Went to such an event last night, the prize giving for the sports team. Family friends' daughter was getting a couple of prizes, so we were put on the guest list. Some observations, starting with the not-so-good.

Latecomers. The proceeding was set to start at 1730, and it did so, on the dot. People were still drifting in at nearly 1800! To cap it all, the family that invited us were late!!! Now, I know that Vegas is a construction zone from end to end right now, and parents getting time off to attend on time if they work in the casino industry isn't necessarily going to happen. Still, I found the sheer number of latecomers disturbing. Maybe I'm just old and grumpy.

I was majorly unimpressed by the number of no-shows. A depressing number of students who were supposed to get prizes were not present. That may have a lot to do with the factors I mentioned above, and maybe a lot of the kids have after school jobs to help support the family. To be kind, this particular high school is not in an affluent catchment area. Several coaches were no-shows, too.

However, the real kicker was that the damned principal cried off. WTH!? I think three school teams and several individuals made it to state and regional competitions, and yet she doesn't turn up? I asked about this and was told, wryly, "Yeah, she always seems to have somewhere else to be." Whether this is just directed at the sports program or is a general habit of hers was not revealed. Bloody poor, IMNSHO.

As for the conduct of the ceremony, I thought it was a lot of fun. The kids were mostly quiet during the speeches, and while all those receiving accolades were applauded with cheers, certain students and even coaches were given the full, loud treatment. Quite a bit of school spirit going on. The whole deal only lasted an hour, which I felt was about right. Afterwards, we hit Tacos El Gordo and I ate far too much. All in all, a good evening.

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Release the Kraken

Sounds like you had a pretty good time. I’m hoping the youngster that you attended for was happy about the experience.

Best of all you got tacos.

I haven’t been to Vegas in a while, bet the weather was great.


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We recently experienced the "cycle" of end of the year banquets at the local high school. For the most part it's rewarding to recognize and support the youth of our fine community and the kids seem to appreciate the support.

The band awards banquet was outstanding with great food (really good prime rib with all appropriate trimmings) and a total time span of less than two hours. Hooray!

The athletic banquet, on the other hand, had "okay" food (baked potatoes with pulled pork and other dressings) but seems to never end. Granted it's bigger than the band event but oh-my-gosh.

Because of complaints about the four hour endurance test there will be two banquets next year; fall and spring. Sounds like a great deal until someone observed they'll both be four hours long and I'm betting they're correct!

Bryan

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Ordnung muss sein
SWHF #789

In Ohio, a High School Principle is required to have a Master's Degree and most have Ph. Ds. (and are paid accordingly! over $135K starting and major benefits)

I have found that those who fill the position are sorely lacking in the abilities and attitudes that go with the job.

The school system that my wife grew up in has close to 40 Superintendents! Several have specific areas of responsibility, 14 are "At Large" seats and do whatever or nothing, all at $175K+ each!

A number of years ago they announced they were going to a "Zero Tolerance" policy of rules infraction. I was all in favor of this! You do X, and Y will happen! Write it up and do away with several million in payroll.

My brother lived next door to one of the At Large Supers and told him my plan to clean up the wage situation. The very next day, the radio news was abuzz with how the school system was extending personal oversight to every discipline problem! The system is broken!

One Ohio school system had attendance problems! The probate courts handle these cases. The judges started sentencing both parents to one week in jail AND one week in school (Next to their little darling!) Truancy fell to almost zero in 4 weeks. (It was a real inconvenience for noncustodial parents that lived out of district or even out of state!)

The Principle in LV Steve's post need a little "Tough Love" herself!

Ivan

Talking about being late ....... We had a family friend who was a Navy Chaplain . Back in the early 1980's he was stationed here in Orlando . He used to get so mad at people coming in late , but what really got him was people leaving early . He used to warn them that God wanted them to stay for the whole mass , but some just didn't listen . One Sunday during mass , close to the end , he had one of the seamen that helped out lock the doors . Talk about the walk of shame ! It lasted for a while , but soon they were back at it .