As Samuel said above, I concur. Can we please keep some perspective on this for our children's sake? We, human beings, are resilient. Embarcadero Media Henry M. Gunn; Palo Alto; Additional. Even the diploma itself is just a scrap of paper. 2675 Palo Verde Boulevard South Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 Phone: 928-854-5001 Fax: 928-854-5499 My son was 2020 and missed out, but time to move on. They deserve better. Austin makes a big show of being first at anything he can possibly take credit for. Modeling complaint in the face of worldwide pandemic, especially when so many other places have suffered far worse than we, is not a good example. These "unimportant" events are far more than simply "gatherings," but rather, they play cultural roles that mark rites of passage essential for teenagers to transition into adulthood. When we move past Covid, with or without a school dance or a graduation ceremony, I firmly believe our kids will move past their disappointments. Calendar - Palo Alto Unified School District. Sponsored content Terms of Use And, if he does, you can bet he'll run to the press and take credit for being the mastermind behind it. Bold coyotes at Windy Hill Print Edition/Archives This could gather the 2020 grads to celebrate reopening of society for them and for everyone, their high school achievements and give closure to their high school chapter, albeit belatedly. What will happen when these teenagers graduate into the work world or college? Let's encourage the kids who want an event to lead. St. Maria Goretti Catholic School. Our priority is for the continuous improvement of teaching, learning and educational programs benefiting our students at each school in Palo Verde Unified School District. By Diana Diamond | 8 comments | 2,046 views, Home School Life ... Palo Verde; Walter Hays; Middle Schools. The loss of these rites of passage -- everything from first day of high school, to middle school graduation, to cheering for the football team, to prom -- are losses that these youth never will have a chance to recover. Where is the Grad Party? Circulation & Delivery, About Us That's the issue I have. The few times that the reports did cite sample size, they revealed a District that is failing our children in every way. Please provide a link or some evidence that all those other districts are somehow having “Covid compliant” Proms and Grad parties. Let's turn adversity into a creative challenge. TownSquare Elementary School Boundaries And individual school boundary maps When you click a HS, MS, or Elementary Boundaries link, there is a search function located upon the map where you can type your residential address and it will then place a map location “pin” for your residential address location on … Don't miss out Please make sure your comments are truthful, on-topic and do not disrespect another poster. Was changed to a Dec graduation and then there was no follow through. I heard Don Austin state the same lies tonight at the Board meeting that he has stated previously -- that PAUSD has been the "first" and "best" at everything; that PAUSD would be breaking the law by hosting Prom and/or a senior dinner; that (unbelievably) streaming a classroom so that kids who have to quarantine due to coronavirus exposure -- is "illegal." The viaduct / "elevated freeway for trains" option needs to be taken off the table as well. He has also dismiss multiple student-led and initiated activities as unsafe. Let's support their effort and leadership. As Dr. Austin will be quick to point out, he is focusing on WASC. Welcome to the website of Palo Verde Elementary School, home of the Eagles. Let's model resiliency. A. His staff presented "statistical findings" that lacked any basic hallmark of statistical accuracy. @Consider your options has it right. The car parade was, in a pandemic year, a good creative alternative--and much more than many graduates around the world got. @ Voice Tonight at the School Board meeting, students and parents made it clear that they are not impressed with Don Austin's (lack of) leadership, and for the first time that I can remember, the School Board appeared to be listening. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, would hate to see it not come off because of over zealous Covid warriors. Well I guess class of 2020 was forgotten... Why make class of 2020 excited by telling them there are plans of a future graduation but not even follow up on it a year later. Subscribe Dr. Austin is another topic altogether. Please please get vaccinated if you might be going. Mobile/Tablet Menu. Ellen Fletcher; Frank S. Greene Jr. Jane Lathrop Stanford; High Schools. First of all, the Graduation ceremony should just be skipped this year again due to Covid concerns. I. Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. All rights reserved. Home & Real Estate 5. Our website allows you to gain information and stay updated about the events taking place at Palo Verde School. But, now the newest shiny object has caught his attention as something else where he can gain more attention for himself. There are a lot of valid thoughts being shared. contest serves no one. PTAs and PAUSD provide funds for this. Go Titans!! With ranger programs, special events, and festivals, there are plenty of activities to enrich your visit to Shenandoah National Park. Life's journey is full of peaks and valleys with adversity being a constant. SCC is at a 58% vaccination rate, with many of these kids past their 2nd dose. PAUSD is refusing to host them. As for dances/proms/picnics, I'm sure they are possible. Or were hinted at and then not followed through...Spirit Week, Homecoming, Cookies on the Quad, Prom (x2), Senior Picnic, music on the quad, senior deck painting, etc. What he doesn't talk about is the lack of communication and transparency to the parents. Sports Don't be snarky or belittling. No Prom this year! PAUSD is refusing to host them.