End of year fun

[Diane Pozar <dpozar@kiski.net>]

I have been reading the thread about water pistols and end of year "fun" and
have to add my 2 cents.

I agree with the people who have written to say that this is not appropriate
behavior.  One person asked: when does this begin; I suspect it starts from
the time children are toddlers but I have seen disrespectful behavior at
formal events on the middle school level.

In the middle school in which I worked we had "Moving Up" Day for 8th
graders.  This was a big event held in the high school auditorium and they
had to "practice" for two half days.  The girls all got new dresses and
heels in which they couldn't walk-some were more dressed for a dance with
low cut dresses.  Nails and hair was done.  The whole event was disgraceful
or I should say the audience was disgraceful; the parents and guests talked
throughout the whole thing; made loud comments and catcalls when students
walked across the stage and were outright obnoxious.  When the principal
tried to say that this was a solemn, serious celebration the people booed
her.  What kind of example did this set for 8th graders-no wonder they don't
take graduations seriously.

When I worked in the HS I remember a Senior English teacher always told the
parents of seniors in Sept. at Open House-pay attention to the warnings that
your child is not doing well; don't come to me in June and cry that your
child didn't pass English and can't graduate and what should they do-they
are defrosting meatballs for the party to which all the relatives are
coming.  This actually happened to her.

A few weeks ago I heard a story on Good Morning America about the girl who
was going to be valedictorian of her class-now this is a high honor;it means
you have the highest grade point average in your class, right!  Well, this
girl(I don't remember where she was from) decided as a prank to take a
shower in the boy's shower and several boys joined her.  They all claim this
was just in fun and no unseemly behavior occurred.  Well, the girl was not
permitted to be valedictorian; she was not permitted to walk across the
stage at graduation and I believe she was suspended. Tthe boys were
suspended too.  Her parents were on the show and they were suing the school;
they didn't feel this was fair punishment!  The girl was interviewed and she
was laughing and said she didn't think what she did was wrong-it was "just
for fun".

I liked the idea someone had of having time after school to have games and
maybe a water battle-let them get it out of their system.  Even before all
the violence and gun problems in school my district did not tolerate water
pistols or any kind of water container in school or on buses.

We must have rules and enforce them; maybe we should include students in the
process.  Just my thoughts.


Diane Pozar
Retired LMS
Monroeville, Pa.
We read to know we are not alone.  C.S. Lewis

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