From Summer Walter, a concerned parent in Joppatowne
I was greatly disappointed in Joppatowne High School’s commencement last evening. While I can understand that some of our local politicians feel the need to make an appearance, Mr. Glen Glass was out of line. His speech was too long and not to the point. We were there to celebrate our children graduating, not to listen about his personal life growing up. We all heard that during elections!!
In addition to Mr. Glass, I felt extremely sorry for Mr. Macon Tucker. While I am not a huge fan of his, the students and yes even some parents I felt were so disrespectful to him!! Mr. Tucker in his speech announced that he was no longer going to be our principal and was being forced out; there were very few parents that clapped for him. I understand parent’s frustrations with Joppatowne, I for one am one of those parents, but please be respectful, he is still our principal!!
Upon calling the students to receive the diploma, there were two students, which chose to dance and cartwheel on stage. While the first was a bit funny and the audience laughed, it was not the time or the place for such things. The problem that I had, was after the second student decided to cart wheel on stage, returning to her seat, Mr. Tucker stated that it was not the time for such things, and she saluted him. To me, once again that was being disrespectful. There were parents shouting to let them do it. REALLY? I am sorry I agree with Mr. Tucker, this was a graduation, not a circus, which at times is what it seemed. This was not a place for kids to act unruly!!
Before the students were called to receive their diplomas, parents that wanted to take pictures of their children were urged to line up on one side of the wall, while the students lined the other. This was ridiculous!! It was out of control with everyone pushing everyone else.
At the end of graduation, I was amazed to see how many parents and other guests there were rude!!! We had small children with us and no one seemed to care that they were walking. People pushed and shoved, cut in front of us to break our family apart. Nowhere were excuse mes mentioned or apologies for stepping on toes. I felt like we were at a rock concert with all the pushing and shoving, not a high school graduation!!
Did we want to take pictures after graduation? Absolutely!! However, with the amount of people there being rude, even our own graduate did not want to stick around at school!! Maybe next year, Joppatowne will reevaluate how graduation is taken care of. Maybe next year, there will be more control of the students. Maybe next year, they will ask the politicians to focus on the graduates, not themselves. Maybe next year, parents and students will learn some self-discipline and respect!! Maybe, but probably not!!
Summer Walter
A concerned parent in Joppatowne
Harfordmom says
I’m sorry to hear that happened on your family’s big event. That is horrible. It should have been a proud moment for you all and with tons of pictures – When I graduated (25 yrs ago..) we were told if we “acted up” or were disrespectful – we wouldn’t receive our diploma…perhaps that should be looked at.
Of course back then, people earned the chance to go to the next grade and were left back if they didn’t. They could read,write and do math too. There were expulsions for terrible behavior and basically consequences for their actions across the board…Parents also respected the school. It wasn’t perfect back then either – just better.
Jasmine Taylor says
i am Jasmine Taylor and i am a Sophomre at Jopppatowne high . i am an honor roll student and i very much dont hate my school but i am content with it. the way i see it is that all these parents and teachers are complaining about the school but they do nothing to try to change it. yes the students do make very poor choices, but their are ones that are the exact oppisite. your daughter is one of my best friends and because of your letter she is being treated badly at school. maybe if some wise decisions were made upon this letter being written then so much annimosity wouldnt be going on. you dont understand that you writting this letter made or school LOOK AND SOUND WORST instead of trying to improve it. the students talk about this letter day and night,on how badly the school looks already and this letter made it worst realisticly . i mean no desrespect in this letter and i do understand your point of view but i jus feel as though things were needed to be said.
Summer Walter says
Jasmine, my daughter is not home from school yet today, so I am unaware of any mistreatment. She did message me this morning stating that some of the kids knew of it. Why should I not be able to speak about my feelings about the graduation? Once again, my letter was about the graduation, not about Joppatowne High entirely. And if my daughter is being mistreated at school because of something that I have written than what does that say about the student body at Joppatowne? Maybe that is just proving others comments about how bad off Joppatowne has become. If my daughter is one of your best friends are you telling those that are harassing her to stop? And Jasmine, you are assuming a lot and know little of me or my actions! I am not going to get into some type of argument with a child.
And on another note, I have heard from other students and parents that have stated how disappointed and upset they were at the graduation. Clearly, I am not the only one that feels this way, but the only one that has chosen to go public about it.
teacher and mom in hcps says
Summer’s mom! You are an awesome mother who cares about her daughter and school! Because of a few ignorant and rude parents and their kids your child’s special night was not what she expected. Although many of the posts say that she will not remember her graduation in 10 years. That is not the point, the graduates had the right to have a wonderful experience that was ruined. Shame on you Joppa parents who made a fool of yourself and your community. However, congratulations to the students and parents who made Joppatown High School proud.
Jasmine's Mom says
Hello All,
I decided to comment on this article when my daughter Jasmine came home and told me about the comments that were made against the Joppatowne 2011 graduates. First I want to say kudos to the graduates of 2011….congratulations, I know it’s been a long time coming but, you finally did it! I remember when I graduated, I wanted to do a cartwheel too! I am a person who believes everybody is unique and no two persons are the same. Not everybody shows happiness the same way, some laugh, some cry, some scream, some shout and some are quite. It’s sad when you stumble upon a web site such as this where people have nothing better to do than gossip about our children and schools. I did not attend the graduation and I am not proud of the things I am hearing went on during the ceremony. I am not upset about the things that was said in this article but, I am upset about how someone could stoop so low as to publicize it. I am in no way in agreeance with the behavior that was shown by the students and parents but, I am upset that some one took advantage and used it as an open opportunity to bash the students of Joppatowne high! I am fairly new to the area and Jasmine has been an honor roll students since she has been at Joppatowne and I have never experienced any problems with this school. When you publicize an article, do you think about the effect it will have on the remaining students? Jasmine along with hundreds of other students are currently still at this school and whether you know it or not, this article has turned into a personal attack. This could have been handled a better way, you could have seeked the proper chain of command like the school board or even a higher source about your concern so that next year the students and parents could have enjoyed a more pleasant graduation. I want to ask to the poster and the posters who were in strong agreeance….what have you done to help? Maybe next year you can volunteer at the school or join the PTA or maybe even form a graduation committee to avoid our school and children being put on blast as you have already done. Unfortunately when your dealing with children with behavior problems, you have to start thinking about about their up-bring because respect and self discipline starts at home but, what about the kids that have no home or have no parent in the home. Do you just write them off, don’t be so quick to judge because you are now looking at the voices of tomorrow, the next doctors, lawyers, judges and politicians… To a person looking in this article basically says… don’t attend Joppatowne high, they have no “class”, the students have no discipline, the faculty have no authority and the students are basically rude! I beg to differ! My husband and I have raised our daughter to be the respectful young lady she is today and to the poster who said your not going to argue with a child, my daughter was not arguing but simply being opinionated just as you were when you decided to publicize this article. To the poster who called my daughter a fool…WATCH IT!! Ignorance is not knowing. To the poster who questioned my daughters friendship, she is what she claims to be, a friend and not someone put in place to protect your daughter from verbal personal attacks against her cause by you….now I have to ask who will protect our children from the verbal attacks you have cause upon them? You have left the students at Joppatowne high feeling the need to protect their schools reputation… To the current students of Joppatowne, keep your heads held high, somethings that will hurt you, will also make you stronger, your never gonna be able to please everyone because you will always have someone that will complain, use it as a stepping stone and keep it moving…to the parents of the child or the parents themselves who may not have performed up to “standard” during the ceremony, you’ve got to do a better job of setting a good example for our children, someone’s always watching. It never seems to amaze me how some people can look down on others as though they are always right and everybody else is wrong. I hope I didn’t offend anyone because that was not my intentions but when you decide to publicize yourself as having more “class” then others, I have a problem with that, instead of attacking our kids why don’t you embrace them, embrace the community. The last thing we need is a bunch of angry kids thinking no one cares. The next time you decide to slander someones name or have an opinion and it involves our children…. do me a favor and confront the source instead of the slandering the school/students, we are body joined as 1.
teacher and mom in hcps says
Summer’s mom did not bring this public! She was commentig on what happened. The Dagger reported the story and it says it all- how appalling the behavior of some ignorant students and parents appeared. She just commented on it and how it affected the graduation and the community. It is what it is!
melissa says
Great ideas! Why don’t you and Jasmine get a committee started and start the ball rolling for improvement!!!!! I wish you luck since this has been going on for years,
Just Saying says
You and your honor roll student would benefit from grammar and spelling lessons.
HCPSTEACHERTIREDOFSTUDENTFOOLS!!! says
Jasmine! You just proved a very big point. The students who are angry at the letter should be angry with the letter. The letter was written by someone who obviously knows how to behave out in society and obviously brought her children up right. If you were such a good friend then you and all the rest of your mad friends should be mad at the fools who caused your school this bad image. This letter had nothing to do with causing JHS to have a bad image. The fools and their fool parents did. This is nothing new. People have complained for several years of the graduation woes at JHS. Somebody finally stood up and went public. KUDOS!!!! Now maybe something will get done about it. When you grow up and graduate and you are out on your own, you should use this as a prime example of how to behave in a public setting. Your friends are mad because nobody thinks their immature antics are cute except their friends and their parents. You and all of your mad and angry friends should direct their anger at the problem. THE FOOLS!!!!!! and not at the parent who obviously raised their children right. One more thing…..did you take up for the Summer girl because she did not do anything wrong or were you just one of the many fools? Your comment you made could be miscontrued as you being one of the fools.
teacher and mom in hcps says
Amen,It could not have been said better!
Sabrina says
J-towne HS does not need a letter to make it look bad. The cop cars, fights, theft, kids having sex in the halls, and poor scores have done that for it already.
Jill Singleton says
Sabrina-
This happens @ every school in the county!!! Not sure if your kids go to school @ JHS or somewhere else in the county, but my youngest daughter happens to attend HHS and it happens there to. I was happening when I was in school 18 years ago!!! And I don’t see it changing anytime soon. It is those kids that behave like that make everyone else’s child look bad!!! My daughters are very much against drinking, drugs and sex. They want bigger and better things out of life and know that hard work gets you there. Please don’t blame the school, blame the parents!!!!
