WHS graduation issue not over despite public concession
In a Daily Democrat article yesterday by Luke Gianni, Woodland High School officials announced that Leanna Elizalde, a cancer patient, will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony - a so-called reversal of their previous decision to exclude her from the celebration. Click the title of this post to access the complete article called "Cancer patient allowed to 'participate' in graduation: WHS reverses previous decision amid public outcry."
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From the article (bold letters added):
"After working with my superintendent and considering what can be done, I am announcing that the student in question and any other student who suffers from a potentially terminal illness and whose parents have not yet requested consideration be allowed to sit on the field with their classmates during our ceremony," said WHS Principal Evelia Genera this afternoon.
School officials would not say to what extent Elizalde would be allowed to "participate" in the graduation other than permitting her to be on the field with her classmates during the ceremony.
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Opinion:
This carefully crafted statement by Genera falls short of the student's request to walk through the graduation ceremony. According to the article, Leanna needs only one class to complete her diploma requirements. The district needs to be explicit in allowing her to have her name read aloud as she walks through the graduation procession. Only being allowed "to sit on the field" with her classmates is a sheisty way to concede to public demand.
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19 comments:
As much as it pains me to agree with you, I have to say that you're right. This sort of begrudging compromise misses the point and illustrates the extent to which the Superintendent (This was a Supt. decision, not Genera's) will go to protect her own turf against the wishes of the community. Shame on the district for such a poor handling of this entire episode.
I wish you a speedy recovery from what ails you :)
The only way this gets fixed is for Carol Souza-Cole to call a special meeting of the board.
I heard that two board members have attempted to get it done, but she will not respond.
We need to call her and push her to do this... they have until this afternoon to organize it in time for Leann to walk. I believe the law says that it must be posted 24 hours ahead because of brown act.
Her number:666-2070
Let her know this will be just another reason to recall her this summer. What a pathetic "leader".
"Allowing" Leanna to sit alongside
Cottingim is an insult.
No Leanna, sit with your true
Friends amd Supporters.
It is not for you to add "class and Dignity" to the Central Platform
Just one more Black Eye for the Woodland School District.
But, who cares ???
So what decision did they reverse? They just moved her chair, she still isn't allowed to walk the stage with the rest of the class.
Gee thanks. She gets to sit closer and watch all her friends and fellow students walk after their names are read. To me that's actually worse and I'm guessing that's why Leanna has given up and would rather sit with her family.
Shame on you Woodland District & Genera. Shame on you for putting this young girl through this ordeal and shame on you for trying to pull a fast one over the community. Telling us you have reversed your decision when it fact you just let her sit closer, nothing more.
This whole thing just makes me cry. I can no longer be proud of the school that I graduated from back in 1986.
WitLDU
To Anonymous...6/5/08...8:19 AM
What ????
Do you REALLY expect Sousa Cole to stand up, oppose the Superintendent ???
You might as well wait for the
Sun to rise in the West.
There still is time for the board to meet and modify the policy that would allow administrators to waive the requirements when dealing with situations like the one before us.
Evelia, Jacki & Carol are poor excuse/example of leadership, but then WJUSD is not a very good school district. People should just boycott the execise or at least pickett.
witLDU, You have reason to still be proud of the school. I am seeing solidarity all over town. I know you can not witness it in person. Cars with slogans like "Let Leanna Walk" written in bold print all over them. The students ARE the school. NOT the administrators.
I too remember things like school pride and pep rallies in support of my school.
There is an easy fix to this problem. It is just a few stubborn adults that are perpetuating this problem.
My kids received an outstanding education from the WJUSD (Beamer, Lee WHS 1981-1996). They graduated from prestigious universities and did very well. The district did a very good job. Do not blame the entire system for a few rotten apples.
Jacki, show some love/compassion like you wanted people to have/show for you when you lost your husband, or when your mother wasn't doing well. Evelia, show some love & compasion like you want people to have/show for you becuase you say you lost your sister to the same illness, or is that an untruth also?
it takes just a few rotten apples to ruin the school district. the past long ago & current are proof
My 4 kids graduated from prestigious universities also, but not because of WJUSD.
Not one single member of my graduating class got their diploma on the day we walked for graduation. We all got a blank piece of paper scrolled up. The actual diploma was mailed to us at a later date.
The ceramony and rite of passage of walking with your class can ONLY happen one time. It would be a truly sad thing to not allow Leanna this finale to her twelve years of hard work.
Do not give Leanna just a seat on the field. She deserves a special mention and apology from the WJUSD. I really like the idea that someone else came up with to call her name FIRST. Hand her a blank scroll. We all will know what she got. A picture of THAT should be front page fodder for the Democrat. Maybe even let channel 10, and CNN know that the District did the right thing.
Public concession...we sure are gullible.
there is a special board meeting tomorrow (Fri. 6/6/08 @ 3:00 pm)people should picket/protest at this meeting bacause of this issue & because of the Blue Shield building.
I hope all seven board members attend the special board meeting......
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