5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (Full Version)

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terrie -> 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (5/29/2009 4:34:02 PM)

I attended my son's 5th grade graduation program and was sick to my stomach afterwards. Never ONCE did they commend any students for GRADES. Maybe a 1/3 of the time was spent on reading awards and something they call a Citizen award which is given to students who they feel showed great character. I can understand the reading awards no problem - that's school! The Citizen award was ok, maybe I can get that one. But, then 1/3 of the time was spent giving out GYM awards. Who cares how many push-ups a kid can do? What does that have to do at all with moving on to 6th grade? Who cares how fast a kid can run the "shuttle" run? Who cares how many chin-ups a kid can do? Who cares how fast a kid can run a mile? Who cares how many sit-ups a kid can do? Give these awards out during gym, not during a graduation ceremony!

Then, the last 1/3 of the time was spent on a program called DARE. It's about keeping kids off drugs. Good program, just don't see what it has to do with 5th Grade Graduation! And, the police officer who ran the DARE program gave out awards too. He even gave out an award to the kid who he felt wrote the best essay about DARE. Give me a break! Is this guy a teacher? Does he know anything about essays? Did he even know how to spell check it? Was the grammar correct? I'm not saying he's stupid, but if he was equipped to evalute an essay then what are his qualifications?

I'm sorry, but I saw almost the entire program as yet another attempt to reward mediocrity. Almost all of those kids who got awards would never have gotten anything if the graduation would've been like a normal high school graduation that is based on GRADES. But instead, the kids who got good grades never even received an acknowledgement! Nothing about honor roll or anything. What is going on here? Is everyone so afraid of hurting kid's feelings who don't get good grades in school so they come up with all kinds of meaningless awards to hand out to them? Fine, give them the awards, but not during a graduation ceremony. Gym and DARE have nothing to do with graduating to the next grade. If they are going to hand out awards like these, then don't have a ceremony at all. What a slap in the face to the kids who work hard in school and get good grades.

And, yes my son is one of the good grades kids. But, even still trying to look at a graduation ceremony from a common sense point of view, it still didn't make any sense to hand out gym and DARE awards.

Sorry, just needing to vent. I really think I'm going to write a letter to the school. I'm sure it won't do any good, but this is incredible.



artemis -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (5/29/2009 4:45:12 PM)

Apart from the fact that I think 5th grade graduation ceremonies are silly... [8|]

The jr. high where I teach recently had an awards ceremony and it seemed like every kid in the school got something. I struggled to keep from rolling my eyes when they gave out trivial awards for every random "achievement." It seemed like a waste of time to me and I couldn't believe that my kids were missing my class to sit through this ridiculous ceremony.

Then after the ceremony, as the kids made their way back to the classrooms, I saw one of my students proudly holding up his certificate, while his mom (who was all dressed up to come see his awards ceremony) took his picture and gave him a hug. This particular student is a good kid, but school doesn't come easily for him and he may never win another award in his life. Six times a year, he gets a progress report that shows him having a borderline grade while the kid next to him has a glowing A+ to take home to his parents. Six times a year, he gets a report card full of C's and maybe a few B's that he struggled to get while many of his classmates get their names listed on the A or A/B honor roll.

Maybe the awards were dumb, maybe 5th grade graduation wasn't the place to put them, maybe there should have been more of an emphasis on academics. But for some kids (and their parents), they meant a lot...



garsyt -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (5/30/2009 4:25:04 PM)

Our 5th grade teachers do some sort of awards ceremony in their individual classrooms - and it's coming up this next week. Parents can come if they want to, but I'm certain most won't as it is usually not something that is common knowledge unless you are in the building all the time. EACH child will get some sort of award and not all of them will be academic but ALL will be celebrated. I think it's important that all children get some sort of recognition, especially at that level, because it won't happen very often, if at all after that!

My dd told me that she already knows the two kids in her class that will receive the maths award and has an idea of which two will win the Writer's award. The interesting thing is that for some of these awards - the kids get to vote for. But it's kept small and not on full grade level, but by classroom only.

