At least two high schools have moved their proms out of downtown this weekend and a third has postponed its prom because of safety concerns over last week's riots.

        Oak Hills and Elder high schools canceled their proms at Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Elder moved its prom to the Kolping Center in Mount Healthy on Friday, while Oak Hills will hold its prom at the school Saturday.

        A third, unidentified school postponed its prom Saturday at the Westin Hotel, 21 E. Fifth St. Jenna Smith, director of sales and marketing, declined to name the school, but said school officials thought the prom was too soon after the riots. The school is working with the hotel to reschedule.

        Oak Hills and Elder moved their proms after receiving calls from worried parents. Although the streets are calm, parents are concerned that violence could erupt again.

        “They're just real unsure of what things might be like this weekend,” said David Vannasdall, Oak Hills High School principal.

        “Our students aren't familiar with downtown to begin with. A lot of them are new drivers. They wanted their kids to go and have a good time. They didn't want to have to sit in fear all night.”

        Mr. Vannasdall made the decision Monday after consulting with the Cincinnati Police Department's District 1, which suggested the prom be moved.

        Meanwhile, Tom Otten, Elder High School's principal, decided to change the prom location last Wednesday so he could tell students before they went on Easter break.

        “I had some real concerns about the safety of our students who would be going right into that area. I have a daughter who is going to Elder's prom. As a parent — not only as an administrator — I can appreciate the chance we were taking. The parents need to feel their kids are safe.”

        Claudia Cahill, event and book ing manager for Music Hall, said not all events are being canceled. For example, a FreeStore/FoodBank fund-raiser is still scheduled for Thursday night. It's the proms that cause concern, she said, and last week's racial unrest is fresh in parents' minds.

        The decision sends Oak Hills scrambling to squeeze a prom and after-prom activities into the school. Students, parents and teachers are pulling together to reorganize and decorate.

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