#letthemwalk

Today another blow came with regards to the graduation debacle with Waukesha School District. I found out that a student was sent an email by their teacher advising them that since some of their school fees were waived instead of 'paid', they were no longer eligible to purchase their iPAD from the school.

What.
The.
Hell?

How is that even a thing and why is it even a thing?  Also, when was this communicated to anyone?

I don't get a society that is okay with this.  I mean, I believe it. And I know that there are so many who think, here she goes again....blah blah blah....but I don't care.

I don't get it.

Please hear me. I know that the fees and debt exists. Getting Wisconsin to change how fees are assessed and why the fees are so high in some districts is another battle for another day. I understand that currently fees are high and they are the responsibility of the parents or guardians of graduating seniors.

Fine.

But how and why was that chosen to be used to deny students the privilege and honor of participating in their graduation ceremonies?  Of celebrating that day, despite their financial situation, with their peers and having the pride that comes from taking that tassle and crossing it over their cap?

Who.
The.
Hell?

Which school board members thought this was a good idea?  Who thought, 'I know how we can get those people to pay!!! Let's keep their kids not just from their diploma but also from their ceremony!'  Did someone actually think that suddenly a family struggling to pay their fees or catch up from fees that were behind===would say, 'Oh here's $500, I just didn't feel like paying it!'

No. If you don't have it, you don't have it. You can't get blood out of a turnip.  You not only have the stress of financial obligations you can't meet....now you have to explain to your child that they have to miss this celebration of their accomplishment!! Who of them sleeps at night?  They should all be ashamed.

Why.
The.
Hell?

So back to that email.  Why?  Why is that happening?  Those iPAD's are not the highest quality and some of the students actually have older models that aren't worth shit anyway. The student was given permission to purchase it for $25 at the end of the school year. Then, today, recieves an email that she no longer can because she had fees waived.  Why does a teacher know that anyway?  What happened to privacy?  Does staff need to know who has fees waived and who doesn't?

I'm disappointed.

I'm disappointed in the district, in the school board.

I'm disappointed at how many people left comments on different social media posts talking about families who might owe fees.....

Calling them leeches.
Calling them welfare queens.
Calling them low lifes.
Calling them illegals.
Calling them thugs.
Calling them lazy.

and some of those people claim to be Christians.

No.

The message of Jesus is love. And doing for the least of these. And helping the powerless. Giving voice to the voiceless. Standing up for those that are unseen. Reminding the pharisees the error of their ways.

The seniors in Waukesha being denied this privilege needs to matter to you. I'm not saying that you need to donate (but it'd be great if you want to) but you do need to understand. And make others aware. And think about how this impacts a young life for the years to come.

Owing fees does not mean you are poor and indignant.
and it is not a reflection of some character flaw.
Just as having wealth is not a reflection of character.

I'm going to a graduation on June 9th, thanks to numerous people who helped make it possible. And I'm not going to shut up about how we can get many many more the same opportunity if we just keep spreading the word and donating!!!

https://www.gofundme.com/let-them-walk


#letthemwalk