Big let down

As you all know, Dylan worked his butt off studying for the Knowledge A Thon with one goal: Dinner with Boy Teacher. Even when he felt like giving up on studying, he kept at it so that he could have dinner with his teacher. Well, today was his Knowledge A Thon dinner. Guess what? Mr. K wasn't there! I don't know if any of the teachers actually showed up. I assumed that the kids would sit, by class, with their teacher at a cafeteria table or something. No, it was just mass chaos....

When Dylan got there the kids were all in the gym running and screaming in all directions. Literally - running, screaming at the top of their lungs. The little kids were getting plowed over by the big kids. Dylan was a little freaked out. He just sat along the side and watched. It was so scary, that Cora asked her mom to go home. So not only was Boy Teacher not there, but Cora left too and Dylan was just sitting watching the madhouse. Then all the kids were herded into the cafeteria and everyone just sat wherever and had a piece of square cafeteria pizza and ice cream. Dylan didn't even know anyone he was sitting with. We weren't there, but this is what Dylan told us.

Then after they ate was when they gave out the certificates of achievement. This is when the parents could show up. Now don't forget that this "dinner" was for the kids who got all their questions right. For all the kids who voluntarily studied and learned these questions so that they could earn money for their school and have a special dinner with their teacher. These kids worked very, very hard. When it came time for the certificates the principal got on the mic and started yelling at the kids. He was horribly mean! Telling them that if they didn't get quiet right that instant that he was going to cancel the whole ceremony. It's not like they were being overly bad at this point, it was just a typically normal noisy room of kids that were just running around and eating ice cream. They were torn into by the principal. I assumed that there might be chairs set up for the parents and the kids would go on stage or something for their award. I also assumed that the principal (or someone else for that matter) would have gotten on the mic and said something along the lines of "Thank you to all of the students that are here. You did a great job and we are proud of you. You worked hard on your questions and raised $xx.xx dollars for your school etc, etc..." Wanna know how it really was? The parents walked into the cafeteria and stood, crowded, along the sides. The principal was just standing amongst the cafeteria tables and got on the mic and chewed the kids out and then barked "We're behind schedule! Cora Brandt. Dylan Bryson. Next kid. Next kid." He rambled through the names so quick that the kids didn't even know what they were supposed to do or that the ceremony had started. They heard their names and were unsure of what to do. They didn't know that they needed to go up and get it. He started with kindergartners who were sitting alone without their parents or teachers or anything. How the heck were they to know what was going on - it was so unorganized and chaotic. He was several names into it before Dylan got up there and the principal just handed his certificate off to someone that was standing behind him and continued to rattle names. He didn't have time to waste to actually hand it to Dylan. There was no "recognition". It just breaks my heart because I know how hard Dylan worked. He worked his butt off and he was so proud of himself and so excited for his special night which was a disaster. Kids were all over the place, parents were standing along the wall, the principal rattled off names as fast as he could pass off the certificates. The kids didn't even get 2 seconds to feel special. Most awards things at least let the person walk up, get noticed and feel proud for a second. Most parents didn't even get a chance to take a photo or anything because he onto the next time before the previous child even got their certificate. A little bit into it the principal started to "shake hands" with the kids, but it was the most pathetic fake attempt to care. He took their hand and looked around for a camera. He didn't say 'Congrats' or even look at the kid.

Dylan was crushed. There was nothing special about the evening. Kids ran around screaming, the principal yelled at them and they were shuffled through like cattle to get a piece of paper. No "congrats", no "thank you", no "good job". Nothing. It's hard to explain it all in a blog, but poor Dylan got virtually nothing for his work. He got some prizes that they handed to him in class, but what he cared most about was the dinner with his teacher. Why did they say that was the prize when it wasn't. Kids love the thought of dinner with their teacher. I envisioned it as the teacher sitting with the few kids in their classes that worked extra hard and got them all right. I imagined the teacher having a little bit of time to actually talk to his students and get to know them in a fun, relaxed way. Nope.

So, the school goes and takes thousands of dollars from these kids who worked so hard and this is how they praise them. They are totally taking for granted the amount of time and effort these kids voluntarily devoted to their school.

You know how proud those kids would have felt if they were able to walk up on stage and have their moment. I know that they couldn't drag it on too long for each kid, but I think they could have been more respectful. Not only to the kids, but to the parents who helped get those donations and help their children study. The school should know how special these moments are for the parents too. To see their child accomplish something and have a moment in the spotlight. Just the mere fact that every parent who walked through that door had a camera and a camcorder goes to show that this is something special. Barely any parents actually got a photo. It was too quick. Several kids were walking up to the principal as several walked back - not great for a photo op. I didn't get a pic of Dylan getting his certificate. I took one after.

Thankfully we've all made a big deal about it to Dylan. It really is a big deal, there were only 3 kids on Dylan's class who were invited to the dinner: Dylan, Cora and one other kid. I guess Cora came back when it was time for the awards, so she was there for that part.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. It's just that we were all so excited for Dylan and to know that it wasn't anything like he expected. I know that he's upset that Mr K wasn't there, but thankfully I'm sure he's unaware of how pathetic the awards part was since he doesn't know any better. He was also pretty bummed that all they gave him was a piece of paper. lol. He's like "What am I supposed to do with this?" :) We told him that it was sort of like a trophy and we can hang it in his room.