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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 14:35:06 GMT
In previous years, our school held an end of year awards ceremony which parents were invited to attend. Awards were given for academic achievement, sports achievement and school club recognition. We were told at the beginning of the year that the full year honor roll was not going to be recognized because they believed it put too much pressure on kids. Now as the end of the year approaches, we've been told that there will not even be a year end awards ceremony. I asked the vice principal about it and was told that it was because they were recognizing the kids in front of a school assembly once a semester closer to the time of the achievement.
I am not happy about the changes. If you were me, how would you approach this?
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Post by ntsf on Apr 26, 2016 14:37:19 GMT
leave it alone. the school has seen negative consequences so it is really not that important.
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
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Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Apr 26, 2016 14:39:19 GMT
I wouldn't do anything. It sucks, I know.
Honestly, I'd be a bit more miffed about the honour roll thing.
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Post by gar on Apr 26, 2016 14:39:56 GMT
Why are you not happy? Because you believe the achievers should be publicly acknowledged?
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 14:40:56 GMT
I wouldn't do anything. It sucks, I know. Honestly, I'd be a bit more miffed about the honour roll thing. I was miffed about that at the time but didn't say anything. |
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Post by lucyg on Apr 26, 2016 14:41:16 GMT
I would shrug, be grateful I didn't have to attend one more over-crowded school event, and move on.
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 26, 2016 14:45:30 GMT
What grade? Honestly, I'm not sure that you can do much about it this year. Especially if your school lets out in May.
If it's important to you, I'd try to get it reinstated for next year. I don't buy the statement that it puts too much pressure on kids. There are some kids that will feel the pressure, but we don't withhold sports ceremonies because it puts too much pressure on sports kids to perform.
I strongly believe that we need to recognize academic success more. Make that the standard to live up to. Here, they have full assemblies and televise (on local cable) signing day for the sports kids going off to college, but there is no such day for the academic kids with big merit scholarships. I told DS that in the end, graduating with no debt and a BS would be it's own reward, but it's hard to see when you see the sports kids get rock star status and the academic kids get no acknowledgement whatsoever.
We do still have an academic award ceremony for the kids on the honor roll and there is an end of the year senior ceremony. So at least there is that.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
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Post by ginacivey on Apr 26, 2016 14:48:23 GMT
achievement should be acknowledged
it sounds like it is - at the end of every semester, at school
i am interested to hear what grades this affects
i'd be more upset if it were high school - i do think they need public praise
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paigepea
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Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Apr 26, 2016 14:48:25 GMT
I think schools try new things and change what they do all of the time. If you wanted to voice disappointment in the change you can (perhaps in an email to admin if you have a good relationship with admin) but I wouldn't expect anything to change.
In the end, remind yourself that we want schools to be progressive and try new things and we want our kids to be able to roll with changes.
Our school doesn't have an honour roll, nor does it give out any awards, and I've always wished it did. Schools are worried about creating pressure / animosity, but by taking away recognition the kids loose out on competition, incentive and expectations. At least your school is recognizing students at regular assemblies. I think that is ok.
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 26, 2016 14:52:18 GMT
Why do you want to do or say something? The achievements are being acknowledged so what's the issue?
