Why is the first thing someone says is "sue"? If the family wanted to sue, they would have done that. The apology was more than most parents and students get from the board of education even when they do sue.
@@sememmer1 I agree with you, suing isn't the answer to all things. They had consulted parents in the past and thought they had covered their bases, so now they'll consult with the parents each year going forward. I understand why they placed them where they did because many special needs people cannot be around too much noise and sensory input. The school thought they were helping.
@@IceLynne Not true. every Special Ed person is not Sensory Sensitive. I grew up with a disabled Sister and now her caregiver. My THREE jobs include working with people with disabilities. AGAIN NOT EVRYEONE HAS A SENSORY TO LARGE CROWDS AND NOISE...those that do, could have been given the option to have a private section during the ceremony.
Not all kids with special needs are like that. The ones that are should have their parents and teachers talk and see if it would be best for them or not.
@@WrongThink_Not all people with Down Syndrome have a learning disability. It’s a misconception that all people with Down Syndrome have an intellectual disability.
@@bluejava9397 actually no some of these cases have been successful with the school being forced to pay out millions of dollars for discrimination at least make the school pay for it maybe a couple blemishes like that will teach them not to do it again
@@bluejava9397 I understand what a graduating senior is going through and i am down syndrome ever since i was a baby and growing up and now i am a 51 year old adult. I walk with my senior class at graduation class of 1993 in California and I graduated too with my senior class and in high school i took special education class for disabilities 4 years of high school never went to college but i was the first down syndrome graduating my high school in 1993 and everybody was proud of me and my accomplishment.The daughter's mother did the right thing people with disabilities had the right to walk with senior class at graduation i did and congratulations to her daughter class of 2024
@@lizhall2961 that is stupid and also they have immunity because they acted as the government its called qualified immunity so sueing the school district is all they can do legally
When my son graduated last year, there was a student who needed a service dog with him. The dog took part in the entire ceremony as well as wearing a tiny mortar board. There's no reason for ANY student to be excluded from the entire ceremony.
And they tell me not to pet service dogs but then they go and put a little hat on them too?.... I see how it is they just enjoy seeing us squirm. I definitely still wouldn't do that haha, kidding aside that's awesome.
@@VAFrankylol! There’s times and places for petting and giving the dog attention. While the dog is being treated nicely during the ceremony he is still working and shouldn’t be pet. Petting them distracts them from their jobs. But as soon as the dog isn’t actively working most blind people don’t mind you interacting with their dog. If you see a service animal and it’s not actively working,the person is sitting and talking to someone or they are at a restaurant and the dog is just relaxing you can ask if you can pet them and they usually don’t mind because the dog/person is taking a break. It’s when people touch them while they’re actively or without asking. Never pet ANY dog without prior consent from the owner.
It happens within employment A LOT more. And for those with more profound disabilities, like Down's, most who want to work can no longer find employment, as most employers don't want to pay them even minimum wage. They want those sheltered employment wages back, so they can pay the disabled $2-$3/hr. This proves how sheltered employment was being used as a form of exploitation of the disabled. The disabled are the most discriminated among protected groups. You can even read the ballsy comments from losers in this comment section. They're very jealous against everyone who they view are treated better than themselves. And too poorly educated to grasp the fact that the disabled only became a protected class because of people like them, whose skin crawls every time they see a disabled person. 🙄
It wasn’t a hate crime, people need to stop implying that everything is a hate crime. It is, however, a violation of the American’s with Disabilities Act and the basis of a law suit against the school district. And the school could be fined up to $75k for its first violation. They need to contact the DOJ about this.
When people ask "Why in 2024 is this happening?" I feel as if the question itself is weird. We live in strange times, with a convicted felon/adjudicated r@p!st who is the probable nominee and potentially our next president. Since before he was last elected president he took great delight in making fun of those with disabilities. When the freaking Prez does it, why are you even the tiniest bit surprised that the people who voted for him emulate his behavior as being OK? Just seems weird to me that anyone with their eyes open (and I'm talking about seeing and hearing what the man himself says and does, not just about listening to the talking heads bemoaning over the state of the world, but observing the actual actions and words.... it seems odd that anyone would be shocked. The amount of nastiness I've seen in schools has gone up exponentially.
My daughter just graduated from high school a few weeks ago. The three students in her class who have special needs were included in the entirety of the ceremony. That's the way it supposed to be. It's downright shameful for this school to exclude them from any part of this experience. They earned it and have every right to partake fully.
A couple of years ago a girl at the high school where I teach had an epileptic seizure during the ceremony. Everything halted so she could get care. In the end, upon consultation, she listened to the ceremony from the back of the ambulance, and then was helped out to walk, last of all, across that stage before being brought to the hospital. I was proud of her, of the staff, and everyone else who was able to see that she realized her dreams. She was a girl who had already overcome significant life-altering events and huge obstacles just to get to graduation. I think that everyone would have been traumatized if she didn't get to partake in the ceremony in some way. Sounds like this school got a new principal, who didn't understand pretty much anything that matters to kids.
@@InT3graTi-Of-Pur3InH3arT wait one minute. Not every pregnancy ends in a birth nor a live birth. Miscarriage is an abortion from God. Just stop right now.
