8-Year-Old Gets 'Catastrophe Award' for Most Homework Excuses

[aneela]

8-Year-Old Gets 'Catastrophe Award' for Most Homework Excuses

By Suzan Clarke | ABC News Blogs â€“ Tue, May 29, 2012 7:39 AM EDT

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(ABC)

The mother of an 8-year-old Arizona girl who was presented with a "Catastrophe Award" for apparently having the most excuses for not having homework believes her child was humiliated by her teacher.

Christina Valdez said her daughter, Cassandra Garcia, came home one day from class at Desert Springs Academy in Tucson, Ariz., with the paper award.

The document, which looks like a colorful card, contained the following message: "You're Tops! Catastrophe Award.  Awarded to Cassandra Garcia. For Most Excuses for Not Having Homework."

The teacher signed the card "Ms. Plowman," added the date - May 18, 2012 - and even included a smiley face.

The teacher announced the award in front of the entire class, and the other students laughed at her daughter, Valdez said in a Thursday interview with ABC TV affiliate KGUN-TV in Tucson.

When she contacted the school to complain, the principal "blew me off," Valdez added. "She said it was a joke that was played and that the teachers joke around with the children."

But Valdez told KGUN that she didn't find any of it funny.

"I think it's cruel and no child should be given an award like this. It's disturbing," she said, adding that she was not aware her daughter had a problem with homework, and that the girl had been enrolled in an after-school homework assistance program.

Desert Springs Academy's principal declined to comment to a KGUN reporter, the affiliate reported.

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[chrissysnow22]

I don't think it was the most appropriate thing for a kid. It does sound as off there were more awards given out with those. I think a teacher should be talking with a parent if the child is not turning in her homework. On the flip side i don't think all the responsibility falls on the teacher. Even if a child is in a homework program she should still know what is going on in school. She would have known her kid wasn't turning I her homework.

[matreshka]

I don't think its age appropriate and goes against trying to engage the girl in school which seems to be the real problem.

[michiganmom116]

I AGREE!!!!!!! 

I do have to wonder....the mom didn't realize the child had a problem with homework when she saw the report cards?  Did she not attend PTC?  Was the teacher not saying anything to the mom?

Quoting specialwingz:

I've seen joking around like this at the high school level.  At my boys' graduation practice (where it was more appropriate), there were several jokes like this presented as the kids practiced seating and walking across the stage.  There were awards like "the most tardy, yet passed the class", "never cracked a book, still aced it", "most destined to open their own version of Hogwart's".  All of these were verbal as they announced the kids across the stage.  They were all in fun and none were nasty.  Everyone laughed and couldn't wait to see what their "award" would be.  But, again...that's high school!  8 years old is NOT an appropriate age to be poking that kind of fun!  I would have been up at that school, too.  And, if I didn't get results there, I'd be heading up to the superintendent's office.  If that didn't work...the state board of education would be my next move.  Don't piss off the mama bear!!!! 

[specialwingz]

IKR?  I wonder the same exact things!  what kind of parent doesn't see the signs or do something about it?

Quoting michiganmom116:

I AGREE!!!!!!! 

I do have to wonder....the mom didn't realize the child had a problem with homework when she saw the report cards?  Did she not attend PTC?  Was the teacher not saying anything to the mom?

Quoting specialwingz:

I've seen joking around like this at the high school level.  At my boys' graduation practice (where it was more appropriate), there were several jokes like this presented as the kids practiced seating and walking across the stage.  There were awards like "the most tardy, yet passed the class", "never cracked a book, still aced it", "most destined to open their own version of Hogwart's".  All of these were verbal as they announced the kids across the stage.  They were all in fun and none were nasty.  Everyone laughed and couldn't wait to see what their "award" would be.  But, again...that's high school!  8 years old is NOT an appropriate age to be poking that kind of fun!  I would have been up at that school, too.  And, if I didn't get results there, I'd be heading up to the superintendent's office.  If that didn't work...the state board of education would be my next move.  Don't piss off the mama bear!!!! 

[areabrown]

Meh. I think she's blowing it out of proportion. Maybe the teacher gave funny awards to the other students too? I'd be more concerned with why my daughter isn't turning her homework in!

[MissElissa21]

I think there is more to the story.

[notjstanothrmom]

I would be PISSED. I have no idea what they can do to remedy the situation but I would want something done. That is awful.

[sonogal]

I think the award was in poor taste, but to immediately go to the news?  Why didn't she realize her daughter wasn't doing the work?  If she was in "homework assistance" why wasn't she on top of the situation?  She needs to look at her own role.

Quoting areabrown:

Meh. I think she's blowing it out of proportion. Maybe the teacher gave funny awards to the other students too? I'd be more concerned with why my daughter isn't turning her homework in!

[chichiwvu]

This is how most of the comments on the article were. She didn't know her daughter had a homework problem, and yet she was in a homework help program? It makes no sense.

I think the award was done in poor taste for an elementary student. The only thing I could think of is if she had fanciful excuses. Personally if schools didn't feel the need to give EVERY student some kind of award, there would have been no need to have the joke award in the first place.

Quoting sonogal:

I think the award was in poor taste, but to immediately go to the news?  Why didn't she realize her daughter wasn't doing the work?  If she was in "homework assistance" why wasn't she on top of the situation?  She needs to look at her own role.

Quoting areabrown:

Meh. I think she's blowing it out of proportion. Maybe the teacher gave funny awards to the other students too? I'd be more concerned with why my daughter isn't turning her homework in!

[nmaxwell816]

I'm on the fence about this situation