One of the community parent groups collected informal comments from those that attended Graduation 2008. A sampling of the comments (uncensored) received appear below. This is a rather lengthy list. Is it enough for the school board to consider it as more than just one or two perennial "wreckers"?
Our understanding is that these comments were being packaged for presentation to district administration with a request to take some measure of action. Being somewhat skeptical that this information would ever see the light of day, SP-EYE brings it to you. Is it time for the school board and administration to do more than get dressed up and paste a smile on their faces as they go through the rote ritual of graduation? Some school board members spoke loudly about the "lack of decorum" at its own meetings...but apparently they don't care about a similar lack of decorum at what is supposed to be a professional ceremony.
- [Student]...– no control so I figured I may as well “join them” –
- [Student]...– really felt sorry for the kid a row ahead of me – he got his cap knocked off at least five times and was really frustrated
- [Student]...– was not worth attending – got nothing out of it – should have kept my work hours and got something out of the 2 hours.
- [Student]...– Really sucks that some kids could not hear their name announced.
- [Student]...– who cares, it is fun and nobody cares about the speeches. Not like we had weapons
- [Unknown]...–It was out of control. Teachers looked ridiculous trying to maintain control – but give them credit, as at least somebody appeared to care as our board obviously does not care – behavior gets worse every year and no changes are made
- [Watched on TV]...–I was not able to be in attendance but did watch on cable channel. I’m glad I did not waste my time. This is a disgrace to our community
- [Grandparent]...–As a grandparent in attendance; I was shocked by the lack of control the school has over these kids. Is there no discipline anymore?
- [Unknown]...–Time to clean house from school board, superintendent, SPHS administration – they do not care about the quality of student – no principals or assistant principals in line to shake hands of graduates – of course I guess I would distance myself if I was responsible for this calamity
- [Unknown]...–Enough is enough – time for new principals and assistant principals and some teachers are to blame too. I’ve heard teachers allow disruptions in classroom, but choose to ignore and just try to talk/teach over the noise. I didn’t really believe that until Friday night.
- [Unknown]...–And to think that our school leaders want TWO high schools! Can’t control what they have now –
- [Parent of pre-high schoolers]...–I have 2 kids in Sacred Hearts – After what I witnessed I’ll be sending them to Edgewood High School.
- [Unknown]...–I would say that the conduct was about the same, but that the sound system was better indoors so you could hear over the noise a bit better. I think Dr. Culver had some good things to say, but kids didn't hear any of it which was too bad. I felt bad for the kids that were going across the stage when the beach balls were taken out of circulation and then the students booed. Unfortunately, I think the kids remember graduation for the beach balls and not the speeches. I'm not sure how decorum can be restored without doing searches for blow-up toys before the procession. Or, it can be acknowledged that there will be beach balls, but appeal to the graduates to hold them 'til the end. I have my doubts that would work.
- [Unknown]...–The ball/blown up condom/beach toys was going to far. We saw people starting to point at the number of beach balls in the air while graduates were walking across the stage. I think it was disturbing to some of the students that weren't interested in the game and most disrespect to the staffs.
- [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My first child graduated Friday, and I attended last year's ceremony when my niece graduated. I was appalled at the behavior of the students. Beach balls are one thing, but making all of that noise when people are speaking and announcing graduates is very rude and disrespectful and should NOT be tolerated in my opinion. Teachers are trying to take away the balls, they are booed by the students and the audience, which causes even more of a ruckus.
- [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My 2 sets of parents, my in-laws and aunt and uncle-in-law were all there, appalled, and I was embarrassed! It is pretty sad when you are there to see your child graduate and some parents couldn't even here their student called, or people were booing over the balls when a student was called.
- [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My dad said that the administration ought to stop the ceremony and not begin again until students are under control. If it takes too long, he believes the ceremony should be cancelled. My husband thinks that there ought to be a committee, made up of graduating seniors, that works with the administration to come up with a solution. Speaking of the administration, what is with Paul Keats? It is obvious he is not passionate about the students of SPHS and I find it horrible that he did not shake the hands of all of the students graduating. Isn't that what a principal does? Wouldn't one that cared about the kids want to be up there congratulating them? His speech was very short, which I don't blame him too much for as he was booed and horns were blowing during his speech last year and they were starting this year. Even still, what message is that sending?