She got to walk across the stage..she didn't graduate. She got a participation certificate. Get over it.the sped kids should be separated so they don't disturb the normal kids during graduation.
@@beethao9380How is that being a hypocrite? If that was your child wouldn’t you feel the same way? Or would you rather let the school district just throw your kid under the bus and not GAF.
Poor girl, but did an excellent job speaking. My daughter has Down Syndrome and she was always included in everything at school. Very sad for all those kids.
My grandson is autistic. He go's to a private religious school. He is never excluded from anything. He has Been in plays, and he's in the band and plays at concerts. I hope he pursues something in the arts, he's very talented. He's good at soccer too, plays on the team.
Right they did a lot of planning for all the "normal" students with the special needs children as an afterthought. The person that was actually making the decisions about this is the one that should have to publicly explain their actions.
In my class we had a few who had medical issues like her. We made sure that they were apart of us and would not have it anyway else. When their names were called , each one got a standing ovation to show how much they inspired us through the years. They were the heart of our graduating class of 97.
That is cruel and inhumane. I am a retired HS teacher of a very large city and this was not even thought of here. The only decision was if any graduate needed special seating. We had physically challenged students and medically challenged students who may have needed front row or aisle seating. ALL graduates were seated together.
Ah yes, you're so much better Becky. Segregating students based on their generic health is so kind and progressive!! I can imagine you literally bragging to Rosa Parks that even though she sits in the back of the bus "my riders all ride the bus together". Delete your account.
I wouldn't say her disabilities are severe, considering she spoke in front of the school board, but you are correct, she shouldn't have been discriminated against.
Omg it’s just a fluff ceremony anyway. And she did participate though. And folks she’s not in k12 anymore- she’s going to have to get used to being excluded once in a while in the real world.
Considering how much rehearsal is done for graduation, this definitely wasn't an accident... how sad. I'm happy her mum has her back and has raised her to stand up for herself- something I would probably be too afraid to do for myself in her position (p.s. not a reflection on my mum's parenting but rather my own social/generalized anxiety)
I have my doubts this was an accident too considering the ceremony should be routine by now. The only thing to worry about is who is going across and making sure sponsors are happy.
What is happening to this world. No one ever puts themselves in other people’s shoes…just disgusting! I am very proud of the student for standing up to the people that should know better…
I understand having an alternative place in graduation for special needs students who would be over stimulated in a large crowd, but that should only be optional. The school should never have forced the kids to be separated from the rest of the class.
As a mother of an Autistic student with whom his general Ed class loves, I find this appalling. I am glad the student and mom took action. But I would’ve taken it a step further and talked to attorneys about discrimination.
Imagine looking forward to graduating from secondary school, and then once graduation day comes you learn you're not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony due to a disability you didn't choose to have. Deliberate act of discrimination, not good enough. This young woman deserved so much better.
My jaw literally dropped. How cruel! And the fact that he has to correct himself when mentioning the students from "which" to "who". I think we've found the issue.
Someone ignorant decided that these students did not fit their “perfect” graduation mold. And every person who saw what they were doing and didn’t say anything, shame on you too.
I am proud of the girl with Down syndrome because I would have fought as well. It’s sad to see disabled people being treated like that. I was lucky to be a part of both my graduation from high school and college.
I live near Sprayberry HS and attend KSU. I'm shocked and appalled to know she was treated like that. I hope she's given more than just an apology. How about money to attend college?
This is another level of shame. Whoever came up with the idea should resign as well as those who supported it and didn't speak up about it. Just because they are different or a bit slower does not make them any less human. Be thankful that you don't have a similar condition and help and be fair to those who do. Would you have liked it if this was done to your child?
Who created this horrible exclusion from the graduation ceremony? The principal? School board? Time to take the responsible party/parties to court and sue them.
THAT’S A TERRIBLE AND MOST DISRESPECTFUL THING TO SAY! You have no idea what it’s like to have Down syndrome or even special needs in general. There’s so much more to them than you truly think. I have autism and I can tell you from personal experience that I’ve had lots of supporters who believed in me and whom are very close to me but I’ve met very few group of people who very much doubted me and discriminated me. So, don’t you dare shame this young girl for not doing the work because she has achieved so much than you give her credit for. I don’t tolerate discrimination against people with disabilities.
@@disneyfan9134 maybe you should go back to school. The only one making the assumption that she *DIDN’T* do the work is you. My statement assumes that she did the classwork appropriate to get the diploma.
@@disneyfan9134hi, respectfully, that’s not what OP was saying at all. She was arguing that she DESERVED to walk the stage because of the effort she put into finishing the year RATHER than being judged for her disability. We are all in agreement here. Please have a nice day.
@@gawainethefirst I don't think you're considering the whole picture and I don't think you know enough to assume that I need to go back to school which by the way, that was very disrespectful of u to say that to me. Plus FYI, I have autism and had struggles with anxiety and dealing with stress but despite all that, I STILL managed to graduate high school, went to college twice for graphic sign arts which i graduated with honours in and data entry which I also took and graduated from during COVID and I now live on my own, have 2 part time jobs that I really like, have a great family, great support people in my life both my extended family and my friends and I couldn’t be more thankful and happier with the life I have now. Maybe next time, you shouldn’t judge people too quickly and make assumptions about them before u REALLY get them to know them better.
