A Proposal to the
Administration of PFHS
by Vorfeed
This proposal is being written in response to the frustration and disappointment many students feel concerning the recognition of students who excel in certain areas, namely athletics and schoolwork. The way the awards system at our school currently works, the majority of recognition is given to athletes, then other extracurriculars, then scholars. We at Post Falls Uncensored feel that the awards system needs to be reorganized in a way that is fair and includes students who do not necessarily fit into those three listed categories. Below are our proposals, and we hope that if an administrator happens to see this page, he or she will take our suggestions seriously and consider implementing them. This is what the student body wants. It will not cause any sort of disruption, nor does it have to cost you any extra money or manpower. This is a compromise on our part; even if you changed only one thing, it would be extremely helpful to improve student morale.
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Current system: An assembly will be held before any sports team goes to any sort of state championship. Another assembly will be held after the team returns, regardless of its placing.
Reworked proposal: An assembly will be held before any sports team goes to any sort of state championship in order to boost team morale. At this assembly, inform students why the team is going to the championship, introduce all athletes involved, and include a statement from the coach(es). The cheerleaders and/or flag team performs. When the team returns, include a statement of its placing in the next day's morning announcements. There will be no assembly upon the team's return, but rather an event at the end of the year celebrating the efforts of all teams.
Reason for change: There is no need for two assemblies concerning the same event. This takes valuable class time away from students, and teaches them that games hold priority over academics. An assembly before a team departs is much more beneficial than an assembly after- the assembly beforehand brings the event to the attention of the entire student body and helps the athletes to feel like they are being supported. An assembly honoring all athletes at once ensures that no sport is left out.
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Current system: An assembly may be held after any extracurricular other than athletics places first in a state championship or is recognized for something extraordinary and is to receive an award.
Reworked proposal: Like the athletic proposal, hold the assembly before the event in order to bring the event to the attention of the student body. Many students do not listen to the morning announcements, either because they are busy working or cannot hear them at all. Holding an assembly forces them to get up and pay attention. At the assembly, inform students of the event, introduce all involved students, and include a statement from the activity's advisor.
Reason for change: Give equal attention to non-athletic extracurricular activities and hold a pre-event assembly in order to show the involved students that they have the support of the rest of the school.
Exceptions: Student-run religious organizations and activities. These are not to be endorsed by the school, and forcing students to attend a ceremony in their support is illegal.
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Current system: At the fall and spring awards assemblies, students with high GPAs are recognized. Also at the spring assembly, the Student of the Year award is announced.
Reworked system: Include recognition for students with high GPAs, as currently practiced. However, the Student of the Year award almost always, without exception, honors students who are "smart on paper"; in other words, students who have high GPAs, are athletic, and are involved in extracurriculars. There are numerous highly intelligent students who do not necessarily have GPAs over 4.0 and are not involved in any athletics or extracurriculars due to lack of time or interest in the available activities. These students would be nominated for an award (not necessarily replacing Student of the Year) based on pure observation by their peers and teachers; the students would be judged based on their outstanding knowledge and logic when it comes to discussing and debating a myriad of contemporary topics which are not taught by the school. Uniqueness, the ability to speak their minds, and the students' reluctance to follow popular fads and crowds are other criteria. A 4.0 is easy to receive if one is dedicated to doing all the work, no matter the student's IQ or ability to reason. The ability to copy vocabulary words and answer simple questions should not receive more recognition than the ability to use logic and think for onesself, and that is an ability that cannot be measured by numbers on a sheet of paper. It is an ability which will be much more beneficial to the user than the ability to do time-tested, formulaic work. Teachers and peers shall nominate students based on observations only. Students with high GPAs and students who are involved in sports and/or extracurriculars must not recieve extra consideration. This award will be presented at the spring awards assembly by a faculty member who knows firsthand of the student's ability, or alternatively, a close friend of the award recipient; this presenter would give a brief explanation of why the student deserved such an award. What the award is, whether simply a certificate or something more, is to be determined by the school administration.
Reason for change: There are many highly intelligent students who do not necessarily learn best in a traditional school environment. For displaying exceptional uniqueness and logic in the classroom, these students deserve some sort of recognition. Like teacher of the month or year, the students are nominated by staff and students based on observation and interaction, and then presented the award by the person who nominated them.