Thanks, but . . .

I would like to heap praise on the staff and administration at AC Stelle Middle School where my son just finished the eighth grade. Although he had a great three years there under Mary Sistrunk and her fabulous teachers, the final day was a nightmare.

Yes, I am talking about the promotion ceremony held at the school on June 18. The entire program was marred not only by the 114 degree temperature, but by the fact that the audience had to face west towards a setting, sweltering sun. I have grown up in the San Fernando Valley and have yet to go to a cool graduation ceremony, but this one was beyond the pale.

My question to the staff is why would you have the audience face the sun? If the worry is the children would be facing the sun, then set up the stage north-south instead of east-west. It is mind boggling as to the way this was set up. Many families had elderly grandparents with them and the worry of heat-induced health issues was very real to most people.

I have a couple of suggestions for the good people at AC Stelle for next year.

Please consider a later start time. Five o'clock is in fact too early for some people anyway. Why not start at 6:30 or 7 p.m.? The sun stays up late in June and it's much cooler.

Face the audience north-south instead of eastwest. If there are issues with the sound system I am sure there are plenty of parents who would be happy to donate their time and expertise to set up the system to accommodate this change.

Set up easyup tents on the perimeter of the area and make sure to announce to parents that it is allowed.

My hope is that next years class of 2009 will not suffer the same fate as this year's class. Teri O'Connor Calabasas