Punishment??

[STL PARROTHEAD]

Well, I don't know about this......

http://www.wmtw.com/video/19763284/

[pair8head]

She went too far. Needs to apologize.

[STL PARROTHEAD]

oh, I agree!!

How heartbreaking for that poor kid! and like the mom said, There are no 'do-overs'
I would be on fire!!!!

[ragtopW]

just say'n

[C-Dawg]

IMHO, the Superintendent not only went too far, but should be fired.
The ceremony is about the graduating class, not the staff. If they want to decorate their cap & gowns, throw beachballs, or blow kisses to their parents....LET 'EM!!! They stayed in school and put in the effort to graduate, it's their ceremony. The Superintendent not only ruined it for the kids she withheld diplomas from, but set a tone for the ceremony with cops in the crowd etc where any happy festive feelings I'm sure were squashed. She should be fired over this.
If my kid was in this ceremony, whether he got his diploma or not, I'd be livid and seeking words with the school board.

[LIBuffettFan]

It's obvious that that hindsight is 20/20 and the Superintendent relaized she screwed up. No one from the schools would comment which means their in damage control mode trying to figure out how to smooth out the actions of one individual. I think a public apology is in order here for this student and his family. I think she was feeling a little a little power hungry that day and overstepped her bounds. it's a high school graduation not the graduating class from Harvard.

[Skibo]

What kind of circus is that school district running to make the students and parents sign a code of conduct agreement? I never heard of a HS graduation with beach balls and other behavior problems maybe this is something new. In any event, the superintendent is an azz.

[LIBuffettFan]

What kind of circus is that school district running to make the students and parents sign a code of conduct agreement? I never heard of a HS graduation with beach balls and other behavior problems maybe this is something new. In any event, the superintendent is an azz.

Actually I have heard of the beach balls thing, had them at my graduation but they really are not that big of a deal, you take them away and move on.

[krusin1]

As as school administrator who's put on my share of graduations...

There IS a need for decorum... it's not an after-graduation party, and beach balls and such really aren't appropriate. For some folks, it's a very solemn and special occasion - might be the first one in their family to graduate.

That being said....

I'm stunned that a school administrator would exhibit the poor judgment to deal with the situation the way she did. She basically incited all the students in the audience and most of the families by how she handled it. Not good - for the kids or her job security.

If you're really worried about this kind of thing happening, there a lot of ways to either prevent it, or deal with it without causing a scene. And then plan better for next year if something goes wrong. And keep in mind how big a deal the "violation" really is.... in the grand scheme of things, a beach ball or silly string just doesn't merit going all nazi on a graduating senior....

As an example... we NEVER gave graduating seniors their actual diploma on stage. They received a blank folding diploma cover. Then, contingent on good behavior, they could pick up the real thing afterwards. If somebody decided to act stupid, they'd have to come in and serve a little detention before getting their diploma. Never even had to do it...

[UpstateNYPH]

Typical individual on a power trip. She will face the consequences I'm sure.

I remember at my high school graduation we had beach balls, there were even a couple blow up dolls floating around

But the administrator's were not jerks about it. They respectfully asked that during the ceremony and when people are speaking that no one bounce these items around. But we were free to have fun before and after.

And all the students obliged, and everything went very nicely. It's when people like this superintendant begin going off their power trip is when kids start to rebel. Be respectful to them, they will be respectful to you. As outrageous as some kids are nowadays, you would be surprised at how much they actually listen too.

[pair8head]

As an example... we NEVER gave graduating seniors their actual diploma on stage. They received a blank folding diploma cover. Then, contingent on good behavior, they could pick up the real thing afterwards. If somebody decided to act stupid, they'd have to come in and serve a little detention before getting their diploma. Never even had to do it...

DING DING DING

We were treated the same way in 1972.

If you were all paid up on library fees, art supplies etc you could pick up your diploma the next day or at your convenience.

[SMLCHNG]

Now I've heard that the parents are suing. That's just about as stupid (to me) as what the Superintendent did. She also has to remember the taxpayers pay her salary.

Yes, I understand the need for a bit of decorum, and keep order, but the actions of this boy was NOT disruptive, and showed respect and love for his parent.

[ragtopW]

if Beachballs are outlawed.. only Parrotheads will have Beachballs

[MammaBear]

I remember at my high school graduation we had beach balls, there were even a couple blow up dolls floating around

But the administrator's were not jerks about it. They respectfully asked that during the ceremony and when people are speaking that no one bounce these items around. But we were free to have fun before and after.

Hummm...do we spot any phriends here?

[SMLCHNG]

if Beachballs are outlawed.. only Parrotheads will have Beachballs

[MammaBear]

HEY...WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PICTURE???????????????????

[flipflopgirl]

WTF????????????? That is just STOOOOOOOOOOPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the Superintendent needs to go to Summerzcool!

[SMLCHNG]

HEY...WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PICTURE???????????????????

Hmmmm.. when I copied your link, I got this error message:

Your search - http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Ew81rtE_Vuc/SNqFk ... on+053.jpg - did not match any documents.

Suggestions:

* Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
* Try different keywords.
* Try more general keywords.
* Try fewer keywords.

Perhaps a bad link? Or the site where you've linked it from, doesn't allow it?

[MammaBear]

Well...it looses something in the translation, but it was a picture of a blow up doll floating above the crowd at an outdoor graduation.....

[alphabits]

Well...it looses something in the translation, but it was a picture of a blow up doll floating above the crowd at an outdoor graduation.....