This column appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on March 25th:
Graduation Gripes? Get Over It
By Mike and Genie Ryan
For the Journal
COMMON SENSE: Maybe the whole world has forgotten how to prioritize— or at least our little corner of the world.
Rio Rancho's school community gets riled up pretty easily, and the people who want to disagree with the school district are not afraid to speak up— or to keep speaking up.
Our question is, why is the graduation locale so important that the gripes have continued for weeks? It's kind of like when uniforms were the issue: The conversation went on and on and on; obviously, some people were outraged. We were really afraid the world would come to an end if the district required its students to wear uniforms.
We would be applauding the community for getting involved and voicing opinions if we ever saw this much passion for dropout rates, test scores or curriculum decisions.
Hundreds of people show up at a board of education meeting if uniforms are being discussed; very few show up to discuss the curriculum.
Probably a discussion of where to hold graduation would also draw a big crowd. Does anyone else see a problem with this picture? Where are our priorities?
Today's children are going to face a tough world, and they are going to face a lot of challenges. In order to face the world and succeed, children are going to need a lot of tools, and one of the most important is a good education.
Parents need to be involved, and children need to see their parents involved. If parents don't care about what their children are learning, how can the children learn what is important? Children learn by example, and if parents show them that education is important, the children will begin to "get it." If parents show them that the location for graduation is the only thing that gets them riled up about schools, then children will learn that education is secondary to the peripheral stuff.
When the district decided to hold graduation at the Santa Ana Star Center this year, it made this the first year that a Rio Rancho High School class would graduate in its own hometown.
Seating will be limited, which is what has upset some parents. Since both of us come from areas where limited seating was the norm, and we believe that celebrating high school graduation can include more than the ceremony, we don't see what the big deal is.
We also don't understand why people are still talking and griping about this development or why they don't seem to want to let it go. Hey folks, the decision has been made; we didn't get a vote. Let's not worry about it, and let's concentrate on making graduation special for this year's graduates.
Maybe if things don't go the way everyone wants, someone could call a special session to get what they want. At least that's one way to get lots of publicity.
Although we haven't mentioned it, we realize that Independence High School has held graduation ceremonies in Rio Rancho, so this is not the first time anyone has graduated here. We're glad you all could be the first, and we're not ignoring you, but RRHS involves more students and families, and issues involving RRHS are often louder and last longer.
Common Sense appears each week in the Sunday Rio Rancho Journal. You can e-mail the authors, Mike and Genie Ryan, at ryan@abqjournal.com.
27 comments:
"Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'."
Ryans you are "underhanded and nasty at best"!
Herron is "underhanded and nasty at best"!
Those pitiful rants against families are "underhanded and nasty at best"!
Families and graduates have been discriminated against,
(along with anyone under the age of 10 years old per Gary Herron)
Not everyone was allowed to have a voice in this decision.
Only those visionaries that always wanted it here in RR.
Only those that "griped, whined and were "greedy" the very loudest.
This deal was highly one sided.
Go back to the Pit.
Doreen
Per your article you referred to yourself as the "devil's advocate", re: the vote. This idea was submitted along time ago and can be fine tuned Gary, what do you think?
"An editor and the administration all referred to the “many” that wanted this, what is the problem with putting this to a vote, right now?
You will all find out the actual “many” want this event at “The Pit”.
Our Seniors will have to revert back to their grade school days, you print up what 750 notes home with 2 boxes to check on the note - “The Pit” or no “Pit”, parents and guardians along with each Senior will vote.
Unlike the decree that has been imposed upon everyone, where only a certain “many” voices were heard and acted on, simply, that decision that act in itself is so wrong and so very unfair, this is America right? (The school board is supposed to uphold the Constitution of the United States, just ask them).
Make sure you number each one of these notes that way they can be counted fairly.
Add a few lines so the Graduate and their Parent/Guardian can print and sign.
If you have a better idea, wonderful as long as the vote process is fair.
If the vote comes back no “Pit”, then the editor, the administration and the so called “many” had a finger on the pulse and IF the vote comes back “The Pit” then Hallelujah! Times a wastin’!"
I read some of the comments here and will read all of them as I get the time to do so. I also read some of today’s news comments.
