We are thankful our school has decided to once again recognize their students who are on the honor roll for good grades. Isn't there an old adage that says something along the lines "you don't know what you've got until it's gone?" In previous years, we attended every awards ceremony for our students. That meant four times a school year we'd pack into a crowded cafeteria with all the other proud parents to clap and photograph our little achievers. The awards assembly was usually broken into two groups to accommodate the large groups of students. First & second graders were the first thirty minutes and then the third through fifth graders the last 30-40 minutes. Because our children were in both groups, we had to stay for both ceremonies. Most of the time, the ceremony ran over because there were so many students who had earned good grades in addition to perfect attendance. It seemed soooo long when I had little siblings in tow.
Well, at the beginning of this year, we were a 'pilot school' to test a 'no grades theory'. Instead the students received marks like, "Emerging" or "Approaching Grade Level". It was ridiculous. When they started this program, a flyer went home explaining that since there weren't grades, there would be no honor roll. Hence, there would be no awards ceremony. Only then did I realize that I actually liked being able to celebrate my kids success. I did like seeing my kids standing with their little paper nervous, yet proud on the stage while I flashed them a thumbs up sign. They deserved it. (Plus, the certificate for a free burger somewhere makes for a great excuse to eat out.) Thankfully, whoever was running the pilot program realized the significance of grades. So here we are three quarters done with school at our first awards assembly of the year. I'm glad its back. Its nice that now the 'little siblings' are receiving their own awards.
(And I'm glad our school does ceremonies.
I found out later, other schools just hand out the certificates in class.)