Sabrina says
Hello Mrs. Singleton:
It doesn’t happen openly at every school. I do blame parents and a lact of action by administrators. My daughter does go to JHS and I have lived in J-towne since I was 13. I have watched it become more and more unsafe, and the crime rise. Good for your girls, you should be very proud. As a parent you have to be in it for the good fight. Even if your kids hate you sometimes. In some of these cases parents have let their own children scare them. It takes everyone to step up and call these parents and children out.
Good luck to your girls.
tara says
Hello to all
Jasmine is my neice and i for one think that it is unfair to generalize her or any other child. what gives you the right to think that because of a few students who are rude that all students at that school are the same. all actions should be judged individually and not as a whole. you would not want your child to be judged according to someone else’s actions to you should give that same respect.my neice is very respectful dont hold her accountable for someone else’s behavior. with being a parent comes being mature and respectful and also wisdom so please think about when you were young and growing up. im sure you would not have wanted to be judged because of someone else’s actions so dont do it to the kids are are respectful and have a wonderful home life who have goals and are working toward those goals. in other words lead by example and by that letter i would say that was a poor example.
tara says
why do you feel the need to call my niece a fool. what justification do you have but again i also understand that ignorance is bliss so maybe that is your excuse. what kind of example are you setting by calling a child a fool and you are suppose to be an adult. sweetie watch yourself because YOU DO NOT KNOW MY NIECE SO PLEASE DONT ACT LIKE YOU DO BY CATEGORIZING HER AS A FOOL. MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING SOME CLASSES ON SELF-CONTROL AND ALSO ADULT MATURITY. DONT EVER SAY THAT ABOUT MY NIECE. NOW YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND HOPEFULLY YOU TOO WILL REALIZE THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH OLDER WE ALL GET WE STILL HAVE LESSONS TO LEARN.
Wait, what? says
We didn’t say that all kids at schools are bad, i myself am a student, but i do feel that most children in schools are getting lower and lower intelligence levels. Do not go saying, oh yea, thats the teachers fault, or it because of computers and social networking. 75% of the time its the parents fault. I also feel that education should be changed drastically on the way it is presented to children. Now maybe if some parents actually did there job, then we would have some more, well behaved and intellectual people. I believe the only lesson you have to learn is the location of the CAPS LOCK key because it seems to be stuck :P.
msnd says
Porter are you the same Porter that posted all those outrageous and hilarious comments on Michelle Gardner’s cell phone problem?
EHS graduate says
i am Jasmine Taylor and i am a Sophomre at Jopppatowne high . i am an honor roll student and i very much dont hate my school but i am content with it. the way i see it is that all these parents and teachers are complaining about the school but they do nothing to try to change it. yes the students do make very poor choices, but their are ones that are the exact oppisite. your daughter is one of my best friends and because of your letter she is being treated badly at school. maybe if some wise decisions were made upon this letter being written then so much annimosity wouldnt be going on. you dont understand that you writting this letter made or school LOOK AND SOUND WORST instead of trying to improve it. the students talk about this letter day and night,on how badly the school looks already and this letter made it worst realisticly . i mean no desrespect in this letter and i do understand your point of view but i jus feel as though things were needed to be said
Grammar mistakes!
1. starting sentence with a lower case
2. sophmore is misspelled
3. “their” should be “there”
4. “oppisite” should be “opposite”
5. animosity is misspelled
6. writing only has 1 “t”
7. “or” should be “our”
8. “worst” should be “worse” 2x
9. the next sentence is …totally broken
10. “jus” should be “just”
This is an honor roll student at JHS! This speaks volumes!
melissa says
Totally agree!!
alongthetrail says
Sorry to hear it was not the ceremony you had hoped. Lets see what Bob Fritch has to say at the next BOE meeting.
Todd Holden says
Summer…you did the right thing…the ignorance displayed by fools at the graduation is the kind of behavior that sparks fights, and assaults. You’re lucky you, your family and your graduate got out when you did…leave the rudeness for the jerks…believe me you did what was best for all concerned…
sure, the clowns ‘win’…but in the end, your ‘class’ wins every time…
Kate says
Ok so now they are sending a principal that goes no respect to a school that has been plagued by internal theft and vandalism and lack of respect for the principal there. I guess we can look forward to some of these same type of incidents at Patterson Mill next year during graduation. Maybe Dr. Tomback can stand up there and get the kids to behave since the only experence he had before being a superintendent was being a principal. (Oh sorry, 1 year as an Area Superintendent).
Stacey says
I disagree with your assessment of Patterson Mill. My children have attended since the school opened and, while there is no way to make everyone happy, most people in the building both like and respect the Principal, Mr. Thibeault. In addition, the incidents you mention (theft and vandalism) were isolated and at least one was perpetrated by people from outside of the school. I am quite disgusted by the events described as having taken place at Joppatowne’s graduation; however, Patterson Mill has been and will continue to be an outstanding school.
Kate says
Glad you are happy with things there. Are your kids in middle or high school? Have they had to sit on the floor during Husky Period because there are no seats in the cafeteria? Also the theft took place over a long period of time in the office. There were many people who had access to money and the procedures for handling money and securing things wasn’t followed. You probably aren’t involved personally with some of the activities that go on up there but if you were, your opinion might change. Many parents have been lied to about issues that directly effect kids. Still concerned that a principal who is being demoted is coming to Patterson Mill because I can’t imagine what his incentive is for doing a superior job. He is probably close to retiring.
Not from Here says
I keep wondering why no one reports Patterson Mill to the health department for having the kids eat while sitting on the floor. Surely this is not a healthy policy. If my kids were there, that is exactly what I would do.
P-Mill Pride says
I have had 2 children go through Patterson Mill Middle and have had no problems there at all. If your only concern is a child sitting inside on the floor eating lunch, that’s a tiny concern! Mr. Thibeault has been WONDERFUL! He makes it a priority to learn everyones name, he greets the kids every morning and he makes the parent feel welcome and appreciated! I’m sad that after this year I won’t have any children there, but I’m sure they will do fantastic in North Harford for High School.
Only the Lonely says
What do you mean? The children don’t have enough chairs to sit on to eat lunch? At Patterson? Is this true? If this is true, Why is this happening? Where is all the money going to pay for this?
Not from Here says
At Patterson Mill, they have incorporated something that they call Husky Period (I think). Everyone has free at the same time. What happens is that kids’ lunch times are at the same time and the cafeteria is too small to seat everyone so kids sit wherever they can and that includes the floor. Perhaps this is a minor thing to some people. However, I think that after kids tromp through whatever it is that they tromp through on their way to school and walk down the hallways, they are not the most sanitary places to eat lunch. I like the idea of eating at tables where they at least pretend to wash them off with some kind of disinfectant after people eat.
I would also disclose that I was not happy with Patterson Mill after a year of listening to the principal lie and blow smoke, so my second child attends a private high school.
Joe says
This sitting on the floor to eat lunch in the well traveled and dirty hallways is sad and it is true. Must be stopped, is not healthy.
While my child was at Patterson Mill I and many others made information requests of the principal and he did not follow through with the info. Have several examples about info on finances that he would not respond to.
He supports some programs very well and he supports some programs poorly. As the leader you must show balance.
Different Story says
I attended the Aberdeen graduation and had the opposite experience. Having attended several over the past few years I can say this was one of best. The graduates were very well behaved and acted in a very distinguished manner. The audience was equally well behaved with very little “hooting and hollering”. The principal greeted each student as they entered with a handshake or hug. It was clearly evident to me that the students truly respected the principal. It was a very student centered program with six students giving well written and delivered speeches.Although the politicians spoke for the most part they were brief and on point.
Aberdeen Parent says
I attended Aberdeen high school Graduation as my son graduated. My experience was not what I had hoped it would be. The students did behave, however the parents were horrible!!! I tried several times to get pictures of my son, however the other parents had no respect for one another. At one point it almost turned into a racial fight behind me as a white family became so upset they actually left thier seats because a black woman stood up just as dad was taking a picture of his graduate but instead got a nice picture of her butt!!! Words were exchanged and needless to say I didn’t hear much of what was being said on stage. Aberdeen had a slide sgow playing of the students who were graduating. How nice it would have been to actually see it. Didn’t anyone preview it before the graduation? If they had they may have relized that the sun glare from the windows made it impossible to see. It was a very nice gradaution, If they had put speakers in the back of the gym as well as in the front I would have been able to hear what was said also. Upon leaving it was a mad house, no one said excuse me, or Thank You. That just seems to be the way society handles things today. Over all it was nice but some improvments can be made……
Tom Myers says
Well, it sounds as if Glen Glass was the best behaved person you cited in your account of the graduation.
On a more serious note, if what happened at the Joppatowne High School graduation matches your account, it is a shame and something that should be prevented in future ceremonies. In some way, I share the sentiments of HarfordMom. If a student acted unruly during my high school’s graduation ceremony, they would have faced severe consequences, which may have included not receiving their diploma. If a parent or guest acted in such a way, they would been asked to leave. My graduation was 10 years ago this past Tuesday, so the downward spiral into disregard for others at a public event seems to have gone occurred very quickly.
Hopefully, Summer, you will be able to attend other graduation ceremonies here in Harford County without incident.
Summer Walter says
Thanks for your opinions, yes these things did in fact occur at the graduation last night. There was so much hooting and hollering that you could hardly hear the names being called. I graduated from a Catholic school years ago and this would never have been tolerated, we knew better!!
TICKEDTEACHER says
Summer…this is not the first year of this. This has been going on at Joppatowne graduations for the last several years. Parents complain all the time but you are the only one to go public. KUDOS!!!!
JHS Alum says
Yes, this has been an issue at JHS for a long time. At my graduation 6 years ago, mayn students were embarrassed and upset by the behavior of fellow grads on stage. Many students danced across the stage or did some other kind of absurd performance. The politicians were visibly disgusted by the students’ behavior, as were several of us. And you could hardly hear most of the names because Macon read them (pronouncing many incorrectly) while the crowd was still whooping. Just pathetic.
