No Graduation: Eighth-graders turn away from ceremony; parents angry

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo — St. Louis County parents are furious after their children were turned away from eighth grade graduation. The event took place at Westview Middle School in the Riverview Gardens School District.

The parents said they brought their children in costumes to the promotion ceremony to commemorate their eighth grade graduation and transition to high school.

However, they said when they got to the door they were told they could not enter while other students were allowed to pass.

One of the parents, Minyatta Simmons, said she didn’t like it at all.

“This is a moment to remember. They have four degrees: kindergarten, eighth grade, high school and college,” she said. “Why deprive them of that privilege?”

Another mum, Lateasha Grant, was also furious that her daughter wasn’t allowed to attend the event on Wednesday.

“Honestly, my baby missed that experience and the tears welling up from her eyes, the embarrassment she felt when the staff talked to her like she was an illegitimate person walking down the street and not a student of that one Facility,” called Grant.

However, the school district has a different opinion. They said they gave students and parents a list of prohibitions such as lack of attendance, fighting and other misdeeds that discouraged students from attending the promotion ceremony. The principal said students and children had been kept up to date over time and should have known if they could attend.

Students were excluded from the ceremony even though they graduated and went to high school.

“Schools have policies and procedures that we ask all of our young people to adhere to at every school, not just in Riverview Gardens but in all school districts,” said Dr. Riverview Gardens School District Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams. “There will be times when parents may not be happy about a student being withdrawn from school or not being allowed to participate in an activity.”

The parents said they still don’t like it.

“I have a feeling she was robbed. I got robbed too because that was her moment, that was her moment.”

A Riverview School District spokesman released the following statement:

Westview Middle School and Riverview Gardens School District are aware of parent concerns regarding attendance restrictions for Westview Middle School’s promotion ceremony.
The Riverview Gardens School District wants all students to be present at promotional activities, school and district events. However, students who did not meet the expectations of the Promotion of Positive Behavior Policy were not eligible to attend the 8th grade promotion ceremony. While we understand this may have been a disappointment to parents, it is important that all students meet the attendance, tardiness, academic achievement and discipline requirements set out in school and district policy. Parents and students at Westview Middle School received notifications of requirements and expectations early in the third quarter. This applied to scientists who did not meet the PBIS requirements
were notified in February and updated every two weeks of their eligibility for the year-end promotion. Grantees who did not qualify were given opportunities to establish a good reputation.
The families of eligible grantees received two tickets (per child) prior to the promotion ceremony. Eligible scholarship holders who arrived without an admission ticket received replacement tickets at the box office. We believe our staff were courteous and respectful to all comers. We also cannot confirm the claims of eligible students being turned away at the door. However, we look forward to working with our students, parents, staff and community to help all students meet academic, behavioral and attendance requirements for future events.