Graduation Help!

[justjulie]

I know it's early but in our school, the Grade 7 students (read: parents) are responsible for hosting the Grade 8 graduation ceremonies. I'm looking for ideas - what is involved in your graduation ceremony?

Because our gym is so small and we don't have any air conditioning, we're thinking of moving it to a banquet hall and charging a nominal fee of $30 per graduate to cover some of the costs and eliminate having the Grade 7 parents provide all the food.

What does your school do and what do you think of the above idea? It's my turn to help organize and I need some help because there's very little interest and I don't want to have to throw something together at the last minute and have the graduates be disappointed.

Thanks for your input!

 

[MICKEY88]

I'd be more than a little annoyed if I was expected to pay for my childs graduation ceremonies..plus if 7th grade usually covers it..that would mean this years 8th grade parents paid last year for the 8th grade class,and would now have to pay for their own children....doesn't quite seem fair....

I've been to many graduations, and have never seen air conditioning at any of them...and all involved survived quite well.....

 

[justjulie]

I never quite understood why the grade 7's were organizing the grade 8 graduation anyway - they don't usually like the same things to begin with. There has never been a fee before - it was just thrown out on the table for feedback.

Part of the problem is that the 22 grade 7 students/parents are expected to provide food for 270 people and that in itself was time consuming and expensive for the grade 7 parents. Unfortunately, our school is over 50 years old and we've exceeded the fire regulations for safety and a number of parents missed their children receive their award because of space limitations and the extreme heat in the gym.

I'm looking for suggetions on how to keep the majority happy (if that's possible) anyone else?

 

[MICKEY88]

Unfortunately, our school is over 50 years old and we've exceeded the fire regulations for safety and a number of parents missed their children receive their award because of space limitations and the extreme heat in the gym.

the fire regs changes the whole picture...although..I can understand parents missing because of space..I don't think heat is a valid excuse unless they have a health condition.....

is there a high school gym available.....

if the banquet hall is the best option..perhaps you could get local businesses to donate or sponsor the event....or have a fundraiser of some sort...

I'm confused as to 22 7th graders but 270 people..???

 

[justjulie]

Here's the breakdown. The grade 7's are expected to host the entire evening for the grade 8's including graduates and ALL their guests (mom, dad, brother, sister, grama, grampa, neighbour, whoever shows up).

So this year's class is expected to host for approximately 300!

 

[DoeWDW]

First of all, I'd limit the food to punch and cookies! No one is really there for the food - it's just nice to have a little something to drink and the kids will like the cookies better than almost anything else anyway. They will probably all be milling around chatting and punch / cookies are so portable!

Don't forget to ask local grocery stores if they'll donate a few dozen cookies - maybe they'll say yes!

Is there a church or college or theater or fire hall nearby that would let you use their auditorium?? Our local college has allowed us to use their theater for free. I would think a local church or fire hall might be willing to let you use the fellowship hall for free or for a nominal fee as long as you set up the chairs and tear them down afterward.

My best advice - keep it simple! Let us know how it's going!!

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by justjulie
Here's the breakdown. The grade 7's are expected to host the entire evening for the grade 8's including graduates and ALL their guests (mom, dad, brother, sister, grama, grampa, neighbour, whoever shows up).

So this year's class is expected to host for approximately 300!

wow...our high school only issues 4 tickets per grad..that;s why the numbers were losing me.....

I agree with DoeWDW


I'd check local halls to see what ya might be able to get for free.......and solicit donations of food....local businesses usually are happy to do this..and you can never go wrong with cookies ...

 

[justjulie]

I think we're on the same page now. When it came my year I immediately thought of cake and punch immediately following the ceremony.

By the time everything is done, there's very little time for the graduates to have their dance which is really what they want anyway - it's their graduating year and some of the students will be attending different high schools so their dance is really special to them.

I think if we set the time for 7:00 p.m. it gives everyone a chance to eat dinner and then we'll serve "dessert" when the ceremony concludes. If every family baked a cake or two we could probably feed everyone. I love to bake, I'd probably volunteer to bake for everyone!

The problem is the cake/punch would be breaking with tradition and you can imagine the complaining that will come - "last year WE fed everyone "...

Personally, I believe the graduates should be control of their own destiny - they want a nice graduation they should have to fundraise for it - that's life and it's a good life lesson as far as I'm concerned.

 

[MICKEY88]

now that I have more details,,I agree almost 100%....

I'd go with cookies instead of cake for simplicity..it's easier to walk around with a drink and a cookie.than with a drink and a piece of cake...at least it's easier to eat the cookie...

I agree with the fundraining idea, unfortunately when our students have fundraiser the parents are supposed to do all the work, because the school doesn't want the students going door to door trying to sell for safety reasons...it all stems from a student who was killed while doing this ..years ago..somewhere in the USA



try to call a meeting of the eight grade parents and explain the reasoning to minimizing the reception..if they are made aware of the point that it's so the grads have more time for their dance, how can they not agree...

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Isn't the big graduation supposed to be high school graduation?!?
Unless 8th grade graduation is a HUGE deal then keep it as simple as possible.
It makes no sense to me to have one but my high school was also 7th-12th.

 

[justjulie]

Our school goes junior kindergarten to Grade 8 so this is kind of a big one for them. It's a small school too so some of them have been together since kindergarten. With a new high school being built and boundaries being drawn, they will be split into two high schools next year.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

A few years ago I coordinated my son's 5th grade graduation so I know what you are up against. As usual it is the few who coordinate for everyone. My daughter also graduates from 8th grade this year. I have offered to help but not be in charge.

Some ideas...For the 5th grade graduation, we asked every family to either help with set up, clean up, or donate $10 which helped cover decorations and paper products. We also had money from PTO. Also we assigned each family food to bring to the post graduation brunch. Some folks wereassigned egg dishes, some bagels, some muffims. some juice. Also we limited folks to 5 per family altho if someone wanted to bring more, they just had to ask since not all of us had 5 there. Probably 5th grade graduation has gotten a bit out of hand

For 8th grade (different school) the kids plan the majority of the ceremony. Last year I think they had cake and punch and when it ran out, it ran out. The 7th grade parents helped set up and serve but that was it. The kids really did not want a big to-do. They just wanted time to "hang" as they say.

Good luck. Just remember there is no way to please everyone.

Elise