I was also on this trip with my husband and senior and yes Hartland was well represented there. But most of the resort was from all over Michigan. I think the adult to kid ratio was pretty even so yes we "took over the pool and beach", there were a lot of us. I personally was on the beach and in 1 of 2 pools everyday, that's what I was there for. It saddens me that this was put into print before properly investigated. Let's not blow this out of proportion by one phone call. I could dispute everything that was mentioned in this article. I believe all our rooms faced a back alley so how does he know if things were being thrown from them? It's too bad this gentleman was offened but this is a very large resort and our group was truly a very small part of this entire resort. I would do it all over again, with all the same people. It was a great memorable trip for all of us.

Shame on you Hartland Patch and Ms. Sifferman for not doing your homework more before posting this story! As we all know, there are two side to every story- and this seems pretty one sided! I read the reviews on Trip Advisor and not one refers to a Hartland Student! There were more positive than negative things said about "Michigan" kids. I think those should be noted. Our Seniors were properly supervised and I take great offense to being lumped into this group and feel an apology is in order! Ms. Sifferman stated she's embarrassed of our student's behavior- I'm embarrassed to have our adminstration take the tales of one man and put to press without even speaking to others who were there. It's embarrassing that Ms. Sifferman assumed the worst is true and doesn't have faith in her students. Where is the Respect that she preaches? Not to mention Responsibility and Reason..........our "3 R's" seem to be not represented in more ways than one.

Hi Ms. Smith and Beth,

Thank you for weighing in with your perspective. We've amended the lead to coincide with the rest of the story that the charges of bad behavior were accusations. But we stand by our decision to publish this story and our reporting of what was said. The superintendent raised this issue at a public meeting with the specific intent TO inform the community about it and we reported that. That's our job, and now with your perspective, we know even more about this trip. That's how journalism works sometimes. We plan to follow up now with more questions and report what we find out. We hope you're willing to help us as you have here and offer any thoughts on whatever we report.

SHAME on you Sifferman-- Should be the title of this article. This article is absolutely one of the most distasteful articles I have ever read about Hartland or the students of the community. I am absolutely floored that our Superintendent allowed something of such disgust to be posted online for everyone to see when little investigation was performed. Being a former Hartland graduate, and knowing how important it is to Ms. Sifferman to make Hartland schools the "school of choice" ( A former DECA project she once asked high school marketing students to help with) for any family joining the community. Think about this--- Do you really feel that families will make Hartland their school of choice after reading this article?? Our school district is much better than this-- so it’s time we start acting like it. I understand the journalism part—but seriously—Have some respect for the community and the families of the students who went on this trip… If it’s so important to really know what happened, why weren’t any of the student’s parents contacted to make statements??

Unfortunately, this story could have any high school in Michigan mentioned. I was on a Carnival Cruise where parents from Marysville, MI were purchasing alcohol beverages for their high schoolers and drinking side by side both on the ship and in various ports. The students were visably drunk on several occasions. Talk to other students and parents from Livingston County who went to Mexico and I'm sure the stories will be the same. The issue is the fact that parents disregard the health and safety of young people when they plan these trips to places where the drinking age is 18 or under. That is why students want to go to these places for Spring Break and the parents are unable to say no or do not care and allow the drinking and behavior to happen. I agree that we are all very fortunate that there were no serious tragedies, but I do know there are a lot of things that do happen on these trips that change young people's lives forever. I applaud Hartland for stepping out and discussing this issue.

Sorry But I have to agree w/ all the post above.
I too went to the Ocean Blue & Sand Resort review page to read all the HORRIBLE things being said about our Hartland High School students. Didn't find but 3 or 4 complaining about the Spring Break teenagers and NONE of them mentioning HHS by name.
And I read ALOT if them...even the good reviews just incase there was something negative mentioned in those as well.
Couldn't find one from anyone in Grand Rapids either.
I did however read one that said her son had met a group of MI students that were very polite & fun and that her son had spent the entire time hanging out w/ them. No mention of that one tho??
The only real negative one I came across mentioned an unfortunate encounter w/ a young couple on the stairs. Didn't say they were from HHS...only that they were from MI.
How would this person know they were from MI...let alone HHS??? Didn't sound like they got that deep into a converstaion w/ them.
Am I missing something...Did the Resort delete all the really HORRIBLE reviews from their page????
I'm not sure what Ms. Sifferman is referring to...one phone call from someone in Grand Rapids prompted such shame cast on our students and our community??
After reading her comments and reading the reviews myself.... I feel an apology is in oder.