This is outrageous! I have a disabled child entering high school in the fall and this story has ensured that I will be contacting his school to make sure that he be allowed to graduate with his class in 4 years. I cannot fathom this happening! This isn’t the 1950s, we don’t hide people with disabilities in institutions anymore. They are vibrant active members of society who deserve equal treatment. Whoever’s decision this was needs to come forward and explain themselves publicly, and then they need to step down from their position.
I'm happy that this disgusting situation has made others aware so they can be proactive in preventing it from happening to anyone else in the future. Good luck to you and your child.
@@amy010276 May you someday know what it is like to be the parent of someone who doesn’t want to different, doesn’t believe they are different but cries often because they are made to feel different, and struggles with thoughts of self harm. May you someday hold your child as he or she sobs because someone at school called them a word that is no longer used in modern society just because they have ticks or spasms they can’t control. Only then will you understand and maybe you will find a little empathy in that cold, gaping chasm where your soul should be.
Or when your adult child's mental capacity is that of a nine year old. And he wonders why his brain doesn't work right. And it's hard for him to find a good job where he is accepted as he is, where people won't take advantage or harm him and he can make good wages. And also make friends, cause no matter how much support they have a lot of them have no friends.
I will never forget a story my aunt told me about my deaf cousin’s class. A SINGLE TEACHER decided her students “wouldn’t learn anything” and stayed behind. My aunt says she spent a while writing up several stormy letters before finally setting on one that held little to no emotive speech. She said that is the best way to gain someone’s attention. She really humbled the teacher and the school staff over the letter and got squared instead of blustering, even if in this moment she was entitled to blow off steam right in their faces.
How disgusting…..The high school should be forced as a detention …to do the whole graduation again! With these particular students sitting WHEREVER THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE!!! Congratulations to you and your fellow students …. may you go far!
How is it an "oversite" when you specifically placed the special needs graduated together in a hallway, than marched them onstage to receive their diploma, than marched them back to a hallway? Seems pretty planned and coordinated to me..the school didnt just forgetnthey were there..they planned to keep them separate. Seems like these students deserve more than a hollow apology.
Every special needs student that was excluded and put in that hallway alcove deserves an apology, as do their families. That is AWFUL. Whoever made the decision to exclude these students should be ashamed.
I don’t live in Georgia or did I ever attend that highschool this makes me very upset that students with disabilities got SHUNNED from their classmates and I highly doubt that the superintendent ment his apology and that students with Disabilities will continue to be SHUNNED at graduation
Who even came up with the hallway alcove idea? I could understand having a quiet place ready for a student overwhelmed by the noise and crowd, but springing this surprise exclusion on them when they arrived was cruel.
ANY student who earns a diploma deserves to walk with their class! In today's society with EVERYTHING that is celebrated, they couldn't take the time to honor these graduates????? Shame on this school!
Imagine how detached from basic reality you'd have to be to actually be surprised that "this still happens" lol. Every single passing day you are becoming less and less free and you don't even notice or care because TikTok and Kim Kardashian have you too entertained to pay attention.
@@feedandseed-fl3er Sounds like you know a lot more about Tik Tok and Kim Kardashian than I do…not sure what either of them has to do with a graduation ceremony though.
Has anyone else ask why didn’t the other students do something? This is not only discrimination on the schools part but also on the students. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!!!
The parents of the Down syndrome kids should be ashamed of themselves for instilling a sense of entitlement into their kids. They didn't take calculus with the other kids they shouldn't have the same graduation because they didn't have the same requirements in order to pass. That's discrimination to say that only certain kids have to meet certain grades
@@TandaSandaBanda If I had been one of the students I would’ve stepped in and made sure they sat with everyone. Even if it meant holding up the ceremony.
@@creedwestlake4617 That’s cool but don’t be surprised when people are afraid of losing their diploma because of getting in trouble by the school staff who should know better.
An apology could never, ever fix the damage that was done to her. Anyone who has graduated knows that the memory of your graduation stays with you your entire life. How could an apology possibly fix this?!? Shame on every person who was involved in the decision to rob this young lady of such a beautiful memory. May God show all of you more grace than you showed her.
Tis is an OUTRAGE! That young girl can never have that moment back ever again! For the rest of her life she is going to remember this moment not as the reaching of a goal, but as a time where she was singled out and discriminated against! WHAT is wrong with people??
What in the AF! There is NO excuse for this. Now this major milestone will forever have sadness associated with it. Unbelievable. Who is responsible? They should definitely be discharged.
That is so heartbreaking 😢 whoever didn’t make sure that she and her other special need’s classmate’s were included should apologize not just the superintendent but everyone involved should have made a public apology ‼️
@@HenriettaHudson-we4wvbro are you stupid 😂😂😂. Biden is the old president with dementia and can’t even think for himself, does he even know the country he is running? He is sending all our money to foreign countries like Ukraine and funding wars that doesn’t have to do with us. 😂😂😂
FAPE. She graduated based on the standard set for a FAIR. APPROPRIATE. PUBLIC. EDUCATION. and then was denied the same rights as her classmates to be honored for her work. As a parent of a student with her own special needs this is just disgusting and discouraging behavior.
"It should have never have happened" You're the supervisor bro, you oversee literally everything. You knew and you went along with it. You should not be allowed to work in the education system anymore because of your clear and open discrimination against those with special needs.