Gary, Mike and Genie and anonymous persons that all spoke their minds, I’d like to thank you.
There are some of us that would like to respectfully ask the administration to reconsider and some of us that are more vocal and some of us that have our “facts” wrong, and some of us that are like some of you, anonymous.
Be advised, ALL of us are very aware now of where you stand and I for one appreciate that you pointed out any misinformation.
However, one thing you ALL fail to do is address each concern on it’s own merit and then as a whole.
You target only certain ones, why is that?
Hear me out, we’ve heard your logic and the administration’s logic, somehow “we didn’t get a vote. Let’s not worry about it” does not, well, make sense!
That is a very critical part of this decision.
Perhaps an important question to each of you is should this matter have gone to some form of input/poll/vote? I’d like to know your answer.
And I’d like to know the answer from the seniors, parents and guardians that this affected.
Gary, Mike and Genie and anonymous:
Regarding your comment about a vote, I’m sure we could come up with something.
“Let me play devil’s advocate” too, all anyone would ask is that it is fair process.
Hear me out; have a vote of some sort, just to make sure we ALL got this decision right.
You all really wrote some things that were fine and I concur with.
But you also wrote some things that made me realize you don’t get the big picture nor the little one either.
Please accept my apologies if we agree to disagree but that is how you see it and that is how I see it.
I’m not in your shoes and you are not in mine.
Gary, you actually wrote 10 year olds and under “should have stayed home”?
I don’t want to have my figures wrong or did you mean, 9 year olds and under “should have stayed home”?
I hope your foot is not that big?
I hope your quote gets passed around to every mother and father across this country.
May I respectfully ask you, who are you to discriminate against age?
Who are you to tell ANYONE who goes and who stays?
(Perhaps I should count my blessing you don’t have S. Cleveland, R. Von Ancken and B. Duncan’s position)
I wonder now Gary, were you part of the think tank to get the decision through that changed this from The Pit? Just asking.
“For weeks”, you ask, it has gone on “for weeks” because this decision adversely affects people.
It will continue to go on for weeks, “Batch up some popcorn” and save some room on the “couch” for Mike, Genie and "your extended posse".
“Gripes, whining, greedy”, please, “Get Over It”
Lucy
Gary Herron is completely out of line with his philosophy regarding who can and who can’t attend graduations.
Please make sure you send this out to everyone in your email address book, every Blog space, every "my space" location, hey, even share it with strangers you pass on the street.
I just read this in the newspaper and then a comment about it here on the Blog.
I don’t want to say anything mean spirited here but this needs to be passed on.
Also, run down the article in the Observer’s 3/25/07 Sunday issue and read all of it.
Part of BLOG COMMENT:
Gary, you actually wrote 10 year olds and under “should have stayed home”?
I don’t want to have my figures wrong or did you mean, 9 year olds and under “should have stayed home”?
I hope your foot is not that big?
I hope your quote gets passed around to every mother and father across this country.
May I respectfully ask you, who are you to discriminate against age?
Who are you to tell ANYONE who goes and who stays?
(Perhaps I should count my blessing you don’t have S. Cleveland, R. Von Ancken and B. Duncan’s position)
I wonder now Gary, were you part of the think tank to get the decision through that changed this from The Pit? Just asking.
"stupid is as stupid does"
F. Gump
Gary Herron, Mike and Genie Ryan and anonymous declared in the newspaper that:
The Graduating Class of 2007 and their families - “Gripe, whine, and are greedy”
Last I checked this is America, obviously something is wrong in the city of vision if just one or two or 70000 people for that matter want to raise their concerns.
No matter how trivial you think it is.
You are doing your best to condemn, censor, insult and discriminate anyone that does not think like you!
I have a brother fighting for our country right now, serving proudly. He helped secure elections so people could vote and helped remove a person in power that punished ANYONE that did not think like him!
You are so worried who did or did not have their facts right, you don’t even understand why we are asking for this matter to be properly addressed. We know the reasons and we want this addressed.
NEWS FLASH: This matter was NEVER voted on and people have every right to question, challenge and complain about anything they don’t agree with!
I am only eighteen years old but I can see as clear as day just from the tone of your stories and rhetoric you have no compassion for persons that don’t think like you:
You went on to belittle a person not quite as knowledgeable as you regarding the district process.