This is all a joke and so is sifferman for allowing all this negative attention to come on to hartland.

1. I want to know how this so called "grand rapids parent" actually knew these were hartland kids?
apparently these kids either have hartland stamped across their heads or this guy is assuming.

2.How can sifferman base a spring break trip on one persons phone call?
so what she is saying is that any random person can call in and blame something on a hartland student and apparently its a true fact.

There is more I want to say but I truely do not want to waste my time with this situation any more than I already have.

This is absolutly ridiculous. They went out of the country to get away from our community. I don't understand how Sifferman can base all of this off of one phone call from a man making assumptions about a group of students. This man should know that if he is going to take his family to a resort in the middle of high school spring break time, that he should expect partying.. if he doesn't agree with it go somewhere else!

Unfortunately for the parents trying to cover this story up, ANYONE can log into facebook these days and view the photos posted by these Hartland teenagers on their spring break trip. The photos do not lie. Enough Said.

I was there and witnessed first hand what these Michigan students acted like. My three kids were disgusted. I am embarassed for the students and more for the parents who condone the behaviour. They acted like they owned the resort with no regard for anyone else who was staying there. I agree, they are entitiled to have fun in the sun, but this was over the top. This was supposed to be a family resort and vacation for everyone else staying there. Not some episode of "Jersey Shore"
The management of the hotel should be ashamed for booking that many minors in a resort at one time! Note to students: when you spend the day swarming the pool bar, get out to relieve yourselves every once in a while, that would be the proper thing to do...

I've seen a lot of the pictures on Facebook- I didn't see ONE of someone throwing up in a pool, not ONE picture of someone throwing up in a hall way, not a picture of ANYONE throwing trash off of balconies. In several of the pictures at the so called "pool overtaking" you see a few Hartland Kids and tons of other kids. A lot of the pictures have parents in them so as far as supervision parents seemed to be around! Parent Cover up? Are you serious?! People should mind their own business and not judge others or their decisions. These people were out of the Country and no one would be hearing about this if it weren't for some guy on a mission to make people pay for the bad vacation he had. NONE of these kids got in trouble with the resort or security, none got in trouble with the law, no child was removed from any event or location. NONE went to the resort doctor, none to the local hospital, none were missing, no fighting occurred. All of those things happened at other resorts in Punta Cana Florida, and Cancun -these kids from Ocean Blue are taking the fall- such a shame. Way to make a mountain out of a mole hill Sifferman and bring unnecessary negative attention to your district. You should have thought a little longer before speaking to the press.
Did all of you notice the correction that was made by Patch using the words "accusations of bad behavior"? Thanks Patch- but it's a little too late and the damage is done.

Seriously? Relieving themselves in the pool- can't believe that it has come to this! That's your complaint? Hate to see what proof you have and based on some other accusations, if peeing in the pool has to be one of them at least we can laugh at that-what a laugh! Yes, management should be taking the brunt of these complaints- not those students and parents. Thanks for the laugh!

I'll tell you what's disgusting. Our school adminstrators knee jerk reaction and public humiliation of our own students by a total stranger making some very bold accusations. If our school adminstrators would react the same way to facts (not allecgations) presented to them from parents from our own district about inappropriate behavior and actions at the High School , our kids and the community would be better served. Instead, we keep that stuff very quiet. React to the FACTS, after a thorough investigation before making such inappropriate public comments.

