gift for 8th grade graduation

[JENOS]

We usually go out to dinner (kids' choice) at report card time and end-of-the-year to celebrate good grades/passing a grade, but we don't make a big-big deal out of them accomplishing what's expected of them. Their dad sometimes brings them grocery-store flowers, which makes them feel very grown up.

If you feel that you should do something more to celebrate, the high school sweatshirt is a good idea -- it's not over-blown, and it's something you'd buy next year anyway.

The laptop is not a great idea. High school kids need access to a computer for homework occasionally -- mainly word processing and printing -- but they don't require it so often that they need a laptop of their own. We have two family computers and one printer (for two adults and two teens, both in honors classes), and we don't have problems sharing. Unlimited access to a computer is more likely to encourage excessive gaming or Facebooking than additional time spent on homework. IF your student takes an online course (which doesn't happen 'til senior year here), a computer of his own might be in order, but before that it's a luxury and a time-suck. I teach high school, so I know what I'm talking about!

Your student WILL need a laptop for college, but it's better to go away with a new, up-to-date computer at that time -- not four-year-old technology. So if you're buying a laptop NOW for an 8th grader, you should absolutely plan to replace it when he starts college; only you and your budget know whether that sounds like a little splurge or a huge sacrafice.

Something a new high schooler will need is a graphing calculator. The TI-84 Silver Edition Plus (I sound like a commercial) is the big boy on the block and will see your student through high school and college courses, meaning that although you'll pay a big price, you won't have to replace it in a couple years.

DD did power point presentations in 7th grade…. She also uses it for her reports that she has to e-mail to her teachers and organizes all her pictures and music on her laptop. If you don’t want them on facebook then limit their internet use. I use Cisco connect and restrict wireless for her since she could either go on her laptop or IPod touch and do face time. If I didn’t she would be on till midnight and would never sleep, that just the way kids are her age. You can also restrict texting the same way.
Plus NO sharing on my computer, I spent too much money and time to build it to have something happen to it.

 

[JENOS]

Wow, I feel like the minority here thinking that a gift is necessary to show them appreciation for being good students . (Doesn’t have to be money or something extravagant) I agree with people that say (I expect my daughter to graduate 8th grade) but since she also is in honors, taking AP math for the last three years, does track and plays the violin I think a gift is in order. Showing your child a bit of appreciation is no different than receiving a bonus at work, it is provided to show appreciation for hard work.

 

[Brenda in CA]

I get that 8th grade promotion is expected, but I don't get why people are so against marking that milestone with any kind of celebration/gift. After all, we celebrate birthdays, and those are expected and just happen.

We don't go all out, but we do have our family over for a BBQ and we do get the kids a gift.

My daughter has worked hard this year. Math has been a real struggle for her and for awhile we didn't think she was going to get to participate in the 8th grade promotion activities because she was having trouble passing the math proficiency test. We got her a tutor and she has worked hard and luckily will get to participate in the promotion activities.

Was her promotion an expectation of ours? Yes
Was there a possibility that she wouldn't have met that expectation? Yes

So, we will celebrate this milestone, just like we celebrate other milestones and have a gathering of our family and give her a gift.

To the OP: Depending on what you want to spend, here are some suggestions:

Barnes & Noble gift card
iTunes gift card
iPod
Netbook or Laptop
Cash
Bedroom makeover (to look more grown up)
High School sweatshirt
Gift card to favorite store
Trip to local amusement park/water park with a friend
Necklace or bracelet (nothing fancy)

 

[Pixieflip]

I guess "graduating 8th grade" is a regional thing and just depends on where you live. We do not have it here, but my MIL is appalled, aghast and horrified that we don't!! They are taking my DD14 and her cousin who is also graduating 8th grade to WDW this summer. That's okay, it's a fun tradition. But we don't have a ceremony or anything formal. The school has a luau themed Bon Voyage party, but that's about it.

Whether you do or not, really depends on what your kids' friends are doing. I'd never make my kid be the only one whose family refuses to celebrate the graduation that everyone else is!! If I lived where this was a big deal, I'd do something - nothing extravagant, but something fun and special. I like the idea of jewelry or something lasting, rather than cash. Even the Disney Stock is a great idea - I'd probably do that for my sons.

 

[shortbun]

My son will be finishing 8th grade this year, too.

He isn't getting anything.

Yeah, we went out to eat. No gift. He did earn a basketball court in the backyard by achieving his goal for grades for the whole year. Just making it out of 8th grade=no gift.

 

[SaraJayne]

Yeah, we went out to eat. No gift. He did earn a basketball court in the backyard by achieving his goal for grades for the whole year. Just making it out of 8th grade=no gift.

We'll probably go out to eat, just to celebrate the year being over, and not having to fight every. single. night about $#^& homework.

 

[RRL38]

We usually go out to dinner (kids' choice) at report card time and end-of-the-year to celebrate good grades/passing a grade, but we don't make a big-big deal out of them accomplishing what's expected of them. Their dad sometimes brings them grocery-store flowers, which makes them feel very grown up.

If you feel that you should do something more to celebrate, the high school sweatshirt is a good idea -- it's not over-blown, and it's something you'd buy next year anyway.

The laptop is not a great idea. High school kids need access to a computer for homework occasionally -- mainly word processing and printing -- but they don't require it so often that they need a laptop of their own. We have two family computers and one printer (for two adults and two teens, both in honors classes), and we don't have problems sharing. Unlimited access to a computer is more likely to encourage excessive gaming or Facebooking than additional time spent on homework. IF your student takes an online course (which doesn't happen 'til senior year here), a computer of his own might be in order, but before that it's a luxury and a time-suck. I teach high school, so I know what I'm talking about!

Your student WILL need a laptop for college, but it's better to go away with a new, up-to-date computer at that time -- not four-year-old technology. So if you're buying a laptop NOW for an 8th grader, you should absolutely plan to replace it when he starts college; only you and your budget know whether that sounds like a little splurge or a huge sacrafice.

Something a new high schooler will need is a graphing calculator. The TI-84 Silver Edition Plus (I sound like a commercial) is the big boy on the block and will see your student through high school and college courses, meaning that although you'll pay a big price, you won't have to replace it in a couple years.

I teach highschool also and our highschool kids do far more than use word processing software and print out things. My son has had a laptop since he was in 6th grade and he uses it nightly for homwork.

If a laptop is an option for the gift, I don't see where you can go wrong. As a parent you just have to limit the personal time they spend on the computer.

 

[mhsjax]

Wow, I feel like the minority here thinking that a gift is necessary to show them appreciation for being good students . (Doesn’t have to be money or something extravagant) I agree with people that say (I expect my daughter to graduate 8th grade) but since she also is in honors, taking AP math for the last three years, does track and plays the violin I think a gift is in order. Showing your child a bit of appreciation is no different than receiving a bonus at work, it is provided to show appreciation for hard work.

I see your point and maybe that is the difference between us. Mine is graduating 8th grade this year. NO he won't be getting anything He is in some honors classes and some pre AP classes. (here they don't have true AP classes until HS) Anyway, he is also active in other areas and is an all around great kid. But, we reward as we go, he has gotten lots of different things and been abel to do extra things> Fro example. He will be going to Universal Studios with his class for 8th grade reward trip. My DH will be going down the night before without the rest of the family and checking into a hotel on property and just sleeping there. There are 5 of us in the family and he will take those 5 hotel keys and give them to DS and 4 of his friends so they will have fast passes at Universal. So yes in a way, he is getting something, we just don't say it is a graduation present.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

High school kids need access to a computer for homework occasionally --

I teach high school, so I know what I'm talking about!

ALL HIGH SCHOOLS ARE DIFFERENT and the one my kids go to, require a computer for homework every day.

I feel that I'm probably not the only one here with kids in school who are required to have a computer every day and not just for word processing. They use the spreadsheet software, all kinds of graphics software and layouts etc.

OP - congrats on your child's 8th grade graduation!

I think a laptop is a great idea so your highschooler to be can get lots of experience with it.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Wow, I feel like the minority here thinking that a gift is necessary to show them appreciation for being good students . (Doesn’t have to be money or something extravagant) I agree with people that say (I expect my daughter to graduate 8th grade) but since she also is in honors, taking AP math for the last three years, does track and plays the violin I think a gift is in order. Showing your child a bit of appreciation is no different than receiving a bonus at work, it is provided to show appreciation for hard work.

I'm in the minority with you. I know it all depends on where people live and what the school traditions are. I never think it's a bad time to show appreciation for hard work!

 

[luvmy3]

When I saw this thread I knew there would be a ton of "nothing, its no big deal, its expected, yada yada yada. People need to do what they feel is right for them, so while 8th grade graduation isn't a huge deal, and is definitely expected, I will be giving something to my kids to mark the milestone.

OP, what about a nice piece of jewelry, something she will have forever. It doesn't have to be expensive to be meaningful.
A spa day, or mani's and pedi's for the two of you.
If you want to go a more educational route, what about a nook, or Kindle.

 

[m&m's mom]

This is an interesting thread. I have never heard of anyone getting a gift for graduating from 8th grade. Here there is not even a ceremony for 8th grade.
Youngest DD is "graduating" from Elementary School and oldest DD is "graduating" from middle school. Neither one is getting anything and I am one of those who celebrate everything.
Now, High School and college and beyond gets your $. More advanced degree- more $.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I haven't even really given any thought to an 8th grade gift for my son.

I really like the idea of :

Cash ($100)
ID Bracelet (engraved with his name) and $50 cash
Single Stock (Nintendo would be the one we would get)
http://www.oneshare.com/

We are going to Great Wolf Lodge the day after school gets out, but have already told him that is to encourage him to get his grades up (and it has worked so far).

He has had a rough year mentally on him - the teen years are always tough - so I think the GWL will come at a perfect time!

 

[NVDisMom]

I also have an eighth grader that will be heading off to high school next year. Our middle school doesn't have a ceremony, but we do 8th grade awards. She is in the honors/pre AP team rotation as a GT student, participates in Advanced Choir, the annual theatrical production and is student body secretary. She is one busy kid that puts in a lot of hours doing school things when other kids are out shopping, watching tv, or playing video games. We are always getting compliments about her work ethic and ability to give to others. What can I say? I'm a proud momma! But, we aren't getting her a gift for promotion. We reward her throughout the year for being the great kid that she is. I'm sure we will go to dinner that night after awards. She will be getting her own prepaid, reloadable Visa card (at some point over the summer), but that is more for my convenience than hers. I never carry cash. I already know her on again, off again $5/week allowance isn't going to cut it for high school. I will probably get her a small Coach wallet to carry it and her ID in for her birthday. And the first time we have an event at the high school will be when she gets her high school sweat shirt. So, I guess she gets the gifts without the title. KWIM?

And the laptop? She's had her own for a year and needed it desperately for a year before that. Maybe its DD's teachers, but she does so many power points with clip art, full color posters, large word documents (more pictures included), etc that she was on my computer every night. Add student gov't documents and easy access to music and theatrical production notes/updates...Well, I wanted my computer back! LOL DD wishes she had time to Facebook for hours. She isn't adept at Facebook and has very little clue as to what World of Warcraft (whatever ts called) is, but she is quite proficient at Microsoft Office and Photoshop.

 

[southern_redhead]

My son will be finishing 8th grade this year, too.

He isn't getting anything.

I think some very bored Mom's planned this thing.

Amen to the above. Here, our kids graduate PRE-school, Kindergarten, FOURTH grade, Eighth grade, and then (finally, whew!) High School. By the time they get to 12th grade they are a bit jaded. Some parents here have done things like limo rides and renting boats for 8th grade "graduation parties" The school has even taken to doing the formal pictures for 8th graders in the annual Unless you have a child who really struggled and overcame obstacles to "graduate" jr high and be promoted to HS I can't see what the big deal is.

ETA: Maybe I came across as a grump (I am today LOL) I don't mean my kids never get rewarded. They are GOOD kids, they have manners (unheard of with some of their friends), they are great at caring about others needs, they know what they DO is more important than who they ARE (we aren't ever going to be the "must have" sports family here ) We have a big Christmas, their birthday gifts are piled ceiling high, I treat them to small outings "just because I like 'em", etc... I just think that all the mini-graduations and hoopla we have surrounding them here steals some of the thunder of HS and college graduations.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I see this as a kind of trend where kids celebrate graduating from pre-k, k, 5th grade ect...Just like every kid gets a trophy kind of thing, which I, personally, do not agree with, either. I want their HS and college graduations to be THE BIG DEAL and not, ho hum, for them.

I agree!

Wow, I feel like the minority here thinking that a gift is necessary to show them appreciation for being good students . (Doesn’t have to be money or something extravagant) I agree with people that say (I expect my daughter to graduate 8th grade) but since she also is in honors, taking AP math for the last three years, does track and plays the violin I think a gift is in order. Showing your child a bit of appreciation is no different than receiving a bonus at work, it is provided to show appreciation for hard work.

AP math? As in Advanced Placement? In middle school? I think AP must mean something different in your area than it does in mine. Here AP means a college level class with a test at the end and if the kids score a 3 or better they may be able to receive college credit.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Hmm... I am glad to see the responses to this are all over the place. I think it just depends on your own family traditions. But, I really like the high school shirt idea. We don't usually celebrate things like this in our family like I said before, but I really like this idea.

 

[Aliceacc]

My daughter is graduating 5th grade and going to middle school.

We're taking her out to lunch and getting her her very first phone. She'll need it in middle school to let us know if she'll be on the late bus.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

If she doesn't already have a cell phone that would be nice - high school is a busy time and you can keep track of her better that way.

I didn't need one when I was that age - I always used a pay phone - but they're hard to find these days! I can't think of the last time I noticed one when I was out and about.

I don't think graduating 8th grade is such a milestone... but starting high school - that is Huge and worth celebrating

Something sentimental like a scrapbook or a journal would be less expensive but a nice gift too. I also liked the idea of the high school logo merch.

Good luck to your grown up girl

 

[powellrj]

I know something my DD has used this year is a Nook. Its been nice because they have been reading many classics that she can download free and can get pretty much any book she needs on-demand. Its really helped out this year!

BTW, she is a freshman in HS.