Elementary awards--perspective, please

[Anonymous]

Some kids were visibly upset when they didn't receive an award. Most kids were happily hugging their parents after the ceremony while the few kids who didn't get an award - or who had parents who couldn't take time off work to be there - were standing around looking sad. Broke my heart. I complained but was really surprised that no other parents seemed to care. I guess when your kid is happy and smiling and getting an award, it is hard to see that there are other kids standing alone with tears in their eyes.

[Anonymous]

Some kids were visibly upset when they didn't receive an award. Most kids were happily hugging their parents after the ceremony while the few kids who didn't get an award - or who had parents who couldn't take time off work to be there - were standing around looking sad. Broke my heart. I complained but was really surprised that no other parents seemed to care. I guess when your kid is happy and smiling and getting an award, it is hard to see that there are other kids standing alone with tears in their eyes.

This is horrible. I don't understand how any educator could do this to young children. Was the school StoneMill, Lakeland, or Travilah? We live in this area and I have heard from a few parents that these schools are good for typical or even advanced kids but terrible for young kids with special needs. I have heard that these school compete hard with each other for scores and do tons of the pizza parties for high scores in the prep in order to benefit the school. One parent pulled their child in 3rd grade and his self esteem was so damaged by the constant exclusion and frustration that he couldn't do well on timed tasks or stay on task that it took years for him not to see himself as a failure.

[Anonymous]

I am perfectly fine with not all kids getting awards. Awards should be earned, not given. Kids need to deal with being disappointed, not the best etc... it is actually healthier for them. That said I think every child should be able to earn awards (i.e. not always for the top score or fastest time) so that the same kids aren't earning the awards each time. I would have a big problem with every kid getting an award except one kid. That seems like deliberate exclusion.