I read this in my newspaper today. Here is most of the article
Teacher is disciplined for giving ‘Pig Pen’ Award
California
[Mother name] was horrified when her sobbing 11-year-old daughter showed her a certificate given out during a school awards ceremony.
Fifth-grader [girl name] certificate referred to an ever-dirty Peanuts comic strip character: “Congratuations! You have been chosen by your peers to receive the following award: Pig Pen.”
“Everyone started busting up laughing,” the girl said, adding classmates taunted her after school, made pig noises and called her dirty.
[School name] Elementary School teacher [teacher name] now faces disciplinary action for the awards ceremony that also included certificates for “richest kid”, “biggest flirt” and “best dressed”.
[Girl name] is transferring to another school to avoid her classmates teasing.
“This is humiliating. This is belittling,” [mother name] said. “This is why kids are shooting up schools.”
Officials agree it was wrong.
The “Pig Pen” award was in reference to her messy desk, not her personal appearance, the district said.
Re: Another school award ceremony
I had to comment to this. She let the bad guys win? She should of stayed,at who’s expense? I do not agree qwith this. She ,the parent,protected her child. Good job Mom.
Re: Another school award ceremony
I agree with both of you, but I must admit that protecting the child is more important in the immediate here and now.
A better way to teach the schools is not necessarily to force the child to stay in the hot seat anyway. They routinely ignore the abuse by staff and peers that goes on (and continues to occur even after the complaint is made). Better to hit them in the only way they will comprehend - the wallet.
Charges should be filed with the OCR (where applicable) and certainly with both the state and federal regulators who are supposed to be overseeing the local districts. Follow up to see what actions were taken, and be sure to include the item that you expect the offending parties to cover the cost of any counseling this child may need to overcome their ignorant actions. I also do not think the school district should cover this, but the individuals (including district administration) should have to be held accountable personally.
If enough people get their paychecks garnished for childish pranks like this one, it will stop. Believe it.
Re: Another school award ceremony
What’s that old song about knowing when to hold your cards and knowing when to fold them?
Three years ago, I folded my hand and transferred my son out of the hell hole where he was into a different school with a good reputation for special ed. The situation wasn’t perfect at the new school, but he received more help there than he ever did at the old school. And the administrators had more integrity. I don’t regret the move. My son was better off with the move and that’s the most imporant thing.
She let the bad guys win by transferring schools. You can’t always cut and run in life. If she had stuck in there, everyone would have learned a lesson.