9th grade graduation parties

[okeydokey]

If you wanted to do something nice, I would take her and a few friends out to a nice restaurant, maybe the Melting Pot.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Am I the only person here who is old enough to remember when Graduation meant -High School Graduation? And moving from one grade to another was "PASSING?" I have to admit it was very cute when my DS's preschool had a graduation ceremony...from 3K to 4K! And no party..it never occurred to me. Actually, preK was the last graduation ceremony we had and probably will have until they are out of HS.

Another here who has never heard of a 9th grade graduation.

It depends on what is the norm in your community. I'm 42 and graduations at every stage is the norm here.

I had a graduation from head start way back in the 70s- we wore white dresses. I had a graduation from 5th grade (Catholic School- graduation held in a church - white dresses) in the late 70s. I had an 8th grade graduation (white dress) and prom in 1982. Then a high school graduation(cap and gown) in 1986.

Around here it's normal to have graduations at the end of each stage. It isn't a new thing, it's been going for ages. Most schools even have cap and gowns at each stage. However, the schools I attended (elementary and junior high) did not.

The vast majority of schools will have a little prom for the students in the lunch room or gym. Some junior high schools will rent out a hall for the prom.

I know there are those who think it's crazy to do all of this before high school, but it's the norm here.

Am I the only person on here who went to a Jr High school? We went to elementary through 6th, 7-9th jr high....then off to high school. The only way you were targeted as a freshman was if you played sports at the high school in 9th grade. I actually liked school set up that way. It seemed to divide up the teen angst before high school...lol. We even had a 9th grade prom! To the OP..My suggestion is invite a couple friends over and have fun. That is all I did. I had 3 girls spend the night, have pizza, rent videos and just have fun. Now, when I was in 9th grade in 1989 (arghhh), we got to rent rated R horror because my dad rented it for us! We were wild...ROFL. Not the same as today for sure! Anywho...I say a couple of friends or maybe dinner out with a friend and to the mall/store to pick out a new bag for school or outfit ? Either way, I'm sure she'll appreciate your efforts.

I also attended Jr. high school. As a matter of fact I attended two. The Catholic school was 6-8 grade. (I was only there for 6th grade). The public school was 5-8 grade. Most of our junior highs are now 6-8 grade. A few are 5-8. We have several secondary schools that are 6-12. These schools also hold to sets of graduations and proms. One for the 8th graders and one for the 12th graders.

 

[wdwfan16]

Completing Jr. High is not an accomplishment worth or more than a "Good Job".

 

[disneyjunkie]

Completing Jr. High is not an accomplishment worth or more than a "Good Job".

Again, I think it depends on where you live.

Going from jr high to high school here is a big deal.

8th graders have to apply to high schools in the fall. They have to take entrance exams to get into some schools. Some schools will not allow you to test unless you have a high GPA.

Many junior high schools allow students to take high level course in the 7th grade. That way they can start taking regents exams. You can't graduate with high school without passing certain regent exams. As a result, they are able to take more AP classes when they start high school.

Many kids here work their butts off in junior high school in order to get into a great high school. So yeah, they have earned much more than a "good job".

 

[wdwfan16]

Again, I think it depends on where you live.

Going from jr high to high school here is a big deal.

8th graders have to apply to high schools in the fall. They have to take entrance exams to get into some schools. Some schools will not allow you to test unless you have a high GPA.

Many junior high schools allow students to take high level course in the 7th grade. That way they can start taking regents exams. You can't graduate with high school without passing certain regent exams. As a result, they are able to take more AP classes when they start high school.

Many kids here work their butts off in junior high school in order to get into a great high school. So yeah, they have earned much more than a "good job".

I diagree. They earned the entrance into the high school they wanted to attend. Where I live 9th grade is also part of high school. So what would they be celebrating? Passing the first year of high school?

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

The OP says high school starts in grade 10 I can't believe this topic is getting a little heated.
For grade 8, and grade 12 graduation my friends and I got together and just did a sleep over it was fun. The grade 12 one we camped out in our back yard in our prom dresses (grad was the same day as prom here) and ordered food etc and it was fun

 

[ICF]

I have never heard of a 9th grade graduation party either...

me neither.....

 

[Bren's Mom]

We just went through this last June with dss. The town I grew up in had Jr High (7th and 8th) and a full graduation ceremony from 8th. So did the town where dss's mom lives, same thing. She wanted a family party for dss when he graduated from 8th grade (again, the school has a real graduation ceremony). We had just immediate family (which amounts to 50 people because of my family, dh's family and his ex wife's family) with our siblings, nieces and nephews and all the sets of grandparents. We just did it in the backyard, threw up a few Congrats Grad dollar store decorations. We served his fave foods (taco dip that his mom made, buffalo wings purchased by an aunt and delivered to us, I made several salads, we also had a meat/cheese tray and rolls for sandwiches, and other family members made desserts).

For us (dh and I) it was less about 'graduation' and more about bringing all of the families together for the first time to break the ice so to speak. We get along fine, but our extended families don't all get together. So we felt this would be good for dss to see that we could all do something TOGETHER for HIM. That will make HS graduation, prom night, wedding, etc easier.

 

[pweyl36]

When will this stop? Now and days it seems kids have parties for every thing they do. What happened to "good job"? Whats going to happen when they get jobs a do good,are they going to except a party? I dont know my be Iam just a mean old mom?

 

[blanq]

The only graduation ceremony/party my DS will get is when he graduates from High School. Even then, I am going to give him the option of a party or pocketing the cash I would end up spending on such a party. I am hoping he goes for the cash.

I have never heard of a 9th grade graduation party. I don't think they are common in this area, probably because 9th grade is the start of your high school years here and 8th grade is the end of junior high.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I RESPECTFULLY but strongly disagree with those of you who say it should be just "good job."

No, this isn't merely "passing" to the next grade.

This girl worked her a** off. She did it all on her own. She has taken advanced classes and will go to the high school of her choice. Because of her hard work these last three years, she can enroll in any advanced placement class she wants to. She knows college is in her future and she's working towards it as best she can.

So yes, I think she deserves a party. I don't see what's so wrong about that. She has teachers who will say "good job" but I will be saying I'm so proud of you and your efforts / accomplishments.

This may be the first party she's had. I also cannot believe this, of all topics, has gotten a little "heated."

For those of you who offered suggestions, I thank each of you! After I make a list of possible scenarios, I will ask her what she'd like to do and offer some suggestions as appropriate.


....and for the nay sayers....if you'd re-read my original post.....I wasn't asking if you thought it was a "good" idea......I was asking for information on parties.

 

[blanq]

I RESPECTFULLY but strongly disagree with those of you who say it should be just "good job."

No, this isn't merely "passing" to the next grade.

This girl worked her a** off. She did it all on her own. She has taken advanced classes and will go to the high school of her choice. Because of her hard work these last three years, she can enroll in any advanced placement class she wants to. She knows college is in her future and she's working towards it as best she can.

So yes, I think she deserves a party. I don't see what's so wrong about that. She has teachers who will say "good job" but I will be saying I'm so proud of you and your efforts / accomplishments.

This may be the first party she's had. I also cannot believe this, of all topics, has gotten a little "heated."

For those of you who offered suggestions, I thank each of you! After I make a list of possible scenarios, I will ask her what she'd like to do and offer some suggestions as appropriate.

I think it is just fine you want to throw the party, and it certainly is your perogative. I just think you might not get many responses of ideas for one because it seems that most people are telling you that 9th grade graduation parties are not that common. I don't think that anyone has meant this thread to get "heated"; I know that was not the intention of my response.

 

[allison443]

We just went through this last June with dss. The town I grew up in had Jr High (7th and 8th) and a full graduation ceremony from 8th. So did the town where dss's mom lives, same thing. She wanted a family party for dss when he graduated from 8th grade (again, the school has a real graduation ceremony). We had just immediate family (which amounts to 50 people because of my family, dh's family and his ex wife's family) with our siblings, nieces and nephews and all the sets of grandparents. We just did it in the backyard, threw up a few Congrats Grad dollar store decorations. We served his fave foods (taco dip that his mom made, buffalo wings purchased by an aunt and delivered to us, I made several salads, we also had a meat/cheese tray and rolls for sandwiches, and other family members made desserts).

For us (dh and I) it was less about 'graduation' and more about bringing all of the families together for the first time to break the ice so to speak. We get along fine, but our extended families don't all get together. So we felt this would be good for dss to see that we could all do something TOGETHER for HIM. That will make HS graduation, prom night, wedding, etc easier.

That sounds very nice!

 

[allison443]

I RESPECTFULLY but strongly disagree with those of you who say it should be just "good job."

No, this isn't merely "passing" to the next grade.

This girl worked her a** off. She did it all on her own. She has taken advanced classes and will go to the high school of her choice. Because of her hard work these last three years, she can enroll in any advanced placement class she wants to. She knows college is in her future and she's working towards it as best she can.

So yes, I think she deserves a party. I don't see what's so wrong about that. She has teachers who will say "good job" but I will be saying I'm so proud of you and your efforts / accomplishments.

This may be the first party she's had. I also cannot believe this, of all topics, has gotten a little "heated."

For those of you who offered suggestions, I thank each of you! After I make a list of possible scenarios, I will ask her what she'd like to do and offer some suggestions as appropriate.


....and for the nay sayers....if you'd re-read my original post.....I wasn't asking if you thought it was a "good" idea......I was asking for information on parties.

I know you didn't ask for opinions but I am going to say I think it is very nice of you to have the party for your niece. Your encouragement will undoubtedly help her as she continues on in her academic career!

 

[talulabelle]

Goodness gracious! The OP asked for ideas for a party, whether it should be for friends or just family etc.... she didn't ask if she SHOULD have a party, she didn't ask for a dissertation on how school grades are broken up where you live, she didn't ask if you've ever "heard of a 9th grade graduation" she didn't ask if it would be more proper in your opinion that she just say "good job" to her neice. SHe didn't say she was going to act like the girl was the only child that ever graduated from 9th grade and act like it was an amazing feat, she just wants to mark an occasion for a girl she cares about. Any aunt that wants to do something nice for a neice, that is nice, that is a loving aunt, and I don't care what grade it is or what the accomplishment is.

OP to answer your actual question....my SIL had a middle school graduation party for her daughter, and she just invited the class to the house (it was a very small private school, so the class wasn't more than 15 kids, played music in the basement for dancing, had it heavily chaperoned (parents were welcome to stay to help if they wanted) and had lots of snacks and some kids just played fooseball and video games and things. If you aren't looking to do something this big, then I would have the family for dinner and maybe tell your neice to invite a couple or few of her best girlfriends to help her celebrate. It doesn't matter as much what you do, it's that you are showing her that she is important to you, and that the things that are important to her in life are also important to you and you are marking the occasion.

 

[tinkntraining]

Goodness gracious! The OP asked for ideas for a party, whether it should be for friends or just family etc.... she didn't ask if she SHOULD have a party, she didn't ask for a dissertation on how school grades are broken up where you live, she didn't ask if you've ever "heard of a 9th grade graduation" she didn't ask if it would be more proper in your opinion that she just say "good job" to her neice. SHe didn't say she was going to act like the girl was the only child that ever graduated from 9th grade and act like it was an amazing feat, she just wants to mark an occasion for a girl she cares about. Any aunt that wants to do something nice for a neice, that is nice, that is a loving aunt, and I don't care what grade it is or what the accomplishment is.

OP to answer your actual question....my SIL had a middle school graduation party for her daughter, and she just invited the class to the house (it was a very small private school, so the class wasn't more than 15 kids, played music in the basement for dancing, had it heavily chaperoned (parents were welcome to stay to help if they wanted) and had lots of snacks and some kids just played fooseball and video games and things. If you aren't looking to do something this big, then I would have the family for dinner and maybe tell your neice to invite a couple or few of her best girlfriends to help her celebrate. It doesn't matter as much what you do, it's that you are showing her that she is important to you, and that the things that are important to her in life are also important to you and you are marking the occasion.

OP - what are your niece's interests? I'd use that as my starting point for party ideas.
Also -- if you google "teenage party ideas" you'll get a ton of links. Maybe you'll find a theme your niece would really like.
And, a small outside gathering of family and friends with some great food and music is always a good idea! Maybe her best friends could sleep over for a "pamper party" (hair, nails, facials, make-overs). Do you have a community pool who rents out the pool for private parties at a reasonable price?

And, FWIW, I think you're a wonderful Aunt for noticing and celebrating her accomplishments, especially considering without you, there probably wouldn't be.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Goodness gracious! The OP asked for ideas for a party, whether it should be for friends or just family etc.... she didn't ask if she SHOULD have a party, she didn't ask for a dissertation on how school grades are broken up where you live, she didn't ask if you've ever "heard of a 9th grade graduation" she didn't ask if it would be more proper in your opinion that she just say "good job" to her neice. SHe didn't say she was going to act like the girl was the only child that ever graduated from 9th grade and act like it was an amazing feat, she just wants to mark an occasion for a girl she cares about. Any aunt that wants to do something nice for a neice, that is nice, that is a loving aunt, and I don't care what grade it is or what the accomplishment is.

OP to answer your actual question....my SIL had a middle school graduation party for her daughter, and she just invited the class to the house (it was a very small private school, so the class wasn't more than 15 kids, played music in the basement for dancing, had it heavily chaperoned (parents were welcome to stay to help if they wanted) and had lots of snacks and some kids just played fooseball and video games and things. If you aren't looking to do something this big, then I would have the family for dinner and maybe tell your neice to invite a couple or few of her best girlfriends to help her celebrate. It doesn't matter as much what you do, it's that you are showing her that she is important to you, and that the things that are important to her in life are also important to you and you are marking the occasion.

Thank you! She is a fabulous kid and I just want her to have something memorable. I think you are right -- it probably won't matter "what" we do, it's that we'll be doing something. When her friends are saying that they are having a party or a celebration, I want her to also know she too is having one. And that she too has people in her life who are proud of her.

 

[ICF]

not to hijack the thread, but there are places where kids can choose to go to HS or have to apply to get in??? Are these private (tuition-based HS) or regular ol' Public schools?

Other than a private (ie Catholic or the like) HS I've not heard of applying to or choosing where you get to go to HS. I thought generally it was you lived here and the HS for this area is XYZ School.

 

[summersalt]

My daughter is moving from middle school to high school. She is in 8th grade and will be having a "graduation" ceremony complete with honor awards and all. The parents of the 8th grade class have gotten together and rented a community building. One of the classmates has a teenage brother that has agreed to DJ the party. The mothers are making food and decorating the building. The fathers are responsible for policing the area. It should be lots of fun. We'll see.....

 

[puffkin]

not to hijack the thread, but there are places where kids can choose to go to HS or have to apply to get in??? Are these private (tuition-based HS) or regular ol' Public schools?

Other than a private (ie Catholic or the like) HS I've not heard of applying to or choosing where you get to go to HS. I thought generally it was you lived here and the HS for this area is XYZ School.

I have never heard of that either. I think that is why most of us were a little miffed about why a 9th grade graduation is a big thing. Here you are just moving from middle school to high school isn't really that big of a deal...you are just passing to the next grade that happens to be in a different building.

I guess it makes sense if you are working hard to apply to selective schools and won't be with your friends any longer. But at least in my area public schools are pretty much the norm so you just go to the high school in your district same as all your friends.