Over the next few weeks, school districts throughout Long Island will be celebrating Homecoming. The annual event is a tribute to the educational community that has such a stake in the rearing of our children and the identity of the towns in which we live.

Homecoming is filled with fun, fanfare and football. Everyone enjoys music, pride and camaraderie and many alumni return home to attend these events. Many people spend a lot of time and energy to make sure Homecoming is an event that is safe and that everyone can enjoy.

Unfortunately, year after year, there are incidents in which young people take license to act irresponsibly. In some cases, fights break out or there are incidents of vandalism, all of which take away from the weekend and the community that is hosting it.

Our schools, to their credit, are keenly aware of these problems and always provide additional security, holding lawbreakers accountable.

We would ask parents to have a discussion with their children and to remind them that they should act responsibly. Homecoming is not an excuse to drink alcohol, destroy property or otherwise disrupt the opportunity of others to have a good time.