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Education

Principal Ditches ‘Honors Night’ for More Inclusive Student Assembly to Avoid ‘Devastating’ Average Kids

Mar. 21, 2013 8:13am Billy Hallowell

In recent years, there’s been an odd cultural trend emerging. As parents seek to shield their children from negativity, there’s been a major push in some circles to rid schools and youth groups of competitive spirit — all in the name of inclusiveness and protecting kids’ emotions.

Considering this ongoing dynamic — one that tends to anger parents who believe in the rewards associated with hard work and dedication — David Fabrizio, the principal at Ipswich Middle School in Ipswich, Mass., came under fire this week after local and national news outlets reported that he canceled an honors awards night to hold a more inclusive event.

Rather than inviting only those students who have outperformed their peers, the Daily Mail reports that Fabrizio has reorganized the event, called “Honors Night,” and is ensuring that every individual in the school can take part.

Principal David Fabrizio Takes Heat Over Canceling Honors Night and for More Inclusive Ceremony

Photo Credit: WFXT-TV

In an e-mail announcement to parents, Fabrizio purportedly said that the decision was made in an effort to avoid “devastating” those individuals who did not perform well and were, thus, not invited to the traditional awards event. Parents purportedly shared this note with Fox affiliate WFXT-TV.

“The Honors Night, which can be a great sense of pride for the recipients’ families, can also be devastating to a child who has worked extremely hard in a difficult class but who, despite growth, has not been able to maintain a high grade point average,” Fabrizio wrote to parents.

According to WFXT-TV, the principal’s decision was also predicated upon the fact that academic success is also tied to the support that students get at home. And since not every student gets the same level of academic and emotional support from parents, there’s potential inequality.

Naturally, many parents both in the school district and beyond disagree with this re-organization of an annual event that was meant to herald children’s stellar performance.

Dave Morin, a parent in the district, voiced his frustration in an interview with WFXT-TV.

“It’s been a tradition in Ipswich,” he said. “And you’re very proud as a parent to go into that night and see your child, as well as some of the other children who made, really, some great efforts.”

Parental outrage was apparently so intense that Fabrizio took to the school’s web site to write a statement about the incident. In addition to rebuffing the WFXT-TV report, the principal clarified how the Honors Night program changes were being handled.

“Ipswich Middle School is dedicated to high achievement in every facet of our students’ lives. We did not cancel honors recognition as erroneously reported by FOX News Boston,” he wrote. “We changed our Honors Night from an exclusive ceremony at night to an all-inclusive ceremony during the day in the presence of the entire student body.”

Photo Credit: WFXT-TV

So, students who excel will still be recognized for their accomplishments — and in front of the entire student body on June 17.

“During this ceremony we will honor those who have excelled in academics, in athletics, in the arts and in the related arts. Any reports to the contrary are incorrect,” the principal’s statement on the school’s web site continues.

On one hand, this can be seen as a valiant effort to recognize students who have excelled, while also motivating those who have not. Rather than having children accept their awards in front of families in a closed, evening event, these students will be shining examples to their peers.

Plus, Fabrizio notes that it’s important to expose kids who aren’t excelling to inspirational speakers — something this new-found assembly will allow.

“We had a situation where our best students were being honored exclusively away from the rest of the school. The problem was, those who needed that motivation weren’t there,” Fabrizio told the IPSwich.

But there’s also some interesting counter arguments to consider.

On the flip side, there’s also the fact that holding an evening event was special and offered children who deserve praise the necessary accolades. By simply merging this event with the larger, end-of-year assembly, the unique nature of the awards disappears.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section.

–

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Comments (139)

mom4times
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:21am
One thing I have definetly noticed with my kids in school is the grade range for high honor roll and honor roll…..unfortunatly I don’t have any of my report cards to compare with, but my kids school has honor roll set at 85-89 and high honor roll is 90-100……I could be wrong but I thought it was 90-95 for honor roll and 95 to 100 for high honor roll……check your records if you have them against your kids……very sad if i’m correct. This principal is a moron

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- Cavallo
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:33am
  Why have grades at all? Public schools are a sick twisted joke. Mainly, public schools are there to provide substandard college grads with Union thug jobs.
  