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 14:53:15 GMT
Why are you not happy? Because you believe the achievers should be publicly acknowledged? I'm not happy for a couple reasons. First, I think it's important to recognize or acknowledge outstanding performance in academics, athletics, music and various clubs and activities. I love seeing what peers are involved in and excel in. I love seeing the girl that I thought was just into dancing be recognized for her musical talents too. I loved seeing the boy who everyone teased for being a grade nerd be awarded for an outstanding athletic season. It was a feel-good ceremony. Second, it's an opportunity for parents to learn or observe what the achievement bar looks like. It's also a chance to learn what other opportunities exist for the kids. In this school, interest meetings are held at the beginning of the year for various clubs and activities. The kids are able to choose without parental involvement. I learned a lot more about school offerings by going to that first awards ceremony and could encourage boundary stretching. ETA: This is for middle school, grades 6-8 |
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Post by debmast on Apr 26, 2016 14:57:29 GMT
Sadly, it's probably being done away with because not everyone gets honored.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 26, 2016 14:59:17 GMT
In previous years, our school held an end of year awards ceremony which parents were invited to attend. Awards were given for academic achievement, sports achievement and school club recognition. We were told at the beginning of the year that the full year honor roll was not going to be recognized because they believed it put too much pressure on kids. Now as the end of the year approaches, we've been told that there will not even be a year end awards ceremony. I asked the vice principal about it and was told that it was because they were recognizing the kids in front of a school assembly once a semester closer to the time of the achievement. I am not happy about the changes. If you were me, how would you approach this? Was your year end awards ceremony traditionally in the evening? At our school, they prefer to have the recognition in front of the whole student body so moved to school assemblies. Parents are invited if their child is getting an award. If you want to see an evening event reinstated offer to co-ordinate it. |
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MerryMom
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Post by MerryMom on Apr 26, 2016 15:00:02 GMT
The students/athletes are being recognized, just not at a huge end of year public ceremony. Sorry, but this reads like someone's son or daughter earned an award and mom wants to hear said son or daughter name read publicly.
Praise your son or daughter, take out for a dessert.
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 15:02:37 GMT
In previous years, our school held an end of year awards ceremony which parents were invited to attend. Awards were given for academic achievement, sports achievement and school club recognition. We were told at the beginning of the year that the full year honor roll was not going to be recognized because they believed it put too much pressure on kids. Now as the end of the year approaches, we've been told that there will not even be a year end awards ceremony. I asked the vice principal about it and was told that it was because they were recognizing the kids in front of a school assembly once a semester closer to the time of the achievement. I am not happy about the changes. If you were me, how would you approach this? Was your year end awards ceremony traditionally in the evening? At our school, they prefer to have the recognition in front of the whole student body so moved to school assemblies. Parents are invited if their child is getting an award. If you want to see an evening event reinstated offer to co-ordinate it. It was held the last day of school in the early afternoon. Parents aren't informed of or invited to the assemblies held during school hours and it's just with the middle school, not the entire student body. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Apr 26, 2016 15:03:20 GMT
I think schools try new things and change what they do all of the time. If you wanted to voice disappointment in the change you can (perhaps in an email to admin if you have a good relationship with admin) but I wouldn't expect anything to change. In the end, remind yourself that we want schools to be progressive and try new things and we want our kids to be able to roll with changes. Our school doesn't have an honour roll, nor does it give out any awards, and I've always wished it did. Schools are worried about creating pressure / animosity, but by taking away recognition the kids loose out on competition, incentive and expectations. At least your school is recognizing students at regular assemblies. I think that is ok. oh good grief...i am so tired of this philosophy that we can't single out a child for being exceptional - lest we hurt the feelings of others what incentives are left? |
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 26, 2016 15:06:13 GMT
leave it alone. the school has seen negative consequences so it is really not that important. I agree. |
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Post by gar on Apr 26, 2016 15:06:14 GMT
Was your year end awards ceremony traditionally in the evening? At our school, they prefer to have the recognition in front of the whole student body so moved to school assemblies. Parents are invited if their child is getting an award. If you want to see an evening event reinstated offer to co-ordinate it. It was held the last day of school in the early afternoon. Parents aren't informed of or invited to the assemblies held during school hours and it's just with the middle school, not the entire student body. So is there really much difference between that occasion and the times when they're recognised now, each semester? |
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Post by lorieann13 on Apr 26, 2016 15:07:48 GMT
