Principal speaks out
CENTERBURG — Because some seniors cheated on tests while taking a world social studies class required for graduation, the Centerburg Board of Education canceled commencement exercises, and the mood at the high school on Friday was somber rather than celebratory.
12 Responses to “ Principal speaks out”
How stupid do you think I am? I know what that means, I think you need to re-read your comments you are the one that got on here and started bashing the innocent,their parents and whole centerburg community, I am only trying to get through to you that is not fair for you to set out there and send your commints to the parents that we didn’t do our job you have no idea. I didn’t attack you I attacked the fact that you can set out there and judge all of the students. some thing about the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, glass houses etc……You keep saying these kids like it is all of them that is what is wrong with this whole thing they are getting grouped together like they all did it, and I truly believe all of them did not know this was going on I dont really care what you think you are right we all are intitled to Our opinion…. I am now done responding to you you are not worth my time
Von, do you know what “alum” means? It’s short for “alumnus.”
It means I graduated from Centerburg. I lived there for 20 years. Maybe you missed reading that part in my post in your rush to attack me? Or in your media-induced haze? Does attacking me make you feel better? Does it make the problems go away? See, this is exactly the problem I’m talking about. Getting distracted from the issue at hand is what will further keep making the town look bad.
I’m one of the people out in the world trying to undo what these kids have done to the name of my hometown. I’ve watched that town slowly erode as more and more folks look for a handout and parents expect the school to do the job they’re not doing.
You even say “don’t think I don’t know whats going on.” My point exactly. Maybe if you’d turned in the cheaters this would have never happened? Again, direct your aggression toward figuring out how to save the community we both love.
The students let the school system and taxpayers down, as well as those of us all over the country and world that now are from “the town that cancelled the graduation ceremony.”
WC ALUM
The fact that you think I didn’t use my real name is funny, I have lived in Centerburg for 29 years and up to this point have been very proud of that fact, I can no longer say that, so you sit out there on the west coast and judge the people of centerburg! Until you are put in this situation you can not truly know how we feel as the parents that was let down by the school system. I was a volunteer at that school for over 12 years for my 2 children dont think I dont know whats going on.
I am so glad that my children are grown and I do not have to deal with this garbage! I did teach my children right from wrong, and one thing was not to cheat! To the cheater’s out there , it will come back and haunt you one day, that is if you ever find any morals. Take out your dictionary and look that word up.
this is a public forum, von. specifically designed for the expressing of opinions. if the adage were true, i wouldn’t be seeing so many parents creating a bully pulpit for themselves to make threats about school board members, lawsuits, etc. and, if you, yourself held to the adage you would have nothing to say to me, right?
what does not providing my name mean? the same as you not providing yours, right? or all the other folks that like making threats because they didn’t do the best for their kids as parents? you, too, have chosen anonymity. why would i give my real name? some senior might hack into my life and destroy my children’s weeks. I think that’s been enough problem already in that town, i’m not looking to transplant it out here.
i still have friends in centerburg, one of whom is a parent of a senior– and knows his child knew about the cheating, FROM THE CAREER CENTER, but didn’t tell. and rightfully feels like he let his community down as a parent. a moral imperative you seem to be free from. maybe you are a parent with one of the 20 (?) kids that were truly “ignorant”– but if you’ve lived in that town for any time, you know that is a stretch. kids know. it’s fine to acknowledge it– no progress can be made without it. but thinking they had no knowledge is as silly as thinking dogs can play poker.
maybe your kid knew– maybe your kid didn’t– why arent you upset that the other parents have done such a poor job that it cost your child a graduation ceremony? that’s what happened. you’re going to let your child get run over by other students’ poor choices that they learned from parents? and then doubly swayed by the ridiculous outcry of the same parents that their child, too, is innocent? dude, that isn’t the school board’s fault. fight the real enemy. people just want someone to blame and are obviously throwing tantrums because personal accountability is at an all time low, it seems.
now, VON, i ask you, are you going to continue perpetuating the problem, or stand up for a solution? be a proud parent… but for the right reasons.
Alumi west coast Keep your opions to yourself have you not heard the old wives, “tell if you have nothing nice to say, then dont say anything at all”. I am a proud parent of centerburg Senior. I know he was not involved he was at the career center !!!!! if you truly believe what you are saying I feel sorry for you that you have such a bad out look on life. I sleep just fine at night. If you aren’t ashamed of what you are saying you would’nt use your name and not alum?
