Open Forum

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

IF Admin does not let anyone - not NHS, FBLA, NO one, then you probably just have to accept it. While stupid, the rule is being applied to evenly to all. If they are singling Arts kids out or other clubs out (as happened at my school, where only NHS could wear, until I and many others who run various societies / clubs, addressed the issue with the admin) then you need to point out that this is unfair and mention that parents are upset (that scares 'em) and they usually will change.

------------------------------
Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2018 15:46
From: Sharon Deady
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students.

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

That is very unfortunate. As mentioned above, are other students allowed to wear cords? It’s a shame, because students work hard to achieve these honors. What’s next, taking letters off of the varsity jackets?

---------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
---------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2018
From: Sharon Deady
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

Don't the honor graduates get to war something special?

Sent from my iPad


Original Message------

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

While I don't have this problem (thank, goodness!) I know there are court cases out there that have been won allowing honors to be displayed at graduation.  Not being a lawyer I don't know how to access them, but if you know someone in the legal profession I assume they could find them for you.  As to how that might rattle your Admin. you'll have to decide that.

------------------------------
Steve Halper
Theatre Assistant & Co-sponsor
Salpointe Catholic High School
Tucson, AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-17-2018 14:05
From: Vici Anderson
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

Don't the honor graduates get to war something special?

Sent from my iPad


Original Message------

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students.

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students. 

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

​I'm curious if other honoraries  are able to wear cords.  If so, there's your argument.

------------------------------
Valerie Scott
Drama Teacher/Director
Perimeter School
Johns Creek, Ga
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2018 15:46
From: Sharon Deady
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students.

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

This topic comes up about this time every year and it always makes me sad to think that a student can work extremely hard for years and then be denied the opportunity to wear their honors at graduation. 

A couple of years ago, a teacher shared a brilliant approach to this very issue. What will your students remember the most? The feelings of accomplishment and confirmation that they will experience when you award them with honor and scholar items or walking across the stage at graduation? For many, being honored and recognized with tangible PROOF of their achievements is what will live in their heart forever. Award students, no matter what.

If your school has a policy that items may not be worn at graduation, it's likely that they are not to be SEEN during the ceremony. Can students wear their honors UNDER their graduation gown during the ceremony? Likely, they can and they'll know they're graduating with all their earned honors. AFTER the ceremony, for pictures, everything can be worn on the outside to show the world. It's those pictures that'll mean the most from that day. It's those that'll be shared in social media.

Always follow school policy. Always honor your students for their achievements.

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2018 23:32
From: Valerie Scott
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

​I'm curious if other honoraries  are able to wear cords.  If so, there's your argument.

------------------------------
Valerie Scott
Drama Teacher/Director
Perimeter School
Johns Creek, Ga

Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2018 15:46
From: Sharon Deady
Subject: Cannot Wear Cords

Good afternoon all,

Our troupe has many senior thespians that are graduating this year, and many have qualified for the thespian honor cords. We have no problem supplying them to said students, but our school's administration will not let them wear the cords during the graduation ceremony itself. We have never really gotten a clear answer as to why- however, it can be inferred that the administration does not wish for certain groups of students to stand out over others (customization), or that it was unfair to other students.

Are there any ideas on how to approach the administration on this?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Sharon Deady
Theater Department
La Quinta CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

This topic comes up about this time every year and it always makes me sad to think that a student can work extremely hard for years and then be denied the opportunity to wear their honors at graduation. 

A couple of years ago, a teacher shared a brilliant approach to this very issue. What will your students remember the most? The feelings of accomplishment and confirmation that they will experience when you award them with honor and scholar items or walking across the stage at graduation? For many, being honored and recognized with tangible PROOF of their achievements is what will live in their heart forever. Award students, no matter what.

If your school has a policy that items may not be worn at graduation, it's likely that they are not to be SEEN during the ceremony. Can students wear their honors UNDER their graduation gown during the ceremony? Likely, they can and they'll know they're graduating with all their earned honors. AFTER the ceremony, for pictures, everything can be worn on the outside to show the world. It's those pictures that'll mean the most from that day. It's those that'll be shared in social media.

Always follow school policy. Always honor your students for their achievements.

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------