At the beginning of the school year, my child was told that the H.S. For Teaching & the Professions graduation was scheduled for June 26, at 6 P.M. He was also told that the senior dues were $200.00 (yearbook included). However, a few months later, their time slot was moved up to 10 A.M. The problem is that they did not inform anyone of the time change until June (the same month of graduation). When I confronted Principal Johnson-Harris about the short notice, I was told that she was unaware of the time change. So, basically, you are telling me that the principal, also known as the school leader, does not know about the time of graduation until June? The stench of incompetence does not stop here - not by a long shot.
In May, the school decided to have a separate award ceremony (and I would later find out that
the award ceremony was a part of the graduation itself). The problem is that the school made zero announcements concerning the ceremony, and many of the students did not receive an invitation! My son, as well as several other seniors, were not able to go to a huge portion of their graduation ceremony (the award ceremony) because the Principal does not make it her business to ensure that every student is informed about the senior events.
A month before graduation, Principal Johnson-Harris was given a surprise retirement party, by the students. At the party, she received recognition from staff and students. However, this seemed to not be enough for her.
Two days before graduation, without consulting any of the students, the school decided to give the boys a flamboyant, silver, and feminine cap and gown. The gown was very shiny (think Beyonce freakum dress shiny) and the back was stitched in a way that puffed out the back of the gown. The gown was shiny, and the zipper was even on the left side (a side traditionally used to place a female's zipper). The girl's cap and gown was a decent color, but the zipper was placed to the right (a side typically used for a male). I would later find out that it was Principal Johnson-Harris who decided choose the cap and gowns, without speaking to a single student or parent. When asked why, she said it's the school colors. Wow! So even on the one day that's supposed to be about the kids, you have to force the students to wear something they don't want to wear, just so that you, as a principal, can feel happy? The selfish behavior does not end here. It gets worse.
At the graduation, Principal Johnson-Harris decided to make the vast majority of the commencement ceremony about herself. None of the teachers were given an opportunity to make a speech. None of the students who received a Regents diploma, or even an Advanced Regents Diploma, were given any recognition for their achievements. The National Honor Society members were not mentioned at all, at the graduation. Only 5 awards were given, at the entire graduation, and guess what? 3 of the 5 awards were given to Principal Johnson-Harris, including a VERY LARGE plaque that is going to be put inside the school. Out of the other 2, one was awarded by Johnson-Harris herself. It gets even better.
One of the staff members described the principal, for about 10 minutes, in a poem. She went on and on about how awesome, fierce, nuturing, catlike, motherly, tough, caring, and fantastic Principal Johnson-Harris was. The superintendent of the district went into tears, when she described the principal. Several other staff members gave speeches about the principal. Only two members of the staff gave credit to the students, without speaking intensely about the greatness of the principal.
It is a pity that a Principal would go out of their way to make a graduation that cost $200 per student ($16,600.00, when you include all 83 graduates), about herself. Had I known that the graduation was not going to celebrate the achivements of the graduates, I would not have spent the time, effort, and money towards this garbage. I hope whoever reads this thinks twice before enrolling their child to this High School, because what happened to me, my son, and all of the other graduates and relatives could unfortunately happen to you. Ms. Johnson-Harris is retiring, but the assistant principal worked very closely with her, this year, and he is going to be next year's principal. I would not trust a principal who was influenced by Ms. Johnson-Harris, because she clearly does not care about any of the students. Parents, please make sure that when your child graduates, you do not allow an incompetent, arrogant, political, and careless principal ruin the day for your child, the other graduates, and the teachers (the ones who are most involved with the students' education and who actually care about helping the children succeed).
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