“ At JLS, we promote an intellectually rigorous academic experience within a supportive community that values the social, emotional and physical well being of all students. In some ways, the traditional cap and gown ceremonies are overated...even for college. The salary amounts being utilized to calculate average teacher salary include annualized teacher base pay and CSF payments. The Almanac They were constantly faced with stress, disruption, and inconvenience (especially the kids in Europe). Very little in life is perfect. Please have some perspective. Please people you aren’t exempt from the Pandemic because you live in Palo Alto. here. For more information on tentative start dates click here: CIF-CCS Tentative Sports Schedule. Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. His “leadership” failed because he hasn’t, as of yet at least, included the 2020 kids as he promised. All postings are subject to our TERMS OF USE, But at least a graduation ceremony can be socially distanced outdoors and likely be done at least somewhat safely. She was disappointed, but she understood. Personally, I'm done with giving money to PiE or any future Measures. If you are not the parent of a senior, then, you don't realize the activities that did not happen. It seems that Superintendent Austin has quietly "forgotten" about his plans for the 2020 graduates. Telephone: 562-425-5112 Fax: 562-425-5672. If you are already a registered user and the commenting form is not below, PR MediaRelease Get the day's top headlines from Palo Alto Online sent to your inbox. Not against it, but have not seen rationale for why this is the top priority of students and important enough for him to restrict everything else in the recent past and near future. @Voice of PA - Yes, I agree with this, "Austin’s “leadership” didn’t fail because he didn’t figure out a way to have the kids dance and party this year during Covid. Web Link. Class of 2020, how can work together with you? Our hearts go out to Class of 2020. He was only first to run to the media. Where is the Prom? First, no school would take on that liability during Covid. This school has stopped being a leader. Austin’s “leadership” didn’t fail because he didn’t figure out a way to have the kids dance and party this year during Covid. Privacy Policy By Chandrama Anderson | 2 comments | 3,354 views, Police departments using PR techniques to justify their actions Contact Us If you are not registered, you can do so See our announcement about requiring registration for commenting. Appointments for anyone age 16+ who lives or works in Santa Clara County are free at Web Link. JLS Middle School At JLS, we promote an intellectually rigorous academic experience within a supportive community that values the social, emotional and physical well being of all students. Visitor Info, Send News Tips Save the tuxedos and gowns for another future occasion. More than a few people have noticed that Don Austin seems to prioritize having events he can claim are "firsts". Not that many 2020 graduates would even want a ceremony at this point, but I don't think the school ever sent any follow up stating that they won't be having any ceremony, ever. The form link in this section is for a transfer requested to take place and be active for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. These skills are what they need to build the successful, happy lives and relationships we all fervently want for our beloved emerging adults. Graduation is a right of passage, but during a pandemic you have to learn to roll with the punches. It sounds like Don Austin did not live up to promises made to them. Blogs Curt Johansen, CAA Athletic Director Gunn High School Prom, Grad Night, Senior Picnic are within the County guidelines, which for some reason PAUSD has decided to take beyond the restrictions. Fan! Missing prom was a terrible disappointment, but absolutely necessary disappointment at the time. Students want them. and may be deleted if deemed inappropriate by our staff. The frustration and fears will dissipate and the depression will subside and, for most, their deep emotions and their ability to adapt will lead to strength of character missing for all of us who grew up before covid. Not. Our high school students and students at all levels have been models of resiliency. Express / Weekend Express By Sherry Listgarten | 11 comments | 6,331 views, Stay and Play – and Work – in Carmel-by-the-Sea You cannot possibly know how damaging this has been to our teens. those who are registered users. I suppose that's the nature of a time when everyone has their own ideas about safety and risk. ^ These are trivial concerns with a pandemic still at large. Long Beach, CA 90808. How is that even possible? Mountain View Voice Maybe we might encourage our now-adult children to advocate for themselves and ask the district to spend some of the money they would have spent on graduation on a party with rite-of-passage ceremonial components and prom-like festivity. Obituaries I attended Paly, and my niece was Class of 2020. With a diverse group of over 1100 students, we provide a rich and engaging environment that is dedicated to preparing our students to understand, contribute to, and succeed in a changing world. Now you are asking for a Prom and a Graduation Party? would love to see other prom activities if done safely. Students want them. News I hope and suspect that the kids who have lived through the disruption and disappointments of the Covid Era will be better for it, and because of them our world will be a better place. on the discussion! They have persevered through an incredibly tough year. There are outdoor Prom Alternatives: Dress up, socially spaced dinner, music, etc. you need to log in. People who comment that graduations and proms are "trivial" do not recognize the grievous, immeasurable harm of this past 1.5 years on our youngest generation. Parents and participants might also might donate to help, but young folks should take the planning lead, as they do in normal years, to make it meaningful and fun for them. A huge number of 17 and 18 year old seniors