A question for teachers and interested student-types.

What do you do when, in a high school assembly, the principal of your school says this:

“I’m well aware that prom is this Saturday. Tickets of course are still on sale. Now, I think I should take a moment to say something important here about prom night. Some of you may decide to get together before the prom. I know that sometimes there are pre-prom events, perhaps dinner. I know too that sometimes there is alcohol at these events. Now, I’m not condoning it, but if you choose to partake and then choose to come to prom, just make sure you’re not conspicuous. Not that I’m condoning it, because I’m not. But, if you do, please be smart and don’t mess up the prom experience for the others who are there.”

Don’t be “conspicuous?” I’m not condoning it, but “be smart?” Is this not a mixed message? When the principal speaks, he appears to be speaking for the rest of the faculty and board as well. Is this really the message that we want to give the kids? It is a message I’ve heard in college, but should this be the message in high school too? As a teacher, how should you respond?

Perplexed.