SUE.They discriminated against your child based on her disability. An apology isn't enough.
Agreed!
Why is the first thing someone says is "sue"? If the family wanted to sue, they would have done that. The apology was more than most parents and students get from the board of education even when they do sue.
Getting paid.
I agree
@@sememmer1 I agree with you, suing isn't the answer to all things. They had consulted parents in the past and thought they had covered their bases, so now they'll consult with the parents each year going forward. I understand why they placed them where they did because many special needs people cannot be around too much noise and sensory input. The school thought they were helping.
This was no accident or oversight. It was deliberate. And sickening.
@beethao9380 Ableism.
They ruined her memory and she would not be able to get that back!
👍🏾
$20 million $$$$
Sad and unacceptable‼️😡🤢
The hate for people with disabilities is rather infuriating
Exactly
@@IceLynne yeah but they completely excluded them in the ceremony
@@IceLynne Not true. every Special Ed person is not Sensory Sensitive. I grew up with a disabled Sister and now her caregiver. My THREE jobs include working with people with disabilities. AGAIN NOT EVRYEONE HAS A SENSORY TO LARGE CROWDS AND NOISE...those that do, could have been given the option to have a private section during the ceremony.
@@IceLynnewell I’m sure she’s fine since she wanted to be there
Not all kids with special needs are like that. The ones that are should have their parents and teachers talk and see if it would be best for them or not.
Screw an apology, this is a civil rights lawsuit and needs to be filed
Exactly!!!
On what grounds ? a group of people didn't get to hear a bunch of speeches they can't comprehend ?
@@WrongThink_Not all people with Down Syndrome have a learning disability. It’s a misconception that all people with Down Syndrome have an intellectual disability.
@@WrongThink_it's called discrimination r3tard
They apologized. Words matter!
File a MASSIVE law suit. Accept no apology.
Sue those who made the decision, not the whole school system.
It would get laughed out of court.
A graduate ceremony is fluff, your participation is irrelevant to whether you actually graduate or not.
@@bluejava9397 actually no some of these cases have been successful with the school being forced to pay out millions of dollars for discrimination at least make the school pay for it maybe a couple blemishes like that will teach them not to do it again
@@bluejava9397 I understand what a graduating senior is going through and i am down syndrome ever since i was a baby and growing up and now i am a 51 year old adult. I walk with my senior class at graduation class of 1993 in California and I graduated too with my senior class and in high school i took special education class for disabilities 4 years of high school never went to college but i was the first down syndrome graduating my high school in 1993 and everybody was proud of me and my accomplishment.The daughter's mother did the right thing people with disabilities had the right to walk with senior class at graduation i did and congratulations to her daughter class of 2024
@@lizhall2961 that is stupid and also they have immunity because they acted as the government its called qualified immunity so sueing the school district is all they can do legally
When my son graduated last year, there was a student who needed a service dog with him. The dog took part in the entire ceremony as well as wearing a tiny mortar board. There's no reason for ANY student to be excluded from the entire ceremony.
That's adorable.
And they tell me not to pet service dogs but then they go and put a little hat on them too?.... I see how it is they just enjoy seeing us squirm.
I definitely still wouldn't do that haha, kidding aside that's awesome.
@@VAFrankylol! There’s times and places for petting and giving the dog attention. While the dog is being treated nicely during the ceremony he is still working and shouldn’t be pet. Petting them distracts them from their jobs. But as soon as the dog isn’t actively working most blind people don’t mind you interacting with their dog. If you see a service animal and it’s not actively working,the person is sitting and talking to someone or they are at a restaurant and the dog is just relaxing you can ask if you can pet them and they usually don’t mind because the dog/person is taking a break. It’s when people touch them while they’re actively or without asking. Never pet ANY dog without prior consent from the owner.
A woman's hands typed this.
By excluding somebody from their graduation ceremony because of their disability, you’re committing a hate crime.
Yeah, this is pretty wild...
👍🏾
It happens within employment A LOT more. And for those with more profound disabilities, like Down's, most who want to work can no longer find employment, as most employers don't want to pay them even minimum wage. They want those sheltered employment wages back, so they can pay the disabled $2-$3/hr. This proves how sheltered employment was being used as a form of exploitation of the disabled.
The disabled are the most discriminated among protected groups. You can even read the ballsy comments from losers in this comment section. They're very jealous against everyone who they view are treated better than themselves. And too poorly educated to grasp the fact that the disabled only became a protected class because of people like them, whose skin crawls every time they see a disabled person. 🙄
Exactly! She was considered competent enough to attend the school for four years..
It wasn’t a hate crime, people need to stop implying that everything is a hate crime. It is, however, a violation of the American’s with Disabilities Act and the basis of a law suit against the school district. And the school could be fined up to $75k for its first violation. They need to contact the DOJ about this.
Why in 2024 is this happening? I have no words for this disgrace other than how proud I am of that young lady sticking up for herself.
When people ask "Why in 2024 is this happening?" I feel as if the question itself is weird. We live in strange times, with a convicted felon/adjudicated r@p!st who is the probable nominee and potentially our next president. Since before he was last elected president he took great delight in making fun of those with disabilities. When the freaking Prez does it, why are you even the tiniest bit surprised that the people who voted for him emulate his behavior as being OK?
