8th grade graduation?

[DisneyBamaFan]

Got to go with Mr Incredible on this one...

 

[mjkacmom]

I never had an 8th grade graduation or a kindergarten graduation. Just high school.

When did 8th grade graduations become so prevalent? I'm only 21 and no one I knew had one.

I'm 43, and had one. My kids are in the same district as I was in, and dd13 will graduate from JH, ds11 from 6th grade, and we'll go out to dinner.

 

[golfgal]

Our kids had a "ceremony" which consisted of most of the kids dressing up and most of the parents sitting in uncomfortable metal chairs in the gym listening to 8th grade girls talk really, really, really fast about how great middle school was . The parents then went into the library and had fake orange juice and cookies while the kids watched a power point of pictures from their middle school years. The parents went home, the kids had a dance in the gym and then the kids all went to Dairy Queen. I think we might have given the kids an Itunes gift card, maybe. In our old town the kids went to a Catholic School so the 8th grade graduation was a little more formal and included a Mass and some awards presentations. They just aren't that big of a deal in our area overall though.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I didn't have an 8th grade graduation; just a 6th grade one.

Our elementary schools are K-6; Junior High is 7 and 8.

 

[Becky2005]

Same here. I think we would be laughed at around here if we threw an 8th grade grad party for our kids. That's not so say that it isn't the thing to do in other places and there is any thing wrong with it.

That is what it is here. I don't know a single person who did an 8th grade graduation party. We have an 8th grade dance and then there is a promotion ceremony. There is also an 8th grade pool party toward the end of the year but it's held during the school day.

I don't even think we went out to dinner for DD. I know we didn't get her anything.

However, I know other places it's the norm, so I guess I would do whatever is typical in your area.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it's great he knows what he wants to do! I dated a guy in HS who did parttime at the vocational HS, learning about "small engines". He's probably rolling in the dough now!


We did have an 8th grade ceremony*; I still remember the dress I wore (and shoes and earrings). But I'm not sure if my mom took me to dinner...I know I didn't have a party or go to a party!


Was graduated from HS in '87, so...'83 would have been finishing 8th grade...

 

[r4blessings]

We are a K-8 district (very small district...ds11 only has 59 kids in the 5th grade) and kids have a choice of three neighbooring high schools to attend. Kids spread out pretty evenly to all three so there is no guarantee that they will attend HS with their close friends from elementary or middle school.

At the school, they have a big 8th grade graduation ceremony on a Friday night, cap and gown, etc. Its a very big deal here, b/c they are leaving their hometown school and really won't see their teachers/coaches or classmates often. So many of my friends have thrown parties for their graduating 8th grader. Not so much to get/give a gift but rather to celebrate their early years with the people they spent time with before moving on to a new district.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Just wondering if you did anything special for your child when they graduated from the 8th grade.

My son will be graduating this June and was accepted into his choice of high schools (a technical school) He wants to take up automotive.

Anyhow, I was thinking of throwing him a graduation party, sometime in June. Probably going to be like a cookout/pool party (if it's warm enough) but with the kids, I'm sure they'll be in by that time. LOL

Should I also get him a "gift" of some sort. And if so, what?

What have you done?

My parents did throw a party for me when I graduated from 8th. I think for my gift I asked for a week away at basketball camp.

I say throw him a party and get him a gift. Maybe a 25HD tv for his room, a laptop, new cell phone or new clothes.

Enjoy the celebration.

Jason

 

[MichelleVW]

we did nothing because going from 8th grade to 9th grade really isn't that big of a deal to us. The schools didn't really do anything either.

 

[Shelton123]

Just wondering if you did anything special for your child when they graduated from the 8th grade.

My son will be graduating this June and was accepted into his choice of high schools (a technical school) He wants to take up automotive.

Anyhow, I was thinking of throwing him a graduation party, sometime in June. Probably going to be like a cookout/pool party (if it's warm enough) but with the kids, I'm sure they'll be in by that time. LOL

Should I also get him a "gift" of some sort. And if so, what?

What have you done?

Nothing.

We had a graduation ceremony, I thought it was so stupid. It's not a big accomplishment to graduate middle school, honestly.

My parents did throw a party for me when I graduated from 8th. I think for my gift I asked for a week away at basketball camp.

I say throw him a party and get him a gift. Maybe a 25HD tv for his room, a laptop, new cell phone or new clothes.

Enjoy the celebration.

Jason

Now THAT is ridiculous. I'm sorry, I don't even have a TV or my own laptop, and I'm in 9th, and my family is well off. Nor do I expect to get any of those things, especially for 8th grade graduation. Sorry, graduating middle school isn't some big accomplishment. I think it's really annoying how people hype it up so much.

 

[cinderellascastle29]

Our 8th grade graduations are a big deal here. I had a party almost as big as my high school graduation party. We had a barbecue type party with a lot of food and a lot of people. I thought that was normal

ETA: OP my parents got me a ring with my birthstone in it ( I still have it) and other family gave me bonds and money.

 

[disykat]

Now THAT is ridiculous. I'm sorry, I don't even have a TV or my own laptop, and I'm in 9th, and my family is well off. Nor do I expect to get any of those things, especially for 8th grade graduation.

