500 students get punished for a food fight that involves 50 kids.

(not actual photo)

Students to pay for massive food fight

Associated Press

CHESTERTON, Ind. - A massive middle school food fight left several students suspended and the eighth-grade class footing the cleaning bill that included the cost of scraping mashed potatoes off the ceiling.

Last week's fight at Chesterton Middle School left ceiling tiles damaged and could cost the students as much as $1,000 to pay for overtime, maintenance and repairs, said Duneland School Corporation Superintendent Dirk Baer.

"It wasn't just one or two kids throwing grapes," Baer said. "There were mashed potatoes sticking to the ceiling."

Security cameras captured the fracas that broke out about halfway through the 25-minute lunch period Wednesday at the school in the town 15 miles east of Gary.

The school suspended between six and 10 students for two or three days for launching the day's menu of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and milk into the air.

As many as 50 students might have been involved. Principal Jim Ton recommended one student be expelled.

Cleaning costs will be taken from the eighth grade's extracurricular activity fund.

Baer said the whole class was punished because many of the grade's 500 students knew about plans for the food fight but failed to alert administrators.

"It was planned and it was widely known that it would happen, but nobody said anything," Baer said. "Everybody has to take responsibility."

photo courtesy images.google.com & story courtesy twincities.com, 02/28/06

James 4:17 - (NLT)

¹⁷Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

TODAY'S VERSE GIVES A DIFFERENT TAKE ON SIN.  WHAT IS IT?

When we think about sin, we usually think about doing something wrong, right?  But James is teaching us (remember he got this from God because the Holy Spirit told him what to write) that sin is also not doing what's right. 

For example, it is a sin to lie, but it is also a sin to know the truth in a situation and not tell it.  It is a sin to steal food, but it is also a sin to have plenty of food and not share it with a neighbor who is in need and hungry.

I'm guessing that those 450 eighth graders who are being punished for that school food fight are saying something like "It's not fair!  We weren't involved!"

That's the point.  They could have got involved by doing the right thing and alerting school officials, but they did not.

God is pleased and glorified when we know what's right and we do it. 

Thank God for His clear, practical Word.  Confess any way in which you are guilty of the sin of knowing the right thing to do, but not doing it.  Thank Jesus for His forgiveness for every kind of sin, because He loved you so much that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of your sins.  Ask Jesus to help you abide in Him moment by moment.

• Memorize today's verse as a reminder to do what's right in every situation.
• Make a written list of some ideas or actions that you know Jesus has been nudging you to do.  For example, you know someone who needs your friendship.  What will you do?  You have an opportunity to volunteer your service.  What will you do?  You know you could restore a relationship.  What will you do?
• Food fights may seem fun at first, but they break school rules and waste food.   Consider getting involved in helping starving people get the food they need.  For example, check out http://www.compassion.com and adopt a needy child.

 

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG.  Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college.  He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.