Todd Holden says
this is interesting and worthy of mention…referring to the ‘comments’ from Summer and Different Story…two graduations, two honest comments, vastly differing behaviors…the question arises…”How can Joppatowne blame anyone but themselves for disgraceful behavior and the fallout from it? Now if the Dagger or any other of their ilk mentioned these two schools and ‘what really happened’ they would be ‘commmented’ to death…so let’s just thank folks like Summer and Different Story for telling it like it is, and where it is.
OLD SKOOL says
Let’s see, considering a large segment of the student population comes from Harford Square, Courts of Harford Square, and Windsor Valley(Formerly Meadowwood) the behavior witnessed is to be expected. Does anyone else see where I am going with this???????
Latoshia says
@Old Skool..fyi, I am a home owner from Harford Square your comment is very hurtful. I was so thankful to see this post because my family was disgusted at the behavior of the parents, Mr. Glass and the students but it wasn teveryone just a few as usual… and by the way the young lady that did the cartwheel across the stage lives in the single family homes called Gunpowder off of Route 7…. “Those whom assume”
beth says
old skool, I know exactly where you are going. I used to live in Joppatowne and shop at the old Giant. We moved out into the country and when I drive throught that part of Route 40 it is appalling! These areas used to be half decent but now I cannot even describe the mess in this area.The home environment is brought to school in behavior and demeanor. This was evident in the graduation incidents. The responibility is the parents and I guess the students are emulating their parents because the kids witness this at home everyday.It is really sad!
tara says
frankly i do not see where you are going with this. exactly what is it that you are saying. that these students who live in the mentioned neighborhoods are expected to be disrespectful and unruly? please enlighten me so i will have a better understanding……. what exactly are you saying?
MacG says
@ Old Skool, to your hooded fellowship meeting?
Proud to be Liberal says
ROTFL
beth says
Magg,
Sorry the truth hurts but you cannot lie about the obvious. All you have to do is have eyes. We do not have to get into such uncalled for comments. We all want the Route 40 corridor to improve and this has to come with caring about your community because you live there and should take pride in it.
Proud to be Liberal says
Beth: You are blaming the victims. I so happy that you were able to move to a better place, but I guess you had advantages. Some are not so lucky.
Proud to be Liberal says
I am
beth says
Proud to be a Liberal,
Thank you for pointing that out to me. I did not mean to blame the victims and I apologize. We moved to the country because we wanted more land. My family and I enjoyed living in the Joppatowne community. It is people like you who make this world a better place. God Bless you!
Proud to be Liberal says
BETH: It is people like you that fill me with hope for the future. Thank you for re-affirming my optimism.
concerndmomof3 says
Beth, you state “We all want the Route 40 corridor to improve” who is the WE you are talking about please let me know. My only request is that you should judge people as individuals. Old Skools’ comment suggests that everyone that lives in the communities he mentioned are the same and I can tell you that I am from one of those communities, my neighbors and I all work, pay taxes, vote Republican or Democrat, believe in GOD, go to church, raise our children to be respectful etc. Unfortunately, slumlords that do live in the Route 40 Corr do not take the responsibility of being a landlord and rent to unfavorables that were pushed out of Balt City and Balt County I could go on and on. So yes I am hurt that someone would assume that because of my address I dont raise my children or care about my community. So if you could please tell me the names of the WE you are talking about so that the Route 40 Corr concerned citizens could reach out to him/her/them.
Proud to be Liberal says
concerndmomof3: I don’t want to sound too partisan but the “we” that you inquire about are the Democrat Party. The “we” are the ones that fight for working families and NOT for big business interests and billionaires. “We” want everyone to improve and contribute to the American Dream. “We” think everyone in a gift and do not look down on you because of where you live. “We” believe that “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me.”
Porter says
@Proud to be Liberal – You and the Democrat Party believe in confiscatory taxation, redistributing wealth, big government solutions, erosion of individual rights and shared misery for all but protected the classes of elected officials and bureaucrats.
Your entitlement policies of the last 50 years have subjugated the needy and created a permanent underclass dependent upon federal and state subsidy.
It is your liberal/progressive ideology that has hurt this country and unless it is stopped dead in its tracks it will ultimately bankrupt us.
Proud to be Liberal says
PORTER: facta non verba
Porter says
@Proud to be Lib – Caput tuum in ano est
Proud to be Liberal says
PORTER: This is a family discussion. Take your disgusting quotes to the sites you regularly inhabit. You don’t have to prove you are an asshole, it is clearly evident.
Porter says
@Proud to be Lib – Vescere bracis meis!
Proud to be Liberal says
PORTER: Need I say more? You just proved my point! Have a nice day dude.
Porter says
@Proud to be Lib – Your fallacious points are self-evident and don’t need my help.
You are purveyor of misery and corruption who promotes a failed liberal/progressive ideology bent on destroying our country.
pizzle says
Summer,
Very sorry to hear about your experience. Your comment regarding how some parents yelled in support of letting the kids act like idiots is very telling. The apples don’t fall far from the trees.
Proud to be Liberal says
Summer: It seems that student behavior mirrors that of their parents. The best and most important teachers we have are our parents. One cannot blame teachers and our schools if the products of dysfunctional families are not educated or civil.
Yes you knew better than to act like a fool in public because, I would guess, you knew what would be in store for you once you got home. Some families have a sense of pride and do not want to be humiliated by rude behavior and some families know no better. Either way, “’Tis education forms the common mind; just as the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.”
TICKEDTEACHER says
Proud To Be Liberal: BINGO!!!!! You hit the nail on the head. Conduct is learned at home. Students have no respect becasue they know it is ok at home to behave that way. Scores are low becasue PARENTS DO NOT CARE PERIOD!!!!!!!
TICKEDTEACHER says
I want to add something to my previous post….I feel sorry for the parents that do care because you have to put up with the garbage at graduation as well as other public places. Now you have had a taste of what teachers go through each and every day. You can bet the way those students were behaving at graduation behave like that at school in the classrooms. Such a shame.
Jill Singleton says
I would like to comment on the Joppatowne High School Graduation, I do feel that Glen Glass was out of line with his speech and it was to long. And futhermore the CRYING babies that were there screaming, the parents either should have found a sitter or taken them out of the auditorium!!! My daughter was giving one of the commencement speeches and as I was videoing taping it and looking back @ it, you could not hear her speech due to crying babies!!!!!! The girl who did the cartwheel across the stage and I got to look @ her underwear, which was not good. If I were Mr. Tucker then she and the other student would have NOT giving them their diplomas til after the ceremony. I also had an encounter with a parent during the photo line up, where she was complaining about her son/daughter being in the “A’s” for their last name and we were an “H”. But my daughter was in the top 13, and they were recieving their diplomas first. However I am glad I got to see my daughter walk across the stage and am very proud of all her accomplishments.
Jason Walter says
Jill brings up some good points.
The baby crys were distracting. We brought my 3yo daughter who is in a crying phase. If she would have acted up, I sure would have taken her out of the room in respect for the other families there. Thankfully she was well behaved and I didn’t have to leave. But that leads to the root cause… lack of respect. That person didn’t respect the rest of the families to remove their baby when crying.
As for the photo line up… that was a total lack of planning and leadership of the school staff. I told my wife that what Mr. Tucker should have stated was parents that wanted to take photos should line up once they see their child line up before going on stage. This would have kept the parent line down to about 15-20, just like the student line. But apparently there was no vision by the staff to think of possible problems and how to avoid them. Heck you would think they have graduations down pat since they do them every year!
Student at JHS says
Aw, you’re Sam’s mother! Her speech was so lovely. It made me cry so much. The girl who cartwheeled was actually wearing shorts. She is a friend of mine, and I was very upset she did that. In all honesty, I don’t think she should have gotten her diploma until after the ceremony as well. I agree with the babies! That was getting silly. I knew one of the families with a crying child. They’re rude and trashy people and I’m sorry that they don’t know how to be decent human beings.
In regards to parents clapping during Mr. Tucker’s speech, I do not believe in was in disrespect. I think it was the opposite, actually.
As for Glen Glass, I am very upset with his speech. It’s nice to try and break the ice and all, but please. This was my graduation. I miss Mr. Riley! I’m never going to vote for Mr. Glass.
The parents were so rude, but it wasn’t just them. When it was my time to get my diploma and have my picture taken, the photographer pushed and elbowed my father out of the way. So, one of the most important pictures of my life is blurry. I am so incredibly upset at that. The man even argued with my father, saying he had no right to take a picture of me. It was the creepy man with the facial hair and pot belly. He was rude to seniors in the gym before the ceremony, too. I think he should be fired, that was so un-called for.
As for the whole ceremony, it could have been worse. Though I did not agree with either student who had the idea to perform on stage, there have been worse pranks. At least there was no mooning. I wish students and parents knew how to be polite and respectful, but I believe that is unfortunately how a lot of people are now. I have seen it at graduations in other counties and even states. Also, not just at graduations but other events. I find that people are just rude now. Thank God for the small amount of students and parents who remained calm and respectful.
However bad you may have thought the graduation was, it was still a graduation. Please respect that. It happened in the past and there is nothing you can do about what happened but nicely advice next year’s administration. It was not perfect, by any form of the imagination but I ask you to please respect my school and my graduating class. Not everyone was like that, keep in mind.
JHS Alum says
I don’t think anyone believes the behavior of a few reflects your entire class. I was in the same situation when I went there. Honestly, I think others, including those who have commented here, feel bad for the rest of you that your ceremony was so poor. But you’ll surely go on to much greater things than your jerky classmates, so don’t let all this get to you.
Clay says
Probably the less income and the more problems there are in families, the more problems at graduation. The yuppie kids in Howard who have parents who will be paying for their college education arent going to act out as much. You have to be respectful to earn good money and their parents tend to be more educated and respectful. Therefore so are the kids. Not that there arent problems. Politicians shouldnt speak politics at graduations. They should tell the audience about Christ and be as encouraging as they can. If I were a big politician, that is what I would do, and if it is against the rules, it wouldnt hurt anything. What good is it to spend so much time getting a career together and then spend eternity in hell? We are only here on earth for a very short time. Another result of knowing Him is to learn to respect others and to pray for them. This attitude encourages respectful graduations.