Just seems weird to me that anyone with their eyes open (and I'm talking about seeing and hearing what the man himself says and does, not just about listening to the talking heads bemoaning over the state of the world, but observing the actual actions and words.... it seems odd that anyone would be shocked. The amount of nastiness I've seen in schools has gone up exponentially.
I really want to know who the specific people were that did this, because they need to be sued and lose their jobs.
Ya they were probably being lazy and were like, nah we're not going to deal 🤝 with the special needs group. Too much effort. Like wtf 😒
Because a portion of this country wants to keep us in the past.
I've said the same thing!!
Discrimination against disability? That's against civil rights, now get that lawsuit ready.
They need to expose the individual(s) who decided to exclude those students. They shouldn’t get away with their blatant discrimination.
My daughter just graduated from high school a few weeks ago. The three students in her class who have special needs were included in the entirety of the ceremony. That's the way it supposed to be. It's downright shameful for this school to exclude them from any part of this experience. They earned it and have every right to partake fully.
I agree 100 percent. It's disgusting that this type of discrimination still goes on in 2024
Yes it is DOWNright shameful 😂
A couple of years ago a girl at the high school where I teach had an epileptic seizure during the ceremony. Everything halted so she could get care. In the end, upon consultation, she listened to the ceremony from the back of the ambulance, and then was helped out to walk, last of all, across that stage before being brought to the hospital. I was proud of her, of the staff, and everyone else who was able to see that she realized her dreams. She was a girl who had already overcome significant life-altering events and huge obstacles just to get to graduation. I think that everyone would have been traumatized if she didn't get to partake in the ceremony in some way.
Sounds like this school got a new principal, who didn't understand pretty much anything that matters to kids.
👍🏾
@@LadyLithiasThat's a beautiful story. I'm glad she was able to participate.
😡😡😡 My handicapped son graduated and walked the stage in his wheelchair and got his class ring! She earned it! How dare you people!
What’s worse is the amount of states in America and countries in the west fighting for abortion rights specifically for disabilities.
@@Catherine.Dorian. y’all need to leave that between the couple and their damn doctor. It’s none of your business why anyone else has one
@@dying2survive298 Tell THAT to God 💯
@@InT3graTi-Of-Pur3InH3arT tell that to the women getting sepsis because they’re being denied basic healthcare.
@@InT3graTi-Of-Pur3InH3arT wait one minute. Not every pregnancy ends in a birth nor a live birth. Miscarriage is an abortion from God. Just stop right now.
Why is the principal of the school not being held accountable?
You mean dean, it's a college.
@@FAFO4Wisdom-wu9ulI believe it's a highschool
@@FAFO4Wisdom-wu9ulrewatch the video. It’s a high school
@@FAFO4Wisdom-wu9ul- The ceremony was held at a university but the class was high school.
@@FAFO4Wisdom-wu9ul You didn't listen cleary. She clearly graduated from high school. Is it clear to you now?
That apology was pathetic. I should have never happened in the first damn place.
She got to walk across the stage..she didn't graduate. She got a participation certificate. Get over it.the sped kids should be separated so they don't disturb the normal kids during graduation.
@@noneofyourbusiness0818Way to miss the entire fucking point.
@@ellamarsters8791 lol..I got the point..its just wrong
@@noneofyourbusiness0818You’re actually a disgusting person, I hope you realize that. Everyone deserves fair and equal treatment.
The apology seemed sincere with eye contact and without blinking. However, the situation shouldn't have happened, I agree.
Absolutely DISGUSTING. VERY ANGRY 😡 at the way this young lady and her friends were treated.
SHAME ON THE DISTRICT! This is horrendous.
hypocrite
@@beethao9380How is that being a hypocrite? If that was your child wouldn’t you feel the same way? Or would you rather let the school district just throw your kid under the bus and not GAF.
👍🏾
It was a poor seating arrangement. Not the end of the world.
@@jaymike3302stop you have no idea it's bull 💩💩💩💩 and discrimination open your damn eyes
Poor girl, but did an excellent job speaking. My daughter has Down Syndrome and she was always included in everything at school. Very sad for all those kids.
👍🏾
My grandson is autistic. He go's to a private religious school. He is never excluded from anything. He has Been in plays, and he's in the band and plays at concerts. I hope he pursues something in the arts, he's very talented. He's good at soccer too, plays on the team.
Wrong. Your daughter has UPs Syndrome because her heart is always full of love. More so than most kids. So I say UPs Syndrome!! Blessings to her!
She was included though…. She walked across the stage, got a photograph taken, not quite sure what else they are expecting?
@@bluejava9397She didn't get to participate in the whole ceremony, though.
Planning a graduation takes a lot of time, they can't say it was an accident. What an unpleasant situation those kids must have gone through.
FACTS! They probably have been doing it this way for years. They are just now getting called out about it.
Right they did a lot of planning for all the "normal" students with the special needs children as an afterthought. The person that was actually making the decisions about this is the one that should have to publicly explain their actions.
Well…it’s not going to be last time. 🤷♀️
It was planned they were not to be on the stage or stay on the stage. Total discrimination 😮
It was NOT an oversight. Their apology is meaningless. The damage can't be undone.
