Names of honor roll students in the newspaper-what do you think?

[dmslush]

I can't imagine why anyone would disagree with it. Heck, I don't think I ever made the honor roll in school, but it didn't hurt my feelings that other kids did. I personally don't think that kids that don't make the honor roll will be hurt because other kid's names are in the paper. I think this is a way to keep PARENT'S feelings from being hurt. I think it is time that parents start facing the facts, not ever kid can excell in sports, nor academics, nor clubs, etc.. and it is OKAY to have an average kid.

 

[merrily]

Our school does it but a parent has to sign a release at the beginning of the school year for it to happen.

 

[diskids2]

This has always been a "thorn" for me. I have a DD who always gets high academic rewards. One year a certain mother actually said to me - " I don't think they should give academic awards out or publish them in the newspaper." I asked her why and she said that it made the other children feel bad (Hers included).

I listened to her, but at the end, told her that I felt this was an achievement that should be recognized. My DD was not "gifted" and had to give up many social functions to get the grades she gets. I was proud of her achievements, just like the other mom was proud of her daughter whenever she got mentioned for a track and field contribution.

Then she said that children are born with the talent to excel academically and it is not fair for those who are not born with "smarts". I reminded her that her DD was born with the ability to run fast, i.e. the track awards and she told me it was not the same thing.

Let's just leave it to say that we have not talked since.

 

[Marseeya]

I think it goes without saying that those whose kids get on the honor roll are happy with it, but I wonder what the parents of lower achieving kids have to say?



I'm a parent of two kids who will probably never make the honor roll, but I still think the honor roll is a good idea.

 

[diskids2]

I think it goes without saying that those whose kids get on the honor roll are happy with it, but I wonder what the parents of lower achieving kids have to say?



I'm a parent of two kids who will probably never make the honor roll, but I still think the honor roll is a good idea.

I just responded above. I have one child who always makes the honor roll and one who will most likely never make it. I am in ABSOLUTE FAVOR of recognizing children who make the honor roll including putting their names in the paper.

 

[Martha7]

My DS's have never made the honor roll, but I think it's great that the kids who have worked that hard are recognized as much as possible! I don't think it all comes down to "natural ability," as we all know that lots of hard work goes into that report card! My boys have ability, but they also have made choices about how they choose to spend their time. If they're not going to put the time into studying, then they don't get on the honor roll; simple as that. I'm trying to teach them responsibility. Anyway, I don't think they are even aware that other kids are getting their names in the paper!

 

[Kitty 34]

I think the honor roll should be printed and having said that I have had two honor roll students and one DS who has only had that honor once in awhile. It's a struggle for him to get good grades that merit the honor roll status but that shouldn't keep others from getting recognized.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

One year a certain mother actually said to me - " I don't think they should give academic awards out or publish them in the newspaper." I asked her why and she said that it made the other children feel bad (Hers included).

Part of evolving as a parent is learning to tune out the other parents at times. I have a son with a hearing disability who had a Reading Tutor in 1st through 3rd grades. I had a Mother protest once my son being listed on the Honor Roll "wasn't fair when he got special help" She actually went to the Teacher and said that! As if the space on the Honor Roll was limited and my son being included was keeping her son off of it.

Our paper lists Academic awards, athletic awards, Park District Awards, Music and Band Awards -- the Mathletes went to some tournament and they got listed... I think it is great. I love to see what the kids in our town are up to.

 

[KAMLEM]

I asked because it has been a controversy around here lately. I just wanted to see how everyone else thought before I posted my opinion. I think it's absolutely fine and I think that dmslush hit the nail on the head by saying that it's the parents whose feelings get hurt. If there are kids that try their hardest but they just don't get on the honor roll I would certainly feel bad but I don't think that means you should take anything away from the ones that do. Nowadays we are so worried about kids feelings getting hurt it's crazy. In our rec soccer league they don't even keep score anymore. But that's another topic altogether.

 

[DVC Jen]

I grew up in a small town and this was done. It isn't done where I live now.

It doesn't bother me at all. The kids who have made the honor roll have worked hard for that and there is nothing wrong with a little pat on the back.


Now.. with that said.. when they pass out the end of the year awards.. things like ..most improved..or greatest effort.. I don't think those should always go to the kids with the highest grades.. they should go to those whom school doesn't come easy for..yet never give up and work their tail feathers off for that C.

