Teen Cancer Patient not Allowed to Graduate with her Class

[golfmom]

I cried, I can't believe how callous and arrogant the principal was.

 

[deanws]

Whoever makes the decisions and decided that this young woman should not be allowed to walk across that stage with her class is a SOUL LESS beyotch who should rot in hell for eternity. But before that, she should be deeply ashamed of herself, loose all of her teeth, hair and friends and have to file bankruptcy.

Remind me to NEVER make YOU mad at ME! LMAO!

 

[Linda7NJ]

The two times I was able to get through...I was hung up on!

 

[lew657]

Can you post the contact information for the school board? If you list their e-mails I am sure A LOT of people would send their comments... Also, what about local representatives? Did they appeal to one of them to try and push things?

 

[Paladin]

It's really a shame. If they can make up the credits over summer they should let her walk.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

It's really a shame. If they can make up the credits over summer they should let her walk.

That's what I was thinking too. At first, I didn't realize it was something she could take care of before the next year begins, but once I did, I got angry. I saw that beyotch at the school on an interview and she looks like one of the most bitter and angry women I've ever seen. Maybe that's her problem.

 

[calidreamin]

That's what I was thinking too. At first, I didn't realize it was something she could take care of before the next year begins, but once I did, I got angry. I saw that beyotch at the school on an interview and she looks like one of the most bitter and angry women I've ever seen. Maybe that's her problem.

I couldn't agree with you more Jeana, I thought the exact same thing about that woman, mean, nast and bitter. I really don't understand why they will not allow this girl to walk with her classmates. She will be making up the credits over the summer and she tried her best to make up the work. Good lord the poor thing was fighting cancer. What a disgrace that woman is.

 

[lightwaveryder]

thanks Gitana...

i sent them a nasty gram.
i like to use phrases like, 'its a shame that you are paid by the public that you aren't serving' and 'shame on you'.

nothing extreme, but enough to let them know that people are mad.


~lightwaveryder~

*edit...haha. this will be interesting...
Greetings from WJUSD !!
Dear XXXXXX
Thank you for contacting us. This is to acknowledge that
your message is received and will be reveiwed by our
department shortly.

 

[RainbowsAndGumdrops]

Ok, I know I am going to be unpopular. However, I don't think she should be allowed to walk. I think sitting with the seniors is a good compromise. I understand she has been ill, but I think that it is a slippery slope. The rules for graduation have been set. If we make an exception for her, there will be 100,000 other people seeking exceptions. My brother graduated after summer school because he was .5 credits short for graduating. There are sooooo many cases like this. Many are the student's fault they can't graduate, but many are because of issues like illness.

I support the decision.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Ok, I know I am going to be unpopular. However, I don't think she should be allowed to walk. I think sitting with the seniors is a good compromise. I understand she has been ill, but I think that it is a slippery slope. The rules for graduation have been set. If we make an exception for her, there will be 100,000 other people seeking exceptions. My brother graduated after summer school because he was .5 credits short for graduating. There are so many cases like this. Many are the student's fault they can't graduate, but many are because of issues like illness.

I support the decision.

I think it should be on a case by case basis. Cancer & it's treatment isn't like she was bumming around and simply couldn't get it done in time.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Ok, I know I am going to be unpopular. However, I don't think she should be allowed to walk. I think sitting with the seniors is a good compromise. I understand she has been ill, but I think that it is a slippery slope. The rules for graduation have been set. If we make an exception for her, there will be 100,000 other people seeking exceptions. My brother graduated after summer school because he was .5 credits short for graduating. There are sooooo many cases like this. Many are the student's fault they can't graduate, but many are because of issues like illness.

I support the decision.

I respect your opinion. Do you really think though that there are 100,000 other cancer patients that are this close to finishing?

I can't help but think of things I've heard when it comes to other topics, such as gay marriage when I read comments similar to your's. If we make an exception for the gays, pretty soon people are going to want to marry chickens or people are going to want to marry their dogs.

I think that limitions do need to be made, but what about this: if the student is within so many credits of graduating or if its for illnesses only. That way, they're making allowances for the fact that it was not caused by the student, but still putting a limit on who qualifies.

