8th grade graduation?

[Kae]

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 don't doing anything around here either. Heck my kids are just thrilled that summer starts. My kids did not have a pre-school grad either. Just a pat on the back & a way to go.

Kae

 

[Becky2005]

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!

That's interesting..we didn't have any party, we didn't even have a ceremony really when I was in 8th grade.

As a matter of fact, we had an 8th grade dance & I had NO CLUE that was some sort of 8th grade graduation thing until they gave each of us a certificate there..want to know what I did? I promptly forgot mine at the dance. They called all the kids that didn't go to the dance down to the office the next day to get their certificates & I was called down.

That tells you how important that piece of paper was to me. I really didn't care as it was pretty much expected to go to 9th grade. It wasn't as if we got to quit school and go out to work after 8th grade. I haven't got a clue where that piece of paper is. I do know where my HS diploma is & my Associates degree though.

I have a hunch if we had done a party, it wouldn't have been received real well since everyone would have been saying "it's 8th grade? Are you nuts?" I suppose I can see the K-8 and if everyone scatters to different HS for the kids but if I invited all the extended family, etc... it would not have gone well.

In our case, you really should have a 5th grade graduation party if you are going to have 8th grade one based on kids seperating out to different schools as there are 2 middle schools here, so the kids split up in 6th grade. They all merge back into 1 public HS so unless they are going to the private ones, they all get back together.

 

[cheermom1]

I have one last thing to say..isn't it a given that all 8th graders are going to the 9th grade with the no child left behind???

 

[taximomfor4]

OP, I would just do whatever you, yourself feel is appropriate. We don't do whatever the people in our area do. If you want a party, have a party. If you want to go out to dinner (just your household), do that.

I put this up there with Sweet 16 party, allowance, cell phones for kids...we buck the norm, and aside from a little grumbling at the initial "NO!", my kids are happy, well-adjusted, and do what is expected of them.

So my advice: who cares what others do. Do what YOU feel led to do.

Now for my opinion...I am a very big proponent of "Natural Consequences" and "Intrinsic Reward." I don't celebrate little things (short of a pat on the back), and let the kids suffer negative consequences with a "Well, I thought your level of preparation implied that this was a result you were content with." For preschool grad, K grad, and 5th grade grad, at least one parent attended and took a photo. We didn't keep the "diplomas", no gifts or party. 8th will be no different. No matter WHAT the "other people" are doing.

 

[cuethemusic]

when I graduated 8th grade my parents just took me out to a nice restaurant and gave me an emerald ring (my birthstone). I know a lot of other kids had pool parties, though.

 

[maslex]

OP here.

Wow, I didn't think this topic would have received so many replies. I guess I keep forgetting that things are different depending on where you live. It's almost like the Easter basket thread that I read this morning. Some people do a chocolate bunny, stuffed animal and some jelly beans while others go all out and get outfits, shoes, games, movies, gift cards, candy, etc. I realize its everyone's perogative to do what they wish.


It's not that I'm thinking of throwing this "party" as a "congratulations, you finished 8th grade" type of thing. But in my area, once you graduate 8th grade you do split up and you have your choice of going to probably 6-8 different high schools. So it's not likely that all friends are going to be together during high school. Which is fine....they will all eventually make new friends. No big deal.

Last year was the beginning of the 8th grade parties for us. We had a nephew and neighbor (close friend) who both had parties at the end of the school year. Nobody around here even blinked an eye when we were invited. They were both pretty simple...one was a cake with some chips, dips, soda. Each guest I believe gave a cash gift. The other party was basically the same with a small cookout. It was all family and family friends that were invited, no other kids from school.

Truthfully, I never thought of just bringing my son out to dinner at the restaurant of his choice. Sounds like something I might do instead of the cookout/party since this is usually what we have at his birthday party in August. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Chelley00]

It's not that I'm thinking of throwing this "party" as a "congratulations, you finished 8th grade" type of thing. But in my area, once you graduate 8th grade you do split up and you have your choice of going to probably 6-8 different high schools. So it's not likely that all friends are going to be together during high school.

That's how it is here. Our school goes from K-8th. Most of them have been together since kindergarten, and now they will be divided among 2 private high schools and 4-6 area high schools. This is why they have the gradutation. It's not just a "congrats, you made it through 8th grade" it's more of a "You've made it through our school and here is one last chance to celebrate with the friends you've had for years.

 

[Anne34]

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.

Not sure where you are in Chicago, but we're in the western suburbs & it is really big here. We have graduation with cap & gown, big dance, etc. All of my dd's friends had parties -- we did not. I expect my kids to go to high school and will celebrate when they graduate from high school.

I didn't grown up in the area and really think its strange to have such big parties for 8th grade. They all go to the same high school, etc. They will all be seeing each other the next year. (2 1/2 months later)

 

[happygirl]

I have never heard of a 8th grade graduation? I would do a nice dinner

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My DD is graduating from 8th grade (grammar school) this coming June. They are having an after-graduation party at the local Knights of Columbus with a dinner, DJ, etc. Instead of having a party for her at home, we're going to WDW in April to celebrate. We'll be going the week she has off for Easter break. It was her choice and, because I raised her right she chose a trip to WDW.

Where I live there is only grammar school and then high school, no middle school, so graduation is a sort of a big deal.

 

[Becky2005]

Not sure where you are in Chicago, but we're in the western suburbs

Far West Suburbs (at least according to ancient phone books. ) & I grew up in the "rival" town. No ceremony, no cap/gown, just the dance we went to. Now, DD had a ceremony and they were basically just told to dress nice. No cap/gown or anything like that. 99.9% of the kids just wore what they wore to the dance.