  Report this comment
- flyoverbob
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:50am
  The dumbing down of Amerika
  
  Report this comment
- richauthor
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:52am
  It is no wonder that there is approximately 47 percent of the American electorate who have been politically correctly called LOW INFORMATION VOTERS (LIVs). The idiot liberals in this country have surreptitiously taken over the entire education system and in doing so, have dumbed us down to the level of some third world nation in Africa or Central America. The dumbing down is apparent in this failed school in Massachusetts, where the failed Principal continues to concentrate on NOT upsetting the poor students who will someday join the ranks of the LIVs.
  
  By failing to recognize excellence, this dimwit educator (and I use the term VERY LOOSELY) has elevated the status of those students who are guaranteed to fail in life. This is what we silent majority Americans have to overcome… lest we face an infinite number of bozos on the political horizon, like the empty-suited, dooby-smoking Choom-boy that occupies the White House.
  
  Report this comment
- Vision Harry
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:55am
  I’m so totally awesome. I just got this super fantastic award for memorizing all the left wing drivel that was spoon fed to me as actual knowledge.
  
  Ronald Reagan has been proven right once again: “I’ts not that liberals are stupid, It’s just that what they know is wrong.”
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:56am
  Social engineering and indoctrination is their mission, not education. This kind of stuff has been going on for years. Look at the IB programs (International Baccalaureate) being pushed down the throats of parents by these progressive indoctrinators. It’s partnered with the U.N., and the program is developed out of Switzerland. It must be administered by their rules, and any disagreements are adjudicated according to Swiss law.
  
  All we do is pay for the school, the program, and the monkey teachers that teach the socialist nonsense.
  
  Report this comment
- Secret Squirrel
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 10:48am
  “The problem was, those who needed that motivation weren’t there.”
  Hello? There’s a reason they weren’t invited. They didn’t make the cut.
  What is the motivation to try when everyone is named valedictorian?
  
  Gee, I wasn’t invited to the White House, others were. Blame Obama?
  
  Report this comment
- dwsmokin
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 10:54am
  Yes he is-if you don’t recognize high achievers you end up with fewer high achievers. Recognize and reward mediocrity and that’s what you get. Put an idiot in charge of a school and you get…
  
  Report this comment
- georgette
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 12:03pm
  an principal not honoring excellence……violating the reason he’s there…..fire him.
  
  Report this comment
- kaydeebeau
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 12:08pm
  When I was in school A = 95-100 B = 85-94 C= 75-84 D = 70-74 F=69 and lower. Honor roll was a 3.5 GPA or higher
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 1:00pm
  What is the motivation to try when everyone is named valedictorian?
  There would be one and pretty soon they’ll end the practice and replace it with a popular vote. So everyone from the d- to the a+ student has a chance to be give the ceremonial speech.
  
  Report this comment
- zorro
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 1:22pm
  Those average students are in for a rude awakening once they get into the world.
  
  Report this comment
mmccabe19
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:13am
Ah, everyone gets a trophy! God forbid we honor excellence in the classroom.

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- FrankieBaby
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:31am
  And the end result is no one will strive to be the top of their class and we all end up with slackers and losers. This is exactly what Obama wants. A dumb society that can easily be controlled. This country’s time is coming to an end, and its deliberate by the elite and the communists.
  
  This is where PARENTS obligation comes in to get thousands of people to protest in front of the school, take their kids out and REBEL against it! This is what you never see. The people are becoming yellow, spineless jellyfish….
  
  Report this comment
- netmail
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:31am
  Children left to their own devices will become soul-less and mediocre just like the so called adults who are running the show these days. I would call it: ‘Devil-ution’.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:33am
  -mccabe
  
  yes, let us reward mediocrity; these trophy’s are an indictment against our stupidity, and a testament to our laziness!
  
  Report this comment
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 10:00am
  Nothing like squashing goals for the “average” kids to shoot for. If it makes them feel bad, maybe, just maybe they will try harder to raise their scores…The world is screwed when this next generation takes over…
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 11:18am
  Everybody gets a prize. HOW STUPID!!! Reminds me of the communist professor in college who gave everybody a C+. When asked why, he said that it is unfair to delineate the high acheivers from the poor students. That meant that those who spent their time partying, dancing and going to sports events instead of studying, those who basically put out no effort were passed while those who worked were penalized.
  
  Reminds me of the old Soviet workers adage: ” The government pretends to pay us and we pretend to work.”
  
  The entire drive of the educational system, from K-1 through College is to create a society of total mediocracy. EVERY ONE ON A LEVEL PLANE, NO EXCEPTIONS!!
  