JHS Alum says
Um, tell them about Christ? It’s a public school graduation. Sorry, no.
Jason Walter says
JHS ALUM,
There was one student that introduced another student speaker (I think the valedictorian) and he thanked God and Jesus. I did not go to the Senior Award Ceremony but I was told they had a Reverend speak.
I may not be the Holyest person, but I think a little God in people’s lives wouldn’t hurt. Before the big back lash of “keep God out” of everything in government and school, people attended church more regularly. I believe that the church along with good parenting is what gave people the morals and respect for others that are lacking in today’s society.
OMG? says
A religious figure could be just as appropriate as a politician. My guess would be that it a Reverend (person of God by profession) would be sensitive and dare I say RESPECTFUL enough to keep their comments in broad strokes and speak more to spirituality rather than evangelizing Jesus Christ. I think that the message of the Golden Rule is the base that most people can agree upon. Treating others with respect, compassion, and empathy …even what goes around -comes around are all in the ballpark. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of spirituality then let’s call it being a pillar of the community. The label doesn’t really matter as much as the deed. True change will have to come from within a community not a personnel shuffle. If the most dynamic and proven staff were to be assigned to a school, it still wouldn’t matter unless the families really want change and are able to work together. Often I don’t think that Joppatowne realizes the extremely good geographical location that it has. Sooner or later that neighborhood WILL turn. The only question in my mind is wether it will be with the families that have lived there for decades or with families that come and buy McMansions on lots that used to be 3 or 4 working class homes.
JHS Alum says
I don’t think it’s wrong to mention or thank your savior of choice, but it shouldn’t be taught or preached. It’s not the appropriate forum.
Patrick McGrady says
Maryland Declaration of right, Article 36:
Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
Doug says
Good manners are not inherent, they are taught. It sounds obvious that the parents at this event were largely rude on their own right, so we can’t expect anything more from their kids.
As for the circus clowns, so desperate for attention that they felt they needed to cartwheel across the stage, they should have been removed from the stage and had their diploma mailed to them. Tolerating this behavior only serves to carry it forward.
Cdev says
I graduated from a large high school in maryland in an election year. Our school overlapped 3 county council districts, 2 congressional districts and 6 legislative districts in maryland. We had tons of politicians who all wanted to speak at our graduation which dronned on for hours before the place which was rented kicked us out and none of us got to cross the stage. Next year when my brother graduated the school adopted a rule which they still have. Poloticians are to be seen and not heard unless they are an alumni!
Proud to be Liberal says
Jason: History has shown us that the church, and I am referring to the Christian Church, has not always been as benign as you seem to indicate. The church, as well as ALL religions, is guilty of atrocities throughout history. Even today, very religious people have committed foul, indecent, unbelievable acts. Have you ever heard of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church? No, there is no place for religion in the public arena!
Jason Walter says
Very true, but we could get into a pissing match all day about how religion does or doesn’t push good morality. There are many extreme groups like you have pointed out, but for the most part religion in general (at the heart of their teachings) sets a good basis for morals. Unfortunately there are some who will twist those teachings to forward their sick views, hence Fred Phelps. Oh and I think you were referring to the Catholic Church. Not all Christian based faiths have performed atrocities as you have claimed.
So PROUD TO BE LIBERAL, how would you address the lack of respect and declining behavior of the youth?
Proud to be Liberal says
Jason Walter: Oh really! King Henry VIII is responsible for the deaths of over 70,000 Catholics. He had St. Thomas More executed in 1535. John Calvin, a Protestant, viciously persecuted Catholics as heretics. Queen Elizabeth I, had thousands of Catholics put to death in England. She had thousands more killed in Ireland.
Oliver Cromwell is responsible for starting the English civil war and the subsequent beheading of Catholic King Charles I, and for the killing of thousands of Catholics in that war of 1642-1649. Some Catholics were nailed to trees.
Thousands of Catholics were murdered in Ireland by the English in the 19th century simply because they attended the Catholic Mass. The Protestant English redcoats were also responsible for confiscating the food from the Irish people and for leaving them only with potatoes which were blighted and unfit to eat and caused the deaths by starvation of an estimated 1-1.5 million Irish Catholics, and the emigration of about 2 million more.
As far as : “how would you address the lack of respect and declining behavior of the youth?” That is the responsibility of parents, not teachers.
breezzie says
I agree that religion has no place in public schools as not everyone is of the same belief system. I do believe that comparative religion should be tought, as well as, interpersonal communication, and diversity awareness. I also think that a degree of responsibility falls upon teachers and administrators for setting examples and giving guidance regarding behavior and respect. When I go to a school meeting and I hear teachers using slang, poor English, and elementary school teachers with visable facial piercings I think it is time to move. My oldest graduates next year and my youngest is in the elementary school. I have no desire to have my youngest go to MMS, I cannot re-live that nightmare. We will hopefully be moving after my oldest graduates with her friends. I have lived here since I was 13 and enjoyed most of the time.
Porter says
@Proud To Be Liberal – says “No, there is no place for religion in the public arena!”
So you’d deny people the right to express their views in public?
Proud to be Liberal says
Porter: That is what the Constitution of the United States of America so states. Religion is best served in private.
I Left says
I’m a liberal as well, and I can assure you that the US Constitution says no such thing. The founding fathers, in their letters and other works, were clear about the need for a separation of church and state, but to restrict all people from expressing religious views in public is insane. The current policy for schools is the correct one. Students are perfectly allowed to express their religion and organize activities for that expression. Adults in a position of authority (coaches, teachers, administrators) should have no organizational role on religion.
Parents–If you want religion in schools, be more proactive about raising your children in a religious home. Your children are the only ones who can actually bring religion into the schools.
Proud to be Liberal says
I left: The Supreme Court disagrees.
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S. Ct. 2649 (1992)
Unconstitutional for a school district to provide any clergy to perform nondenominational prayer at elementary or secondary school graduation. It involves government sponsorship of worship. Court majority was particularly concerned about psychological coercion to which children, as opposed to adults, would be subjected, by having prayers that may violate their beliefs recited at their graduation ceremonies.
I Left says
You cited a court case as proof of your claim that the US Constitution states that there is no place for religion in the public arena. The Constitution does not state such a thing. I don’t disagree with your scenario. The adult speakers should not be preaching. The student speakers, however, have every right to express their religious beliefs and partake in optional religious graduation events (like Vespers). I disagree with your assessment that religion has “no place” and particularly your claim that the Constitution dictates such a view.
The Constitution is intentionally vague on the subject. The courts have defined the separation more clearly, but it’s still a relatively gray area. As I said initially, the best policy is the current one. Religion is allowed in school, but only when it is organized, expressed and led by students rather than authority figures.
Proud to be Liberal says
I LEFT: The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution. It tells us what it means. They have ruled no prayers in school by students, teachers or whomever: Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000) Students may not use a school’s loudspeaker system to offer student-led, student-initiated prayer.
Before football games, members of the student body of a Texas high school elected one of their classmates to address the players and spectators. These addresses were conducted over the school’s loudspeakers and usually involved a prayer. Attendance at these events was voluntary. Three students sued the school arguing that the prayers violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. A majority of the Court rejected the school’s argument that since the prayer was student initiated and student led, as opposed to officially sponsored by the school, it did not violate the First Amendment. The Court held that this action did constitute school-sponsored prayer because the loudspeakers that the students used for their invocations were owned by the school.
DaddyRabbit says
That only proves that if you give a leftist kook a black bathrobe they think that they have the ability to rewrite the Constitution, not interpret it. Don’t ever quote Supreme Court rulings as justification for your drivel.
breezzie says
That is not true. Children can pray in small groups and, I believe, there was resently are group of Christian children that had a study group together. Anyone was welcome, but no one was required to attend.
Liberal, please take the time to read the Constitution. Also, just because a law is passed in another state, does not mean it is law here. Even if it is a Federal Court, unless it is by the Supreme Court.
DaddyRabbit says
No it does not! My copy says that Congress shall enact no laws restricting the freedom of religion. The prohibition crap that your ilk toss around so freely is pure unadulterated bovine fecal matter. Keep telling the same lie and eventually it becomes the truth.
breezzie says
Liberal, I was with you part of the way, but no where in the Constitution of the United States does it say religion is best served in private. The first amendment protects your right to publically practice your religion. The first amendment creates the separation of church and state no law can be passed that establishes one religion, schools are government buildings.
“Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” United States Bill of Rights.
The government cannot force you to practice a religion, but you are free to practice any religion.
Proud to be Liberal says
DADDYRABBIT, BREEZZIE, CLAY: You need to go to law school before you interpret the law to me. Please don’t mire us down with your fundamentalist’s beliefs. Practice your religion in private. I don’t care what you believe, JUST DON’T TRY TO PUSH IT ON ME.
???? says
Are you a lawyer?
Proud to be Liberal says
Are you trying to ask if one needs to be a lawyer to understand 10th grade Civics? This is so sad.
Patrick McGrady says
I believe that you are accepting as “religion” what you believe to be true, without looking at the facts as presented. Can you find in the Constitution where it says anything about the “separation of Church and State?”
Further, in Article 36 of the Maryland Declaration of Right, the language reads: Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
Breezzie says
I have worked in the legal field for 15 years. I studied and study law in college. You are right this is taught in government classes, but you are wrong that religion cannot be practiced publically.
Otto Schmidlap says
You must remember that you are in a liberal cell of the county. Now, repeat after me the Liberal Mantra: “Anything goes and nobody is responsible for anything.” There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? You probably feel better already.
monster says
Otto Schmidlap,
How is Riley and things down at the plant? Have you seen Waldo lately? How about Gillis? These names bring back such good memories. Thanks for using a name from the pleasant past.
jhs 2011 grad. says
As a member of this graduating class, I’m comepletly embarassed by a few of the students actions. I would like everyone to know, that despite a few immature actions, it should not reflect on the whole school. There aremany students that attend joppatowne,including my self, that are mature teens who know how to act in public. This will surely be a ceremony I won’t forget. I just can’t believe everyones actions and behavior. It was completly un called for and I apologize as a jhs 2011 graduate.
rachel says
I go to Joppatowne Highschool, and I’m ashamed someone made my school publicly look bad. Not all of us act like this. I’m embarrassed for Mr.Tucker, he was a great principle and now everybody is saying he’s a bad principle. We can’t blame everybody in my school for the act up of a couple students behaviors. My school is small, and isn’t getting redone for a couple years, the auditorium the graduation was held in is small. It isn’t Mr.Tuckers fault the kids act like this, its their parents.
