This will teach them nothing. As a parent, I don't condone the behavior but suspensions are for lazy educators unqualified to handle the situation in a more constructive way. "Oh my goodness" simulating sex acts"??? Like dancing? Go to Prom once...makes the video look G-rated. Time to start looking at salaries and cutting back!

As a parent also what a great way to tell our kids, "hey its not good to have some fun" Lets just suspend kids and make a huge deal out of something which is not worth all this attention. I agree with Cynthia, it should have been handled better.
But as for cutting back? no, just lighten up, and maybe have better supervision?

I think those boys should be made to clean the school, the locker room, etc and in school suspension...I blame the coaches, exactly where were they when this was going on.
Avon Lake is all about who has the most money versus who gets to play. Shame, Shame on the scool board and the coaches. They care way to much about their beloved football team winning (as they should) but student academics and behavior should come first. I am truly suprised that they are being punished at all. What those boys need is better supervision and none of this would have happened in the first place.

Bad judgement-probably filming it was. Suspending the players who simulated sex acts with a garbage can is definetely over-reacting. I understand that athletes are held to a higher standard than non-athletes, but suspending them for acting silly seems like we are tripping them up instead of pointing out their errors. Community service or let the coach handle his players and the problem internally-not letting outsiders and administrators get involved and blow it all out of proportion. One suggested rule, if it's not already one, is that no recording devices or cell phones with cameras should be allowed in a locker room area for obvious reasons.

Lori, why don't you let this go?...You're a much better writer than this. To continuing to stir up embarrassment and BS for these kids and this program is beyond ridiculous.... Is this the best you have to write about? Pathetic...Should I expect to see another article next week? Can't let an opportunity to rub it in the faces of these young kids again go to waste...trying to grow up these days is tough enough, but to continue to be reminded of this is completely UNFAIR!

Boys will be boys. At least they didn't behave like the kids in Steubenville

This situation is ludicrous -- Avon Lake Schools need thinking, professional administrators not the bunch of morons running this system. Last week on national news a Chicago school was shown doing the exact Harlem Shuffle - what's up with AL? The desire to control these kids is overpowering the people we hired to teach. These fools (administrators) were hired to teach NOT punish. Stop this nonsense or lets get these people thrown out of our city's school system.

Dear god lady, it's bad enough the kid's are getting in trouble from the administrators, and it's even worse some bored house wife is telling the whole city about it.

It's micromanaging at its worst....let the coach handle the situation by benching these players....the biggest punishment is not playing.....official suspensions are not called for. I think these videos are pointless, and would be extremely disappointed and upset with my child and punish accordingly, but it's not a job for the school board. It's not like they brought guns or drugs to school.

I am shocked and saddened at all these negative comments. Avon Lake has one of the finest school systems in the nation. The video was made on school property by a group that is representing the schools and community of Avon Lake. The administration and school board have decided on a punishment that they believe is appropriate. They should be backed by the community.

I think the biggest issue is the fact this even became public consumption. Even the finest of kids and systems fall down ever once in a while. If the players needed a suspension so be it. The ridiculousness of this continuing to be a story shows just how they pick their stories and run with them for the sake of filling up a piece of paper...there is no reason this or any High School suspension or misdeed should be written about by some writer, and then copied by the other newspapers around the area looking for something to fill up space. Leave it in the hands of parents.

The public schools are funded by tax dollars and the video was made public. I do not see an issue with our community remaining informed on the outcome. All public officials are in a position of accountabilty for the way they handle our tax dollars... and our children.
I am a drama hater, parent, and community advocate. Thank you for remaining steadfast in promoting awareness of what matters most, Lori.... our children, and strengthening our community.
Follow your heart and instincts. You rock The Patch!!

Kids make these decisions themselves. They can't be watched every minute of everyday.
Things like this happen, kids make bad decisions. Its how are their parents
Handle this is what really matters.
Blaming teachers and coaches is ridiculous!
As far as the punishment goes, its up to the parents to be on board with it and not protest it. If the parents think the punishment is too harsh and they voice their opinion, this does nothing but undermine the schools authority.

It is a shame that an incident like this has gotten so much publicity, including a few lines in the Saturday Plain Dealer. It is because a negative image of 'Avon Lake' was viewed by so many on U Tube, so of course the punishment had to made public.
I just wish that the serious drug problem in Avon Lake, would get as much press. Many things have happened in our city that have never been in the papers.

My children are very young, so I don't know what goes on at the high school. But, what is the drug problem every one keeps mentioning? Maybe I'll send my kids to private schools if we can afford it!

So let me get this straight. The teachers/coaches are inept so we should cut their pay and that will fix the problem? If there is any problem at all its a parent problem. They are in school for 9 months and 6 hours a day. But having fun in a locker room seems pretty normal for high schoolers in my opinion.

Here's a sample of what is related to sportsmanship,

"Sportsmanship codes of conduct are similar around the country. For example, in the California Interscholastic Federation’s Central Coast Section, high school athletes must sign an athlete’s code of conduct to participate in sports. The code states that an athlete must display certain characteristics, including trustworthiness, integrity, honesty, respect for opponents and officials, commitment to his schoolwork and fairness. It also instructs him to avoid disrespectful behavior like profanity, obscene remarks, offensive remarks of a sexual or racial nature, trash talking, taunting and boastful celebrations."

This should be applied not to just on the field, but at anytime you walk in and out of the locker room. This represent the start and the end of practice/game. You represent the school during this time period and should be held to a high standards. These athletes conduct reflects standards placed on them and on this school. I'm appalled at the way this has been addressed and dealt with. It sends a clear message to others that if unruly conduct is done, don't worry, nothing will happen!

I taught in the AL school district for 32 years and one of the most important lessons I tried to teach my students was that actions, choices, and behaviors have consequences.Enough said.