In my class we had a few who had medical issues like her. We made sure that they were apart of us and would not have it anyway else. When their names were called , each one got a standing ovation to show how much they inspired us through the years. They were the heart of our graduating class of 97.
That is cruel and inhumane. I am a retired HS teacher of a very large city and this was not even thought of here. The only decision was if any graduate needed special seating. We had physically challenged students and medically challenged students who may have needed front row or aisle seating. ALL graduates were seated together.
Ah yes, you're so much better Becky. Segregating students based on their generic health is so kind and progressive!!
I can imagine you literally bragging to Rosa Parks that even though she sits in the back of the bus "my riders all ride the bus together".
Delete your account.
Horrific to discriminate against a person with severe disabilities.
I wouldn't say her disabilities are severe, considering she spoke in front of the school board, but you are correct, she shouldn't have been discriminated against.
👍🏾
No exclude these people from their job with suspension of pay.
So they can feel some of her pain.
You don’t get paid for graduating
@@lemonlime8949 Do the people who hindered her get paid? Maybe I was talking about them?
@@lemonlime8949 You really need to take a class in reading comprehension.
👍🏾
Omg it’s just a fluff ceremony anyway.
And she did participate though. And folks she’s not in k12 anymore- she’s going to have to get used to being excluded once in a while in the real world.
This is discrimination…….. file a law sue against the school!!!!
Absolutely dispicable.
Considering how much rehearsal is done for graduation, this definitely wasn't an accident... how sad. I'm happy her mum has her back and has raised her to stand up for herself- something I would probably be too afraid to do for myself in her position (p.s. not a reflection on my mum's parenting but rather my own social/generalized anxiety)
I have my doubts this was an accident too considering the ceremony should be routine by now. The only thing to worry about is who is going across and making sure sponsors are happy.
Please don't go victim on us.
That, and the fact that it happened to multiple students (all of whom had special needs).
@@indy_go_blue6048 Your comment confuses me.. I am not saying I'm a victim in any way whatsoever...
Proud of this young lady for speaking up and speaking out!! Ridiculous and shameful. Im so sad for them.
That is disgusting. Take this to the COURTS.
That is UNBELIEVABLE! I am so sorry for all of those special students 😢
It is the kerans that did that they all was hateing on people
What is happening to this world. No one ever puts themselves in other people’s shoes…just disgusting! I am very proud of the student for standing up to the people that should know better…
I'm glad the superintendent took responsibility and apologized. That's rare.
And the next step is for him to step down. This is beyond acceptable, it's cruel.
He didn't take responsibility.
Yes indeed, find out what happen, fix problem, move on! Bless her heart.
He wanted to avoid a civil suit, which is warranted in this case, since this is a violation of the ADA.
This exactly.
That’s blatant discrimination
Shame shame shame on you for excluding this beautiful young lady from this special moment in her life disgusting behaviour
Umm you might want edit to add an . or , because your grammar say otherwise. Re read it please.
it hits home for me. i have high functioning autism.
Wow this really pisses me off
Me too. And she can't get a redo. I have down syndrome cousins and they are the hardest working nicest guys ever. This is s sad!
Don't just fight, SUE. Also, the person or people, who made the decision to exclude-discriminate- against these students, should be fired immediately.
YES!!! Because OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A PLAN!!
I understand having an alternative place in graduation for special needs students who would be over stimulated in a large crowd, but that should only be optional. The school should never have forced the kids to be separated from the rest of the class.
Exactly
As a mother of an Autistic student with whom his general Ed class loves, I find this appalling. I am glad the student and mom took action. But I would’ve taken it a step further and talked to attorneys about discrimination.
Her smile. 😊❤
Imagine looking forward to graduating from secondary school, and then once graduation day comes you learn you're not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony due to a disability you didn't choose to have. Deliberate act of discrimination, not good enough. This young woman deserved so much better.
My jaw literally dropped. How cruel! And the fact that he has to correct himself when mentioning the students from "which" to "who". I think we've found the issue.
Good point--I missed that at first.
Breaks my heart this shouldn’t be happening in today’s society
Someone ignorant decided that these students did not fit their “perfect” graduation mold. And every person who saw what they were doing and didn’t say anything, shame on you too.
To say this is shameful is the understatement of the century. It is appalling, disgusting, and utterly despicable. Don't fight, SUE instead.
Shameful and unacceptable.
These are the people we've hired to educate our kids?
Only retards apply for these education/admin jobs. It’s ironic they don’t care for those with special needs
If one school teaches the whole world..?
No. It’s the people selected in regard to their political ideology, put there to enforce the political agenda and hoard the money.
@@natashanyxx9486 pull-string chatterbox nonsense
@@natashanyxx9486 no school board is hoarding money.:
I am proud of the girl with Down syndrome because I would have fought as well. It’s sad to see disabled people being treated like that. I was lucky to be a part of both my graduation from high school and college.
There has got to be more to this story.
This is a massive civil rights violation. I hope they sue the school.
Those that are responsible for this discriminating act have no soul!! Pure evil!! God Bless you young lady!!
Outrage is right, WTH!!!!!!😡
Shame on that school!!!
The rage I feel for these kids.. They will never forget this. Shame on that entire school district. Disgusting
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I live near Sprayberry HS and attend KSU. I'm shocked and appalled to know she was treated like that. I hope she's given more than just an apology. How about money to attend college?