Mike says
I too feel sorry for Mr. Tucker. It is the parents responsibility to teach children respect and proper manners. As a parent of a student at Jtown I have seen first hand the poor parental guidance that some of these kids are getting. I’m sure Mr. Tucker will be happy to leave this school and move on to a better environment. As for Glen Glass I was not there so I did not hear his speech, however He has come from a very humble background and he probably was trying to make the point for the graduates to reach for the stars no matter where you come from. We need more politicians like him with good strong conservative values. Good luck to the lady coming in to take Mr. Tucker’s place. She will be in for a rude awakening.
JHS Alum says
At my graduation, whichever local politician spoke–I think it was Impallaria–gave what was undeniably a campaign speech. The “reach for the stars” crap was in there, sure, but it was very, very clearly about HIM. It’s not a political issue, it’s not a partisan issue, but let’s not make excuses for these guys.
Debbie says
I have read just about all the comments in regards to the JHS graduation. I have had 2 children graduate from there and one next year. Both were held outside and not indoors. I have no doubt that holding such a special event as this for the size of that school would be difficult to do indoor just based on the space they have avail. and when you have so many people jammed in such a small area you will have issues for sure. I think being outside you have more space and people aren’t on top of each other and you won’t notice people’s comments or even the crying babies as much. Photo ops are done at the end of the stage where the student will exit. It is roped off and you will still have parents huddled together in that small area but I just sat in my seat and took it while they were walking across and ordered the pic. that the photographer took if my child wanted it. After the ceremony there was ample space anywhere for pics. with family and friends…Students for the most part were respectful and speeches were encouraging. I do feel for the parents and the students who were respectful and wanted to enjoy such a milestone as this and can only offer this advice…take pride in your accomplishment and if you can look back on your special moment with no regrets then you will look back at graduation with fond memories and not the negative things….as the parent I would look back at this great accomplishment and the 4 years it took leading up to that moment in time when your child hears their name and walks across the stage and I can’t speak for all parents but I’m sure many like me at that very moment I had tears in my eyes, tears of joy and thinking it felt just like yesterday when I waved goodbye to my child as they got on the bus for kindergarten and here it was graduation day a dream come true. Congratulations to all the graduates from JHS. I have watched some of them grow up to be fine, well rounded young men and women. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors….
Sabrina says
Is this my Debbie? 🙂
debbie says
Depends….I only know one Sebrina… 🙂
Sabrina says
Well, that would depend upon whether you had 2 sons and 1 daughter?
debbie says
Not sure if I am cuz I have 2 sons who graduated from JHS and a daughter who will next year and 2 more within the next 8 yrs….
Joe says
Don’t worry, in 2 years all of the Harford County graduations are going to be held in the 3,000 seat arena being built at Harford Community College. It will be air conditioned, have room to spread out, and they have security for the loons.
alongthetrail says
I just listened to about 15 students from CMW, Patterson, and Bel Air talk about what they will be doing in ten years. Working as an environmentalist saving 5 species, working in Africa helping the impoverished. How many folks get to do these things, .005% maybe.
Every parent I have known who has not put out the hard facts concerning work, work ethic and pragmatic approach to life have one thing in common. THE CHILDREN COME BACK TO LIVE WITH THEM, and not while they are building a bigger house.
Aly says
I am also a student at Joppatowne High School. I attended the graduation. I feel as though the behavior of students at graduation was in fact highly inappropriate. The cartwheels across the stage and dancing was not called for. The parents were out of line as well. However I am rather upset that someone put our school out there like this. Joppatowne is already considered the trash of Harford county, there is no need to make it worse. I am embarrassed for Mr.Tucker, as there were very important people on stage and his students made a fool of him in front of those important delegates, politicians and PTSA members. I think Mr. Tucker was a good principal. He is the one who gave one of my favorite teachers their job. As for the subject of income affecting behavior, I believe this to a certain extent. There are VERY respectful students at my school who come from Harford Square and other parts of Edgewood. As they say,It takes a village to raise a child. The students who chose to perform circus acts at graduation probably did not have a very “village-like” support system like others have. There were also very nice aspects to the commencement as well, I feel as though people are leaving that out. I am a friend of Sam(the girl who gave the speech) and her speech was very beautiful. She mentioned the VERY under appreciated student musicians and that was nice of her. Also, these graduates started tradition by singing Joppatowne’s School Song this year and that was a good moment as well. As a student at Joppatowne, I apologize for student behavior at graduation. It makes not only them look bad but the classes under them and their teachers look bad also. I can’t wait for this new arena either it sounds very nice! Hopefully my own graduation will be held there instead of in the over crowded auditorium. Again I apologize for student behavior. Hopefully in years to come this problem will stop.
stop judging says
Aly, my daughter is from Harford Square she is an honor student, has played sports all 4 years, received a certificate from homeland security and will move on to become a teacher…. we both know that the inappropriate behavior was embarassing but we can not say everyone lived in harford square this is an unfair assumption. 🙁 Congratulations and best wishes for your future you should be proud of yourself I will tell you like I told my daughter… the graduation ceremony will not determine your future.
Breezzie says
Stop Judging, you are right, there are many wonderful children all throughout our community. I am sorry that someone made the geralization. Congrats to your Aly.
oldteacher says
It is simple every school practices their graduation ceremony before it happens, and if they don’t they should. The principal should just make an announcement if you behave in a way that is not appropriate you will not recieve your diploma that night, and you will not be able to continue in the ceremony. Alert the parents beforehand, phone, letter, email, whatever. All know beforehand, and no one can question later.
unfortunate says
That would have been a smart thing to do. Letting everyone (students, parents, guests) know ahead of time what the expectations about conduct were (and the potential consequences would be – like ejection from the premises) before the graduation ceremony. How about a flier handed out to every person walking in the door with that specific warning in it and enough administrators and deputies there to enforce it.
high school teacher says
The students are told at every practice and the parents are sent home the protocol for graduation. Obvious the Joppatown parents did not read it or were just so ignorant they ignored them.
Proud to be Liberal says
ALY: I am very happy that you have contributed to this discussion as you exemplify what many of the writers fail to notice: you cannot judge the many by the few. You prove that students from Joppatowne are to be admired.
Hopefully students who acted up will learn: “Good judgment comes from experience. Sometimes, experience comes from bad judgment.” (Christian Slater) Perhaps they will learn what you have shown us, how to be sensitive and considerate. Your parents must be very proud of you: I know I am.
Concerned Teacher says
It is disappointing to hear that a few students and more than a few parents put such a damper on what should be a milestone event in a young adult’s life. Those people were disrespectful to the students, disrespectful to Mr. Tucker, and showed a complete lack of respect for themselves.
In comparison, I have attended Aberdeen graduations for six years now, and these ceremonies have always gone smoothly. Whenever the crowd starts to get out of hand, Mr. Szerensits simply stops, gives the crowd his “teacher stare”, and waits for them to settle down before continuing. Students rarely do anything more attention-getting than raise their hands in triumph as they cross the stage.
I remember at my own graduation Paul Sarbanes was the commencement speaker, and he delivered a campaign speech as well. The last adult to give a commencement speech at Aberdeen tried to stress the importance of continuing education by pointing out the differences in average lifetime income of students with HS diplomas, college degrees, graduate degrees, etc. It was all rather depressing for a student body that contained a significant number of students who were not going to college at all. In the 4 years since, students have been invited to write speeches and try out to be student commencement speakers, and 4-6 of them are given the opportunity to give their “reach for the stars” speech. There have been some wonderfully thoughtful, insightful, and inspiring speeches given by students, some of whom weren’t the best students. I think that more schools should take this approach to graduation speakers.
Again, I feel badly for the students at Joppatowne. It seems that the vast majority of them were upset and the actions of a few attention-seekers. I would have been.
Finally, I am appalled (but not entirely shocked) to see what started out as a dialogue on inappropriate behavior at a high school graduation devolve into a fight (because it certainly isn’t a discussion or argument) about the place of organized religion in society. Both of you need to shut it, and I am personally offended that you hijacked this post to advance your own agenda.
concernedmomof3 says
Concerned Teacher,
Thank you, you said it best. I wish they would close this post after your comment enough has been said
Marla Posey-Moss says
Congratulations to all the Harford County Public School students who graduated this year; even our dearest Kindergarteners. On another note however, it is unfortunate that we (parents, teachers, students, peers, families, etc.) have to be embarrassed by inappropriate acts of those not knowing the time or place to behave according to acceptable societal norms.
Naturally, there is no easy way to determine if such acts will be conducted beforehand or at least the probability of it occuring; because otherwise if an administrator even thought a student would act out of line, I am confident that a parent would have been consulted or that a student would have been personally addressed well before walking across the stage.
Let’s just hope that ALL the rising AND graduating seniors of next year are more interested in HONORING their parents and school and reflecting their VERY best during their special moment and to reserve their personal preferences for after the graduation.
As for the little ones, elderly and those with special seating accommodations, perhaps faculty who attend graduation can be assigned positions to better monitor “traffic” so that rudeness will not prevail and help insure safety and pleasantries for all.