Why are you not happy? Because you believe the achievers should be publicly acknowledged? I'm not happy for a couple reasons. First, I think it's important to recognize or acknowledge outstanding performance in academics, athletics, music and various clubs and activities. I love seeing what peers are involved in and excel in. I love seeing the girl that I thought was just into dancing be recognized for her musical talents too. I loved seeing the boy who everyone teased for being a grade nerd be awarded for an outstanding athletic season. It was a feel-good ceremony. Second, it's an opportunity for parents to learn or observe what the achievement bar looks like. It's also a chance to learn what other opportunities exist for the kids. In this school, interest meetings are held at the beginning of the year for various clubs and activities. The kids are able to choose without parental involvement. I learned a lot more about school offerings by going to that first awards ceremony and could encourage boundary stretching. ETA: This is for middle school, grades 6-8Bold is mine. First off not every parent looks to compare their child to another or push their child to or beyond an achievement bar. As long as my child is doing her best, learning, growing, improving I dont care about a bar. Second, its middle school. GPA does not count or matter for anything! High school yes. Jr high? Yea um no. |
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Apr 26, 2016 15:12:57 GMT
I would shrug, be grateful I didn't have to attend one more over-crowded school event, and move on.  |
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 15:15:31 GMT
It was held the last day of school in the early afternoon. Parents aren't informed of or invited to the assemblies held during school hours and it's just with the middle school, not the entire student body. So is there really much difference between that occasion and the times when they're recognised now, each semester? I don't know because I haven't seen the school assembly. The previous assembly included faculty, staff and parents. The current assembly is just kids. None of the families we're close with realized that there would be no year-end assembly. None of the kids recognized that these assemblies substituted for the year-end gathering. |
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paigepea
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Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Apr 26, 2016 15:19:57 GMT
I think schools try new things and change what they do all of the time. If you wanted to voice disappointment in the change you can (perhaps in an email to admin if you have a good relationship with admin) but I wouldn't expect anything to change. In the end, remind yourself that we want schools to be progressive and try new things and we want our kids to be able to roll with changes. Our school doesn't have an honour roll, nor does it give out any awards, and I've always wished it did. Schools are worried about creating pressure / animosity, but by taking away recognition the kids loose out on competition, incentive and expectations. At least your school is recognizing students at regular assemblies. I think that is ok. oh good grief...i am so tired of this philosophy that we can't single out a child for being exceptional - lest we hurt the feelings of others what incentives are left? Well, my younger dd (only grade 2) got an award at a monthly assembly for eating healthy. Really?? Shouldn't I get that award since I pack her lunches - ha ha!! Then she told me everyone in grade 2 got the same award so she knows they just gave it to everyone because she knows a few friends who never have healthy lunches.  Our school gives social / citizenship type awards en mass at monthly assemblies but nothing achievement related in the middle school. |
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Post by Linda on Apr 26, 2016 15:20:09 GMT
I strongly believe that we need to recognize academic success more. Make that the standard to live up to. Here, they have full assemblies and televise (on local cable) signing day for the sports kids going off to college, but there is no such day for the academic kids with big merit scholarships. Our high school does do an academic signing day - it's this coming Friday. Seniors, staff, and family members are encouraged to wear the colours of the school they're planning to attend/alma mater or the colours of their armed services branch (prospective or active/veteran) that day and it'll be televised on our local channel and hopefully covered in our local newspaper. |
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 26, 2016 15:21:39 GMT
Was your year end awards ceremony traditionally in the evening? At our school, they prefer to have the recognition in front of the whole student body so moved to school assemblies. Parents are invited if their child is getting an award. If you want to see an evening event reinstated offer to co-ordinate it. It was held the last day of school in the early afternoon. Parents aren't informed of or invited to the assemblies held during school hours and i t's just with the middle school, not the entire student body.Our MS awards were for the MS only (the school was only grades 6-8). It sounds like you are at a K-12 school and previously had a year end awards ceremony for the entire student body? K-12? And now they are having in school assemblies based on the different age/grade groups? Elementary, Middle & High School? I thought we were talking about a traditional 9-12 high school  . For what it's worth, I can't imagine sitting through a K-12 awards ceremony even if my student was getting a top award. |
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 15:22:49 GMT
I strongly believe that we need to recognize academic success more. Make that the standard to live up to. Here, they have full assemblies and televise (on local cable) signing day for the sports kids going off to college, but there is no such day for the academic kids with big merit scholarships. Our high school does do an academic signing day - it's this coming Friday. Seniors, staff, and family members are encouraged to wear the colours of the school they're planning to attend/alma mater or the colours of their armed services branch (prospective or active/veteran) that day and it'll be televised on our local channel and hopefully covered in our local newspaper. That's really cool! Bravo to your school. |
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by MerryMom on Apr 26, 2016 15:23:30 GMT
The perfect attendance award is always my favorite, what with me being the mom of a kid with a chronic debilitating illness. And then my youngest kid, who missed 34 days of first grade from sinus infections because I was being nice enough to not infect the perfect attendance kid. Not all children who didn't miss a day of school went to school sick. I think you are making a lot of assumptions!!!
