Recognition/Reward/Incentive programs in a school need to be a portfolio of activities that include everything from teacher praise in the classroom to schoolwide events. Not all activities are equal in terms of visibility or reward. It's the sheer variety that adds power. Academics are certainly a prominent area for recognition, and I think it's fine these kids were rewarded.

But hopefully lots of other things are happening and children are being encouraged to try hard at most everything and especially seek out the areas where find enjoyment and shine.

When I was a kid, I was one of the "smart ones". But when it came to sports, art, music, dance - believe me, no one would have singled me out for recognition. It didn't hurt my feelings when only a few kids art projects were chosen to be hung in the foyer or certain ones had solos at the class program. Those kids who excelled deserved to be recognized. In those categories, it was never me. However, I still had to participate, to try my best.

Of course academics is important, but hopefully the school is also recognizing other fields of interest, citizenship, community service, attendance. It's all part of developing well rounded students.

This is clearly a touchy topic and may very well be why many PTOs choose not to support such programs. Not because they agree or disagree with it's merits but simply to avoid the controversy.

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other.

It does seem that an event this costly would require member or board approval so I'd recommend that oldboy discuss it with the board and voice any concerns he has with them.

This isn't about trying...it's about acheiving. I have a learning disabled daughter and she tries her utmost and only gets Cs. My son is brilliant and lazy and he gets A's. He has achieved, she has not... he gets the party, she doesn't. I don't have a problem and neither does my daughter (I asked her, she is 14). This kind of situation only inspires her to work harder... which is exactly what I want her to do.

Someone on this thread mentioned participation trophys... let's get rid of them while we are at it. Kids should not be rewarded just for showing up.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. And don't throw tomatoes at me either...it's just my opinion.

We do offer a "PTO Spirit Award" at our school that is meant to id the type of effort that oldboy is discussing. The Spirit Award is presented quarterly to the child that comes to school, does their best, has a good attitude and is working to be a good school citizen. Our intent was to reward those kids that may get c's but are doing their best work. We give them two "Bobcat Bucks" to shop in our school store on Fridays.
It has become one of the most covetted awards in our school and perhaps oldboy, you can introduce that concept to your school. It isn't always the c kid, but he/she has an equal shot all the way around.
Also our middle school does a nice program. It is called "A" day. You get a raffle ticket for every A on your report card (even if there is a C on there too) and have a shot at a sort of door prize raffle system. It's a fun event for all the school's kids and most kids, even ones who struggle, have a favority subject they can excell in.
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No one here said success only comes from making A's and B's. What most posters DID say is that it's not right to not reward students who achieve honor roll grades out of concern for how that recognition may make those students who didn't make honor roll sad or upset.

While some schools, based on their location or their student population, may have to take steps to recognize, in some way, the effort made by disadvantaged students, it should not come at the expense or be positioned as equivalent to the reward given those who actually made the grades (the grades, by the way, that are determined by the teachers).

Whether those honor roll students made the grades through a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears or whether the grades seemed to come easily to them is totally and completely inconsequential; that those students made the grades in the end is what ought to be lauded.

You say that you don't want to raise a trophy happy society, but advocating that schools diminish recognition of A/B students while increasing recognition of those who "tried hard", you are advocating that very philosophy.

Additionally, whenever I've read a biography of anyone who others would have classified as "disadvantaged" in their youth because they were _______________ (fill in the blank: poor, black, hispanic, illiterate, small town, orphaned, handicapped, whatever), one message consistently comes through crystal clear: In every case, those people wanted to rightfully earn whatever honors there were to earn. They didn't want their personal circumstances or the color of their skin or their heritage or any other aspect of themselves used as an excuse by well meaning adults to receive an award they didn't earn. They could "smell" the falsity of it and wanted no part of it. They wanted to overcome on their own. Equal opportunities, yes. Special treatment? NO.

Sorry, I don't agree with most of you. Teachers are the ones that know what students are trying their best and those who aren't. Just because you make honor roll doesn't mean you tried your very best and just because you didn't make honor roll, doesn't mean you weren't trying your best.... With the diversity among student populations, it is absurd to reward only honor roll achievers. What about ELL students... IEP students and others... these are students who carry quite a large number in many schools that have to strive harder than your average honor student... Something to think about, isn't it? I can appreciate what RNbow mom had to say about rewarding the students at her school. Those sound like achievable goals for every student... I don't believe in raising a trophy happy society, but I do believe in equal opportunity for all. Those of you thinking success comes from only making A's and B's are sadly mistaken.