Clay says
Once I said to a friend’s mom, “I’m not sure what I want to do when I get older.” She said to me, “dont worry. You’ll make it.” That meant so much to me. It was easier to get a job then. Our economy was better. Now we dont make the products we did then. Our weather is crazy. There is talk of wars everywhere. There are so many threats in our world. But listen up kids I have something I want you to hear. You will make it. You will make it. You will make it and you will make it and you will make it, etc. How did I make it? If I couldnt tell the graduates about what Christ has done and does for me, I couldnt tell them about myself. If it wasnt for Him saving me from three accidents, I couldnt be there to speak. My willingness to do so is probably why I am still here. Once I passed out at the wheel and woke up below the steering column with no seat belt on. I said to myself, “if where I think I am is correct, there is a tree in this ladies yard and I better turn the wheel to the left.” I did so and hit the brakes. I got up and saw that I had taken a left in the yard and crossed a road and ended in a ditch. Two cars were waiting down the road because they saw me in the yard and stopped until I had crossed the road and stopped. A few days later I went back to look at the yard. The tire tracks went up onto the tree roots and then turned left. They were so close to the tree roots I dont know how the bumper and fender fit between the tires and the tree. I give out Christian tracts to kids here every Halloween. Now how could I be here to do that if I was dead? How could I speak to the graduates if I was dead? How could I tell them how seeing the Doors at their age, as cool as I thought it was at the time, was something I now see as satanic, in spite of the talent and originality of the group? I have a lot that kids need to hear. I would end by reading a list of those who have graduated around me who have passed away and something about them if I know it. Gary Hanna, killed in a helicopter in Vietnam. Joe Winkles. If you were ever in Ellicott City and needed a place to stay, you were welcome. My friend Ellis, who always had a smile on his face. Then I would tell them that if they ever wanted to thank someone in their class and never did, to do it tonight. Or if they ever wanted to tell someone in their class that they were sorry and never did, to do it tonight. And if they ever wanted to tell someone in their class that they loved them, and never did, to do it tonight. Dont be in a hurry to leave. Stay awhile. Congrats to all this year’s graduates.
JHS Graduate says
I’m sorry, but if you are not a 2011 graduate from Joppatowne High School you have absolutely no room to comment on this post.
I have a few concerns about the previous comments, I’m not going to scroll back up to find out the names however.
So for the person who mentioned we need God or Christ or whoever, the person who said the less money the more problems, and the person who is judging everyone from Harford Square- You are two grown adults, you would think you’d know better than to judge. If I learned one thing at JHS it’s not to judge a book by its cover. I lived in Harford Square until I was 15, I’m now 17. I haven’t been to church since I was probably about 5, and I wouldn’t say that I need to go. And I am the daughter of a construction worker & hair stylist- my family has very little money. We scrape together every week for groceries. Contrary to your stereotypes, I’m actually an AP student & a World-wide ranked athlete. 53rd in the world to be exact. I also have a part time job where I work about 4 nights a week. I have NEVER used a drug in my entire life & plan to stay that way. So how’s that for your stereotypes? I’m a very sucessful young lady who’s poor, from Harford Square, and doesn’t go to church- And despite all that, you guys will still hear my name one day. You might even be working for me 🙂
While the events at Tuesdays graduation might have been seen as disrespectful to some, it was a celebration to others. We graduated for goodness sakes! We didn’t care how it happened, it happened! I would have cartwheeled across the stage too if I had the balls! Honestly, in 20 years I don’t think I would have remembered my high school graduation if nothing eventful happened. So as embarrassing as it was, it will give me a good story to tell my children someday. Life is short, & in the end all you have are your memories- So make memories! Stop being so uptight all the time & enjoy the moment! This might sound typical coming from a 17 year old, but as you guys are becoming old you probably wish you took more chances when you were younger, and thats all these students were doing, taking a risk and making a memory.
Summer Walter says
Let me state that my letter was not about Joppatowne as a whole just my experience at the graduation this year. I am entitled to voice my opinions on my experiences. My letter was to address the issues that I saw and had, not a letter to trash talk Joppatowne as a whole. Why should I be chastised because I have chosen to voice my opinions?
There are good and bad in every school!! There are several teachers there that are fantastic and the the school personnel as well. I do think however that it seems that a lot of the bad there takes away so much from the good that goes on there as well.
Summer Walter says
And additionally, not once did I mention that I thought the problems stemmed from anyone that lives in any particular area! If you think that I did, then please re-read my letter!!
Clay says
Yes, JHS Grad, we dont need money to be successful. Christ told His disciples to go out and to spread the word, and for them not to take a money belt with them because everything would be provided. He also said that people wouldnt always treat them with respect, so I am used to it. If people dont want to bother going to church on Sundays or whenever, they dont particularly want to talk about a tract that their child gets. Then they may not want to talk to me. After all, Ravens games are on Sundays. I do support the team though. We had Matt Stover, who is a Christian, come and speak to the kids at church. My point is that what good is it to be successful here on earth and then die and go to hell for eternity? I couldnt leave out the most important things when speaking to a crowd. Thanks.
Just The Facts says
My speech to all of the 2011 graduates from any school, college or university…
“CONGRATULATIONS! May your futures be bright. Enjoy your moment and please after the celebrations, buckle up and drive safely. Again, congratulations to you and to your families, teachers and mentors.”
Graduation is a celebration and it is about the graduate. Too often, speakers think it is about them. No one should walk up to the podium thinking of saying anything more than congratulations and allowing people to get on their way and to continue celebrating this rites of passage milestone.
The ink is dry on the commitment letters, college applications, etc. There is little room to inspire or time for it to be absorbed. There is a natural high permeating the air and it should not be diminshed by delusions that people are listening for anything other than their graduate’s name.
Unless you spoke at your graduation, do you remember who did and what they said? Most likely not.
I am not condoning bad behavior nor condemning anyone’s speech because I was not present at any ceremony this year. I am speaking from past experience as a graduate, as a spectator and as a speaker. Let the ceremony be brief and let it be about the students. It is their last time together as a class.
In many areas, the Prom is held the night of graduation. It is the senior prom and it recognizes that all of these students will be moving on to the next phase of their lives. It is a time of joy and finality.
Graduates, congratulations as you transition from high school to life where the expectations are far more stringent. I wish you many more days when you feel like turning a cartwheel or doing a dance and the wisdom to know when it is appropriate. Peace.
JHS Graduate says
Clay, are you saying that all the good things I do in my life and the good citizen I have worked so hard to become mean nothing because I don’t spend my sundays in church?
Let me just say, church might get me to heaven, but it’s certainly not going to get me to college. Which is why I spend every sunday at work, the gym, competing, or studying.
T. Ray Collingsworth III says
Hopefully Mr. Robert Frisch and his overinflated ego and gigantic sense of self can stand guard at the next graduation.
djshfsdklj says
If your letter was supposed to change something in the school, probably won’t happen.Basicly your letter does make our school look bad because it was held in the school, its the graduation for the school. IT DOES MAKE THE SCHOOL LOOK BAD. YOUR LETTER IS BEING DISCUSSED IN CLASS. THATS WHATS HAPPENING. And what does a graduation have to do with religion?
TICKEDTEACHER says
DJSHFSDKLJ….I hope that while this letter was being discussed in class that some student had the appropriate upbringing to defend it and get on the fools that caused the graduation to turn into a zoo.
Old Conservative says
All you people in these comments need to get a job, teach your children proper respect and manners and become productive in society. Take responsibility for your lives and actions. Single parent homes, looking for excuses, and government handouts have created the problems at JHS.
Proud to be Liberal says
OLD CONSERVATIVE: You are the type of person who over generalizes, and spews out unthinking hurtful trash. You have absolutely no bases for your simplistic racist’s statements. I hope that the students who are following this can understand that not all old people (and I am speaking of myself) share your views. Some of us old men, and I am almost 70, can see that these kids are gems that will become useful productive and citizens if only given a chance. You are pathetic!.
Sabrina says
Old Conservative, meet new middle of the line conservative. I have a job, I am a single Mom, I don’t qualify for assistance, my oldest will graduate next year, and I love my Country. Stop Generalizing and making Conservative look bad. Not every single parent home is a bad one.
djshfsdklj says
Some of us know not to act like that. But why should i have to discuss some letter, when i could be learning about things that can help me get a job.Some of us take our education serious. This has all turned into a big problem.
Summer Walter says
Was it students that were discussing this or the teacher and the students?
Clay says
No JHS, what we do here is important, but working hard wont help you in the afterlife unless we work for Him. Spending Sundays in church doesnt get us there. It is only by having Him in our hearts and knowing we have been born again. It is only by accepting Him. Thanks.
Tiff says
Wow, its really not even that serious.
ITS THERE GRADUATION THERE GONNA BE HAPPY!!
She was obviously excited about graduation.
ALSO our school is small so people will obviously get pushed around, try being in there during regular school, it gets crowed.
i really think this whole thing is unessary, and if you do have commments tell it to hcps school not the internet.
SO
GET
OVER
IT
!!!
Bel Air Girl says
Tiff!!!! Spoken like a true JHS FOOL!!!! Your parents must be so proud!!!
STOP JUDGING says
@ BEL AIR GIRL…… JHS FOOL????? That wasn’t Miss Bel Air, what did you call the Bel Air HS Football team mates that were doing the hazing at the beginning of the school year?? or did you miss that post
Bel Air Girl says
@ Stop Judging….Why yes I did read that post. Those students acted like fools. There are fools everywhere. The difference is that none of the circus stunts and ill behavior went on at Bel Air Graduation. Bel Air is not an under-performing school either. Do you know why that is? Because their parents are very active in their children’s lives and care. That is why.
Stop Judging says
@Bel Air Girl…. i see you have all the answers why hasn’t anyone thought of that???
Rt 40 and proud says
yes they are so active they hover…..like a helicoptor. love that look you get in Bel Air from some people like you are trash because they find out you attend a rt 40 school. I know not all Bel Air parents are like this. Sadly there are some that are!
roz says
Tiff,
Check your spellig and grammar before you post and by the way why are you on here?
roz says
Tiff Did you catch the word spelling is not correct!!
Just The Facts says
I wish the graduates only the best. The world is a beautiful place. You can find happiness and joy if you seek it and believe that mankind can choose to be good natured. Despite the bitterness expressed by some writers, life is grand. Do what you can to make it better and extend a helping hand when you can.
Do not allow yourself to wallow in “gloom and doom”.
Congratulations to all of you for completing one phase of your lives. Enjoy the journey!
