No more cum laude, individual awards announced rarely

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Head over to the college discussion. Awards matter.

Right, to that individual. The rest of us could not care less about Billy’s place as first trombonist in the district orchestra.

I care. The only reason I read the weekly newsletter is to see and celebrate the student accomplishments. It is cool to see the kids find success in their instrument, sport, debate, robotics, service, etc. They light up when you mention it to them.

I'm the same way, but I also don't want to have to sit though a banquet or ceremony to celebrate them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if cum laude ceremony stopped because of the pandemic but the past two years there’s no announcement of cum laude recipients at Larlos school. Also, individual mentions for debate rankings or music competitions, etc., are not announced, even though kids are placing. It feels like the school wants to protect the kids egos who don’t qualify.

This is a typical liberal anti-merit things Wash DC schools eat up, hook, line and sinker.

Good luck in the global real world. Maybe you can extend your anti meritocracy time with a liberal arts degree at a tiny liberal slac for $90k a year….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Head over to the college discussion. Awards matter.

Right, to that individual. The rest of us could not care less about Billy’s place as first trombonist in the district orchestra.

I’d be happy and proud for Billy. Nothing wrong with that.

Look at what is glorified instead at these schools. It’s not they aren’t glorifying anything, they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been a push everywhere. My child is super involved in the arts. The program director shared with me that last year they stopped announcing internal and external awards. It was because parents of non-recipients where relentless to the point of abusive of she and her staff about their kids not being acknowledged.

The parents are paying a lot of money, if Larla's painting wasn't good enough, maybe it was the teacher's fault? Isn't superior instruction and individual attention supposed to be the point of an independent school- why can't the teacher get Larla to your kid's level?

It’s partly this. Easily most private school parents fear their child can’t cut it in a public school or magnet or school with over 140 students PER GRADE.

How will my poor coddled child different themselves?
What if the class size is over 15 students per class, oh my?!
What will my child or teen do if they are not watched like a hawk by a $50,000.00 per year day school?
How would my mediocre athlete make the cut at a bigger high school? Better go private or start fencing or squash lessons ASAP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with this - celebrate within the community!

Not saying this is you, PP, but many parents (whether at public or private) like to talk a good game about "community," all the way until their kids are competing for the same scarce item.

I hear you!

I'm PP and am not that way. My school doesn't give awards, which in some ways is too bad, but in others, it great at avoiding the competition. Who am I kidding...it's already a grind so adding awards would just create a new bucket for pour those competitive juices into!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. It’s a common issue and I love reading DCUM! I mean aren’t you interested in what the issues at Harvard Westlake or Exeter are? Okay, bye!

I welcome you here OP! Clearly your "5 states away issue" struck a chord with DMV private school parents...

Honestly, do they suddenly not care about this topic because it isn't tangible gossip about their own (or their neighbors') school?

[Anonymous]

i think our school had an awards night where kids scholarships were announced as well as all other awards.

if the reason they aren't doing it is to not hurt other kids feelings, then that's bull. kids who work hard to wini awards should be acknowledged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. It’s a common issue and I love reading DCUM! I mean aren’t you interested in what the issues at Harvard Westlake or Exeter are? Okay, bye!

Nope, not interested in high schools outside of the Beltway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. It’s a common issue and I love reading DCUM! I mean aren’t you interested in what the issues at Harvard Westlake or Exeter are? Okay, bye!

Not even a tiny bit. See ya, Felicia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i think our school had an awards night where kids scholarships were announced as well as all other awards.

if the reason they aren't doing it is to not hurt other kids feelings, then that's bull. kids who work hard to wini awards should be acknowledged.

The reason that they have those nights in the first place is because of push back over there being an athletic banquet and nothing for academics

[Anonymous]

And yet we never stop hearing about athletic awards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a typical liberal anti-merit things Wash DC schools eat up, hook, line and sinker.

Good luck in the global real world. Maybe you can extend your anti meritocracy time with a liberal arts degree at a tiny liberal slac for $90k a year….

ThE rEaL wOrLd Is A mErItOcRaCy!!1!1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a typical liberal anti-merit things Wash DC schools eat up, hook, line and sinker.

Good luck in the global real world. Maybe you can extend your anti meritocracy time with a liberal arts degree at a tiny liberal slac for $90k a year….

ThE rEaL wOrLd Is A mErItOcRaCy!!1!1

Fight it! Equity for all and for all a good night!

[Anonymous]

What’s cum laude? Sounds gross.

No GPAs at our progressive school either.

Don’t worry, Be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a typical liberal anti-merit things Wash DC schools eat up, hook, line and sinker.

Good luck in the global real world. Maybe you can extend your anti meritocracy time with a liberal arts degree at a tiny liberal slac for $90k a year….

ThE rEaL wOrLd Is A mErItOcRaCy!!1!1

I am all for meritocracy but that's not how the cum laude list is determined--at least not at Maret. We went through it the first time two years ago and I was shocked the list reflected the student's perceived popularity, which teachers like you, etc. Not based on the GPA of the students.