You went on to dictate who could or could not attend a graduation based on age.
You went on to dismiss there was no vote allowed just like the tyrant we just removed felt about the importance of elections in his country.
You went on to condemn anyone that dare have a large family or in need of extra tickets.
You went on to let us know how annoyed you were because this has “continued for weeks” but for the life of you, could not understand why it has? You confirmed how much out of the loop you are because you actually had to ask why it is “so important that the gripes (not concerns you wrote ‘gripes’) have continued”? Just by the fact this has continued should raise a red flag with you that something is wrong. Why don’t you get all the facts, the real facts then you will have the answer.
You gloated you would only have 4 in your group at the graduation and you SPECIFICALLY referenced our “posse”.
Spell this anonymous, “r-a-c-i-s-m”
pos·se (pŏs'ē) n.
1. A group of people summoned by a sheriff to aid in law enforcement.
2. A search party.
3. Slang A gang involved in crimes such as running guns and illegal narcotics trafficking.
4. Slang A Street and hip hop music term for gang members.
You sure as heck were not referring to 1 and 2 or “the get-along gang”.
Where you too afraid to use the word(s) you really wanted to use?
You completely insulted grandparents, brothers, sisters, loved ones, anyone that had to travel and relegated them to a couch with popcorn and soda.
You mocked us with “ticket scalpers”, “Psst, buddy, who needs 4 tickets”
You automatically lumped all of us into a group that fails to vote or support our schools or only when it suits us. Wouldn’t that be “pre-judging” us?
You wrote that we “gripe, get over it”
You wrote that we “whined”
You wrote that we are “greedy”
You wrote the we “shocked and embarrassed you”
Then in your supreme all knowing wisdom you topped it off with a large quote telling all parents how to raise their children!
Is it possible that it is you that is “greedy”, it is you that are “griping”, it is you that “whine”, it is you that are prejudice, and that this is really all about YOU?
I have learned more about our school, our leaders, people, right and wrong, the news media, prejudice, my family and life just in the last two weeks compared to all my years in high school.
2007 Senior
"To Gary Herron ... Shame on you. These wonderful kids in Rio Rancho deserve our respect. They have worked hard to get to this point in their life and you write that it is our 'greed' to want to see these kids graduate. Fine, give away your other tickets for all the other parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family/friends who are very proud of our kids. This is not abuse but pride in our child. How dare you say that the school board deserves our respect? What was it that the principal of the high school said, they are trying to create a positive experience for everyone and this is for the community? No it's not, it's for the families of the graduates. They are the ones who deserve our respect for guiding their children to this point in time. If the school board actually thought about trying to 'make a large number of people happy' they should have left well enough alone and had this celebration of accomplishment at The Pit, where there wouldn't be an issue of how many people can attend. You should be ashamed of your own selfishness. This isn't a community event that needs to be in Rio Rancho or at the Star Center, it is a celebration for everyone. Look at how many kids will graduate, 600 and something. This is not just for the families, or the community, this is for all of the state to see how well Rio Rancho has excelled."
Concerned persons,
With the confirmed information that The Pit is still open for business on May 19TH, may we encourage everyone to NOT GIVE UP.
The decision was never fair and that is why we will not give up.
Contracts can be broken.
Tremendous stress is being placed on families.
After all is said and done the new venue is NOT cost effective as they tried to purport.
The newspaper comments on Sunday (3/25) do not have all the facts and have only fueled my fire.
Share this information with everyone you know.
Thank you,
Robert
Concerned persons,
With the confirmed information that The Pit is still open for business on May 19TH, may we encourage everyone to NOT GIVE UP.
The decision was never fair and that is why we will not give up.
Contracts can be broken.
Tremendous stress is being placed on families.
After all is said and done the new venue is NOT cost effective as they tried to purport.
The newspaper comments on Sunday (3/25) do not have all the facts and have only fueled my fire.
Share this information with everyone you know.