Fact: there were 32 students at Ocean Blue, there were 31 parents. The resort holds over 1500 guests. Hartland students were a small handfull of the 1500 guests! Ocean Blue has over 10 bars at the resort two huge pools, wading pool and large hot tub. Fact- several students went on day long excursions each on different days- away from the resort.
Interesting that Sifferman had "no comment" to the story on expulsion issues delt with at the same meeting. Stabbing and bomb threats? " No Comment" ? That expulsion hearing was based on facts. Legal actions are pending with those students. Yet, she is able to speak out at length aganist spring break students with no facts, no proof and no documentation! She needs to worry more about what is going on in and with her students while at school and not what she "hears" goes on in a different country and not a school related activity.

wish Mrs. Sifferman would be more concerned with the low morale of her underappreciated staff and the joke of a principal the hs has than the rambling of one random man who had a bad vacation. No checking of facts, no thought given to the other side of the story -- just jump right to conclusions and cause drama -- very disappointing there was even a mention of it at all. Control what you can control -- YOUR district, YOUR community - not an ignorant Mexican vacation choice made by enabling parents OUTSIDE the school boundaries. No matter what the kids and parents did or didn't do, it's none of your or our business!

I don't agree that Mrs. Sifferman made this a topic at a public meeting. But come on, you have to admit that there was some bad behavior going on (and not just from Hartland or Michigan students). No, not all of the kids participate in it and probably the majority were respectful. You don't have to actually see a picture of a kid throwing up to know it happened. There is a reason that the kids want to travel outside of the US, it is so they can drink legally. There is a reason that an all-inclusive is picked, so they can legally drink a lot. Bottom line is that these kids were not on a school sponsored trip therefore the school district doesn't have much say. But to try and make it sound like all of the students were perfect angels down there is a bit far fetched.

It seems to me that people are blaming Sifferman for something she did not start. I'm sure she did not go to work on Monday thinking that she was going to have to deal with a caller complaining about the way Hartland students acted on springbreak. Just like that guy and his family didn't ever think he would have this sort of issues ruin his vacation. If I put myself in this man's shoes...I'd be upset also. Not many people can afford to go places with their family these days and spending quality time with your family is what I'm sure he wanted. You can blame him all you want, but be real....Hartland students are all about letting it be know that they are from Hartland. They are groomed that way, especially when they are part of a team. Sifferman brought this up to protect your childern and make you aware of what happened. Or would some of the parents prefer that the administration continue to cover up issues and then have problems when it is found out that they weren't addressed. Fortunately, Patch isn't reporting a beating, murder or rape! Instead of bashing her for being forthcoming as to the nature of the call she recieved, maybe taking what she said and using it as a teachable lesson for parents to talk with their kids is in order? She didn't soley say it was HHS students. Amy & Robert(above) are right(correction:In DR), except apparently HHS students are angels now. People who make phone calls & write reviews usually don't just make things up. In my opinion.

Of I have heard of drinking, drug exchanges during school. Am I naive to think while away in places that allow drinking under age 21 that it wouldn't happen with these same kids. No. I agree with Linda Brown. I also agree with others too. Sifferman nor anyone else actually enforces the zero tolerance rules we supposedly have against drugs & alcohol within Hartland schools. I have also heard of people found with drugs & or selling them and they get suspended & are now back in school. Obviously never enforcing the rules Hartland stands by supposedly. Do we need pictures of kids puking in a pool to know the real reason most went to punta cana or any other place that allows underage drinking. First off, this starts at home as a parent why would let your child go on a trip to where underage drinking is allowed?? The guy who reported this I feel bad that his vacation was ruined by children in my/community. And I'm sure others too. I'm not at all surprised parents were allowing it either I hear about this more often than not sadly. Calls from strangers articles on patch it doesn't really matter I had already been hearing & seeing pictures of kids drinking & other things already. :( As many have said at least no one murdered, raped or god help us something else.