HCPSTEACHERTIREDOFSTUDENTFOOLS!!! says
Tiff! There is a big difference between being happy and acting like a fool. You can act dignified and happy at the same time without acting like a fool. I am sure one of your hard working teachers who put up with the foolishness day in and day out would love to explain to you the difference. Then you can pass that knowledge on to your friends who hopefully will pass it on to their parents so this kind of thing does not happen again. When the fools realize this, then and only then will JHS begin to get the great reputation back that has been lost way before you began walking the those hallways.
Breezzie says
Change does not come from private meetings and empty promises. It comes from proactive people making their voices heard and calling the system out in the public forum through all necessary media.
Parents have been complaining to the school for years. Some to the school board, but little change. So, thank you Summer for call them out in public.
Doug Wolf says
Summer and to anyone who has commented agreeing with Summer. I am Douglas Wolf a recently graduated student who was in this graduation ceremony. “Mrs. Summer” is putting down Joppatowne Highschool. I used to think this was a bad school or not good enough. Now i look back at all of te great things. The teachers, Staff, and most if not all of the highschool students. You can sit there and say all you wuld like about the fact that people were pushing and shoving and being ignorant, but as i sat there and watched the parents line up on the wall, yes because of it being a new thing that it would be a little hectic at first. It seemed to work out perfectly fine. I watched as all my friends parents could easily take pictures when needed while there child walked off stage just as well as mine. And you cant sit there and say you Mrs Summer was not one of the parents that was talking over on the wall before you took your picture. The school is not as big as most would like it, so yes there was alot of grduates and parents crowding halllways. As a graduate of Joppatowne Highschool I appreciated Mr. Tucker even tho some didnt. All im trying to say is that MY graduation went perfectly fine, great for my parents, and by reactions of other parents, went great for them. So Lets all Keep comments like this to themselves because us graduates have to hear about this and deal with embarrasment of their GRADUATION. i hope you got your point across because i got mine. Off to Towson now and yes from JOPPATOWNE!
old teacher says
Doug,
It does not matter where the graduation is held because if these parents and students act that way in their own school and community they will do it anywhere. Location does not effect ignorant demeanor. It has to start from home1
harfordmom says
Doug, I’m glad your graduation went great for you – really, you and your family should be proud. I wish you the best and must assume you will not be an English major…
Ciara Jordan says
You really couldn’t help yourself HARFORDMOM you had to be an ass to him at the end of your comment. Way to be a good example.
I’m reading all these comments from people bashing our school and our graduation and it sucks. Only 2 people didn’t do what they were supposed to do and everyone else was fine! Summer, why don’t you go tell those 2 people instead of giving everyone Harford County the opportunity to scrutinize and rip into us publicly? Glen Glass absolutely over did the speech but I truly believe he meant well. People did show respect and clap for Mr.Tucker when he announced his retirement. As for leaving the place was a mess but I attended the Harford Tech graduation and it was a mess there as well, call me crazy but I believe this is what happens when MANY people are trying to do the same thing in the same place at the same time. I mean give us a break! Fitting a couple hundred people in a relatively small space makes a crowd no matter where you are at in the world, why is it necessary to point out the crowd at our graduation? I can’t tell which is more upsetting; the fact that a disappointed parent just tore up our graduation in an article or that as I’m reading these comments “the adults” that we’re supposed to use as our examples, role models and mentors are being catty, arrogant and just flat out jackasses.
P.S.
Thanks HARFORDMOM for your half-hearted congrats to my fellow graduate. Feel free to now make smart ass comments on my spelling and grammar.
John says
Ciara – You are right, only two students misbehaved while walking across the stage, and the crowd did applaud Mr. Tucker’s comments at the beginning of the graduation ceremony. What you didn’t say was students and parents were not being respectful enough to each other to allow everyone the hear the names of all the graduates being announced. The cheering, screaming and yelling got out of hand and when Mr. Tucker tried to get everyone to calm down all he got for his trouble was booed by many (not all) of the students and parents. I can understand the pride and excitement of graduates, family and friends. The Dagger banner for the article (which is probably something the Dagger made up and not Ms. Walter) succinctly says it all – disrespect, unruly and rude. If graduation had been held outside as originally planned maybe some if these things do not happen, but close quarters is no excuse for the conduct displayed by some. If anything the difficulties shared by all should result in an extra effort by all to be even more courteous to each other.
Ciara Jordan says
John I can agree with you on the last line. When things become a mess people should try to be courteous to one another but I also disagree that the crowd that assembled outside of our graduation was in any way, shape or form different from a crowd anywhere else. I went to a Harford Tech graduation and the same thing happened after that graduation as with ours. I was never “pushed and shoved” at either graduation but I was “cut off” and was separated from my party by others and I never had “excuse mes mentioned or apologies for stepping on toes” at both. I feel that saying leaving our graduation was like “at a rock concert with all the pushing and shoving, not a high school graduation” is completely unfair.
As far as the disrespect that occurred, yes some people did boo but I would by no means say “most” and those people were absolutely, 100% rude. Yes people did become unruly at some points. What does everyone want us to do about? It’s over and down with. I told the people around me to settle down a couple times but when the kid got up a did a cartwheel and the other did a dance even I had a couple comments and a laugh.
I think that the right decision was made to move the graduation indoors. I was not interested in baking in the sun and I was not interested in my family baking either. I would pin any confusion, disrespect, unruliness on the movement from the field to the auditorium.
John says
Ciara, I was not making reference to the crowd after the graduation was over. That was like any crowd leaving an O’s game – not much you can do with a large crowd moving in the same direction with limited channels of movement. I agree with the decision to move graduation inside but the change in venue provides no reason/justification, nor offers an excuse, for the poor behavior of some students and spectators. The boorish conduct occurred after everyone was seated inside the auditorium and during the ceremony. I did not say most acted in an inappropriate manner, just many, which is one too many.
harfordmom says
Ciara…
Your right, I shouldn’t have made the comment about your friend regarding him/she not being an English major – but c’mon this whole article was about a HS graduation – anyway, your right, people don’t use spell check, and type in the heat of the moment here and don’t proof read the way they normally would (I’m assuming) a teacher just went through this same thing and I felt bad for them…we’re all human and make mistakes…again, I am sorry.
Kwame Parker says
As the senior class president of the JHS Class of 2011, I agree with Doug. Anyone who has agreed with what Summer has said needs to re-evaluate they’re thinking process. You all need to take into account that the graduation was moved indoors AT THE LAST MINUTE, meaning that the auditorium was going to be jammed packed. So of course it was going to be crowded! What did you expect? The students’ behavior was a little out of hand. However, it was all apart of the excitement of graduation. It’s a new day and age and children express themselves differently than adults do. The politicians did speak too too long! But when it comes down to Mr. Tucker, he is a well respected man. When every one started clapping in the room when he announced his leaving, it was not us shouting “Yay! He’s leaving!” It was us honoring him and what he’s done for this class because out of the entire faculty and staff at Joppatowne High, Mr. Tucker is the main one who has shown a caring attitude towards this class. So Summer, I don’t know how you were raised in your house, but I come from a Godly family. Meaning I don’t go around pointing fingers and calling someone wrong when I know I’m not perfect, let alone, you also have four fingers pointing back at you! Joppatowne High School may be “seen” as a bad school, but don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Each class in JHS operates like a family. And the Commencement was like a “family reunion”. Everyone happy and excited. And the parents taking pictures were excited as well……and my mother was one of them. Take into account, Summer, that you were not the only person observing what took place at this wonderful ceremony because everyone in that room was overwhelmed with love rather than chaos. We are a class that’s rooted together and united by love and operate in unison. The graduates were all impacted last Saturday by the speech given last Thursday at the Dedication Ceremony and after giving a speech about moving forward and always persevering, as the Senior Class President, I will not stand aside while some person runs their mouth about this class. If you didn’t enjoy the ceremony, then that’s on your behalf, not ours. We all enjoyed it and it was a tearing moment. So next time you want to point your finger and blame someone for a problem, remember that you’re not perfect (and neither am I) and that you always have four fingers pointing back at you. The students of the Joppatowne High School Class of 2011 are my class…….my friends…….my family. And family sticks together and protects the family name. And our family name is SUCCESS! And we did that on this past Tuesday.
-Kwame Parker
~JHS Class of 2011 President
HCPSTEACHERTIREDOFSTUDENTFOOLS!!! says
AWWWWWW KWAME PARKER!!!! Now there is a Riverside Elementary School Student Blast From The Past! Dear Kwame, you were a great student in elementary school and your parents were great, concerned, involved and loving parents. Look how you turned out? That is what happens when you grow up in this type of household. Now let me ask you this. When you were in elementary school and attended assemblies were you allowed to act obnoxious? When you graduated from elementary school and recived all your awards for good achievement at the end of the year were you allowed to do cartwheels, hoot and holler like a fool, push and shove etc??? Finally, did your parents push others and yell and scream when they attended these assemblies? NO THEY DID NOT!!!! Did other parents do this? NO THEY DID NOT!!!So what makes you think that it is ok to do in high school? I want to leave you with one last lesson Kwame and please value it. There is a little thing called freedom of Speech and I know you learned about this in school. It is how America can change and get things out in the open for change. JHS was loosing ground way before you began your years there. This letter has not caused the reputation your school has had for years. The students actions and their parents have caused this reputation. Your fellow students and their lack of concern for their education have caused this reputations. Look at your test scool’s test score. You do not get these scores from “just a few students.” Kwame, when you get out into the real world you will understand exactly why this letter was written. I can also know that sometime in your future life when you have your own kids and even in other situations, you will do the same thing. God Bless you Kwame and good luck to you.
