Teen Cancer Patient not Allowed to Graduate with her Class

[justche]

I'm with Rainbow and Gumdrops - I find the principal's demeanor outrageous, unprofessional and quite frankly bitchy. But I do understand having to keep the policy. It's easy enough to say "lets have an exception" but they either need to change the policy to include summer classes and the ability to walk, or they need to be firm - otherwise it's lawsuits up the ying yang for other exceptions.

 

[kygal]

While I feel really sorry for the girl, I think in this case the School Board is right. I know here, if you don't have X-number of credits -- and the right ones -- you don't walk. They usually have another smaller graduation ceremony at the end of summer school for those Seniors that would then be eligible to graduate. (Note, our school system has a very good homebound program for medical necessity. I don't know of a single kid who fell behind because of medical issues -- including one of our class presidents (cancer) and my best friend who had a broken back just two days before school started.)

It it stinks that she can't walk, but I know for sure that the slippery slope effect would take place -- and I guarantee that there'd be dozens that would say "well she did, and I have doctor's excuses, so I should get to as well..." Actually, to me the fact that she's even allowed into the seats is more than I would have expected.

BTW, my computer is VERY slow on video so I can't watch the Principal on here. So I have no real clue just how cold she really was.

 

[Jesikah1]

I just called the superintendent's office and inquired if the had finally decided to let the young girl walk. Before I could ask anymore verifying questions the lady very nicely answered "yes", they had decided to let her walk. Now I didn't use her name or say the girl with cancer, but the lady seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. So if true, I think that they have made a very humane decision and let empathy override beauracracy, so kudos to them.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I just called the superintendent's office and inquired if the had finally decided to let the young girl walk. Before I could ask anymore verifying questions the lady very nicely answered "yes", they had decided to let her walk. Now I didn't use her name or say the girl with cancer, but the lady seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. So if true, I think that they have made a very humane decision and let empathy override beauracracy, so kudos to them.

And kudos to YOU for checking on this for us!!!! Thanks very much.

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

 

[RiverRat]

I just called the superintendent's office and inquired if the had finally decided to let the young girl walk. Before I could ask anymore verifying questions the lady very nicely answered "yes", they had decided to let her walk. Now I didn't use her name or say the girl with cancer, but the lady seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. So if true, I think that they have made a very humane decision and let empathy override beauracracy, so kudos to them.

Way to follow up and report back with fantastic news!!! This sure saves the Principal from having to deal with this resting on her conscious for the rest of her life....I will never forget her first instincts though and I doubt that I am alone.

 

[philamena]

Great news!!!:woohoo:

 

[chicoliving]

A Woodland High School student who battled cancer during her senior year will be allowed to graduate with her class, provided she finishes just one more English paper, school officials determined Thursday.

http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=42846

 

[deanws]

I am so happy to hear that!!!!!:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Although I would LOVE to believe the old bitter just had a change of heart, something tells me that the pain the butt media and all the calls probably had more to do with it. Either way, the young lady gets to walk with her class!!!

I'm going to be sending tons of prayers that she not only accomplishes her diploma, but that she's able to move on to college, a job and a wonderful future.

 

[Love_Mama]

Here's another link to the news story incase the above did not work:
http://www.news10.net/video/player_news10.aspx?aid=55987&bw.
Also, apparently now the principal has issued a "statement" lambasting the media and stating she actually is caring and also saying that Leanna will be allowed to "sit on the field" with her classmates. Looks like she still won't be able to walk, though. I'm just saying, let her walk, even if she is handed a blank peice of paper and not given a real diploma. Is that so hard? Here's the updated news story: http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=42732
Here's the principals recent statement in its entirety. I'm not buying it and I still don't understand why this girl can't be allowed to walk across the damn stage!: http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=42785

I just posted the Principal was a .

xxxxxxxxxxxooooooo
mama
:blowkiss::blowkiss:

 

[concernedperson]

I am glad the school district did the right thing. I am also glad so many responded to this young lady's plight and kept the spirit up for her.

 

[gitana1]

I'm so happy about this outcome and I feel the pressure really was the cause. I had the strangest back and forth via e-mail with either one of the school counselors or vice principals who I e-mailed with my protest. I e-mailed all the school counselors, the principal and all four vice principals and sent a copy to the school board. The man who e-mailed me back just said, "Well, you don't know the whole story, only what the bias [sic] media say." I wrote back, "And you are not telling me." He then wrote back again: "And you still don't know the whole truth." Very weird. I just found out today that she was able to grauduate and I feel this is the right decision. As I wrote in my e-mail to the staf and the district, many of us have lost the ability to make decisions for themselevs and use their common sense and as a result, cannot ind exceptions to the rules. That can be dangerous I think

 

[LionRun]

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?

True, MCDRAW. If ever there should be an exception to a rule this would be it. Who would it hurt? I don't believe it would hurt anyone. I doubt it would open the door for all who fall short to graduate. This is an exception. It would make her feel good to walk with her fellow classmates, especially after what she has been through. It would help her and hurt no one.