are vaccinated as are their families. I would suggest making two graduations like other colleges are doing for their students !! Our children are our only hope. Posted by New in Town a resident of Palo Verde on Apr 20, 2021 at 11:17 am New in Town is a registered user. Upcoming School Year 2021-2022: Transfer Form. Students want them. Mobile site. being planned for May at Menlo-Atherton, Mountain View Los Altos and Los Gatos. While they meet in person during their Board meetings, they won't allow activities which are happening at schools across Santa Clara County and beyond. Don Austin is tooting about his leadership, but is he really responding to student needs or his? Advertising Info It also provides a method for teachers and administrators to share some of the exciting events that are part of our educational programs. How typical of Dr. Austin to jump to the press to tout his ONE accomplishment (after being pushed by parents and students) as in-person graduation. We teach our kids to meet adversity with fortitude by helping them accept the things they cannot change and by focusing strategic hard work on attainable goals that are important to them. These are optional events, that a family can decide whether their student can attend. Be satisfied that you are getting the graduation ceremony and hold your own Grad Parties if you want to take on the Covid risks. State Administration Office 1140 E South Campus Dr PO Box 210036 Tucson, AZ 85721-0036 Where is the Grad Party? Best we use this teachable moment to help our intrepid kids lift themselves up, work together to advocate for the event they want, and help them learn to use resources at hand to meet adversity by embracing it as a creative problem-solving challenge. In order to encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion, commenting on stories is available to If Austin doesn't seem to see an issue with sports, including football, indoor basketball, volleyball and even wrestling, I would think he could find a way to get seniors some form of a year-ending celebration. 3950 Palo Verde Avenue. So...what's the use in complaining about what's been lost? Students want them. He made a big deal about the 2020 graduation, in whatever form, was about the students. It stinks for all the students, but getting into a "which class had it harder?" Web Link. Yet, he fails to take responsibility for things that do not work. TheSixFifty.com, © 2021 Palo Alto Online We are all very proud of students. Newsies share the fourth digital issue of Paw Prints for the 2020–2021 school year. In our American society, we never before raised a generation of young people who had no agreed-upon marker of transition from one life phase to another. This is the second local news article in two days with Don Austin boasting about graduation. His “leadership” failed because he hasn’t, as of yet at least, included the 2020 kids as he promised." “Where is the Prom? Community Calendar Posted by JR McDugan a resident of Palo Verde on Apr 27, 2021 at 7:27 am JR McDugan is a registered user. Last I checked no one is forcing anyone to participate that feel uncomfortable. View the calendar below, or follow the links to download ranger program schedules or view the calendar of events hosted … 2020 graduates were forgotten. Sorry. We will keep you updated on changes as we get them. Kids born between about 1920 and 1940 knew all about living with less and dealing with both uncertainty and loss. Second, it just shows how when families here are given an inch they want to take a mile. Only through parent and student outcry were the students given the option to finish AP tests before graduation. Because of these changes CCS (Central Coast Section) has put out a tentative calendar for the Fall and Spring sports. Where is the Grad Party? happy for the 2021 grads to have a ceremony!! How can you do a “socially distanced” slow dance? After reading about all the other area schools holding celebrations and also learning that Los Altos DID hold a graduation in 2020, I'm left to wonder how Don Austin gets away with an article like this where he claims some sort of leadership or first. I'm glad he's worried about his future grade and not on the actual students. As is being done in May Mountain View-Los Altos, Menlo Atherton, Los Gatos - a covid-compliant Prom and Grad party can be held on the football field and both are what STUDENTS want. What matters is what one accomplishes or aspires towards following graduation. Am. Was this a serious post? Where is the Prom? PAUSD is refusing to host them."   Heck, even here's he's taking credit for the car parade last year. > "Where is the Prom? They are memories that never had a chance to be created, that now are lost forever. They have also spent hours working on multiple proposals and plans that have been approved all the way up until being rejected by the district office. That said, they did have 3/4 of a year and we know so much more about covid now.   Many of them valid but contradictory. We provide tools, best practices and interventions to support strategic work and instructional leadership. Those same kids went on to become what we refer to as "The Greatest Generation." A&E The Casa Grande Elementary School District has determined that it will utilize those teachers eligible for Proposition 301 (Classroom Site Fund (CSF)) payments to calculate the average teacher salary amounts. Having been withheld every cultural and social milestone of previous generations, they will lack the cultural history that everyone else who commented here took for granted. Please be sure to read the important information on our School Transitions page. Special Pubs Promotions Email: principal@smgschool.com Examine what has been gained, how to move forward, and how we can do better now (and next time). I hear way too much of that and way too much fear Instead, just focus on how we can best care for one another now, as things stand. Many "rites of passage" changed for them (several times). Where is the Grad Party?