Thank you,
Robert
I am a graduate of 2007. I dont think that they handled this change in a very good way. The way they changed it at the minute was so wrong. They are puttin more stress on us seniors because not only do we have to worry about our finals, thesis, and now we have to worry about who to pick from our families to attend our graduation. I think since the school board thinks for all of us they should tell each and everyone of us seniors who to pick in our family to come watch us graduate and who we should their feelings for not lettin them come watch us. We dont want to have to pick and choose who attends our graduation. We want to prove to our family that we did it and now we will be starting a new chapter in our lives. WE WANT IT AT THE PIT!!! Another thing from the paper on sunday 3/25/07 why dont they want to ask us what we think about this instead of writing stuff about us because we are expressing how we feel about the change its just wrong how our own rio rancho paper wont even try to come and ask us what we think they are suppose to be our paper but instead they are talking about us that are "griping" about the issue, its sad how albuquerque will support us and do stories for us but our own rio rancho paper wont.Shows how much rio rancho paper cares about there community, graduating seniors and there families. It makes rio rancho look really good. Thanks Everyone From Albuquerque For All Of The Support You Are Giving Us Graduating Seniors Of 2007!!!
Great comment
“What we have here is failure to communicate”
This has been said over and over again. I think because we are short on time we need to put this to a fair vote. No hanky panky. The school board is not going to back us, if they were they already would have. They are all stalling just by the fact they have not allowed a vote by anyone formally. They know their decision would lose in a fair vote. This has power play written all over it. Everyone is pointing fingers but they are not budging. Even the Rio Rancho media is supporting the bad decision and criticizing any little comment that is made.
Keep passing the word along The Pit is still available. All that nonsense with TV feed is garbage and it confirms they messed up. The Rio Rancho media is NOW trying to say that The Pit is only going to hold 11,000, they are still over 60% short! 60% percent is still a lot of people that can’t be there and want to be there. I also think The Pit would hold more then 11,000 people the media has their figures wrong. Also, they said there are 4 ways to get to the Star Center, please draw me a map. You have to drive through Rio Rancho to get to a 2 lane road, and when you get there it is 1 way in and 1 way out. I know, I go to the hockey games.
Abe
Yeah, it's too bad that the bigoted ranter is anonymous, ey? Worse, it's too bad that such an attitude exists. I guess the Observer shouldn't have printed that one - after all, that person doesn't deserve the privilege of the First Amendment.
Little Johnny,
I may be a "nimrod", but I stopped short of calling anyone a nimrod, or any other name. Good luck with your blog, I'll be anxious to see if the administration responds to such artful technique.
retired reporter,
I apologize. I will remove the word "nimrod" from the post.
me and julio...
We're all God's children, and at least here, anonymous. I don't question the Observer for printing this rant, and I never questioned the bigoted ranter's first amendment rights, just his ignorance.
This e-mail is regarding the Common Sense article written in the Rio Rancho Journal.
Being a student at Rio Rancho High School and waking up to read this article from you both, Mike and Genie Ryan, made me think of what common sense you both must have in writing this article.
Whether or not you grew up in big families that fully supported you through your life, you clearly don’t understand the gripe those of us with big families are having because of the ticket limit.
I do think it is a great idea to hold graduation in my wonderful hometown, but it’s a shame that all of the people I want there may not get to go.
Is it really my fault that I have a large immediate family?
Should I as a senior really have to pick which family members should go with the extra tickets I have dug up by myself.
Also, uniforms were voted on when I was in fifth grade and we were just supposed to be “trying them out;” so maybe that was the outrage over that.
Are you saying people can’t speak up if they don’t agree with the way you think?
Because that is how it sounds.
Also, regarding parents voicing opinions on test scores, drop out rates, and curriculum; this point in your article has nothing to do with the students that are graduating and shouldn’t even be mentioned because those parents that are outraged have kids that obviously didn’t drop out and had good test scores.
Personally I believe Rio Rancho’s curriculum is great.
Furthermore, your other huge point that has nothing to do with the GRADUATING SENIORS is parents caring about what their children are learning.
The seniors that are graduating have already learned, hence the reason for a graduation ceremony.
Your are right though that parents need to be involved and I’m glad mine are in trying to somehow make my very large, supportive family attend my graduation.
Also, don’t assume these “griping” parents don’t care about what their children are learning because you have no right to and it has nothing to do with why they are “griping” in the first place.
If you don’t see what the “big deal” is about me not having my family at my ceremony then you might as well suggest not having a ceremony at all, because you must not comprehend the point of what a graduation ceremony is.