I don't think 5th grade graduations are necessary at all - like artemis I think them kind of silly. BUT kindergarten graduations are a HOOT to watch!

Blessings,

Garsy



myhusbandswife76 -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (5/30/2009 4:39:21 PM)

I'm sorry but you sound like your overreacting. It was just a silly 5th grade thing, and it's over. Life goes on.



weeble -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (5/31/2009 9:57:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: terrie



Then, the last 1/3 of the time was spent on a program called DARE. It's about keeping kids off drugs. Good program, just don't see what it has to do with 5th Grade Graduation! And, the police officer who ran the DARE program gave out awards too. He even gave out an award to the kid who he felt wrote the best essay about DARE. Give me a break! Is this guy a teacher? Does he know anything about essays? Did he even know how to spell check it? Was the grammar correct? I'm not saying he's stupid, but if he was equipped to evalute an essay then what are his qualifications?

.



I am a former fifth grade teacher. (We never had a graduation though.) DARE is an important part of 5th grade. Every year they give an award for the best essay. It isn't based on grammar, but on content. The officer is usually very qualified to teach the course and to judge the essay.


As far as the other awards, I love it when character is recognized over grades. Not all students can be straight A students, but all students can learn to listen and obey the teacher. I had students who could never earn an academic award, but deserved to be recognized for good behavior. After all, grades are only going to be important for a few more years, but their character will go on for the rest of their lives.


X



debilyn -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/1/2009 8:53:38 AM)

We have award ceremonies that include character and academic awards at all the elementary schools, and the middle school. I've seen beaming kids receive both, and I do agree that academic awards should be a part of any celebration. Most students work hard for those grades and should be recognized for their achievements, as well.

The character awards are important to the students because they are a part of what is emphasized throughout the school year at assemblies and special activities. I've seen students who were heck to put up with at the beginning of the school year become *almost* model students by the end of the year because of character emphasis and awards throughout the year. That's a big achievement which deserves to be recognized, too.



merlethepearl -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/1/2009 3:32:15 PM)

Yes, I can't agree with you more. My DS is only in the 2nd grade but every 9 weeks they have an awards day where they make a BIG DEAL out of nothing. My mother feels like it is just another way of how greatly the school systems have digressed from real learning.

My DS is one of the smart ones but he also has Aspergers Syndrome and extreme ADHD so behavior and "learning to obey" is a major issue. Not all children are created equally in academics or self-control so when the school awards one child then they are ultimately punishing another child.

Congratulations on your child's graduation. It is a very big step and honor for all children who achieve it.



judii1 -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 12:24:31 PM)

quote:

My DS is only in the 2nd grade but every 9 weeks they have an awards day where they make a BIG DEAL out of nothing.

My gs got a shirt with something about achieving something and it wasn't even true. He was having a hard time in school but the shirt made him think that he was doing just fine.[sm=icon_smile_faint.gif]



hoppersfan -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 1:44:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: terrie

I attended my son's 5th grade graduation program and was sick to my stomach afterwards. Never ONCE did they commend any students for GRADES. Maybe a 1/3 of the time was spent on reading awards and something they call a Citizen award which is given to students who they feel showed great character. I can understand the reading awards no problem - that's school! The Citizen award was ok, maybe I can get that one. But, then 1/3 of the time was spent giving out GYM awards. Who cares how many push-ups a kid can do? What does that have to do at all with moving on to 6th grade? Who cares how fast a kid can run the "shuttle" run? Who cares how many chin-ups a kid can do? Who cares how fast a kid can run a mile? Who cares how many sit-ups a kid can do? Give these awards out during gym, not during a graduation ceremony!

Then, the last 1/3 of the time was spent on a program called DARE. It's about keeping kids off drugs. Good program, just don't see what it has to do with 5th Grade Graduation! And, the police officer who ran the DARE program gave out awards too. He even gave out an award to the kid who he felt wrote the best essay about DARE. Give me a break! Is this guy a teacher? Does he know anything about essays? Did he even know how to spell check it? Was the grammar correct? I'm not saying he's stupid, but if he was equipped to evalute an essay then what are his qualifications?

