Student of the Month????

[G-Mac]

A couple of weeks ago, we received a letter from our son's high school. He was chosen as "Student of the Month".

Quite frankly, I was shocked. He's no dummy, has been accepted to several colleges...but the truth is, he's really been slacking lately and rarely, if ever, does his homework.

His most recent progress report, which we just received yesterday, reflects this. Poor grades, lacking homework and other assignments, in all classes except Phys. Ed.

My son is very popular, has a lot of friends...he's good in sports (plays lacrosse), music (plays guitar), etc. Teachers have always typically said that he's a pleasure to have in their class. He was voted "most friendly" by the other students.

I love my boy, but surely somebody was more deserving of "Student of the Month" than him.

Apparently, I just don't understand today's education system. Apparently, being popular is more important than good grades.

No, I haven't ragged on him for the crappy report card yet (oh, I will)...I'm biting my tongue right now. Thought it would be better to vent here and not ruin our Sunday at home.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Who selects the student of the month? Teachers, other students? Hope your son comes around Gordy. There's a lot of truth in the saying "A mind is a terrible thing to waste".

 

[G-Mac]

Who selects the student of the month? Teachers, other students?

Misty,

That's what I'd like to know!

If he got "Athlete of the Month", I'd understand it...he's definitely one of the key players, and a captain, of the high school lacrosse team. Several colleges wanted him to play lacrosse, he committed to one of them.

But, to me at least, "student" should reflect good academics...not a popularity contest!

I have MANY reasons to be proud of him...but his study habits and recent grades is not one of them.

 

[Amy May]

Maybe everyone gets to be student of the month once!

 

[zercool]

I determined when I was in high school that yes, indeed, it was a popularity contest.

I was invited to apply for National Honor Society due to grades etc. After going through their whole process, I was informed that I didn't have the "moral character" to be a member... in this case, it was because I was willing to call out a teacher who was wrong, refused to violate my personal beliefs for a grade, and voiced my contrary opinions.

Guess what? I was still accepted to a top-level engineering school, and in the years since then, not a single employer has asked me if I was in NHS in high school.

IMHO, things that seemed like a Big Deal back then just don't matter in the big picture.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

My son was once inmate of the month
G-mac-the boy is graduating. The whole Sr. Class has been slacking off for the past few months(at least since the end of spring break). Don't you remember your Sr. year in High School?????? The boy has been acepted to college, he plays sports- he sounds pretty well rounded. Come to Court with me some time and see what some really bad kids look like. Sometimes it's a victory to get one out of high school without a baby, a drug habit or a record. I found myself making that mistake with my son, always comparing him to others who did better and he falling short. You know what? He has a degree, is currently in Bosun's School with the Coast Guard and is trying to get into physician's assistant school this fall. And you know what? I find myself sad that he isn't going to Med School!!! What the hell is wrong with me????This might be one of those times to lighten up a bit . Don't make the same mistakes our fathers made. You raised him to be good, you knew he wasn't gonna be perfect. Hug him and tell him you love him-Also tell him you're proud of him-I still haven't heard that from my father yet and I'm pushing 55.

 

[pharmer]

Around here, one teacher nominates a student. Asks several others to agree. Principal gives thumbs up or down. I'm sure it's similar elsewhere regardless of how the "process" is explained. Joe

 

[Grog]

Back in 2002 I was named employee of the month (out of a few hundred) and I didn't do anything different than the rest of the time.

It was just my time

 

[redlevel]

My son was once inmate of the month
G-mac-the boy is graduating. The whole Sr. Class has been slacking off for the past few months(at least since the end of spring break). Don't you remember your Sr. year in High School?????? The boy has been acepted to college, he plays sports- he sounds pretty well rounded. Come to Court with me some time and see what some really bad kids look like. Sometimes it's a victory to get one out of high school without a baby, a drug habit or a record. I found myself making that mistake with my son, always comparing him to others who did better and he falling short. You know what? He has a degree, is currently in Bosun's School with the Coast Guard and is trying to get into physician's assistant school this fall. And you know what? I find myself sad that he isn't going to Med School!!! What the hell is wrong with me????This might be one of those times to lighten up a bit . Don't make the same mistakes our fathers made. You raised him to be good, you knew he wasn't gonna be perfect. Hug him and tell him you love him-Also tell him you're proud of him-I still haven't heard that from my father yet and I'm pushing 55.

