School won't let student with cancer graduate

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Jun 4th 2008 10:54AM

Categories: Teens & tweens, Medical Conditions, Education

I didn't do so well in high school, mostly because I didn't go to class all that much and never did my homework. And so, I did not graduate on time. That's the way it works. And yet, sometimes, there are reasons other than childhood irresponsibility. Take, for example, the case of eighteen-year-old Leanna Elizalde from Woodland, California. She fell behind in her studies because of the radiation therapy and surgeries that she underwent to fight off cancer.

So you'd think with an explanation like that, the school would be able to work something out so she could graduate with her friends and classmates, eh? Well, no. The school has steadfastly refused to let Elizalde graduate with her class, says her mother, Lupe Ramirez. "I spoke with the vice principal. I spoke with the principal and even the school district and they're all like, nope, nope, nope, absolutely not," said Ramirez.

Even Elizalde's doctor got involved, writing the school on her behalf. "I strongly believe that (Leanna) should be allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony," wrote UC Davis Professor of Clinical Surgery, Robert Canter, "and I think that refusal to do so would be construed as a punitive action unbefitting a pediatric cancer patient."

Elizalde plans to finish the classes she needs to graduate over the summer. Schools have been known to give credit for all manner of non-academic activities; it seems to me that they could figure out a way to make this work.

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Comments (16)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mj12 6-04-2008 @ 11:29AM

I'll be watching this one closely as my nephew is about to embark on his battle against cancer. Among all the other things I've been worrying about I've been wondering how school is going to work into the whole picture.

I always wonder if we are getting the whole picture with news stories. But if her doctor is on her side you'd think the school could work something out. It just breaks my heart.

A 6-05-2008 @ 12:35AM

I don't know what it is like in your state, but in Kentucky if a student is going to be absent for more than 15 days for a medical reason, they can get a note from the doctor and our district provides homebound instruction. I can't believe they would not let her continue her coursework like that. I would definitely check into it at his school, often times it could fall through the cracks and they won't tell you about it.

Mihir 6-04-2008 @ 11:49AM

i think the doctor is completely out of line suggesting this "would be construed as a punitive action" against this girl. seriously?

my question is, has the school made any exceptions to their "students must have enough units at the time of their graduation" rule in the past? if not, they're well within their rights to not let her walk.

that being said, it'd be nice if the valedictorian or salutatorian took it upon themselves to give a little shout out to her.

Matt Rascon 6-05-2008 @ 6:21PM

I completely agree. As an educator, I must say that comments like this doctor's suggests that society has forgotten what education is about. A high school degree is earned, it is not an inherent right. This student needs to meet requirements for graduation. The school is not preventing her from meeting those requirements. She simply hasn't met them yet. The article's title reads as though this student is being barred from graduation on the basis of her having cancer. It is misleading and irresponsible. The fact is, this student is not graduating because she has not completed coursework that her graduating classmates have.

Mihir 6-04-2008 @ 11:54AM

by the way...the title of this is really misleading. the school is NOT stopping her from graduating.

Nancy 6-04-2008 @ 1:14PM

The school should handle it the way most colleges do - the student gets the whole graduation ceremony with the class but they do not received their real diploma until all the coursework has been completed.

There is no reason to punish this girl by not letting her graduate with the class.

ivory 6-04-2008 @ 1:23PM

Ditto this - I walked with my University class in the Spring, but finished a Math class later that summer. The ceremony is a symbol, not a binding agreement.

Monica 6-04-2008 @ 1:25PM

A girl in my graduating class was in a serious car accident in the middle of the year. She managed to pass most of her courses but had 2 scheduled to make up during summer school. She also did not have the minimum number of required attendance days.

She participated in the graduation ceremonies and I would imagine received her real diploma by mail after the summer.

Angela Blanco 6-06-2008 @ 12:38AM

My son has had his educational challenges as well in dealing with Leukemia. The local school was willing to help but only by there rules which included to not allow him to have recess until his work was done. There are laws to help and protect these kids that have to deal with such a huge life change not only is dealing with Cancer exhausting but you have huge side effects from the chemo. It is a shame that people cannot see past the rules and understand that there is human being behind it all wanting a sense of normalcy. Graduation is something cherished and looked back on socially by family and peers. She should be allowed to walk with the class and continue her work through summer. Shame on the school!!!!!!!!

Lisa Elliott 6-04-2008 @ 4:02PM

Allowing her to graduate with her class and withholding her diploma until she completes her studies seems like such a small concession to make. To refuse to allow her to participate in ceremonies would serve no purpose other than to "send a message" to the other students and what would that message be? Don't get any serious, life threatening illnesses if you expect to participate in graduation ceremonies. As both a teacher and a cancer survivor I cannot help but think that their decision is unjustified and shows a complete lack of compassion.

A 6-05-2008 @ 12:36AM

My distric provides homebound instruction, pending doctor approval for any students that have to miss more than 15 days of school due to medical issues. The student stays enrolled in school, the homebound teacher collects work from their regular teachers and makes home visits/hospital visits to allow the student to complete work. Often times, our teachers are really great at provided copies of notes from class, that the student would otherwise miss, so they still receive the content. It is great system, and I am surprised that others have not talking about this. I live in Kentucky, surely other schools provide homebound instruction???

ninainindia 6-05-2008 @ 4:04AM

I think it's fair that she won't graduate if she didn't pass the classes. Of course it id very sad that this was without her fault, but it's not right to give someone their diplaoma just because she was ill.

I do, however, agree with letting her participate in the ceremony and than receiving her diploma later when she has passed the classes.

Laura - DashinFashion.com 6-05-2008 @ 12:03PM

This story is so sad. I heard it on Fox news and couldn't believe that they won't let her participate in the ceremony. Why would they take that memory away from her and her family?

john 6-05-2008 @ 1:18PM

Tell them how you feel!

Egenera@wjusd.org - school principal
CGARDNER@wjusd.org - vice principal
arolon@wjusd.org - vice principal
JSIMAS@wjusd.org - vice principal

fglover@wjusd.org - School board member
rvillagrana@wjusd.org - school board member
elytle@wjusd.org - school board member
wberg@wjusd.org - school board member
bbeermann@wyusd.org - school board Vice President
ccole@wjusd.org - school board President

Matt 6-05-2008 @ 6:36PM

I think the reason most colleges allow students to "walk" at graduation ceremonies before their degree program completion is confirmed is, large class size and short timeframe. It is very difficult to confirm undergraduate program completion for several thousand students in time for graduation ceremonies. The attempt would more likely result in students errently being barred from ceremonies when they have in fact met requirements (at the last minute). High school graduating classes are usually not as large; therefore, prior confirmation is more feasible and reliable.
As for "walking" at the ceremony without the diploma: Would you feel right about participating in a ceremony that acknowledges a significant achievement, when that achievement has not been made? If it were me, I'd rather wait until I could attend a ceremony that celebrates something genuine.

Misjudged. 6-05-2008 @ 7:06PM

Oh my God. This is just childish. She has cancer! I mean, yeah, that's no excuse for feeling sorry for her but still. She's probably worked just as hard as the other students, if not harder! She's probably fighting for her life! Send her to summer school, but keeping her from graduating seems like their school is one of the school that picks 'favorites.'