They should have been sitting in the front row. This is shameful.
This is another level of shame. Whoever came up with the idea should resign as well as those who supported it and didn't speak up about it. Just because they are different or a bit slower does not make them any less human. Be thankful that you don't have a similar condition and help and be fair to those who do. Would you have liked it if this was done to your child?
Thank You!!!
I wouldn't want their apology I would want to see them in court! Lawsuit!!! Beyond appalling what they did to this sweet girl!
Sue them back to the 1950s for that type of discrimination
@@beethao9380 Oh, look. Somebody learned a new word today. It's replying to everything with this single word.
She wouldn’t be there if it’s the 1950s
Who created this horrible exclusion from the graduation ceremony? The principal? School board? Time to take the responsible party/parties to court and sue them.
The person who excluded them should be fired…..but being the protected school union employee, this will never happen.
"how do i make this political?"
If she did the work, then she earned the right to walk across that stage.
THAT’S A TERRIBLE AND MOST DISRESPECTFUL THING TO SAY! You have no idea what it’s like to have Down syndrome or even special needs in general. There’s so much more to them than you truly think. I have autism and I can tell you from personal experience that I’ve had lots of supporters who believed in me and whom are very close to me but I’ve met very few group of people who very much doubted me and discriminated me. So, don’t you dare shame this young girl for not doing the work because she has achieved so much than you give her credit for. I don’t tolerate discrimination against people with disabilities.
@@disneyfan9134 maybe you should go back to school. The only one making the assumption that she *DIDN’T* do the work is you. My statement assumes that she did the classwork appropriate to get the diploma.
@@disneyfan9134hi, respectfully, that’s not what OP was saying at all. She was arguing that she DESERVED to walk the stage because of the effort she put into finishing the year RATHER than being judged for her disability. We are all in agreement here.
Please have a nice day.
True true. It’s sad that there are people who think otherwise. I can’t believe this is happening in 2024. So blatantly as well 😢.
@@gawainethefirst I don't think you're considering the whole picture and I don't think you know enough to assume that I need to go back to school which by the way, that was very disrespectful of u to say that to me. Plus FYI, I have autism and had struggles with anxiety and dealing with stress but despite all that, I STILL managed to graduate high school, went to college twice for graphic sign arts which i graduated with honours in and data entry which I also took and graduated from during COVID and I now live on my own, have 2 part time jobs that I really like, have a great family, great support people in my life both my extended family and my friends and I couldn’t be more thankful and happier with the life I have now.
Maybe next time, you shouldn’t judge people too quickly and make assumptions about them before u REALLY get them to know them better.
What a beautiful, smart young lady❤❤
This is outrageous! I have a disabled child entering high school in the fall and this story has ensured that I will be contacting his school to make sure that he be allowed to graduate with his class in 4 years. I cannot fathom this happening! This isn’t the 1950s, we don’t hide people with disabilities in institutions anymore. They are vibrant active members of society who deserve equal treatment. Whoever’s decision this was needs to come forward and explain themselves publicly, and then they need to step down from their position.
I'm happy that this disgusting situation has made others aware so they can be proactive in preventing it from happening to anyone else in the future. Good luck to you and your child.
Make sure to get your kids signed up for calculus so that they can meet the same requirements as everyone else
@@amy010276 May you someday know what it is like to be the parent of someone who doesn’t want to different, doesn’t believe they are different but cries often because they are made to feel different, and struggles with thoughts of self harm. May you someday hold your child as he or she sobs because someone at school called them a word that is no longer used in modern society just because they have ticks or spasms they can’t control. Only then will you understand and maybe you will find a little empathy in that cold, gaping chasm where your soul should be.
Or when your adult child's mental capacity is that of a nine year old. And he wonders why his brain doesn't work right. And it's hard for him to find a good job where he is accepted as he is, where people won't take advantage or harm him and he can make good wages. And also make friends, cause no matter how much support they have a lot of them have no friends.
I will never forget a story my aunt told me about my deaf cousin’s class. A SINGLE TEACHER decided her students “wouldn’t learn anything” and stayed behind. My aunt says she spent a while writing up several stormy letters before finally setting on one that held little to no emotive speech. She said that is the best way to gain someone’s attention. She really humbled the teacher and the school staff over the letter and got squared instead of blustering, even if in this moment she was entitled to blow off steam right in their faces.
This is going to effect her college applications
That's not the only thing gonna affect her job apply ability
Kinda cruel aren't they? How sad for the young people who worked probably harder than most. My hat's off to you!!! Keep kicking butt.
She got her diploma, she deserved to walk/sit with her peers.
How disgusting…..The high school should be forced as a detention …to do the whole graduation again! With these particular students sitting WHEREVER THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE!!!
Congratulations to you and your fellow students …. may you go far!
They weren't down for that.
Bigtime lawsuit. Apology not enough. She reads very well. All her friends should have be included 💙💐💐
Who made this Despicable,Unkind,and Insensitive decision!!!
School boards who chose to either rewrite history or erase it!!!
Special needs or not if you've earned the graduation you should partake in it no exclusions
I was denied a class trip to Washington DC because I was part of some of the special classes.
My parents didn't care or even fight it.
I feel so bad for you missing out on a special trip due to a disability. As I tell my son, you have rights just like anyone else.
