Kindergarten Graduation?

[Ginny Favers]

Your post reads to me as this being a burden to you and an annoyance it entails time off work. Nope I don't know your work situation but I still don't get people getting bent out of shape about it regarding their children and school events activities...your post reads as bent out of shape to me.

Weeeeellll, all I can say is, you read wrong. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[luvmy3]

ugh, they do them here-kindergarten, 5th grade (moving up to middle school) and 8th grade (moving up to high school). one of DD's classmates even has a middle school class ring *rolls eyes*. i've got to take off work for 8th grade graduation. not that i mind, but i think the entire concept is pretty silly. they're just going down the street to the high school. when i went to the same school as DD, all we got was high school graduation, thank goodness.

My dd is in 8th and will be having a Graduation ceremony next month, she too will be just going down the street to the HS. However its not about just moving to a different location, Its means alot more to her, its about her becoming a HS student, getting a little bit older and a little bit more mature. I don't think its silly at all to mark that milestone, I may even get her a present.

 

[charming23]

I am 27 and we did not have a kindergarten graduation. I do remember that we had a class picnic on our last day.

I did however have a preschool and 5th grade graduation. They went all out for our preschool graduation. It was at night so it made it easier for family to come. My Grandpa recorded the whole cermony and we sang songs, wore caps, and recieved diplomas.

My fifth grade graduation was more of an honor's ceremony. The band played and choir sang, then we had a large picnic.

 

[luvsJack]

My dd is in 8th and will be having a Graduation ceremony next month, she too will be just going down the street to the HS. However its not about just moving to a different location, Its means alot more to her, its about her becoming a HS student, getting a little bit older and a little bit more mature. I don't think its silly at all to mark that milestone, I may even get her a present.

I totally agree! Dd IS getting a present, she and her bff are throwing a graduation party the night before AND we are taking them to the beach the next day!!

This is my baby, the last one I will have leaving 8th grade! She will now be an "Aggie"!!! (the mascot for the high school she will graduate from, I graduated from and both her brothers as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles, graduated from). Around here for OUR school its a big thing.


Its a milestone in thier lives, just like a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary or graduating high school. Its a new step into something else.

Leaving Kindergarten and going to 1st grade, while it may just be down the hall, is a milestone. In many schools there is a huge difference between Kindergarten and 1st grade in the way the kids are taught, treated, etc.

Additionally, getting that cute little diploma gives them a sense of accomplishment. I really believe, its a good thing.

 

[Terry36]

My dd is in 8th and will be having a Graduation ceremony next month, she too will be just going down the street to the HS. However its not about just moving to a different location, Its means alot more to her, its about her becoming a HS student, getting a little bit older and a little bit more mature. I don't think its silly at all to mark that milestone, I may even get her a present.

I could have written this post as well. DD is also having a moving up ceremony this year to HS. She's getting a present and me and a group of the parents are throwing a party after. It's definately a joyous occassion and another notch in her belt!

 

[englishteacha]

We had a kindergarten graduation in 1985. Mom was a stay at home mom, and my big brother (in his early 20s) had the day off, so he came too. We made paper hats, sang some songs, and showed off our work to our families. I think with more parents working during the day, it's harder to expect parents to attend daytime events. We had an 8th grade "promotion" ceremony, too, in the evening. It was essentially an awards night, followed by a dance for the 8th graders. It would be nice if you could get the time off to go to your DD's "graduation," but as a teacher I understand that's not always possible. When my own DD has stuff during the school day in the future, I likely won't be able to attend, unless I take a personal leave day. (I teach in a different school district 25 miles away.)

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a 38 y/o ds, a 35 y/o dd, and a graduating 18 y/o dd. None of them has graduated from anything other than high school or college. For me? I think it's silly, but that's just me. Our kids always have a big school wide field day the last week of school. The kindergartners have their special 'field day', in back of their classrooms. It's very cute and parents are welcome to come and enjoy with the kids. I guess I feel that it just waters down the whole high school graduation if they have already had previous celebrations. If you are 'graduating' every few years, what's the big deal leaving high school???
And it's just another way for parents to spend even more money...and in this economy, that's not always a terrific thing. But, I'm old and cranky I guess.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i'm 36 and i had one.

both of my older kids have had one. i think they're adorable. their ceremonies were in the evening, so we just went out to dinner afterwards.

