'Ghetto' awards anger E. Texas middle school parents

[KamaAina]

http://www.cbs46.com/story/29242978/ghetto-awards-anger-e-texas-middle-school-parents

Some trouble today for a couple of Sulphur Springs Middle School teachers after they handed out classroom awards to each student bearing the moniker, "The Ghetto Classroom" awards. One student received the "Huh?" award. His grandmother, Debra Jose, was not amused.

"I had to take a second look. I was like, really? How could a teacher put this on there? ...Did she just say ghetto on a certificate that she was giving my grandson?” Jose wondered.

A picture of the award was shared on Facebook. Turned out, other parents didn't ‘get the joke' either. It did not take long for Sulphur Springs Superintendent Michael Lamb to hear about it.

Lamb describes his initial reaction, "Shocked. Shocked. Truly, it goes in layers... You kind of ask yourself, had anything else been used, the 'teacher's name' award, would it start to seem more acceptable. The “huh?” award just begs questions. And then the 8th annual brings questions too."

[Sam I Am]

1. /

Tex-ass

[kentauros]

7. It's spelled "Texas". No extra 's'.

But that is one dumb-ass teacher that happens to be in Texas.

And if I knew what state you lived in (it's not in your profile) I'm sure I could find some equally dumb-ass teacher there.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I've only been through Sulphur Springs once and stopped at the IHOP

for an afternoon breakfast. Next time that I am in the area I'll know to keep on driving.

It seems pretty ridiculous if they did this for eight years and that the principal is also signing the certificate. It appears that the school district employees would benefit from taking some sensitivity training classes.

[FSogol]

4. The article says the principal didn't sign it and knew nothing. Garner and Couch

should be fired.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. I met one of the nicest people in the world in Sulphur Springs, so we can't judge everyone

based on one anecdote. I couldn't get my car started at the Exxon. He popped the hood, kept up the polite banner and got me going on my way without charging me a dime.

[Horse with no Name]

9. It truly is one of the nicest little towns

with lots of really nice people.
Unfortunately, these kinds of folks inhabit our planet and spoil the world wherever they live.

[TexasTowelie]

10. Yes, you are right.

It was an over-reaction on my part. I'm sure that there are some great people there as well as every other town that I've visited in Texas.

[LWolf]

3. WTF

is right.

[Horse with no Name]

5. I know these people personally. This is what she wrote on her personal facebook page

Jerrika Dabbs

Thoughts??? My child came home with award after being unsuccessful in academic progress. Can you believe anyone in the education profession would extend a demeaning award like this to any struggling child! Not funny, and I'm not laughing.


This is an excerpt from a local paper
http://www.myssnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29438%3Ateachers-ghetto-awards-spark-controversy-at-ssms&catid=93%3Alocal-news&Itemid=376
Dabbs’ post showed a certificate appearing to be signed by SSMS Principal Jena Williams (it was not signed by her) and Garner. The award said it was part of the 8th Annual Ghetto Classroom Awards, in which the student received the ‘huh?’ award. The student, whose name is omitted by the News-Telegram because he is a minor, has been trying to pass his STAAR test.

“My son has a twin brother who received two awards for English and science this year. The next day, [her son] came home and showed me the certificate. My first reaction was to tear it up,” said Dabbs. “I feel really offended because it is very demeaning and insulting toward him. I feel like his teacher really bullied him. He may not have really understood the significance when everyone laughed in class, but it is there.”

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. As a Texas parent, the STAAR test is frustrating enough for these kids without that.

It is demeaning. Fun teasing about things that have nothing to do with academic performance is one thing, this is another.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. shocking