San Pedro’s Graduation

Regarding the terminating of the San Pedro High School commencement exercise, I share in the disappointment along with all parents as my son was one of the graduates. However, I believe it was a large number of students who in effect canceled the event, not the school administrators.

They chose to defy the rules and to make a mockery of the event by challenging the administration to react to their disrespect and premeditated inconsiderate disruptions and by breaking their agreements made during the preceding week to adhere to the rules. The consequence was the result of their misbehavior.

Have disrespect, disruption and inconsiderations become acceptable behavior? Apparently so, if one listens to only the uproar which followed. On the contrary, I believe that schools and parents have a responsibility to attempt to teach respect and considerate behavior along with the 3 Rs.

Perhaps a loss of this magnitude is necessary to be effective. Without the support of all, the task is becoming progressively harder and avoided by most school administrators. Let’s not undermine the lesson to be learned from the episode. I for one support the principal and praise his courage.

DAVID MELVOLD

San Pedro