I was a guest at the ocean Blue & Sand with my husband april 1-8. I met students from hartland and must say I was shocked by the behavior witnessed. I would have to agree that some students are very lucky there were not more injures. I personally witnessed a young girl being rushed to the medical clinic from the lobby bar around 10:30 pm because she passed-out and was foaming at the mouth. I witnessed a couple having sex on the stairs of my villa leading to the guest rooms. When asked to move along we were told to go "f" ourselfs. The pools,bars,disco,and just about every inch of the place was covered with these druken teens. Went to the mike's coffee to get a drink one night and a young man with a big water bottle half full of red wine started swearing that he was america and americans don't wait in lines. There was about 5 people in front of him. He leaned over the counter trying to pour his wine in the sink and missed and spilled it all over the floor. He and his friends started laughing and walked out. RUDE!!! I went to the market just off out resort to by trinkets for home. They try to barder with you but the teens from michigin were bardering with kisses and pulling down their tops for discount prices. Where are the parents????? Do you need more examples? I have a week's worth. I didn't see many parents with them and the ones I did see (some mothers in a group at the lobby bar) were also intoxicated and running arond like they were 17!

Disgrace!

As I read these comments I cannot help to laugh at the fact that everyone is forgetting who got these students here in the first place. Their parents. I understand that going to a country where one can legally drink would a perfect way to have a good time! However disrupting other guests is completely unacceptable. For all those who commented above doubting the fact that this caller to Sifferman was telling truth I ask you this. Do you really, honestly think that some guy from Grand Rapids would call and make this up? You know what, you guys are probably right! He called and made it all up! Just to be funny!.. Doubtful. I find it also very interesting that it is hard for some to believe that this Grand Rapids parent knew they were from Hartland! Again.. He didn’t make it up!! Did he just guess they were from Hartland? Nope. They could have been wearing a Hartland T-shirt!!! Or overheard a conversation! Simple as that!

My sister and I are students at HHS. I am a senior and she is a sophomore. I did not go on the spring break trip to Punta Cana, but have seen many pictures and heard many stories that back up what Ms. Sifferman is saying. Girls that I am friends with on Facebook posted hundreds of pictures of their vacation. There's no way these students were sober in these pictures, and I know that the drinking age is actually 21 in the Dominican. There were pictures of girls kissing each other, girls licking random guys nipples, pretending to lick a man's butt at the bar, and grinding on random guys in a club. I am embarrassed to be a senior of 2011. I am surprised nobody died from alcohol poisoning and that nobody was kidnapped, because the level of alcohol in their bodies definitely could have prevented them from functioning normally. I was jealous of this group that went to Punta Cana, but now I'm just disgusted with their behavior. As a senior that makes responsible choices and sees these kids on a daily basis, I would like to support everything Ms. Sifferman is saying.

( Continued from above) If this vacationer felt his vacation was disrupted enough to where he had to say something.. What would the resort do if he complained? Nothing. Would he contact the parents? Nope. They were there promoting it! So who should he contact about this? Why not the superintendent of the school they go to? I can bet that he simply wanted to inform her/someone about what happened because he was disgusted with their behavior.
Also to add something, Stating the FACT that the resort has X amount of guests and X amount of pools and X amount of bars only shows that you read the resort homepage? Just because there were only 30 or so students there that were supposedly being inappropriate out of 1500 or so.. It only takes one to set a bad impression, and it takes about 30 to make that same impression 30 times worse.

I just want to say, that this all would have blown over if parents of the kids on this trip did not comment. All you have to do is read and agree or disagree. You know what happened or did not happen and you should not feel the need to justify it to anyone. It was your trip with your daughters or sons. Also do not put everything on facebook. There is no need to be any pictures of the girls or boys drinking because even if they were legal there they are not legal here. Future colleges and jobs do networking through facebook and do check up on you. Honestly, I was a senior a couple years ago at a different school and we did go to Mexico where it was legal for us to drink. Our parents were there and reading the stories nothing like that happened to us. I think taking your child as a senior to place where they are legal to drink is good as long as you are responsible. This is because it is a safe way to expose these seniors, your children, to alcohol before they are on their own in college and make mistakes like these kids obviously did on their vacation. With that said even though you are on vacation you still need to supervise your children.