Summer Walter says
Mr. Parker, I actually enjoyed your speeches both at the graduation and the dedication. I sat not too far in front of your family at the dedication. You sound like a very intelligent young man and showed that you have a tremendous amount of respect for yourself and those around you. Why then , should I not be allowed to voice my opinions? People write editorials all the time and express their feelings and views on things. It is my right, i.e. Freedom of Speech!! And yes I was one of those parents trying to take pictures on that side wall. You can not state what it was like over there because you were not there. There were several and I do mean several parents complaining about the line. Every parent trying to get in the front of the line and not very willing to let anyone else regardless of their last name get in front of them. Kwame, funny that you say everyone there including your fellow graduates were loving and happy with everything that took place. Have you read all of the comments posted here? Have you asked every single one of your fellow classmates? There are comments here posted from some of your fellow graduates stating that they were upset by what happened at their graduation. Clearly, not everyone felt the way you do. And let me ask you this Kwame, if people continued to step on you , push you, shoved let’s say your parent without so much as an excuse me or I’m sorry, would that be ok with you? Would you not be upset by that?
concernedmomof3 says
Mrs. Walter, I am a parent of a graduate and I also have another child at JHS. I applaud you for the article and the Dagger for posting it. I just want to tell you that your article was fine it was your opinion and point of view and some may not agree but that is the way of the world. Unfortunately, as i have seen with other post people use the site for their political forums and also post hateful comments which then turns your post into something unintended which you have no control over. It sounds like your starting to try and defend why you posted the article.
If you child is being harassed i’m sure you know what to do about that. One thing we can say is that all schools and social settings have issues. Some of the students at JHS have problems and some of the teachers do as well, no one is perfect. As a community we are all responsible.
Sabrina says
Mrs. Summer, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE! I have a daughter that graduates next year and I know plenty of great young men and women that will be walking that stage next year. I hope the class of 2012, wait, I know the class of 2012 will work together to keep their fellow classmates in check. I also have the honor of knowing many of the graduates from the 2011 class. Those that I know deserved the best graduation and if they are happy with it, then I am happy for them. Just remember, your parents supported you through it all and deserved to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Bob Frisch says
Mr. Collingsworth,
I would be happy to discuss ideas you may have that could improve the education of Harford County children. I am always willing to listen to reasonable and rational suggestions that meet the primary goal of providing a quality education for our students. “YOUR Voice” is more than a campaign slogan I used during the election. I can be reached through my HCPS email.
Jason Walter says
Mr. Frisch,
Since you were present at the graduation in mention, what are your thoughts and observations about the conduct?
And how do you plan on using your leadership to make some positive changes for JHS?
Thank you
Jill Singleton says
I having been reading everyone’s comments, and I believe that alot of us are NOT putting down JHS as a whole. My daughter Samantha Harris had a wonderful experience @ JHS for 4 years. She was apart of the Marching Band, served as a Student Page for the Maryland General Assembly, attended Harford County Sheriff’s Academy Camp, served as President of NHS, played JV and Varsity Volleyball for 4 years, and was apart of the 2nd graduating class for Homeland Security. I cannot thank the teachers enough, especially Mr. Johns, Mr. Blandon, Mr. K, Mrs. Johns, the guidance office and Adminstrators for all there work so that she could be the person she is today. She is one of many students that will be attending a 4 year University in the fall. She has worked hard and I do believe that having a family support system @ home helps. I am a Single mother of 2 teenage daughters and it isn’t always easy especially when they attend two different High Schools. Sam’s sister attends HHS and yes, there is a difference in these schools but I do applaude the parents of JHS and the students who DO CARE about their future beyond high school. I also employ 4 JHS students @ my job, and they are VERY responisible and dedicated to their studies as well as their job. As for Mr. Tucker, if his being demoted was due to test score for his school, then he as an individual cannot go to each and every students home to make sure that they are taking the right path, as with every school in the county, it starts @ home!!! I know many kids from various schools in the county as I employ them to, and they all talk of each school having issues. I am NOT afraid to say the my children attend RT 40. corridor schools. They are still Honor Students, Athletes and all around good kids.
Jill Singleton says
I do agree with Graduation being moved indoors because of the heat, but many of my co-workers have seen Samantha’s speech on facebook, and could not hear it due to the crying kids/babies. I am just not happy with some students stunts on stage. I understand that Graduation is a Highlight of ones high school career, but please be respectful to your teachers, peers and parents. I am glad that I got to see Sam walk across the stage in the top 10% of her class. It takes alot of work to get there!!! Congratulations to the class 0f 2011 and I hope that next year things go much smoother.
Kwame Parker says
Let me reply to every person that has commented on what I’ve stated: How are you going to make a judgement about Joppatowne High School and how it is operated if you’re only commenting on what you’ve seen at the graduation? You see one thing one night, but did you observe the behavior at the dedication? Or observe the behavior throughout a regular school day? Don’t judge a book by its cover!
Concerned Teacher says
Unfortunately, Sir, the reality of life is that first impressions are the most important. For those who do not live in the Joppatowne area, this look into what has been, by long-standing tradition, a happy but respectful ceremony shows students and parents acting in an extremely disrespectul manner. Disrespectful to the school, to Mr. Tucker, to the other students and their parents, and to themselves. I know that if someone had done a cartwheel on stage at my graduation, no matter how well respected the young lady might be within the school community, she would have been told to get off the stage and would not have been handed her diploma.
You are caught up in the moment, and you see it for what you want to see it–a celebration of your graduation. It is not, as you put it earlier, a family reunion. It is a CEREMONY, which comes with long held traditions and expectations. By all accounts, some of your classmates and some of the parents of your classmates did not show respect for the traditions and, by extension, the importance of the ceremony. Would you feel differently had parents and attendees talked through a drama production, or a musical concert? Would you be happy several years from now if one of your fiancee’s bridesmaids does a cartwheel as she is walking up the aisle? It is about RESPECT, and the comments from many here show that we are tired about the severe lack of respect commonplace in our society today.
That, Sir, is why your school is being judged the way it is. Be proud of your school, and defend her honor, but do not make excuses for the poor behavior that gets unwanted attention.
Mustafa Sidik says
My name is Mustafa Sidik, and I was a member of the graduating class of 2011 for Joppatowne High School. Along with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wolf, I proudly walked across stage during the evening of May 31st. I debated over whether or not I should comment on this post, until finally my brother, who was also a graduate at Joppatowne High School, told me that I should stand up for the school that has given us so much. I must say in the four years that I attended Joppatowne, I had the opportunity to learn so many things. It’s teachers and administration, including Mr. Macon Tucker, provided a nurturing environment that allowed me to participate in three sports, hold board positions in numerous clubs, and graduate with cum laude honors in the top one percent of my class.This school that everyone is so keen on bashing is the sole reason I and my brother, both first generation Americans, made it to college. So many of you posted on this page, many of you haven’t even experienced the rich halls of my school and are still ready to judge them. As Mr. Parker stated, no one can judge a book by its cover. The halls of Joppatowne harbor teachers that I spend countless hours working with those students who ask for help. It contains staff and coaches that help students develop into balanced, well- rounded individuals. So, I implore all of you to spend a day, a week within those brick halls, and look past those few students who ruin the image of Joppatowne High School, and look beyond to those who are working hard, day and night, toiling to make their and their peer’s future greater than anyone ever expected.
Ciara Jordan says
Thank you Moose! I absolutely agree with your comment and I don’t think anyone else could’ve said it better.
Summer Walter says
Mustafa, I know you and I commend you for your accomplishments in school and out. Congrats to you!! Kwame, with having two students that attend Joppatowne, I hear on a regular basis what occurs at JHS both good and bad. I do feel that the teachers and most of the administration are great!! Every teacher that my kids have had have always been more than willing to help either one of them with any extra help they may need. Once again, my letter was not about Joppatowne High as a whole, but about what occurred at the graduation. I can speak about JHS because I have been in those hallways visiting for various reasons and have seen many students rude behavior. I have witnessed arguments in the hallways and disruptive and rude behavior given by the students to teachers. The teachers and the administration including our school’s resource officer can only do so much. Those students that are very well behaved should then go to those that are not and say to them, “Your rude behavior is now making our school and us look bad.”
Stop Judging says
@Summer Walter, you stated you were only speaking of the graduation??
George Armstrong Custer says
ENOUGH OF THE PERSONAL ATTACKS! The Dagger ought to be ashamed of itself for letting these comments get too personal, too nasty, and WAY too out of hand! There needs to be some moderation of these comments. As for the rest of you, some of you commentors get too nasty, learn some civility!
decoydude says
GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER – I strongly agree especially the off topic posts about politics and religion. Some of these even include vulgar suggestions and words in a couple different languages. There appears to be a group of regulars who seem to enjoy bullying others and being very venomous to anyone who may not agree with their view of the world. They often insert themselves in any topic even if it has nothing to do with politics. They are so absurd that I often find them entertaining and once in a while will suggest the same. However, I can see that many people would find their comments hurtful and way over the line. I would suggest reporting some of these posts and see if Dagger responds.
decoydude says
As I said there is a small group of regulars that like to bully others who don’t agree with their view of the world.
Harfordmom says
wow, 150 responses in a week – talking about rude people and many here have continued to show their rudeness….clearly this is a concern – so….can we stop promoting mean and rudeness to others and lead our children by our example not to be disrespectful and rude, once and for all…
rockfish says
If I recall, JHS was part of the “Class of 2000” documentary. Seems like the school must have been competitive in the right way to win that bid.
not just Joppatowne says
Demonstrating poor manners at graduation ceremonies is not limited to Joppatowne. At the Fallston graduation someone had to use an air-horn when their child was announced.
Ciara Jordan says
Hey Summer!
Sorry your child’s graduation was such a huge disappointment. I was there and my graduation was awesome, not just for me but my family as well. Actually I guess it’s kind of funny but I didn’t even realize that there was such a big problem, everyone was so disappointed and everything was so terrible until you told me! So yeah I guess I just wanted to say thanks a lot for that.
😀
JHS Graduate says
@HARFORDMOM
“Ciara…
Your right, I shouldn’t have made the comment about your friend regarding him/she not being an English major – but c’mon this whole article was about a HS graduation – anyway, your right, people don’t use spell check, and type in the heat of the moment here and don’t proof read the way they normally would (I’m assuming) a teacher just went through this same thing and I felt bad for them…we’re all human and make mistakes…again, I am sorry. ”
^It’s funny because in your apology for making the smart ass comment on Doug’s grammar, you used the wrong form of the word “you’re” when saying “Your right” in the first sentence. Just saying, let’s hope that you too are not an english major : )