You also state you don’t understand why parents wont let it go?
It’s because we still can’t have all of our family attend, DUH!
You’re right about making graduation special for the graduates, but what you don’t understand is part of making it special is having my whole family there which is why we’re still “griping”.
I hope you understand the hypocrisy of your article.
I do hope my parents take your advice and become involved and make my graduation even more special; and that is by continuing to challenge the change of venues.
Also you say this will be the first graduation in Rio Rancho, then you go to say Independence is.
I’m truly sorry of the hypocrisy and confusion of your article, the lack of common sense two human beings have in putting together this article, the Journals decision to hire two people who clearly state they just don’t understand what they are writing about; as you clearly mention in your article several times.
Sincerely I hope you’ll get some common sense, be able to understand your topic and just not worry about the vehemence, the passion of Rio Rancho’s families over this very important topic, better yet “Get Over It”.
2007 Senior
Gary Herron, Mike and Genie Ryan and anonymous,
We will have 6 family members coming from out of town. I'm not apologizing to ANYONE and don’t give damn what those clowns in the newspaper are saying. We are a BIG family and damn proud or it! As for me and my house we disagree with Dr. Cleveland. We request an inquiry to find out why the principal was booed with such fervor. We liked to see the graduation in Rio Rancho but only when the next school has seniors and not before.
Cruz
Hate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, moral or political views, socioeconomic class, occupation or appearance (such as height, weight, and hair color). The term covers written as well as oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting. It is also sometimes called antilocution and is the first point on Allport's scale which measures prejudice in a society.
Anonymous,
Thanks for your opinion. Whether or not I voted or didn’t vote for a school board member is irrelevant given that the decision to move the graduation ceremony was an administrative decision made after the middle of the year. If you are really the parent of an RRHS graduate then you must have the graduation announcements that say the ceremony will be held at The Pit. Excellent planning--that means we have to stick in that little insert that may as well say “DON’T BOTHER COMING. THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR YOU!” By the way, does your conscientious vote for a school board member require you to agree with every position they hold?
If you are truly concerned about parental participation, shouldn’t you be applauding this effort asking the community to become involved in this important event? I’m shocked that you think there’s a restriction on a parent’s right to cry foul at any point in time they feel the need to.
You ask “where does it stop?” Well, I can’t speak for every graduate, but if you have family and friends who have planned to be there for you—to take the time out of their busy lives to mark a milestone with you, than I suppose it would stop at that number. Let’s see: 2 parents + 4 grandparents + 3 brothers and one sister-in-law—that’s 10 already and I’m only counting the immediate family. What about 2 godparents? A favorite aunt and uncle? A best friend who goes to private school? I’m not even including the stepmother or the two ugly stepsisters. I would hardly call these individuals a “posse.”
You should be embarrassed by your own condescending attitude regarding large families. Your use of the term “posse” makes me wonder if you’re a bigot. Do you have a problem with people who have lots of close friends? I wonder if you’re not projecting your own social inadequacies onto those of us who have a lot of folks who we love and include in family gatherings. By your logic Snow White would have to choose among the seven dwarves, the prince, and her fairy godmothers. Oh, wait a minute--it was Sleeping Beauty who had the three fairy godmothers. Four, if you count Maleficent. But, you get my point.
The way I see it, the day is for the graduates to celebrate with the people they love. They have worked hard and earned this celebration. If you have to ask “where does it stop?” —well, I feel sorry for you.
Eve
As learned in my English class:
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All to district office
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Rode the six hundred.
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and why:
Into district office
Rode the six hundred.
The Observer to right of them,
The Ryan’s to left of them,
VonAncken in front of them
Into the jaws
Into the mouth of RRPS
Rode the six hundred.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
ALT
Doc let's PACK THE PIT!
Capacity of the Pit:
18,000 plus can fit.
A section is blocked off so now 12,000 can fit.
They had to open up that section for last year’s graduation for us because we had the largest Class, which meant more people.
The 2007 Class is even Bigger, which will mean more people.
The media and school started out saying that 690 Seniors would be graduating; NOW they are saying 770 Seniors are graduating.
That means their figures were off and there will be more people coming.
