School administrators have been struggling with a clear workable game plan to handle the issue of Freak Dancing (also known as grinding, freaking, or dirty dancing.) We have consolidated ideas from a variety of schools and have created what we have determined to be a formula for success. Here is our 5 point F.R.E.A.K strategy.
F) Find common ground with student leaders. Appoint a committee of student leaders and administrators/faculty to serve on a dance committee to discuss the need to provide a fun, high energy dance, and at the same time control dance behavior that is inappropriate at school. It is important that this be an open discussion where everyone has an opportunity to share their ideas and opinions.
R) Rules of conduct for the dance should be clearly spelled out in writing and published in the school paper, so that there is no confusion.
E) Empower your chaperones, both parents and faculty, by giving them clear direction in writing as to the school expectations and how to handle violators. In addition give each of the chaperones some form of identification so that students know who is responsible for enforcing the rules.Your chaperones will also need to be equipped with a small pair of scissors for the next step.
A) Action Steps to enforce the Freak Dance rules. 1. Provide a Tyvek wrist band for everyone who enters the dance putting one on each students right wrist as they enter the dance. 2. When anyone violates the No Freak dance policy….a chaperone, clips off the wrist band as a warning and allows them to remain in the dance. If a person without a wrist band is observed again, violating the rules, they should be asked to leave. 3. If minors without transportation are removed from the dance, there should be a room set aside with an assigned administrator on hand to monitor until the dance is over and the parent or guardian arrive to pick them up.
K) Keep clear and constant reminders during the dance. Instruct the DJ to make announcements every 20 minutes or half hour to remind the students of the dance policy. That announcement should be clear and concise but not threatening or dictatorial. We suggest providing the DJ with a written announcement. Also, visual reminders are important. We have produced an 18X 24 inch “International NO FREAK DANCING” sign that we would suggest be put up at the entrance and at least one or two places in the dance.
Every school has their own unique mix of students with their own set of challenges, so understandably this strategy should serve only as the backbone for your school’s plan. But there should be a clear plan. If you do not have a clear written strategy, there will be confusion and room for misinterpretation by students. School boards, parents and community leaders deserve to know that the issue has been addressed and that your school is proactive in creating good, wholesome social events at school.
Thank you to School Dance Network for a great story Original Story
