Principal Cancels Honors Night. Says Students Who Don't Get Honored Might "Feel Bad"

Principal David Fabrizio, of Ipswich Middle School in Massachusetts, is facing lots of criticism after making the school’s exclusive Honors Night ceremony an all-inclusive daytime event. Parents of honor students are outraged with the change. Fabrizio has chosen to open the event to all of his students to avoid “devastating” those who didn't make the cut.

“It's been a tradition in Ipswich,” upset Ipswich parent Dave Morin said. “And you're very proud as a parent to go into that night and see your child, as well as some of the other children who made, really, some great efforts.”

Fabrizio sent an email to parents last week declaring his intentions. In the email, he recognized the parents' sense of pride from the event, but said there are other effects too.

“The Honors Night, which can be a great sense of pride for the recipients' families, can also be devastating to a child who has worked extremely hard in a difficult class but who, despite growth, has not been able to maintain a high grade-point average,” his email read.

In the past, Ipswich’s honor roll students were recognized in a separate, private evening ceremony that invited parents. The event will now be held during a school assembly at the end of the school year that recognizes other students' accomplishments in areas ranging from the arts to athletics, reports The Daily Mail.

Principal Fabrizio used the school’s website to respond to his critics. “We changed our Honors Night from an exclusive ceremony at night to an all-inclusive ceremony during the day in the presence of the entire student body,” he wrote. “During this ceremony we will honor those who have excelled in academics, in athletics, in the arts and in the related arts. Any reports to the contrary are incorrect.”

Some took to Facebook to express their displeasure with Fabrizio’s decision.

“I am mortified at the comments Mr. Fabrizio made,” Facebook user Patti Rairden wrote. “Accomplishments should be recognized. They encourage more strides toward excellence.”