I agree with Caje. "Student of the Month" implies a lot of different things. Remember, the award isn't "Scholar of the Month." Has he ever won this particular award before? As a teacher, I can just envision a likely conversation in the lounge: "You know, we have never recognized (G-Macs kid) for being such a good kid. He is smart, although he doesn't always meet his potential, but he does what he has to, plus a little more, always says 'yes sir' and 'yes m'am," never causes trouble in class, and is just an all-round pleasure to have in class every day. Why don't we give him SotM this month?"

Once at my school, some teachers wanted to use SoM to try to encourage kids who were doing poorly, or who were in danger of getting in real trouble with drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, etc. to do better. I never agreed with that. However, I did agree with and push for giving the award to good kids who, while not necessarily leading the pack in grades, were on a track to become good moral and productive citizens.

By the way, Caje, I have a daughter who pretty much excelled. She is completing her sixth year as an eighth-grade English teacher. She has been recognized as one of the best teachers at her school since her second year. Not a week goes by that I fail to tell her multiple times how proud she has made me. I do not take it for granted.

 

[G-Mac]

My son was once inmate of the month
G-mac-the boy is graduating. The whole Sr. Class has been slacking off for the past few months(at least since the end of spring break). Don't you remember your Sr. year in High School?????? The boy has been acepted to college, he plays sports- he sounds pretty well rounded. Come to Court with me some time and see what some really bad kids look like. Sometimes it's a victory to get one out of high school without a baby, a drug habit or a record. I found myself making that mistake with my son, always comparing him to others who did better and he falling short. You know what? He has a degree, is currently in Bosun's School with the Coast Guard and is trying to get into physician's assistant school this fall. And you know what? I find myself sad that he isn't going to Med School!!! What the hell is wrong with me????This might be one of those times to lighten up a bit . Don't make the same mistakes our fathers made. You raised him to be good, you knew he wasn't gonna be perfect. Hug him and tell him you love him-Also tell him you're proud of him-I still haven't heard that from my father yet and I'm pushing 55.

Thanks Caje...I think that this puts it in the proper perspective for me!

Truth is, I was worse than him. I didn't turn in the required work for English class my senior year (1977). Even though I got an A on the final exam, I still had a failing grade and had to go to summer school for English before they'd give me my diploma.

I got no room to talk....

 

[sipowicz]

I guess it depends on the school. I went to high school in the Bronx and got Student of the month 3 times even though I averaged mostly Bs and Cs.. When my parents enquired they were told I got it for not using a knife or gun in any school fights.

 

[truckemup97]

As Cajun intimated, it ain't nuthin' none of us ain't done. Let him know that this behavior won't be tolerated in college. I wish someone had told me.

We got a letter from our daughter's grade school once telling us she was "Student of the Week." I was pretty proud until I talked to some of the other parents who told me what the program was. Two students from each grade were "chosen" as Student of the Week. That way, everyone got to be Student of the week. The program was not continued the next year. I like to think it was because of the stink I raised, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one.

I am proud to say that she made National Junior Honor Society this year, though.

 

[bricker]

My wife was "Employee of the Month" in September once....she started in October!

 

[The Big D]

...I can just envision a likely conversation in the lounge: "You know, we have never recognized (G-Macs kid) for being such a good kid. He is smart, although he doesn't always meet his potential, but he does what he has to, plus a little more, always says 'yes sir' and 'yes m'am," never causes trouble in class, and is just an all-round pleasure to have in class every day. Why don't we give him SotM this month?"

... I did agree with and push for giving the award to good kids who, while not necessarily leading the pack in grades, were on a track to become good moral and productive citizens.

...

redlevel, you essentially summed up the criteria used for an award I provide to a graduating student at my former high school.

The award is for a student who was not the valedictorian, who wasn't the sports all-star, who wasn't the most popular...but IS a top 10 contender in all those aspects of student life and more.

The award is unknown to the recipient until graduation night. This year's recipient is particularly worthy and expect she will be quite surprised.

Be safe.

 

[K38]

My boy never had a B on his transcript from 1st through 12 grade. He was the salutatorian (2nd) of his class. Graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M in Mechanical Engineering (no shallow end to that course of study). Am I bragging - yes. He wasn't ever student of the week. But I'm so damn proud of him I could burst. He is doing his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Turbine Engine Research) He's a pretty great kid. He even comes to visit his aged parents sometimes. It amazes me sometimes as there never was any danger of me being an honor student.

Dwight