 

[RainbowsAndGumdrops]

No, I don't think there are 100,000 people who are that close due to cancer. However, I know there were a few sick kids in my high school that were really close. Once exceptions are made for them, then why can't they be made for the student that got sick freshman year but has been a straight A student since then. Well, if you give into that kid, what about the kid that moved across the country and was studying California History instead of Florida history. He tried diligently, but struggled to catch up in that class. What about the student who's parent's divorced during high school and was suddenly in a joint custody situation where he couldn't stay after school... etc. You get my point. There are a lot of people in tough situation that try to make the best of it. If you make exceptions for all of them you are then faced with the people that made poor decisions, but are soooo close... etc. I don't think it is fair to all of the students who did what it takes to graduate if we start allowing others to participate in graduation activities. My opinion has nothing to do with how great the student with cancer is or how close she is to graduating. My opinion is that the rule is there for a reason and once it is broken, it is tough to maintain the standards.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

No, I don't think there are 100,000 people who are that close due to cancer. However, I know there were a few sick kids in my high school that were really close. Once exceptions are made for them, then why can't they be made for the student that got sick freshman year but has been a straight A student since then. Well, if you give into that kid, what about the kid that moved across the country and was studying California History instead of Florida history. He tried diligently, but struggled to catch up in that class. What about the student who's parent's divorced during high school and was suddenly in a joint custody situation where he couldn't stay after school... etc. You get my point. There are a lot of people in tough situation that try to make the best of it. If you make exceptions for all of them you are then faced with the people that made poor decisions, but are soooo close... etc. I don't think it is fair to all of the students who did what it takes to graduate if we start allowing others to participate in graduation activities. My opinion has nothing to do with how great the student with cancer is or how close she is to graduating. My opinion is that the rule is there for a reason and once it is broken, it is tough to maintain the standards.

Good points. But I think if they left it with only the "medically necessary" absences, then its only a few students and why not make the exception? Too many kids are dropping out. If this girl had cancer and is still making the effort, I think the school should be cool about it. And, something tells me that if you asked "all the other students who did what it takes to graduate," most of them probably want her there too. After all, they're not bitter and jaded yet like the old woman on the video!!

Anyway, I do appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me and they do make some sense.

 

[wtsn5]

Where I live we have the graduation or commencement ceromony in October / November. Graduate in June don't get diploma until Oct./Nov. - I guess it is for those students who do go to summer school to finish off credits. It isn't always fair as most are in University or colleges and have to come home to do this graduation ceremony. I hated it I wanted my diploma in June when I finished high school.

 

[Elphaba]

When I attended high school, there was a policy that if you could finish in the summer at summer school after graduation, you still walked the ceremony, but got an empty diploma casing... of which you got your diploma when you finished your credits that summer. Why can't this be applied here: let her walk... give her the casing sans diploma, of which she will earn over the summer. Poor girl already has her cap and gown... there is no harm in letting her walk.

 

[RainbowsAndGumdrops]

Jeana,

Thanks for your extra comments. I agree that they could make the decision that you have stated. I would support the principal if he decided to let her participate. I would also support her participation if the student body rallied for her to be able to participate (that would be a nice solution).

I am not saying she absolutely shouldn't be able to participate. I am saying that the principal made a decision that follows the rules and can be defended. I simply don't think that the principal "HAS" to decide to let her participate. I defend his position and support him in standing firm.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Jeana,

Thanks for your extra comments. I agree that they could make the decision that you have stated. I would support the principal if he decided to let her participate. I would also support her participation if the student body rallied for her to be able to participate (that would be a nice solution).

I am not saying she absolutely shouldn't be able to participate. I am saying that the principal made a decision that follows the rules and can be defended. I simply don't think that the principal "HAS" to decide to let her participate. I defend his position and support him in standing firm.

Absolutely!!! Its this Saturday, so I hope everything turns out okay and there is no hostility during the graduation ceremony no matter what happens. The kids graduating did earn the right to have a terrific day and I hope that they all do.

 

[philamena]

I couldn't agree with you more Jeana, I thought the exact same thing about that woman, mean, nast and bitter. I really don't understand why they will not allow this girl to walk with her classmates. She will be making up the credits over the summer and she tried her best to make up the work. Good lord the poor thing was fighting cancer. What a disgrace that woman is.

:clap: You said it cali!

 

[jubie]

Poor kid, what a lousy deal, first cancer and it's treatment to put a dark cloud over such a precious time of her life but then to add a big ol smack to a special event like grad.

I bet if the principal had just let the girl walk there would be no media/story about this and all those other poor kids that Rainbowsandgumdrops is worried about wanting the same treatment woud never have even heard about this so mute point. KWIM?

 

[MCDRAW]

Ok, I know I am going to be unpopular. However, I don't think she should be allowed to walk. I think sitting with the seniors is a good compromise. I understand she has been ill, but I think that it is a slippery slope. The rules for graduation have been set. If we make an exception for her, there will be 100,000 other people seeking exceptions. My brother graduated after summer school because he was .5 credits short for graduating. There are sooooo many cases like this. Many are the student's fault they can't graduate, but many are because of issues like illness.

I support the decision.

The problem I see is, they allow kids that haven't passed their exit exams to walk. They don't get a diploma, they get a certificate of attendance. They can then go back and take the exit exam, if they pass they then get their diploma's. That's how it works in my state. So I can't figure out why they won't ley her do the same. Who would it hurt?