<p>Verry Happy, is the letter before or after graduation?</p>
<p>If my D got a letter like that after graduation, she would sooo blow it off, no matter what she got</p>
<p>curmudgeon–I figured that’s more what you meant. But, I still have to ask, do fifth graders really need academic awards? can’t they just be kids figuring things out at this point? Is that really mediocrity to put that off till later?</p>
<p>We had a senior awards night this year, by invitation. Although, they did have scholarships and basically anyone who got a special scholarship to any school attended. </p>
<p>I think it is probably one of my fondest memories now. One of my good friends found out he won some very nice scholarships. He is completely deserving, a great outstanding guy in every way and it was amazing to sit next to him and see his face when he realized they were talknig about him! I have another friend, a girl, who had similar experiences with scholarships and it was so moving! I was sincerely happy for them =). </p>
<p>Then they had athletic awards and scholarships that took up about half the time. Then they had department awards. They did include things like journalism, PE (interesting),music, family and consumer sciences, etc. </p>
<p>I’m sure the families who were there when their student got a $1000 scholarship to our local CC felt weird when maybe 10 students were getting most of the awards, but if one or two people are the best, why should the 2nd or 3rd achiever get it?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure it is the department head who chooses, all the teachers send in their votes and talk about who they think deserves it. Normally the dept head is teaching the highest level classes and knows the best students either way. </p>
<p>I personally knew the kids who won last year as well and I know they were the best in the departments they were awarded in. (English was the best writer I’ve seen at our high school, Science was a physics/chemistry genius, math was amazing and awesome at calculus, etc)</p>
<p>There is nothing like hearing your teachers saying good things about you and recognizing your achievements. </p>
<p>It was really nice for me because generally academics is not recognized at all at my school (contrary to athletics) and it felt like someone actually noticed I was doing a great job…=)</p>
<p>citygirlsmom, I’m sorry that happened to your daughter because that is completely wrong. I know at my school the parents don’t really have an influence because while my parents are very involved in my life, they aren’t really involved in my school. But at my previous (private) school “politics” were very much involved in awards. However, apparently your school is just like mine in its athletic-centered attitude!</p>
<p>Each year during our DD’s high school career, we received an invitation to attend honors night (includes freshman through seniors). Each year (except her senior year), DD proclaimed that none of us, including her, should waste their time going to such an event. Her guidance counselor would call her to the office the day after the awards and give her the certificates, etc. she would have received had she been there. Last year, when DD was a senior, I was shocked and pleased when DD said she felt we should finally attend. OMG, what a snooze-fest! The evening was way too long, and though we were delighted when DD was presented with several awards and a scholarship, I was thrilled when the evening was over. When we left, DD said, “Now, aren’t you glad we didn’t come the past three years?” I crushed her to me and thanked her for sparing me the pain. I would rather drive dull pencils through both my eyes than ever attend one of those things again.</p>
<p>garland, I could certainly see value in limiting grade school awards. My D went to a Montessori “no awards” school through 5th and it didn’t hurt her competitiveness any. I don’t feel that strongly about grade school awards either way. I do agree that when 7/10 get an award that may be the worst of both worlds.</p>
<p>NJ,</p>
<p>Of course, it’s fair to acknowledge those who do something special. Usually, people who achieve something have done so through hard work and perserverance – that should be rewarded (since don’t we want to positively reinforce this?). At our awards ceremony yesterday, there was one really wonderful moment. The Chinese language head started talking about the award recipient and then asked the students assembled who they thought was winning and they shouted the boy’s name. He then asked if they all agreed, and they all cheered. It was so sweet. The day before, when we heard who was Val we all cheered because she really deserved it. In a world filled with people being adolized for no reason (Paris Hilton, anyone?) why not make heroes and superstars of ordinary kids who do extraordinary things?</p>
<p>I’m still wondering how these award ceremonies are reflective of “real life.” </p>
<p>When in life are you called to an assembly (forcibly perhaps) with (say) all your co-workers, or neighbors, or maybe the whole town, and awarded things like “Smartest Manager” (with your raise announced), or “Most Hours Spent Manicuring Lawn,” or “Most Improved Jogger”???</p>
<p>Like so many things in HS, they bear just about no resemblance to real life at all.</p>
<p>
LOL! </p>
<p>I agree that too many awards makes the whole idea of awarding them pointless. If only meaningful awards were offered, it could be done at a graduation & nobody would have to be dragged to presentation, after presentation, after banquet, after luncheon and on and on and on. I think most of this junk is cooked up so kids can pad their resumes & college applications anyway.</p>
<p>I agree with curmudgeon. The “every child is a winner” philosophy will backfire sooner or later.</p>
<p>“When in life are you called to an assembly (forcibly perhaps) with (say) all your co-workers, or neighbors, or maybe the whole town, and awarded things like “Smartest Manager” (with your raise announced), or “Most Hours Spent Manicuring Lawn,” or “Most Improved Jogger”???”</p>
<p>Does anybody here watch The Office?</p>
<p>At some offices, the “employee of the month” gets a special parking space right in front of the building for a month.</p>
<p>At my daughter’s school, where students have to park on the street, often several blocks from the campus, kids would kill for an award like that.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Was it a lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg?</p>
<p>^^Re: adult awards
A few weeks ago, National Nurses Week was celebrated. I am a school nurse and during that week I lived in fear of somehow being acknowledged during this Hallmark-card event. I can really think of nothing more unprofessional or condescending than getting a pat on the back for what I do. If anyone really wants to praise what nurses do, give us a raise! “The Office”, indeed!
PS - No one at school noticed, whew!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.redriderleglamps.com/store.cfm[/url]”>http://www.redriderleglamps.com/store.cfm</a></p>
<p>WashDad, if you’d like to use that as a motivational trophy, they can be had for a mere $159.00. On sale, so hurry!</p>
<p>
Oh God, ain’t that the truth! I remember when I was a staff nurse & the VP of nursing was polling us on what we wanted as recognition, I was quite blunt: Skip the coffee mug & the six foot sub. Hire a nurse’s aide so I’m able to use the bathroom at least once in my ten hour shift.</p>
<p>“Does anybody here watch The Office?”</p>
<p>OMG the Dundies Awards!!! :D</p>