 

[allison443]

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.

My siblings and I went to catholic elementary school grades 1-8, after that the class split up to attend all different high schools. We had a cap and gown ceremony with a Mass, I think that is common for Catholic elementary schools. Anyway, we did have family parties but that was the normal thing in our family/area. Of course it was expected to graduate 8th grade, just like graduating high school and college was also expected in my family. It was more of a marking a milestone than saying what a great accomplishment it was.

Having an eighth grade graduation certainly didn't devalue later educational accomplishments. All four of us obtained a bachelor's degree right after high school, then:
sibling 1: masters and J.D.
sibling 2: J.D.
sibling 3: second bachelor's, and masters
sibling 4: masters.

Maybe we just liked having graduation parties~~

I will add that my parents were not in a position to help us very much financially, plus we were mostly close in age, so the above was accomplished with scholarships, some loans, and working.
My parents always valued, stressed, encouraged, and expected education. That imo is far more important than whether we had a party.

 

[allison443]

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...

I expect my kids to finish high school and college as well. So I shouldn't have parties for them?

 

[smidgy]

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....

It's from the Disney movie "the Incredibles" the mom was upset with the dad (superheroes, under cover, having to pretend they aren't suopre heroes) becasue he didn't show up for the son's "graduation". he was going from one grade to the next)

 

[smidgy]

we should always praise our children, every chance we get. children can never get enough positive reinforcement for good behaviour.
they finish 8th grade, celebrate with the kids. or the family goes to dinner. buy a little present.
but, nowadays, it has become "offensive" to reward greatness, for fear of offending the others. so every little thing is overblown.
ie, in sports; "participation" trophies. fine, in the younger grades. bu the time kids are in middle school, they need to learn that excellingreaps more rewards than non-excelling.
in our school system, some high schools switched to an "unweighted grade system". that meant, the student who recieved an "A" in a basic class, got the same amount of points as a student who recieved an "A" in an advanced or honors class. so, a student taking all "basic" courses, could have a higher GPA than a student taking honor classes, doing much more work, and harder work. (we wouldn't want to hurt their "self esteem, now!) when my son graduated high school, there were 20(!) valedictorians!
when one of my sons was in middle school, I was on the "school improvement/design team". a teacher wanted to "do away with" try=outs for basket ball, baseball, cheerleading.,etc. his theory: if a student wants to be on the team, let them be on the team..there should be 30 cheerleaders, if 30 kids want to be on cheer team.
I "countered" with.. so, anyone who wants to be in the "Jazz band" should be in it, whether or not they can play an instrument well enough? and, anyone who wants to, can be in the Madrigals, whether or not they can carry a tune? and anyone who wants, can be in the "honor society", no matter their grades?
some of these kids excel insports, and not other areas. I'm sorry other kids aren't athletic enough to "make the team". there are many areas a child can excel. we need to provide them with these opportunities.
but, not everyone can, or will, excel. they need to learn this now, becuase in real life, they will not be hired for a job, just to "help their self esteem". and they will not recieve promotions, just to make them "feel good about themselves".
so, you need to teach kids to try their best, but they won't always be "the best".
"celebrate" 8th grade, praise your children, often!
, but don't let them feel they deserve tons of gifts, accolades, etc. for doing what is expected,or they will have a sense of entitlement their whole lives. and they will never "set the bar" higher than they feel they need to.(and when they get out in the real world, will be surprised that the bar is much higher than they thought)

 

[Wonderlandmom]

I expect my kids to finish high school and college as well. So I shouldn't have parties for them?

Have a party! Let friends gather. But I think giving laptops and expecting others to give money for promoting from 8th to 9th grade is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Misty89]

for eigth grade graduation, we took DD out for Dinner, and had a cake.


for HS graduation in a few months- we are having a big blow out open house at a local park.
and, after she graduates nursing school - we will take a big blowout trip to WDW!

 

[KAMLEM]

My kids did not have a pre-school grad either. Just a pat on the back & a way to go.

Kae

Please don't tell me that people have parties for pre-school graduation. My girls' preschool had a little ceremony at the school but I assumed that's where it ended. I don't know anyone who had a party for pre-school graduation!

 

[luvmy3]

I would save the party for HS graduation. Something to work towards and look forward to for your DS. Promoting to 9th grade is just expected around here.

Birthdays are expected around here and we still celebrate those

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 36 and had one.

My siblings and I went to catholic elementary school grades 1-8, after that the class split up to attend all different high schools. We had a cap and gown ceremony with a Mass, I think that is common for Catholic elementary schools. Anyway, we did have family parties but that was the normal thing in our family/area. Of course it was expected to graduate 8th grade, just like graduating high school and college was also expected in my family. It was more of a marking a milestone than saying what a great accomplishment it was.

Exactly

Have a party! Let friends gather. But I think giving laptops and expecting others to give money for promoting from 8th to 9th grade is a bit ridiculous.

I'll probably give my kids laptops for their 8th grade graduation because they will use them for HS, and maybe the first part of college, I don't really consider that ridiculous at all.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I had a cap & gown graduation from Kindergarten and received the most awesome gift ever: a Mork & Mindy lunchbox to use in 1st grade. It also had some jacks, a jump rope, and a bottle of bubbles.

I had a dress-up graduation from 6th grade and received another awesome gift: an electric typewriter with a spell-check function. I used that machine for my junior/senior high papers, my college and law school applications, and my bar application.

Celebrate the occasion the way you think would be appropriate! Give a thoughtful, useful gift if you want. It's a nice milestone to recognize.