- [Unknown]...–I say good for Dr. Culver for attempting a speech, even one that the students that wanted to hear couldn't due to the beach ball scene. I also say good for him for standing there and shaking hands with and speaking to the students.
- [Parent]...–As a parent of a graduating senior: Graduation is an emotional event for any parent. My thoughts on the graduation are a little mixed. I know that kids will be kids. And since I graduated over 30 years ago, kids have been doing the beach ball thing at graduation. It is kind of a tradition they don't want to miss out on. At times I felt that the audience was more disrespectful than the kids. Maybe if the teachers that are guarding the sides would just ignore the ball and not try to interfere with them, there would be less booing, etc. It just makes the kids want to get it back even more. I do feel sorry for the parents who could not hear their child's name called.
- [Unknown]...–Thanks to those that made it possible for having this event outdoors. The work done to prepare a wet field.
- [Unknown]...–My tax dollars paid for this event. Waste of money. My dollars pay the salary of SPASD employees. Waste of money. Time for people to be fired and people with higher standards to be hired that run a school. Time for school board to hold some feet to the fire. Perform and strive for excellence or don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
- [Unknown]...–Graduation ceremony no different than what happens in classrooms. This was normal everyday activity for disruptive students. Teachers allow horseplay – children learn what they live!
- [Unknown]...–Nothing short of total embarrassment! Apology is in order. Changes need made in administration.
- [Unknown]...– I’m sorry.....but one of us is delusional and I don’t think it is me! I was at Ashley field on the 13th of June. I guarantee you what was taking place was not a graduation ceremony! I was there and after my son walked across the stage I left.
- [Unknown]...–School officials should be ashamed of themselves. We must have attended different events – I was obviously at a seminar for “Clownin’ Around” I cannot remember the last time I was so embarrassed.
- [Parent of a graduating senior]...–Both sets of grandparents traveled distances to attend my daughter’s graduation. It was humiliating. They said of all the grandkids' gradations over the last few years in the Midwest this was the worst they’ve ever witnessed. I was embarrassed for the administration. They had to have their tail between their legs as the disrespectful display, yelling, running, booing - - - these are the kids our education system has produced.
- [Unknown]...–No wonder principals were not in line to acknowledge graduates. I’d distance myself as far as I could too if this happened under my watch. As tax payers we pay their salary! Time to fire staff and get people in who can do the job from board leadership– to superintendent – to principals and probably ½ of the teachers. Time we stand up for our kids because the school leaders don’t give a sh**.
- [Unknown]...– The schools have been yapping about “connectedness” yet they only talk about it and put in writing. They are not putting it into action. There was no evidence of any “connect” between graduates and administration. Not one principal or assistant principal stood in the line to congratulate the students. That is pathetic!
- [Parent of a high school student]...–My son has told me for two years the security guards are a joke and the assistant principals are the laughing stock of the school. He’s told me how the principals are in the lunch room, but they sit in their own little group just like the students do. No interaction except for buddying up with the bullies and trouble makers. Time to wake up! You are not paid to be our kids “buddies” they have plenty of buddies. You are an authoritative figure who should lead. Maybe if you’d get out of your personal lunch click you’d wise up to the fact that 1-2 distract you as the others are “up to no good”. If you provided leadership these kids would not be walking all over you and their peers.
- [Unknown]...–Where was Keats? How sad when the principal of the school does not even acknowledge each individual graduate. Kudos’ to Dr. Culver for taking the time. Thank you to the few teachers who made an effort to control the unruly situation. It is unfortunate that the school board members and administration could not make any kind of asserted effort or give you any support.
- [Unknown]...–The grounds staff did a wonderful job of preparing the field so we could hold outside. Last year it was inside, which provided a better sound system, but to be outside for graduation is so much nicer.
- [Unknown]...– Our kids got screwed by administration – please encourage parents of next years seniors and other underclassmen parents to apply pressure on SPASD administration so the disrespect our kids experience is not experienced by them.
- [Unknown]...–Blown up condom – how much more repulsive can we get. Ceremony should have stopped. Instead the board members and administration sat there like bumps on a log with glued on smiles like nothing was happening. Stop ignoring the issues and do your jobs. Your lack of ethics is an embarrassment.
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