Update: I just added a poll question on this topic. Vote!
The area around South Milwaukee High School was again transformed into a sea of toilet paper overnight as students prepared for Friday’s Homecoming game.
I have mixed feelings about it.
First of all, I think the school district’s response for the most part worked, and I thank the district for being proactive about the issue this year. Working with students and the police, school officials attempted to keep the TP confined to school property, west of the railroad tracks on the parkway and not north of the street. A drive through the area this morning confirmed that students pretty much stayed within those limits, and I appreciate that.
That said, I know some neighbors still aren’t happy with the mangitude of the TP. And I can’t disagree. It’s a lot. And I noticed rolls of toilet paper on city sidewalks and yards along 15th Avenue south of the school. That can’t happen.
Now, I am all for having fun during Homecoming week, and TP’ing is part of that tradition. I don’t want to be a fuddy-duddy on this issue. I’m only 35 after all, not that far removed from some of these same traditions myself.
However, as alderman, I must speak for constituents who do have issues with this. And I will.
Of course, the real test will be in the cleanup. I am anxious to see what the trees look like a week from now.
Hopefully, they’re green again. Not white.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Early this a.m. when I drove through the Parkway, Ante was out there all by himself cleaning up anything that was on the north side of the street by the bridge. Kudos to Ante for attempting to remedy the situation.
On a different note, some suggested that the tp-ing be kept on school property. For the most part the kids stayed within the parameters given to them.
Happy Homecoming S.M.! GO ROCKETS! Stay safe, have fun and make life time memories!
Good job Ante! Maybe a good recommendation would be to have the homecoming committee (i.e., students) organized a cleanup as a service project.
SM Guy and Lisa: Agreed. And, again, I give Ante and the school district a lot of credit for trying rein this in. What they did pretty much worked. The cleanup, however, now has to be the focus. And I hope it’s done well.
Live right next to the school, kids could do alot worse. And now a days I’m surprised they don’t! There is a chance of rain the next few days!
I came home from work right in the middle of Cudahy HS prepping for their homecoming activities. They had 5 police cars (with officers) blocking Lake Drive so they could move equipment across the road.
One way or another, school activities in all cities will have some costs involved.
I would rather have TP than spray paint. I just wish they would keep it to the West side of the railroad tracks. It seems to be moving further eastbound every year.
I also feel ALL Seniors should be expected to clean it up the next day, as they are the ones who usually instigate it.
I think it was really pretty. Ante is a true treasure to our community and we are very lucky to have him.
I agree the kids could do a lot worse, so let them TP, it is pretty harmless.
When I went to set up concessions in the morning, Ante relayed to me that an elderly couple was walking through the parkway and had expressions of awe and told him how beautiful it looked.
I came back later in the day and saw a man taking pictures with his really nice camera. He and I began talking and he said he was class of ’74 and he had wished that they had such a cool tradition.
Having a daughter that graduated last year, I much prefer the kids doing the TP in the controlled fashion that they did this year. Last year they were sneaking around and I heard being chased by school officials and police. I much prefer the non-sneaking around approach.
Kudos School District of SM for your pro-active thinking. Keep the TP.