Do you realize the graduating Class WILL be even bigger as each year goes by?
The section can be opened up so 13,000, 15,000 or up to 18,000 people as needed.
IF YOU DON’T THINK THE NUMBERS ARE CORRECT, CALL THE PIT.
A local newspaper reporter (Gary Herron) is trying to say 11,000 would come BUT remember, he is basing it on what he thinks last years’ numbers were, but he his wrong. Then he suggests that 10 years old and under CANNOT attend the graduation! Can you believe that? He is WRONG on last years’ numbers because they had to open up the section that is closed off, so there were more then 11,000 people present, this means more will come this year along with anyone under the age of 10!
Rio Rancho year in and year out AVERAGES roughly 20 people per graduate. That is an average.
Whatever numbers you want to use the fact remains the same 11,000+ to 15,000+ people are being affected by this decision.
“Let me play the devil’s advocate”, (like Gary did) WHAT IS WRONG WITH RIO RANCHO “PACKING THE PIT” FOR A GRADUATION?
We should be proud we did! Isn’t it true that Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron and Coach Brian Smith exhorted and hoped that we would “Pack The Pit” for all of basketball games?
Didn’t Mayor Jackson show his support and come out for the game; I think that is Great that he showed his support over a GAME?
QUOTING: Mayor Kevin Jackson said the development of the city's school district has given Rio Rancho a sense of identity.
"We didn't have that when I was growing up," said Jackson, who has lived in Rio Rancho since the 1960s and plans to attend tonight's championship. "There's an elevation in pride in how well the teams have done, not just in athletics, but in academic, student government and all the student-related programs."
QUOTING: "You saw the crowd tonight," Rio Rancho coach Brian Smith said after the Rams semifinal win Thursday night at The Pit. "There are 70,000 people in Rio Rancho. This place should be packed. Where is everybody?"
I think this was Great too showing support and networking with others!
QUOTING: Sarah Stevenson, a team manager, hung flyers around the sprawling Rio Rancho campus Thursday to promote the game.
"I saw a lot of people stopping to look at them and a lot of people asked me about the game," Stevenson said.
Her mother, who works at a local elementary school, told Stevenson that e-mails about Rams basketball have been flowing into her inbox. Gary did you do these interviews? No that was an Albuquerque Tribune reporter.
Consider then we want to “PACK THE PIT” for a sporting event, AND I DO TOO, why not “PACK THE PIT” for RRPS’s BIGGEST EVENT, their High School Graduation?!
I would hope our Mayor that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007.
I would hope Sue Cleveland and company, along with Gary Herron and other media that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007 especially our Seniors our children!
Weren’t we condemned and criticized in the news, in public for our emails and networking to get this situation changed?
Mayor Jackson, Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron, the Ryans and other media, which is more important a “game” or a graduation? I feel they are both important.
What about the fact that several thousands are affected men, women and children?
What about the fact an injustice has been dealt them?
What is wrong with anyone striving for:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
“GO BACK TO THE PIT – PACK THE PIT” anyone under 10 are welcome too!
Surely we have legal rights?
Each School Board member is sworn in by a judge and their oath of service maintains they must uphold the Constitution of the United States as well as the school's, isn't this a direct violation of "due process", fair process, or any equal and "good faith" standards that adhere to our Constitution and what they were founded on? I have personally heard that Dr. Cleveland is "fair" and we are absolutely counting on that in this matter.
“Everyone has already heard the arguments for and against returning the graduation ceremony to The Pit so there’s no reason to spend a lot of time rehashing what’s already been said. The only issue left to be decided is what most of the parents want to do. We believe that most of the parents want the ceremony to be held in The Pit. So our only request is that you authorize a vote so that we can see what the parents want. If most of them want to hold the ceremony at the Star Center, then we should hold it at the Star Center; if most of the parents want to return to the Pit, then that’s what we should do. If you feel you can’t authorize a vote, then the only fair decision is to return the ceremony to The Pit given that the decision was made without sufficient public input.
Further, the decision to move the ceremony to the Star Center disproportionately inconveniences larger families, many of whom happen to be Hispanic.”
Lorenzo
Doc let's PACK THE PIT!
Capacity of the Pit:
18,000 plus can fit.