With 13 years of school (K-12), my son has missed only about 8 days total. He just doesn't get sick very often and when he would on occasion, it was on Saturday or during a holiday break. When he was sick or had a temperature, we kept him home.
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 26, 2016 15:25:50 GMT
My youngest is graduating soon and I will be honest, I will be glad to not have to worry about this kind of thing anymore. We just got the invitation for the end of the awards ceremony for the seniors yesterday and even my son doesn't want to go and asked if he had to go to school that day. I am not sure if parents are invited but even if we are, I likely won't go. This particular kid is very self motivated and doesn't care one bit if he is recognized or not.
In answer to the question, I probably wouldn't have even thought to question cancelling an awards ceremony in middle school. But that is me. I can be a pretty hands off parent when it comes to ancillary school things (beyond keeping track of grades.)
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Post by whopea on Apr 26, 2016 15:27:08 GMT
It was held the last day of school in the early afternoon. Parents aren't informed of or invited to the assemblies held during school hours and i t's just with the middle school, not the entire student body.Our MS awards were for the MS only (the school was only grades 6-8). It sounds like you are at a K-12 school and previously had a year end awards ceremony for the entire student body? K-12? And now they are having in school assemblies based on the different age/grade groups? Elementary, Middle & High School? I thought we were talking about a traditional 9-12 high school . For what it's worth, I can't imagine sitting through a K-12 awards ceremony even if my student was getting a top award. It's a K-12 school with each division doing it's own thing. We didn't attend the school in the elementary years so I don't know if they have one or not. The year-end assembly was MS only with parents, faculty & staff. They've switched to an in-house assembly for the MS without parents. |
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Post by mom on Apr 26, 2016 15:31:54 GMT
Can you not go to the student ceremony anyway?? I know our school would allow a parent to come if they showed up. Its not a top secret ceremony.
Personally, I would be glad to not have to go. But that's because I have 5 banquets/ceremonies to attend in the next 2 weeks.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Apr 26, 2016 15:35:58 GMT
Why are you not happy? Because you believe the achievers should be publicly acknowledged? I'm not happy for a couple reasons. First, I think it's important to recognize or acknowledge outstanding performance in academics, athletics, music and various clubs and activities. I love seeing what peers are involved in and excel in. I love seeing the girl that I thought was just into dancing be recognized for her musical talents too. I loved seeing the boy who everyone teased for being a grade nerd be awarded for an outstanding athletic season. It was a feel-good ceremony. Second, it's an opportunity for parents to learn or observe what the achievement bar looks like. It's also a chance to learn what other opportunities exist for the kids. In this school, interest meetings are held at the beginning of the year for various clubs and activities. The kids are able to choose without parental involvement. I learned a lot more about school offerings by going to that first awards ceremony and could encourage boundary stretching. ETA: This is for middle school, grades 6-8 We don't have anything like this at our school. At the end of each quarter a few kids are recognized for contributions to the school and sports teams are introduced. I like academic recognition as well as all the rest. I would put your feeling in an email to the Principal and VP if there is someone in charge of this event. I would be very straight forward... I am sorry to see the Awards Ceremony has been cancelled for this year. Here is why I think it is important.... blah blah... I hope you will reconsider next year. Don't expect a change for this year, |
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