I'm glad you said that. When I read that I thought "well, at least my son has clothes!" No tv, laptop, or cell phone for my 9th grader. He'll get the cell phone when he turns 16 and a laptop for high school graduation.

 

[smidgy]

Got to go with Mr Incredible on this one...

I can't believe no one else caught this! "they keep finding new ways to celebrate mediocrity"

you are expected to finish 8th grade. it's not a huge accomplishment.

that being said, I think a kid's party is a good compromise. let all the kids in his class have fun, and buy him a reasonablegift.
IMO,it's pushy to invite your own friends and relatives, making them feel obligated to give a gift.
when invited, we go to high school graduation parties, and give a cash gift. we decline invites to 8th grade "graduations"

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

That is what it is here. I don't know a single person who did an 8th grade graduation party. We have an 8th grade dance and then there is a promotion ceremony. There is also an 8th grade pool party toward the end of the year but it's held during the school day.

I don't even think we went out to dinner for DD. I know we didn't get her anything.

However, I know other places it's the norm, so I guess I would do whatever is typical in your area.

Weird - 8th grade graduations are all the rage here. Everyone has one. Maybe because we have been at the same school from K-8 and everyone goes to different high schools. But it is a celebration

Cash gifts are given - I know I had a rented hall, a band, and catering..... and this was in the 1980s!

 

[Wonderlandmom]

If you want to have a party so they can see their friends, have a friend party. I just don't understand all these huge expensive gifts for completing 8th grade! Wow.

Our MS did have a ceremony, NO caps and gowns. Most people thought it ridiculous. I did not invite family. The 8th graders went to Busch Gardens one school day, and they also had a picnic/outside play day another school day. We heard of no parties.

HS graduates have parties around here, and laptops are the normal gift from parents, money from others. If you give all this after 8th grade, HS graduation loses some importance and significance, IMHO.

 

[aprilgail2]

I never had an 8th grade graduation or a kindergarten graduation. Just high school.

When did 8th grade graduations become so prevalent? I'm only 21 and no one I knew had one.

I am 46 and back in the "old days" when I graduated from Jr. High we had a big ceremony and they still do at the same school. It takes places outside-all the big wigs in the district talk, congressmen etc. You get called up one by one to accept your diploma and shake hands with all the big wigs.
Right now we are dealing with 5th grade graduation- they actually do it with caps and gowns! Many of my friends are saving this event to give their kids their first cell phones (more kids in 5th have one right now than don't).
I already know what we are doing for my daughters 8th grade graduation and its really not a gift to her but for both of us. I retire at the same time she graduates from 8th grade. We are leaving the day after graduation for a road trip around the US. We had planned this trip for years and it just happens to fall on her graduation year so she won't be having or attending anyone elses parties.

 

[MichelleVW]

Weird - 8th grade graduations are all the rage here. Everyone has one. Maybe because we have been at the same school from K-8 and everyone goes to different high schools. But it is a celebration

Cash gifts are given - I know I had a rented hall, a band, and catering..... and this was in the 1980s!

I'm sorry, but IMO that's just crazy to give cash gifts for passing 8th grade!

 

[cheermom1]

I can't believe no one else caught this! "they keep finding new ways to celebrate mediocrity"

you are expected to finish 8th grade. it's not a huge accomplishment.

that being said, I think a kid's party is a good compromise. let all the kids in his class have fun, and buy him a reasonablegift.
IMO,it's pushy to invite your own friends and relatives, making them feel obligated to give a gift.
when invited, we go to high school graduation parties, and give a cash gift. we decline invites to 8th grade "graduations"

I was wondering what disneybamma fan meant? I would like to know. as I said myself I think it is way to much...HS grad. is something to celebrate but bot 8th grade. sorry there some things that are just expected..and that is why so many young people think they should be recognized for everything in their life. of course this is MO....

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I was wondering what disneybamma fan meant? I would like to know. as I said myself I think it is way to much...HS grad. is something to celebrate but bot 8th grade. sorry there some things that are just expected..and that is why so many young people think they should be recognized for everything in their life. of course this is MO....

I was trying to say, in an unoffensive way, that passing the 8th grade has no more significance than passing the 7th or 9th - or 1st, for that matter. People should celebrate whatever they like, but I would not celebrate this. If we moved to an area in which it was celebrated, I would still not celebrate it. I wouldn't buy a gift or attend a party for someone celebrating it.

To me, it is silly...

 

[cheermom1]

I was trying to say, in an unoffensive way, that passing the 8th grade has no more significance than passing the 7th or 9th - or 1st, for that matter. People should celebrate whatever they like, but I would not celebrate this. If we moved to an area in which it was celebrated, I would still not celebrate it. I wouldn't buy a gift or attend a party for someone celebrating it.

To me, it is silly...

We agree than..the only thing we did was go to the ceremony b/c the kids were in it, no caps or gowns. and ordered pizza mainly b/c I didn't have time to cook... I didn't buy them anything nor threw a party and it was just me and dh. no other family members showed up either. we all felt the same way passing 8th grade was just expected...