I'm sorry, but I saw almost the entire program as yet another attempt to reward mediocrity. Almost all of those kids who got awards would never have gotten anything if the graduation would've been like a normal high school graduation that is based on GRADES. But instead, the kids who got good grades never even received an acknowledgement! Nothing about honor roll or anything. What is going on here? Is everyone so afraid of hurting kid's feelings who don't get good grades in school so they come up with all kinds of meaningless awards to hand out to them? Fine, give them the awards, but not during a graduation ceremony. Gym and DARE have nothing to do with graduating to the next grade. If they are going to hand out awards like these, then don't have a ceremony at all. What a slap in the face to the kids who work hard in school and get good grades.

And, yes my son is one of the good grades kids. But, even still trying to look at a graduation ceremony from a common sense point of view, it still didn't make any sense to hand out gym and DARE awards.

Sorry, just needing to vent. I really think I'm going to write a letter to the school. I'm sure it won't do any good, but this is incredible.


I definitely think you are overreacting. Maybe the things that the children were rewarded for were unimportant to you, but I'll bet they were important to the children receiving those awards. I am amazed that your school has a fifth grade graduation. Does every grade level "graduate" every year?

I am a teacher, and some children do not excel in academics. Sometimes it is because of a lack of effort, and sometimes it is not. I would never leave a child out on awards day. I won't give him/her an academic award if it is not deserved/earned, but I will give a character award recognizing something special about that child. It is never a bad thing to try to reward positive character traits.



TXRedhead -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 2:02:15 PM)

I would have to put myself in the group with those who think a 5th grade graduation is just silly to begin with.

I agree with you that, if they were going to insist on giving out awards for things like character and gym and a drug prevention program, then they should most certainly have included awards for academics. Those kids who earn those good grades do it by working hard, and that should've been acknowledged.



hoppersfan -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 4:02:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TXRedhead

I would have to put myself in the group with those who think a 5th grade graduation is just silly to begin with.

I agree with you that, if they were going to insist on giving out awards for things like character and gym and a drug prevention program, then they should most certainly have included awards for academics. Those kids who earn those good grades do it by working hard, and that should've been acknowledged.


According to the original post, 1/3 of the program focused on reading awards. Reading is definitely academic.



TXRedhead -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 4:50:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hoppersfan


According to the original post, 1/3 of the program focused on reading awards. Reading is definitely academic.


Reading is one academic subject out of at least 6 that most elementary students take. Math, science, history, spelling, etc. don't count for an award? I'm not averse to giving out awards for character and athletics, but there should be an equal emphasis on academic awards as well if you're going to insist on giving out awards at all.



hoppersfan -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 5:01:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TXRedhead

quote:

ORIGINAL: hoppersfan


According to the original post, 1/3 of the program focused on reading awards. Reading is definitely academic.


Reading is one academic subject out of at least 6 that most elementary students take. Math, science, history, spelling, etc. don't count for an award? I'm not averse to giving out awards for character and athletics, but there should be an equal emphasis on academic awards as well if you're going to insist on giving out awards at all.


You're right. I have never been to any awards program where excellence in those subject areas were not recognized, which is why I can't understand the original post. The original post states that 1/3 of the program focused on reading awards, and then goes on to state that not one student was commended for good grades. If they weren't commended for their grades, then what did the reading awards portion of the program entail?



zoebob -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/4/2009 6:05:58 PM)

It might have been one of those reading programs like book-it or the six flags ones where they were just announcing who had done it or something. This is the kind of thing that's not connected to their grades they just have to read for pleasure.



PixieSunBelle -> RE: 5th Grade Graduation Program a Joke (6/26/2009 11:24:01 PM)

Well 5th grade graduations are for students graduating from elementary school to the middle school and to those children it is a very big deal. However, where were the math and science awards and the awards to the smart students and the honor roll. It sounds like the people on the committee putting this together failed at some very important parts of the graduation.
oh well, it is over and done with... soon there will be the 8th grade graduation lol



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