  Thank GOD that the parents got involved!! They FORCED this nitwit school administrator to shelve his stupidity. PARENTS OF AMERICA, KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON AT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL! KEEP UP WITH THE LESSONS AND CIRRICULUM THEY ARE BEING TAUGHT!!! Our youth is steadily being subverted by liberal thought.
  
  HOMESCHOOL IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!
  
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fastgen1
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:07am
When the left take over, we become a group of zombies. The school system is so screwed up with the bottom line being a school for propaganda. It will get worse as the white race becomes second class citizens as the blacks and browns breed the the country into mediocrity…

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GuruMeditation
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:00am
Pathetic! Invite them ALL and give awards to the best before the whole student body. What they chose to do is pretty damned sad.

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- thetruthlives
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:06am
  agreed……the lefties want an homogenized pack of drones to do the bidding of the ruling elite and this leaves no room for achievers, or recognition of exceptional performance…pathetic
  
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- Caniac Steve
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:21am
  gee you mean they are bring back the “participation” trophies,ribbons &certificates again ? wow we can all cheer loud & proud we’re number 12 we’re number 12 !! Oh Please give me a freaking break!!
  
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- dylan
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:24am
  My son was in the gifted program in our school district-one day a week. The bus picked up kids from each school and hauled them to the building that was for them. I can cay it had a very positive influence on him. I have 5 sons and three of them were in accelerated classes. The teachers in these classes were excellent. This business of a trophy for just showing up is bunk and I think sets a mind set for the hand outs the government is responsible for. All 5 sons have degrees-2 with advanced degrees-and are all working in their chosen study field. P.S. We are not ‘rich’. All my boys worked in high school and college.
  
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Gonzo
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:59am
Yes kiddies, you’re all winners now! Enjoy it while you can because when you get out in the real world, you won’t be.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:24am
  Sure they will, why not? They don’t have to work, they won’t starve, they’ll get money for “free” from the government, they’ll get free food, they will be provided with cell phones. In what way won’t they be winning (at our expense)?
  
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- lel2007
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:26am
  This is legitimate preparation for future union workers.
  
  Report this comment
maggiepie
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:57am
We are the Borg. We are one with the collective. We are not capable of individual thinking.
And the SHEEPLE just follow along. Why aren’t the parents of the honot students speaking out
about this. Their children worked hard for the honor. We must not cause others to feel bad.
Are you afraid one of the non-achievers will become a crazy with a gun? Paranoia runs deep.

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chewfatlip
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:57am
Actually, if you were an underachiever, would you prefer that the Honors students have a private ceremony that you could ignore or a public ceremony that you were forced to attend and watch?
To me, if they were so worried about how the underachiever feels, the last thing they would want to do is to rub it in their faces – so to speak.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:29am
  Ah, so you’re the reason!
  
  Or, and follow me closely here, they could hold the ceremony and the underachievers could look up to the winners and aspire to be more like them? Why must anybody be ashamed of achievement, and have to hide it from the losers, precisely?
  
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- richauthor
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 10:14am
  It does little good for anyone to argue with fools like you.
  
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One Man Mormon Blues Band
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:57am
I was never a recipient at an honors night. I was distinctly, barely average in public school for a variety of reasons. However, I was NEVER devastated! Nor was anyone I knew. There is far too much concern about feelings and not nearly enough about performance.

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BehindTheMouth
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:49am
Give me a fa king break!!!!

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WilliamORights
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:48am
The Ipswitch “Lions”. What an insult to the lions of the world. The whole thing makes me feel ashamed to be an American.

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Zipit
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:47am
It’s a wonderful thing, “TRICKLE UP”! From our education system to real life. Soon this practice of not showing any reward for those who strive to be better, and push themselves to succeed, will rear its ugly head in our “soon to be socialized” healthcare system. Obamacare, will give us doctor shortages, and inferior care at the hands of bureaucrats, The incentive to work hard and become a doctor will quickly be taken away!

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WilliamORights
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:45am
Any system legally mandating average results, redistribution to the underachievers, and penalizing excellence is, by definition, mediocre. America is my new synonym for mediocracy. The “American Mediocracy”. What me worry.

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- spirited
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 2:09pm
  You nailed it!
  
  That describes what the standard for service and workmanship (the lack of) has become common.
  