A section is blocked off so now 12,000 can fit.
They had to open up that section for last year’s graduation for us because we had the largest Class, which meant more people.
The 2007 Class is even Bigger, which will mean more people.
The media and school started out saying that 690 Seniors would be graduating; NOW they are saying 770 Seniors are graduating.
That means their figures were off and there will be more people coming.
Do you realize the graduating Class WILL be even bigger as each year goes by?
The section can be opened up so 13,000, 15,000 or up to 18,000 people as needed.
IF YOU DON’T THINK THE NUMBERS ARE CORRECT, CALL THE PIT.
A local newspaper reporter (Gary Herron) is trying to say 11,000 would come BUT remember, he is basing it on what he thinks last years’ numbers were, but he his wrong. Then he suggests that 10 years old and under CANNOT attend the graduation! Can you believe that? He is WRONG on last years’ numbers because they had to open up the section that is closed off, so there were more then 11,000 people present, this means more will come this year along with anyone under the age of 10!
Rio Rancho year in and year out AVERAGES roughly 20 people per graduate. That is an average.
Whatever numbers you want to use the fact remains the same 11,000+ to 15,000+ people are being affected by this decision.
“Let me play the devil’s advocate”, (like Gary did) WHAT IS WRONG WITH RIO RANCHO “PACKING THE PIT” FOR A GRADUATION?
We should be proud we did! Isn’t it true that Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron and Coach Brian Smith exhorted and hoped that we would “Pack The Pit” for all of basketball games?
Didn’t Mayor Jackson show his support and come out for the game; I think that is Great that he showed his support over a GAME?
QUOTING: Mayor Kevin Jackson said the development of the city's school district has given Rio Rancho a sense of identity.
"We didn't have that when I was growing up," said Jackson, who has lived in Rio Rancho since the 1960s and plans to attend tonight's championship. "There's an elevation in pride in how well the teams have done, not just in athletics, but in academic, student government and all the student-related programs."
QUOTING: "You saw the crowd tonight," Rio Rancho coach Brian Smith said after the Rams semifinal win Thursday night at The Pit. "There are 70,000 people in Rio Rancho. This place should be packed. Where is everybody?"
I think this was Great too showing support and networking with others!
QUOTING: Sarah Stevenson, a team manager, hung flyers around the sprawling Rio Rancho campus Thursday to promote the game.
"I saw a lot of people stopping to look at them and a lot of people asked me about the game," Stevenson said.
Her mother, who works at a local elementary school, told Stevenson that e-mails about Rams basketball have been flowing into her inbox. Gary did you do these interviews? No that was an Albuquerque Tribune reporter.
Consider then we want to “PACK THE PIT” for a sporting event, AND I DO TOO, why not “PACK THE PIT” for RRPS’s BIGGEST EVENT, their High School Graduation?!
I would hope our Mayor that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007.
I would hope Sue Cleveland and company, along with Gary Herron and other media that showed that much enthusiasm for a “game” would show more for the WRONG being imposed on the Class of 2007 especially our Seniors our children!
Weren’t we condemned and criticized in the news, in public for our emails and networking to get this situation changed?
Mayor Jackson, Sue Cleveland and company, Gary Herron, the Ryans and other media, which is more important a “game” or a graduation? I feel they are both important.
What about the fact that several thousands are affected men, women and children?
What about the fact an injustice has been dealt them?
What is wrong with anyone striving for:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
“GO BACK TO THE PIT – PACK THE PIT” anyone under 10 are welcome too!
Surely we have legal rights?
Each School Board member is sworn in by a judge and their oath of service maintains they must uphold the Constitution of the United States as well as the school's, isn't this a direct violation of "due process", fair process, or any equal and "good faith" standards that adhere to our Constitution and what they were founded on? I have personally heard that Dr. Cleveland is "fair" and we are absolutely counting on that in this matter.
“Everyone has already heard the arguments for and against returning the graduation ceremony to The Pit so there’s no reason to spend a lot of time rehashing what’s already been said. The only issue left to be decided is what most of the parents want to do. We believe that most of the parents want the ceremony to be held in The Pit. So our only request is that you authorize a vote so that we can see what the parents want. If most of them want to hold the ceremony at the Star Center, then we should hold it at the Star Center; if most of the parents want to return to the Pit, then that’s what we should do. If you feel you can’t authorize a vote, then the only fair decision is to return the ceremony to The Pit given that the decision was made without sufficient public input.
