From: Erica Harris, Monroe County Parent
As a parent and resident of Monroe County, I am compelled to speak out against Stroudsburg High School’s current disciplinary policies—particularly the decision to bar students from attending prom due to minor infractions such as being late to class or forgetting their student ID.
My son, Bryce Harris, began attending Stroudsburg High in January 2024. He has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and, like many students facing life’s challenges, he has worked hard to adjust to his new environment. Yet rather than being met with understanding or support, he has faced escalating disciplinary measures for transitional missteps that are not reflective of his character or effort. Now, like many others, he is being denied the opportunity to attend prom—an experience many students dream of their entire childhood.
This isn’t about one child or one dance. This is about a broader pattern that rewards conformity over compassion, and seems more invested in control than in cultivating growth. When minor mistakes are treated with severe consequences and celebratory milestones are withheld, we send a dangerous message: "Unless you are perfect, you are not worthy of recognition."
Bryce is not a student without direction or care. He is navigating far more than most adults do in a lifetime, including personal tragedy and trauma. His resilience should be uplifted—not reduced to a tally of write-ups. When we equate lateness or a forgotten ID with moral failure, we fail not only the student but the principles of equity and empathy.
I have no issue with accountability. I believe in rules, and I teach my son to respect them. But discipline should be rooted in purpose, not punishment. When a detention turns into a prom ban, it ceases to be about guidance and becomes about control. And when that control seems to disproportionately impact students who are new, who learn differently, or who don’t fit the preferred mold—it raises hard questions about fairness and bias.
Stroudsburg High School must ask itself: are we truly serving our students, or are we sorting them into categories of “worthy” and “not worthy”? Some students are nurtured, while others are policed. And whether intentional or not, a pattern is emerging—one that too often leaves behind those who already carry the heaviest burdens.
This statement is not a plea for an exception. It’s a call for reflection. A reminder that school is supposed to be a place of growth, not exclusion. A place where all students—especially those navigating unique challenges—are seen, supported, and included.
Prom is more than a party. It’s a milestone. A symbol of perseverance and transition. Denying that over minor policy violations is not discipline—it’s erasure.
I share this as a mother, an advocate, and a professional who has spent nearly three decades in the entertainment communications field. I understand the power of a story—and the responsibility of ensuring voices like my son’s are heard.
I urge school leadership and the community to reconsider how policies are enforced, and to ensure that no child is ever made to feel invisible for being imperfect. Because every child deserves the chance to be celebrated—not just the ones who fit the mold.