“glass houses?” really?
the adults in centerburg set such bad examples that they should look the other way when students commit a CRIME? not a prank, a CRIME! what the heck? that makes sense– let’s let the inmates make the rules in the prison! perfect! if these students had the moral integrity the centerburg school board is exhibiting this awful crime would have never happened. in my time away from centerburg i have realized that the lessons taught by the adults in that town about the values of respect, integrity, and dignity are not taught in many cities– even mount vernon. so to say that the town is setting a bad example is disgusting and an insult to the generations of people that have willingly stayed there, improving the community through volunteering for the school and other organizations. taking that involvement for granted, and a loathsome sense of entitlement is what has gotten these selfish children in trouble.
i love the suggestion that students didn’t know. LAUGHABLE! that town and school are so small that students throughout the high school (9-12) knew what was going on and have confessed to it in public forums. yes, maybe there were students that didnt know, but maybe is the operative word. when more than 50% of the class is implicated, the time factor the school board faced in making the decision is logical. and, nowhere in the schools charter are such privileges guaranteed– high school sports, clubs, dances, and organizations can be cancelled or shut down at any time.
the next time you read someone blaming the school board, think about the parents of seniors. i’m sure most seniors couldnt name half the school board members — so quit blaming them. school board members are not the role models for high school students. THE KIDS LEARNED TO CHEAT SOMEWHERE. look in the mirror, parents. apples do not fall far from the tree and think about the values you taught your children—- or did you expect the school to do that for you? or did you expect your kids to learn that on the internet? on their ipods? you think your teenager tells you everything? without a doubt? if so, i’ve got some oceanfront property in idaho that will really excite you. and a great deal on a mortgage! i mean, i was a perfect teenager who never got caught.
i would be embarrassed to be a parent of a senior. don’t you have doubt you kid knew and didn’t tell? you really think teenagers don’t lie? come on. think of the gossip in that town. where were you in the moment your child made the choice to not demonstrate integrity and moral fiber? somebody should start selling sleeping pills in that town– i hope the parents can’t sleep at night as they reconsider the definition of “in loco parentis.”
don’t trust the school? don’t fool yourself. at some point you’re going to have to look the community members you’ve shamed in the eye. how sad. i know i was raised better. i only wish those with the same zip code i enjoyed for 20 years were busier learning instead of learning how to cheat.
teach your children well.
Karen from Centerburg,
There is no such thing “rights”-of-passge, There are however, rites-of-passage — events or ceremonies marking important points in one’s life. Perhaps you don’t know from personal experience, but high school commencement exercises are indeed rites- (not rights) of-passage that signify the closure of one part of ones life and the beginning of another. It’s a shame that the school board, et al., denied this important rite- (not right) of-passage to the innocent and guilty alike.
I do understand that some students cheated, and that they do not deserve to graduate. SOME being the key word. I wonder ……… if the principal’s son or daughter , or a school board members son or daughter was graduating, would it have been cancelled???? Maybe not. If the American Justice system handeled things as Centerburg High School has in this situation, could you imagine? I think that there should have been a punishment, though something that was not decided at the 11th hour. I hope that all involved learned thier lesson, yes even the staff at Centerburg. How many dirty little secrets did Centerburg sweep under the rug when it involved ADULTS. Maybe Centerburg staff should not throw stones at glass houses. Many of you do underhanded things to students, parents, etc…. without any punishment. Two wrongs do not make one right. Though if you are going to foster lying, underhanded situations in your school system, you reep what you sew. Guess what my vote on the next levy is?????????????????????
Tough call.
If ALL had said “No thanks,” to the trespasser’s theft of the data, there would be no discussion and there would have been a ceremony.
If one student had alerted school officials of the problem before testing, there would be no discussion and there would have been a ceremony.
I do not envy the decision makers.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-06-05-graduation-cheaters_N.htm#uslPageReturn
Whoops!
What a difficult situation! I have read comments that say graduation is a right-of-passage. I find this statement to be untrue. The right to graduate is something that is earned. I think that having an un-official graduation at the Park is not the right answer either. Will there really be any joy in that? No, it will be hollow because of the situation. It will not bring closure or joy. I feel sorry for the Board of Education and the principal. Your high school education is more than academics. It is learning about you! It is learning about being responsible, and being of good character. It is learning that honesty is the best policy. It’s learning to do the right thing for the right reason. This is no high school prank. It is dishonesty and cheating to further ones self. This is not the best prank ever. For those of you who cheated, I feell genuine sorrow that you fell when tempted. To those who did not cheat JOB WELL DONE! You can honestly say it is well with your soul. Unfortunately, there is no easy way out of this mess. Maybe the boy who orchestrated this mess would like to pay for the time the school and Sherriff’s office have used to research, and sort this mess out. I think the Centerburg Board of Education has made a very difficult decision. Unfortunately, it is what it is.