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quiltgal
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:43am
If anything, holding a special event exclusively for honors students seems like hiding their achievements from the general student body to spare other students’ feelings. The new inclusive event is a better idea. All the students will now be able to witness the awards and rewards for hard work, therefore encouraging unmotivated students to do better and giving honors students more recognition for their efforts.

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AquamanSucks
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:42am
I was a screw up in high school and did not deserve to be included.
As an adult I work hard and understand the result of not working hard due to my exclusions during high school.

Maybe the priciple should look up the definition of motivation. He also should be motivated to find a new job.

Motivation:
A psychological feature that arouses an organism to act towards a desired goal and elicits, controls, and sustains certain goal directed behaviors. It can be considered a driving force; a psychological drive that compels or reinforces an action toward a desired goal. For example, hunger is a motivation that elicits a desire to eat. Motivation has been shown to have roots in physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and social areas.

I was a screw up in high school and did not

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progressiveslayer
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:38am
Another example of Amerikas race to the bottom with these candy@ss people in positions of authority. Sounds like it’s time to fire the spineless ‘man’ and hire someone who has some common sense. David works for the government not your kids and he isn’t concerned about them in the least,he’s a progressive pustule who’s proved himself to be below average,well below.

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biohazard23
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:36am
Sounds like the principal is projecting his own feelings of inadequacy and insecurity stemming from his own academic failures, eh?

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:53am
  Based on ole Dave’s comments on this issue and that pic it’s safe to assume he isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:45am
  Good Morning BIOHAZARD, LOL, I really do think that you are right.
  PROGRESSIVESLAYER, apparently he is not even the sharpest spoon in that drawer!
  
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:34am
.
I’m surprised this was not in Texas. After watching the awards show at the middle school and some poor kid got an Award for being a “Good Helper”……

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CHHALL3
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:34am
I think the principal should step down so an average teacher who does not have support at home to excel should take his place.

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75cents
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:32am
It’s CANCER !!!! It is destroying America like a CANCER !

It has to be cut out !

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flyovercountrygirl
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:30am
I think the principal has a valid point, but moving the ceremony to the daytime will mean most of the parents can’t attend. Why can’t they have both ceremonies?? Is there a reason that it must be one or the other? I think if they could be a little flexible then maybe both the students and the parents will be able to honor the honor students.

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- PatriotLady
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:47am
  FLYOVER – Good idea. Motivate the other students with a daytime program, and Honor those who excelled with the traditional and special ceremony for only them and their families. Nice.
  
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- flyovercountrygirl
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:35am
  I did not make my point clear. Thank your for pointing that out. I thought having both ceremonies without exclusivity might make it easier for parents to attend while still fulfilling the principal’s goal of honoring the students in front of their peers.
  
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Eastinfection
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:30am
All of the students deserve an award for dealing with an inept school administration.

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kickagrandma
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:25am
Another principal who needs removing.
HONORS usually indicates just that: exemplary effort above and beyond that which is required.
That definition is the antithesis of the current administration AND educational system, unfortunately, where dummies and less-than-stellar folks control the systems.
With GOD’s help and intervention, that is getting ready to change.

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DZ-015
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:25am
Life follows a pathway of hurt feelings. Trying to take away the sting that makes one stronger, only makes everyone weaker. Hey schools, how about more hard knocks education and less hand wringing and hand holding.

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RustyElbows
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:23am
One size fits all mentality…….

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Unbelievable
Posted on March 21, 2013 at 8:23am
Just another perfect example of progressive liberalism… TEAR DOWN HIGH ACHIVERS!!! Take everything away from them, tear them down, demonize them!! We must not allow anyone to succeed as it won’t be fair to those who don’t!!!

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- objectivetruth
  Posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:23am
  You aren’t kidding.These same idots also work for the government schools and the private sector.This is also one of the reasons the unemployment rate is so high.They will let go of the good worker in favor of the crappy.Especially if the good worker scares the boss by their achievements.I have noticed in the last ten years or so far more decent good workers are getting the boot while the half azz remain employed.What type of incentive is that?Absolutely none.It aslo strikes a cord of the collective.Those who excell are the minority these days.The collective is half azzed.It doesn’t want anything or anyone to remind it of that.That is precisely what those who excell naturally do.In essence its a clash from day one.A person who excells isn’t going to stop simply because someone wants them to.You might get them to do it for a little while for a job but even that won’t last long.Especially if the requirements of the job are far below the workers abilities.
  
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