I don’t want to hear this was an accident!😡😡😡😡😡people with disabilities have feelings too!!!
And RIGHTS!!! They worked hard and had EVERY right to participate in their graduation ceremony!
I have mild autism and if I get excluded from my graduation because of my autism I’m gonna rage
How is it an "oversite" when you specifically placed the special needs graduated together in a hallway, than marched them onstage to receive their diploma, than marched them back to a hallway? Seems pretty planned and coordinated to me..the school didnt just forgetnthey were there..they planned to keep them separate. Seems like these students deserve more than a hollow apology.
God Bless her and her Mom for Standing up to the school
I hope the school finds some way to make it up to this fine graduate and her other peers that were excluded. The faculty should be ashamed.
They can’t ever make up for it ; the damage is permanent .
Every special needs student that was excluded and put in that hallway alcove deserves an apology, as do their families. That is AWFUL. Whoever made the decision to exclude these students should be ashamed.
Americans with Disablitiies Act provides for legal relief on this.
Sue the board and the people on it.
Get a lawyer, FAST.
I don’t live in Georgia or did I ever attend that highschool this makes me very upset that students with disabilities got SHUNNED from their classmates and I highly doubt that the superintendent ment his apology and that students with Disabilities will continue to be SHUNNED at graduation
How much more does this society continue to show it has turned a corner of ignorance is blind , deaf and dumb ?
Sue the hell out of Cobb County for ADA violations!!
Thank you!!! I agree!!!
That exclusion is absolute inexcusable!
That's not called excluded thats called trying to humiliate and embrass her and just completely ruin her ceremony
Who even came up with the hallway alcove idea?
I could understand having a quiet place ready for a student overwhelmed by the noise and crowd, but springing this surprise exclusion on them when they arrived was cruel.
ANY student who earns a diploma deserves to walk with their class! In today's society with EVERYTHING that is celebrated, they couldn't take the time to honor these graduates????? Shame on this school!
It’s insane to think this type of thing is actually still happening in today’s day and age.
Imagine how detached from basic reality you'd have to be to actually be surprised that "this still happens" lol. Every single passing day you are becoming less and less free and you don't even notice or care because TikTok and Kim Kardashian have you too entertained to pay attention.
@@feedandseed-fl3er Sounds like you know a lot more about Tik Tok and Kim Kardashian than I do…not sure what either of them has to do with a graduation ceremony though.
Unless the Superintendent works for a time without pay. This apology is hollow.
I don’t understand this kind of bs from schools. First hair and now disability? How are people going backwards instead of forward?
How did this even happen in the first place??!! Was anyone fired? Someone should have been!!
Has anyone else ask why didn’t the other students do something? This is not only discrimination on the schools part but also on the students. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!!!
The parents of the Down syndrome kids should be ashamed of themselves for instilling a sense of entitlement into their kids. They didn't take calculus with the other kids they shouldn't have the same graduation because they didn't have the same requirements in order to pass. That's discrimination to say that only certain kids have to meet certain grades
The adults are in charge. Not them.
Only the adults involved in planning the ceremony are guilty of discrimination. Not the students.
@@TandaSandaBanda If I had been one of the students I would’ve stepped in and made sure they sat with everyone. Even if it meant holding up the ceremony.
@@creedwestlake4617 That’s cool but don’t be surprised when people are afraid of losing their diploma because of getting in trouble by the school staff who should know better.
That is horrible everyone should allowed at graduation does not mater if you have a disability.
You're right!
An apology could never, ever fix the damage that was done to her. Anyone who has graduated knows that the memory of your graduation stays with you your entire life. How could an apology possibly fix this?!? Shame on every person who was involved in the decision to rob this young lady of such a beautiful memory. May God show all of you more grace than you showed her.
Thank You!!!
Tis is an OUTRAGE! That young girl can never have that moment back ever again! For the rest of her life she is going to remember this moment not as the reaching of a goal, but as a time where she was singled out and discriminated against! WHAT is wrong with people??
What in the AF! There is NO excuse for this. Now this major milestone will forever have sadness associated with it. Unbelievable. Who is responsible? They should definitely be discharged.
That’s deplorable for the school to have done this
That is so heartbreaking 😢 whoever didn’t make sure that she and her other special need’s classmate’s were included should apologize not just the superintendent but everyone involved should have made a public apology ‼️
This should be a federal lawsuit. This is why we need to vote in the fall. Protect these young people
I agree!!! Vote Blue/Democrat 2024!!! Biden-Harris 2024!!! Sitting on the couch and making excuses is not an option!!!
@@HenriettaHudson-we4wvbro are you stupid 😂😂😂. Biden is the old president with dementia and can’t even think for himself, does he even know the country he is running? He is sending all our money to foreign countries like Ukraine and funding wars that doesn’t have to do with us. 😂😂😂
FAPE. She graduated based on the standard set for a FAIR. APPROPRIATE. PUBLIC. EDUCATION. and then was denied the same rights as her classmates to be honored for her work. As a parent of a student with her own special needs this is just disgusting and discouraging behavior.
"It should have never have happened" You're the supervisor bro, you oversee literally everything. You knew and you went along with it. You should not be allowed to work in the education system anymore because of your clear and open discrimination against those with special needs.