Catching teens while they're being good

Baltimore Sun ^ | Apr 25 2002 | Jennifer McMenamin

[2Trievers]

Many of their names will not be found on honor rolls. They're not among the star athletes who have gleaming trophies in the school's display cases. And few of their pictures will ever hang outside the main office in the Student of the Month showcase.

But those were the very kids who North Carroll High School pulled out of class yesterday - 507 of them - for a surprise assembly to recognize them just for being good kids.

[serinde]

"In a school of this size, you lose track of how many kids fall into that category," said Gary Dunkleberger, principal of the 1,520-student school. "Last year, we had 640-some and I was knocked over by that number. I was really taken aback.

Almost half the school is "good kids," but it surprised him. I wonder exactly how bad the other kids are?

I'm glad these kids got some recognition. They deserve it.

[2Trievers]

Isn't it amazing how BAD it is out there? Unless you have school age kids, most people have no idea.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

That's kind of cool, huh? My son's boss does this occasionally at work. He gives everyone a gift certificate to a video store or Target just to show them how much he appreciates them. As a former teacher, I met lots of "average" kids who were very, very nice and it changed my opinion of how important grades are. Now, I'm very BIG on academics with my own kids, but I'm much concerned about their character.