject to random testing. He said students could opt out of the testing pool if their club/activity is not in season, and that parents would have the ability to have their students opted in even if they do not participate in extracurricular activities. The principal called the proposed testing program a proactive move that has the potential to help students face peer pressure, since students who do not wish to use drugs would be able to tell peers they do not want to risk being excluded from their extracurricular activities. He said the consequences of testing positive for drugs would not include suspensions. Asked if anyone had opposed the proposal, Carroll said, “Not really. Most parents and kids favor it. This helps kids with peer pressure.” He added, “The coaches are all on board with it.” Carroll said the board plans to make a presentation Random drug testing proposed for September to the community before taking any official action on this proposal. He estimated that a vote could be taken at a May or June meeting following the public presentation. Stormy weather The recent storm caused havoc throughout the area. Fallen trees landed on houses, power lines and in the streets. Flooding also affected many residents. Pictured are some scenes from Waldwick. �������������� ����������������� ������������������� ���� � �������������������� �������������������������������� ������������������ � � ������������������������ ������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� �� �� �� ���� ��������������������������� � ������������������������ ����� ����������������������� � ����������� ��������������������������� ������������������� �������������������� ����������������������������������� �������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������� ������������ ��������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������� ���������� ������������������������ ������ ������������� ����� ������������ ����� ������ ���������������������� ����������������������� ���������� ������� ���������� ������������������� �������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� �������������� ����������������������� ����������������������������� ������������������ �������������� ���������� ����������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������