There are many ways of celebrating birthdays. However, not all of them are a good idea. One of the most popular traditions among teenagers are birthday punches.

Some result in laughter. Others in pain and shock. The one who does the action may not see his or her wrongdoings.

During the beginning of September, many heard of the incident that occurred with a few students in the junior class. The issue involved a few students who punched a peer several times for his birthday. He didn’t sustain major injuries, but he did get bruises on both arms.

Four of these students were suspended from school for the rest of that week.

It’s completely unacceptable for students to even stoop to such a low level, especially coming from magnet students at one the best schools in the district.

We’re talking about 16-or 17-year-olds who should be acting like young adults and taking their responsibilities in a mature manner. Some students have their minds set in violence, which to them is a strength when truthfully, is a weakness.

There is a saying, “Words make words.” Nobody wants to put up a fight. it leads to nothing.

As a school, we don’t just care about how high the average test score is on a certain exam or how good we are academically. We care about the safety of the students and ensuring that all of our classmates have a comfortable environment where they can learn and enjoy their school days.

This is the main reason why birthday shout-outs have been banned temporarily, until students prove to administrators they can get their act together.

What administrators have done is to stop all kind of violence and bring awareness to the situation. There is no kind of rough physical contact allowed.

For example, what originally meant to be a friendly hug turned into horseplay as two students caught each other in a chokehold.

It’s not always the students who do the action that are guilty, but also ones who provoke others to commit a fault.

If someone wants to start something with you for any reason, don’t return the action. Go tell an adult.

As a publication, The Pearl Post is here to inform and protect your rights -the readers- about any topic that is prevailing in the school. We’re not just here to try to make ourselves the top newspaper, but to help out with any needs students may have.

We want to make it clear that birthdays are a time to be happy and rejoice.

However, as high schoolers we should understand that common courtesy is to greet and not beat someone, emotionally or physically.

We need to take part in this issue to stop the misconduct, for the safety of every student. One person can make the difference.

Being nice doesn’t kill, it saves lives.