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Teachers: Advice? [NBR]

Nicole0012Nicole0012 member
in 1st Trimester

I am a high school English teacher. I recently had two of my students ask me to hand them their diploma at graduation. These are two students who have really really struggled throughout high school, but have also worked really hard and are going to successfully graduate at the end of the year. It's such an honor to be asked this from them.

However, our graduation is on the same day, same time as my husband's grandfather's 80th birthday party, two hours away. This isn't any party. He is from Germany, and they are flying in all kind of relatives for this huge event. They have rented out a hall, and it's all the family has been talking about for some time now.

What do I do? Graduation or the party? There is no way to do both. I'm so bummed that I'll have to miss one or the other. WWYD?

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Re: Teachers: Advice? [NBR]

  • PunkyBoosterPunkyBooster member

    Wow, that is making me weirdly emotional.

    You have to make the decision. I also wonder if you couldn't honor the kids in another way? Perhaps with a lunch out (are you allowed to do stuff like that?) or something? 

    I would probably do the graduation, but that is because I don't particularly care for family birthday parties. 

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  • erbearerbear member
    Tough call but I think I'd do the birthday. Explain to the students how honored you are and how proud you are of them and do something nice for them.
    "Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies. God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Kurt Vonnegut
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  • CFH79CFH79

    imageerbear:
    Tough call but I think I'd do the birthday. Explain to the students how honored you are and how proud you are of them and do something nice for them.

    This.  It's awesome that they asked and very sweet, but you can't say how many more times you might see dh's grandpa from Germany. The kids will understand, i think.  And, if possible, do something special/sweet for them.  Could you get your principal to allow you to put a little note inside their diplomas so they get them on their graduation day?

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  • tigeralitigerali
    I would pick the birthday party.  Family comes first in my book.  I would also find a way to do something special for the kids to make sure they understand how proud and honored you were that they asked you to be a part of such a big day in their lives.
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  • QmommyQmommy member
    Definitely go to the birthday party.  Family must come first.  You can do something special for these boys the day before.  
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  • MCH77MCH77 member

    I would go to the birthday party.  Over the years I have had amazing students who will always hold a place in my heart, but my family is always there.  I would find some extra way to help celebrate their special day.  I really liked the idea of including a special letter in with their diploma. 

     BTW:  What a great feeling!  :)

    BFP #1 March 24, 2010; missed m/c May 26, 2010 @ 12w 4d; D&E May 28, 2010

    BFP #2 Oct 20, 2010; My little boy was born on July 5, 2011

    BFP #3 April 30, 2013; Chemical Pg May 5, 2013

    BFP #4 Aug 22, 2013; It's a boy.  Loss discovered at 24 weeks on Jan 15, 2014 (cause CMV virus)    

                                  <3 We love and miss you Timothy <3

    BFP #5 April 6, 2014; missed m/c May 15, 2014 @ 9 weeks; Misoprostol May 15, 2014; D&C May June 3, 2014

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