Are rich/connected kids given special treatment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs thanks for the heads up regarding NCS's graduation tradition. Next year, I plan to run through the aisles and jump up on stage when my daughter's name is called and give her a big hug and kiss and present her diploma. I'm not on the board nor am I a faculty or staff member, I just don't want my DD to feel left out. Screw NCS and its traditions!

I'm the person who originally mentioned this ridiculous practice on this thread and the school isn't NCS. This nonsense diverted attention away from a few students at my child's graduation - it took roughly a minute for Madame Important (trustee ex-officio) to snake her way through the aisles and then strut up the stairs and onto the stage. Instead of the attention focusing on the graduates preceding her child it was focused on Madame Important. But, then again, she's a VIP - right?

[Anonymous]

[quote](1) I think that the point of identifying his position was to underscore that it isn't only rich people in the community who have the honor to award their daughters' diplomas personally.
(2) ITA. This seems a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation for many people here. [/quote]

Both of you missed the point. What I found distasteful and down right wrong, was posters naming the maintenance staff member by his name and position on this post. How would any of you fee if posters identified your name, position and place of employment (all the while referencing your child and his/her school) in a public anonymous forum such as this. The lack of empathy and level of stupidity is disgusting. The poster(s) who posted his name should be ashamed and owe this man and his family an apology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my daughter's private school the wealthy parents on the board (seated on stage with the graduates) all saw fit to give their children hugs and kisses as they received their diplomas. One woman even marched from her seat up the stairs and on to the stage to personally congratulate her daughter. As one of my friends noted, "Now we understand who owns the school".

Sounds like the NCS graduation ceremony.

If you ARE talking about NCS, there is a tradition for the child of any faculty, staff, or trustee to be handed the diploma by their parent.

You may have noticed that Manuel, a maintenance worker, handed his daughter her diploma last year. NCS likes to honor the extraordinary service (not money) that these parents provide to the school by instructing them to participate in commencement in this way. The parents aren't taking it upon themselves to do this.

Yes, pp it was charming to have the janitor give his daughter a loving kiss and hug with everyone else on stage. We're all one, of course. I suppose not many recognized that Manuel is a maintenance worker at the school.

Wow, nasty response. The previous posts either stated or implied that only wealthy parents got to go on stage to hand out diplomas, and the poster gave an example that contradicted the direction of the thread. Quite relevant. Why would you be so unpleasant about this?

In terms of this general issue, at St. Albans, as at NCS, any staff member/teacher with a child who is graduating goes up on stage and presents the diploma. It's a nice tradition and everyone not seething with resentment and bile likes it.

Why is it a nice tradition? Takes up more time in an already too long event. FYI last year T storms were coming and NCS chanced outdoor Flag Day. This year it was moved into the Cathedral based on weather forecasts. If held outdoors more people would like the amphitheatre at STA. Shade and the ability to actually see.

[Anonymous]

Many of the girls were unhappy Flag Day was moved inside. Not sure they really want to have their prize day at ST Albans. I found both services pretty tedious. Commencement is at least a graduation ceremony. Flag Day is silly. Give out a few academic awards: one, two tops per subject and move on. (6 for one language...really?) The flag itself is bizarre. Silly formula for a goofy award.

Cut out half the prizes and combine it with graduation.

[Anonymous]

I agree, graduation ceremonies are too long. Some make it sound like a solemn occation.
I would prefer it to be short and joyous