5th Grade "Moving Up" Ceremony

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone: So I spent the morning at Maggie's 5th Grade "Moving Up" ceremony. She finished the elementary school, and she's off to middle school next year. I have to admit I went into the ceremony crabby thinking it was kind of silly to have a "graduation" from elementary school. However, I left feeling wistful, nostalgic, and melancholic. I would have been better off with the crabby feelings.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We had the same program for my 5th grader this year. They sang "rainbow connection" and did a slide show summary of the year at the end of the program. I couldn't believe I was sobbing.

I have such mixed feelings about middle school. Of course I remember all the worry and anxiety I felt. I also was a middle school teacher and know how difficult the transition will be.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We had the same program for my 5th grader this year. They sang "rainbow connection" and did a slide show summary of the year at the end of the program. I couldn't believe I was sobbing.

I have such mixed feelings about middle school. Of course I remember all the worry and anxiety I felt. I also was a middle school teacher and know how difficult the transition will be.

Yup, you pegged it exactly. They had a slide show at the end summarizing the year with a whole bunch of "sappy" songs. That's what got me. Plus, I'm anxious about middle school for her as well. It's such a tough time.

 

[cj9200]

Congratulations to both of your children. I have been there and know what you mean. This time last year, I saw my daughter receive her graduation certificate from Middle School. It was a tough yet exciting and successful three years. Sorry to all the moms out there but I think it is tougher for dads. At least it was for me.

Embrace the moment. It seems it was yesterday we were riding Dumbo together. Now she will start her sophomore year in high school and will be learning how to drive. That is scary.

 

[lucky978]

I wish my kids' school had a moving up ceremony. We have nothing. They never even had a kindergarten graduation. :-(

 

[mainegal]

I wish my kids' school had a moving up ceremony. We have nothing. They never even had a kindergarten graduation. :-(

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

"Moving up", this is something I have never heard of!

Eighth grade graduations made sense in a time when young people went to work in factories or farms and didn't finish high school. Now the graduation from high school should be the standard to be celebrated. And further education still needs to be encouraged.

Cheers to all the teachers and students enjoying the summer.

 

[lucky978]

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

It is a great accomplishment for many when they finish their first year of school. For many it's their first year away from their parents in a learning environment. Learning how to read and print their names. I think it's a great accomplishment and it should be celebrated.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

"Moving up", this is something I have never heard of!

Eighth grade graduations made sense in a time when young people went to work in factories or farms and didn't finish high school. Now the graduation from high school should be the standard to be celebrated. And further education still needs to be encouraged.

Cheers to all the teachers and students enjoying the summer.

You know I have to admit I was cynical about the ceremony myself before I attended it. However, after sitting in the audience, I have a new perspective. I think it is nice to take a moment to reflect. We all lead such busy lives these days, and it's nice to take some time and acknowledge the accomplishment. I don't think a moving up ceremony in any way gives the notion that a child's education is complete. As a person in academia, I certainly encourage people to engage in life-long education. However, I also see the value in celebrating the accomplishments along the way. I do think this is a way to encourage education.

 

[fakereadhed]

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

"Moving up", this is something I have never heard of!

Eighth grade graduations made sense in a time when young people went to work in factories or farms and didn't finish high school. Now the graduation from high school should be the standard to be celebrated. And further education still needs to be encouraged.

Cheers to all the teachers and students enjoying the summer.

I think it's more of a way to pump the kids(and parents) up so they can feel more confident in the transition. They have accomplished that grade, they are transitioning to something bigger, and everyone is their to support them so they can feel confident as they move forward.

My DS had his preschool graduation a few weeks ago. They made paper graduation hats and walked across a bridge to get their certificate while the teacher read off their preschool favorites and told their plans for the future. A couple of the kids wanted to be teachers, doctors, construction workers, and few wanted to be kindergartners. Mine wanted to be Spiderman.

 

[SamSam]

My kids had a Pre-school, kindergarten, grade-school, junior high, high school, and college graduations. Each one was special in it's own way, a celebration of that milestone in their lives.

IMO it helps show the importance of education.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm glad that you had a good experience with this. I teach fifth graders and in the school district where I work they are transitional middle schoolers. It's a tough transition, but they definitely get the hang of it. Changing classes, lockers, more responsibilities, loads of teachers, etc. can all be difficult. Add no recess on top of that and boy oh boy what a year! lol

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

"Moving up", this is something I have never heard of!

Eighth grade graduations made sense in a time when young people went to work in factories or farms and didn't finish high school. Now the graduation from high school should be the standard to be celebrated. And further education still needs to be encouraged.

Cheers to all the teachers and students enjoying the summer.

I disagree. I feel that a kindergarten ceremony, no matter how small, is important. Kindergarten is the first real taste of school life. Children are required to spend a large amount of time away from their parents and learn how to behave and function in a school environment. I recognize that many go to pre-school, but kindergarten is a completely different ball game. Unfortunately, the school district I teach in does not have a ceremony for them and I think that's a shame.

I like the idea of another ceremony or "moving up" activity when moving into the high school. That signifies another milestone in one's educational career. I think that's important to recognize.

 

[elemusing]

I am a teacher at an elementary school and I think it is important for kids to celebrate moving up to a new grade for sure. But I do think alot of schools go a little bit crazy with it. I like the way your child's school calls it "moving up" rather than graduation.

I have a friend who thinks we really shouldn't even celebrate high school graduation! She says - children should be expected to graduate high school in this day and age. She says the big celebration should come at college graduation. Something to think about.

 

[daneenm]

I am sorry, but I can't agree. Graduate from kindergarten? What kind of an accomplishment is that?!

"Moving up", this is something I have never heard of!

Eighth grade graduations made sense in a time when young people went to work in factories or farms and didn't finish high school. Now the graduation from high school should be the standard to be celebrated. And further education still needs to be encouraged.

While I do agree about Kindergarten 'gradation,' I thought our school did a great job at the 5th grade 'promotion' ceremony. It is very low key with the principal sending them off with a little talk about moving on to Middle School and how much they enjoyed having them at the Elementary school and will miss them. Each child then goes through a receiving line of sorts where they shake hands with all of the teachers and administrators at the school. A time for the children to thank the staff and the staff to wish them well. It is very understated. After all, they have spent 6 years at the school so a little acknowledgement of their leaving was nice.

As for 8th grade, in our area, I think a lot of people have gone overboard. Renting limos, etc. If you do that for 8th grade, what is there to look forward to?


For those of you facing Middle School, hopefully our experience will reassure you. I an tell you that DD has had her best year EVER as a 6th grader in Middle School. She has always been a very good student, but she really seemed to com into her own this year. We do have a great school with a terrific staff, and I know this is VERY different by school. But truly, from the time she put her little toe on campus, she has felt at home. I think she was just ready to be more independent and move on to bigger challenges. So do not fret, it can be a good experience!