As a student who went on the trip to Punta Cana, I think this whole article, as well as the comments regarding the issue, is ridiculous. Yes, there was drinking. Yes, there was dancing, and yes, there were a few poor choices made. Regardless though, this trip was planned solely by families and had absolutely nothing to do with the Hartland school district or any other part of administration. What happened on the trip is nobody else's business, aside from the students and parents there. Also, just to clear up any misunderstandings brought about by this whole ordeal, not one person from Hartland 'puked in the pools,' 'threw things off balconies,' or 'tried selling marijuana or cocaine'.. to anyone. It may have been said jokingly, but only because we were warned about the drug problem going on in the little beachfront stores we bartered at. I can understand the whole obnoxious and rude thing the man was talking about, as well as 'taking over the pool,' but that wasn't just Hartland; that was the five or six high schools in Michigan, the high school from Kentucky, the group from Canada, the other teens who were there from various other places around the country, and their families. AND, just to clear it up.. the girl foaming at the mouth was not anyone from this area. Also, she was one of the only teens that had such a major scare over the course of the week - the trip really was not nearly as bad as anyone's saying. Glad you're all concerned, but again, mind your own business.

I have just finished looking over the same reviews from Trip Adviser and I see mention of seniors from Ohio and from Michigan. I did not see where Hartland was mentioned; as a matter of fact not even cities, only states.
I am also a believer in 2 sides to every story. This is where there needs to be investigation into said allegations, especially something like this. I believe that there should have more investigation on EVERYONES part. This is also why I tend not to believe much of the stories I see and read in the bigger news papers.
Because of Janet Sifferman and this article the entire graduating class of 2011 from Hartland High School has been blown a black eye because of not thinking through the options or consequents of this being released to early.
Ever stop to think that someone may have said they were from Hartland because they did not want to start trouble for their own school and knew that Hartland students were staying there, so then blamed Hartland. Blame game happens all the time.

Con't:
Believe me I am not one to say that my children cannot do wrong because we are all human and make errors. And in no way am I excusing what the teens did (or the parents for allowing this to happen)
My mind is not convinced that it was Hartland High School. From what I seen it could have easily been another school. If the man had names then maybe Janet Sifferman should have checked with them before bringing this up in a board meeting, it could have waited until the next meeting.
I by no means am saying that they are innocent I am just saying that the allegations could be wrong. I would like to see a follow up to this article after the investigation is done.
Last of all I would like to say remember your spring break and what you did? Again we are all human and make mistakes.

It's sad to read so many adults justifying children's drinking to such excess. It was my understanding while at the Ocean resort that students from multiple Michigan High schools were partying together. The students ran as a pack, with bravado! My biggest concern (as an adult who thought spring breaks should have been long over and that we would have been spared this) was the safety of these students. They did not ruin my vacation, but they most certainly changed my vacation.

This is stupid. All of these people that are commenting agreeing with sifferman are probably just upset that they didnt get to go on there own spring break. It happens every where. Not just punta cana. Kids in mexico drank? Kids in Florida drank? Its not legal to drink in the states, but yet punta cana kids are the ones getting all of the blame. Even if someone calls and cries about having a bad vacation, doesnt give Sifferman the right to release it to the press. A kid got stabed in Hartland before spring break? Where is the aritcle about that? She must have no comment on that! Ridiculous!

Why does it matter? Everyone was out of the country it was not a school trip it was a bunch of friends on vacation the school board should not get involved for something that went on outside of school, find something else to complain about.

Learn how to drink rookies

Hello everyone,

I just deleted a few posts that violated our terms of use. … http://hartland.patch.com/terms … There's a long list of what we don't allow, but it might boil to three main policies: “Keep it clean,” “Don’t try to trick people,” and “Treat others as you’d like to be treated.”

Obviously, people feel strongly on this issue and we encourage discussion to express your thoughts, but this isn't a forum where anything goes. Also, note you can flag comments you feel inappropriate to help us moderate. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact me at 810-623-1385 or email at christofer.machniak@patch.com.

In light of the inappropriate posts that we had to remove, we’ve decided to close down comments on this story. While we feel the many in community have engaged in a robust discussion about this story, the tone of this specific conversation was going in a direction that we don’t want to see or view as productive.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns — 810-623-1385 or christofer.machniak@patch.com.