Woodland, CA- 18-year-old Leanna Elizalde knows she's behind in her classes. Since December she had two cancer surgeries and faced weeks of radiation therapy that left her with at least one english class she has to finish in order to graduate on Saturday. "I was falling behind in some classes. But I tried my best to catch up," she said.
Leanna's mother Lupe Ramirez said she asked the school to allow her daughter to graduate with her fellow students, even if she has to finish her classes over the summer. "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.
Woodland High School Principal Evelia Genera responded to News Ten's questions by saying, "Oh, I have no comment," and later adding, "You're not her parent. I'm not at liberty to discuss students with anyone but the parent."
Ramirez said the school told her it will not make an exception to the rule that students must have enough units at the time of their graduation.
Elizalde's doctor, UC Davis Professor of Clinical Surgery, Robert Canter has written to the school to ask them to reconsider their decision, saying, "I strongly believe that (Leanna) should be allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony, and I think that refusal to do so would be construed as a punitive action unbefitting a pediatric cancer patient."
Leanna's mother works for Yolo County Recorder Freddie Oakley, who has also asked the school to reconsider - or at least allow a statement to be read at graduation honoring her. "And I thought someone might take 60 or 90-seconds and say, 'Tonight we also honor Leanna Alizalde, who's been fighting a courageous battle, a heroic battle against cancer."
Leanna plans to make up any unfinished class work during summer school. But she has her cap and gown, and hopes the school may reconsider before graduation ceremonies this Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Original here
Leanna's mother Lupe Ramirez said she asked the school to allow her daughter to graduate with her fellow students, even if she has to finish her classes over the summer. "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.
Woodland High School Principal Evelia Genera responded to News Ten's questions by saying, "Oh, I have no comment," and later adding, "You're not her parent. I'm not at liberty to discuss students with anyone but the parent."
Ramirez said the school told her it will not make an exception to the rule that students must have enough units at the time of their graduation.
Elizalde's doctor, UC Davis Professor of Clinical Surgery, Robert Canter has written to the school to ask them to reconsider their decision, saying, "I strongly believe that (Leanna) should be allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony, and I think that refusal to do so would be construed as a punitive action unbefitting a pediatric cancer patient."
Leanna's mother works for Yolo County Recorder Freddie Oakley, who has also asked the school to reconsider - or at least allow a statement to be read at graduation honoring her. "And I thought someone might take 60 or 90-seconds and say, 'Tonight we also honor Leanna Alizalde, who's been fighting a courageous battle, a heroic battle against cancer."
Leanna plans to make up any unfinished class work during summer school. But she has her cap and gown, and hopes the school may reconsider before graduation ceremonies this Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Original here
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment