Graduation, Fifth-Grade Style: Teachers Tell Students to Have Eyes on Finishing High School
Posted on: Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 09:00 CDT
By Christopher Ortiz, Greeley Tribune, Colo.
May 21--There were camera flashes, balloons, flowers and even a few tears.
And it didn't matter that the mortarboards were made out of construction paper.
Romero Elementary School, 1400 E. 20th St. in Greeley, held a graduation ceremony for its outgoing fifth-grade class Tuesday. With only about half of Latino students finishing high school in Greeley public schools, teachers emphasized to the 62 students that their goal should be walking out of high school with a diploma in their hand in seven years. Teachers and educators hope the event served as a dress rehearsal for the students' high school graduation. Each fifth-grader received a T-shirt that read, "See you at graduation in 2015."
Although it was just a graduation from elementary school, parents gushed when their child's name was called and clicked their shutter buttons with the intensity of paparazzi.
"It was just so awesome," said Nancy Duenez, the grandmother and guardian of Isaiah Lopez. "I just started crying."
Duenez said the event was emotional because of the hard year Isaiah has had, which included family issues and moving to a new school.
And what would a graduation be with a commencement speaker?
Mark Romero, the son of Bella Romero, for whom the school was named after, told the students to set their goals high.
"Value your education. It's very important," said Romero, who works for the school district. "It will help you make your dreams come true. It's up to you. You can do it. Believe in yourself. Respect yourself. And don't be afraid to dream big."
The school has initiated Operation: Graduation, a push to see more of its kids complete high school.
Efforts include exit interviews with all outgoing students. Principal Michele Turner said she and teachers will follow up with the students in middle school.
Most of Romero's students will go to either John Evans or Brentwood middle schools and a handful will continue to Heath Middle School.
"We as a system and community have a responsibility to turn (graduation rates) around," Turner said. "We need to do that. The kids, too, have a responsibility to make this happen."
Luis Reyes plans to finish high school, and he has eyes set on medical school.
"I want to become a doctor," Luis said. "I like to help people."
Dalia Rosas, a soon-to-be senior at Northridge High School, came with her mom and other family members to see her little sister Katrina graduate.
"This is a big deal because this shows she is moving up to sixth-grade, and (we are showing) her we are proud of her," Dalia said.
The fact that only half of Latino students finish high school in Greeley public schools was not unknown to Dalia.
Dalia, who will graduate from high school next year, said she expects her little sister to follow suit.
"She is not going to drop out," Dalia said.
Graduation Rates
Below are the 2007 graduation rates for Greeley-Evans School District 6:
All students 69.7 percent
Females 74.5 percent
Males 65.1 percent
Latinos 55.5 percent
Anglos 81.4 percent
Native Americans 33.3 percent
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Source: Greeley Tribune, Colorado
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