 

[daisyduck123]

It's been in the papers around here lately that our schools are actually considering "doing away" with valedictorians & salutatorians...and just recognizing large groups of kids. I can see recognizing large groups for certain accomplishments but I do think the 2 top kids should get to be recognized also.

 

[tiggerlover]

To the best of my knowledge they do not do that here locally....I think there are far too many kids. However, growing up my home town paper did. My DS is consistently on the lists and I would be proud to see him get recognition in the paper.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I see nothing wrong with recognizing kids' accomplishments, in the classroom or on the sports fields. It seems silly to do away with honors like valedictorian and so forth, too. We've always encouraged our kids to do the best they can. In particular, our DD10 is a child who will always take the harder path. This is not a bad quality, but I'll bet you right now that it will cost her valedictorian because she'll choose the challenge courses rather than the easy A. Some child (and I already know who!) will just want to be "on top" more than my kid. I can live with that, and so can DD. That doesn't diminish my child's satisfaction in stretching herself.

And for those parents whose kids work their tushes off to make it on honor roll or some other award, that's not a horrible quality, either!

 

[grinningghost]

Our town does it and I think it's great. Why not give the kids who went the extra mile a little credit. It's not like they're publishing their addresses or anything.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it's a great idea.

I think we are becoming far too "PC" in this country. Everybody has to be absolutely even, no one can get any special recognition because others might get their feelings hurt etc. This is especially true with how we handle our children.

I have news for everyone...when these children that we have coddled and protected to this rdidculous degree get out into the real world, there is no one who is going to be giving them an award or letting them keep their job just because they're a nice person or they show up. They are going to have to produce. And there are always going to be people who are better than them at something. So it's good if they learn that early. That's not to say that we can't say to the kids who works his butt off to get a C that he's doing a great job, and working to the best of his ability, because he is. But we shouldn't diminsh the kid who works his butt of to a get an "A" either, just so as to not hurt the "C" student's feelings.

I swear, I fear we are raising a generation of wimps who will not have any idea how to handle disappointment or overcome adversity and it scares me to death.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with you, but there has been talk about not doing it in some schools/area in CA. Some people feel it hurts the kids feeling that don't make it, and that it will make them just give up. ( This is part of that " we need to be more PC. " ) I think its stupid, but some folks are not happy unless they are crying about something.

I say show those kids names off in big bold print, and let the world know we are proud of them.

Cheers:

Well if the kid is making C's and/or D's or flunking--they have more to worry about than hurt feelings.

That's a shame....isn't this considered "coddling" .

 

[tar heel]

Here, doing away with valedictorian is a LOT more complicated than not hurting other kids' feelings. We are in a huge growth area. This means we are opening lots of new schools and people are moving in. So, how do you choose the top student fairly when grading standards are so different at different schools? There's no way. I can tell you what killed it here. The student who was third in the class had spent part of high school at a private school that did not have honors classes, the school claimed that all its classes were honors. The student's parents raised a ruckus (I know them -- I'm sure it was very well done), and that student ended up salutatorian and the school system ended up no longer recognizing the top two students. We still recognize honor grads, however, and Beta Club members(the top students) have a gold stole to wear at graduation. When my oldest son graduated, the honor grads actually got their diplomas first, but think that it is strictly alphabetical now.

 

[Snowysmom]

I think it is great to publish the honor rolls in the paper. My kids work very hard to achieve their academic success. I think in general, things are becoming a little too PC in this country. We need to encourage kids to achieve and to work hard if we want to keep up in the world. Other countries are getting ahead of us in the academic areas. We need to reward hard work with recognition.

 

[Bayshore Bandit]

I think it is a fantastic idea

As a teacher, I never apologize for recognizing and awarding
success.

 

[froglady]

Do the schools that want to do away with honor rolls also allow anyone who shows up make a sports team? Does every player get put into every game? Have they done away with chorus, dance , or choral try-outs, and rotate the starring roles so that no one feels bad about not being picked? How about cheerleaders? Can all of the students who try-out make the squad, or are some eliminated? Please don't tell me they still have Homecoming Queens and Kings? What about all of the other wonderful students who aren't picked.

As someone else stated, there is no number limit to the number of students who can get good grades if they try hard enough. Yes, there IS only one Valedictorian, but being chosen is a direct result of the effort you put into it. There may be a rare fluke when a student achieved it without any effort, but the majority are BOTH smart and hardworking.