 

[suzannen]

I totally agree! Dd IS getting a present, she and her bff are throwing a graduation party the night before AND we are taking them to the beach the next day!!

This is my baby, the last one I will have leaving 8th grade! She will now be an "Aggie"!!! (the mascot for the high school she will graduate from, I graduated from and both her brothers as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles, graduated from). Around here for OUR school its a big thing.


Its a milestone in thier lives, just like a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary or graduating high school. Its a new step into something else.

Leaving Kindergarten and going to 1st grade, while it may just be down the hall, is a milestone. In many schools there is a huge difference between Kindergarten and 1st grade in the way the kids are taught, treated, etc.

Additionally, getting that cute little diploma gives them a sense of accomplishment. I really believe, its a good thing.

My DD had a kindergarten graduation and this is how her school treated it; it was considered a real stepping-stone. I had no real expectations, but that little ceremony turned out to be one of the cutest, sweetest events my DD has ever been involved in. They did a little play, sang some songs, and each said what they wanted to be when they grew up. My DD declared that she wanted to be either a marine biologist or a manicurist! She then received a diploma and a formal handshake from the headmaster.

In less than a month, my DD will receive her high school diploma, a formal handshake and an emotional hug from that same headmaster, so I've been thinking of that first graduation a lot recently and being nostalgic. Try to work it out to be there, I don't think you'll ever regret it!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

What is this? The only thing I got when I graduated from kindergarten was a big kick in the butt toward first grade.

What do I say? "Congratulations, you're nowhere near the end of your educational journey and guess what? Now the REAL work begins!"?

I am 41 and never had or heard of a Kindergarten graduation nor anyother class graduation except for high school & college,however my DD is in kindergarten and now I am secretly hoping she will have one...I think it would be very cute and simple..but I love, love, love the comment : "Congratulations, you're nowhere near the end of your educational journey and guess what? Now the REAL work begins!"? made my dreary Friday afternoon.

 

[rwdavis2]

Everything for kids these days is turned into an event. Too much if you ask me. Graduations: kindergarten, grade school, middle school, and finally the real one: high school.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Everything for kids these days is turned into an event. Too much if you ask me. Graduations: kindergarten, grade school, middle school, and finally the real one: high school.

If you read all the posts though, it isn't just kids "these days" that this is happening for. Again, I'm 39 ... and 34 years ago, I had a kindergarten graduation. This isn't a new trend.

(34 years ago ... )

 

[js]

What is this? The only thing I got when I graduated from kindergarten was a big kick in the butt toward first grade.

Now DD is talking about the ceremony, which I will have to take off of work for, and I just got an email from the teacher asking us all to write a letter to our children that she will put into a keepsake book. What do I say? "Congratulations, you're nowhere near the end of your educational journey and guess what? Now the REAL work begins!"?

Help! Is this a big deal? Do the kids dress up? Should I invite her grandparents to the ceremony? Do I need to give her a gift? And what do I write in this letter? Ack!!!

Oh my! All I can tell you is enjoy the time and the gradution.
My dd is graduating HS and moving to college the end of the summer and I wish I was at the beginning again being able to do some things over.

I am sure you are only joking about the keepsake letter but I am sure you can come up with something since your dd seems to be proud of her accomplishment, no matter how trival you seem to think it is.

I've had to/will have to take off for graduations (both children) but hey, isn't that why we have vacation and sick time. If you don't want to use it for graduation for your child, when would you.

Enjoy (I hope).

 

[js]

If you read all the posts though, it isn't just kids "these days" that this is happening for. Again, I'm 39 ... and 34 years ago, I had a kindergarten graduation. This isn't a new trend.

(34 years ago ... )

I am 45 and remember my kindergarden graduation so you are very correct.
It has been happening, at least, for almost 50 years!