Further, the decision to move the ceremony to the Star Center disproportionately inconveniences larger families, many of whom happen to be Hispanic.”
Lorenzo
Some GREAT reading here.
After taking the time to really consider all of the reasons the administration decided to change our graduation. I have concluded beyond a shadow of a doubt that their reasons are self-serving. Their decisions discriminate against families and graduates and do not allow everyone to have a voice in this decision. It also places hardship, stress and is a serious distraction in people’s lives. It was completely one sided. At this time if they would allow us to vote they would lose. They will not allow us to vote at all costs. This will take legal action or enough people to complain about this decision. They are not listening and not conceding they are wrong.
Additionally, it is overtly obvious that there is a vast difference between the coverage on the news and the quality of the journalism concerning the Rio Rancho Observer, G. Herron, the Rio Rancho Journal, specifically the Ryans and the Tribune. Specifically, Herron and the Ryans editorial were both very offensive and poorly put together, with points that make no connections, other then to back the system. They never addressed the serious issues and made light of the fact a vote or fair input was not allowed; tickets are an obstacle; too bad for anyone’s extended family; and discriminated against persons concerning their age! (Herron) actually placed an age limit on the event! They degraded and shamed families for requesting relief and made their best argument to tell them to shut up, using because we told you so rhetoric, were smart your not, we know you don’t logic.
The other Journal and Tribune reporters presented the information that was given to them in a balanced manner.
NOTE: Our very own newspaper in the city of vision the Observer has NOT interviewed anyone that opposes this decision! Repeat has NOT! Which begs to ask…..WHY?
Can anyone say,
"Conflict of Interest"
Or
"Corporate Partners"
Go back to the Pit.
Randy
I am very upset over how this entire matter has been handled from top to bottom! I don’t want to curse here but I am completely ANGRY! Business is business the buck stops with Dr. Cleveland. If she can’t open her eyes and see the harm done, she needs to resign her position. Name that school after someone that deserves it. Those punk lackey writers in the newspaper are dumber and dumber THEY DO NOT TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY CHILDREN, EVER!!! NOR DO THEY TELL ME MY 10 YEAR OLD CAN’T COME SEE THEIR BROTHER GRADUATE! I HAVE VOTED EVERYTIME A VOTE WAS NEEDED! HOW DARE THEY LUMP ME IN WITH PERSONS THEY FEEL ARE NEGLIGENT! RETIRE HERRON AND RYANS OR CHANGE YOUR OCCUPATION. HERRON HOW COME YOU OR YOUR NEWSPAPER HAS NOT INTEVIEWED A FAMILY AGAINST THIS DECISION? WHERE THE HELL IS ACTION JACKSON IN ALL THIS? OH, AND THE RANTER IN THE NEWSPAPER, YOU MAKE ME SICK HOW “AMERICAN” YOU THINK YOU ARE! SPELL THIS B-I-G-O-T, I KNOW YOU’RE ONE BECAUSE I’M WHITE LIKE YOU FOOL!
Lynn
We are praying for this decision to be resolved.
The local newspaper has already taken sides and unfairly characterizes anyone that disagrees with the decision.
Anyone that disagrees with the decision does not need to be ridiculed for thinking differently. They should not be categorized as less American. They had nothing to do with last years crowd. They don’t need lessons on raising children from people who have a column in the newspaper. Or lessons in what a cruel “woild” we live in, or “buck up.”
The newspapers should have their top reporter in the face of district office asking hard questions, like how come everyone was not allowed to voice their opinions? Is there political pressure and by whom? Why did the principal get booed? Is this discrimination? Does this in fact affect our Hispanic families?
They actually told families 10 years old and younger that they can’t celebrate. Yes they recommend that young people can’t see an event with their own eyes even though it is actually positive reinforcement. Remember our state tops the charts in suicides and dropouts. They literally called fellow “Ranchoans, whiners, greedy and to get over it.”
Funny is funny but the April Fool’s deal was “underhanded and nasty” quoting the newspaper.
Belinda
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