 

[js]

Everything for kids these days is turned into an event. Too much if you ask me. Graduations: kindergarten, grade school, middle school, and finally the real one: high school.

My kids don't have a middle school.
We have Pre-K, K and 8th grade.
We have a graduation for each and so happy we were able to enjoy the milestones with our children.
Go me!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

My kids don't have a middle school.
We have Pre-K, K and 8th grade.
We have a graduation for each and so happy we were able to enjoy the milestones with our children.
Go me!

I'm all about enjoying my time with kids and milestones blah blah blah, but I am seriously getting burned-out by all the very important activities and programs at my kindergartner's school that as a parent I just can't miss. If it was just a graduation, that would be one thing, but it seems like every week since Easter there is a very important event that is a tradition at the school that is just so special and important and the kids love it and it means so much to everyone...

 

[js]

Your post reads to me as this being a burden to you and an annoyance it entails time off work. Nope I don't know your work situation but I still don't get people getting bent out of shape about it regarding their children and school events activities...your post reads as bent out of shape to me.

To the OP, ditto for me.
Your post came across as this is a big burdon to you and an annoyance. Maybe that was not your intention but it sure spells out that way. I am sure
it may be a big deal and of course no one knows your situation but you told us your feelings about your dd's kindergarden graduation on a public internet forum so that is what we are basing it on. Hopefully you have saved a sick day or a vacation day, which I am sure you did and hopefully seeing how happy your dd is, will make all these feelings disappear.

 

[Styx Fan]

I have no problem with a kinder graduation, but really think it should be in the evening to allow more parents to come.

What I do have a problem with is how crazy our school goes over 6th grader graduation. I like the evening actual program....in DS's year, they showed a young picture of each kid as they walked across the stage. There was cake and lots of pictures. I made a point to take lots of group pics and even now they are priceless. They have all grown up so much in the last 3 years!

But the rest of the activities surrounding the 6th graders that last month of school is nuts. There is the 6th grade vs teachers kick ball game, 6th grade on-site luncheon...DS's was a Mexican theme with lots of decorations, etc. There were several other activities as well.

There is the district wide 6th grade business luncheon. Local business folks join the kids for a dress-up lunch at a banquet hall, one adult per table, so the kids learn about careers. Um, no they don't. The girls compare clothes and the boys see how much soda they can consume. The kids are bored stiff beyond that. And most of the adults are far from interesting to sit with. I think our school does this for the media releases they do every year...great publicity.

Come on folks, this is graduating from the 6th grade. Acknowledging it is one thing, but getting out of 6th grade is hardly a huge achievement in this century in our neck of the woods.

 

[js]

I'm all about enjoying my time with kids and milestones blah blah blah, but I am seriously getting burned-out by all the very important activities and programs at my kindergartner's school that as a parent I just can't miss. If it was just a graduation, that would be one thing, but it seems like every week since Easter there is a very important event that is a tradition at the school that is just so special and important and the kids love it and it means so much to everyone...

I understand and I do get it. I work, my dh works and my kids both attend priviate HS and grammer school.
I am one of only a few handful of moms that work in my ds's class let alone the school. Some things I just know I have to miss. Sucks, yes but it is what it is. I do know when graduations are and have them in my calendar, they cannot be missed, regardless of the grade. But, Holiday Fair, plant sales, during the day, I just don't go and my child has known this. When they were younger, a grandparent would go if we couldn't but I know what I can/should and shouldn't miss.

My ds's school also has parent/teacher meetings after the report card from
12 pm - 2 pm. Thankfully, I don't have to go and talk to the teacher about bad report cards BUT, I can tell you that the first report card each year, MUST be picked up 12 pm - 2 pm, so I have that in my calendar and I KNOW I have to go. Stinks again but it is what it is.

I am sure the op just is a new parent and this is all new to her.

 

[DeaverTex]

Mrs. Tex, Tex Jr., and I didn't have kindergarten, fifth grade, or jr. high graduation ceremonies. They all sound kind of silly to me.

But as long as they don't involve proms, limousines, rented tuxes/expensive wear-it-once dresses and drinking, then I can't find too much fault in them. Whatever cocks your pistol.