So what are you doing for your 5th grader?

[HollyJoy]

...for their big 'graduation' or 'promotion' to Middle School? Do you throw a big party? Buy a cool gift? What!? My oldest DD will be 'graduating' from elementary school this year, and I feel like I need to do something for her.. We won't be able to do much the day she graduates (maybe go out to lunch), because we have to leave immediately after school for the beach (she has a lacrosse tournament that evening). What are you doing, or What did you do for your 5th grader?

 

[clh2]

No party, no cool gift. It just is not a big deal in my neck of the woods.

Our 5th grade does a "5th grade night" which is a little pomp, a little circumstance. Then many of them went to a local custard stand for some ice cream.

 

[MichelleVW]

5th grade was middle school for my girls. They had an 8th grade "graduation" but I thought it was a little silly and so did they, so we didn't do anything.

 

[Stacerita]

Our elementry goes to 6th grade. I'm letting DD plan what she wants to do. She won't be having an 8th grade granduation since the school she got into goes from 7-12.

 

[HollyJoy]

Apparently it's a big deal around here. I'm on the committee that's planning the whole gig at school.. they get a 'promotion' ceremony, as well as an end of school party (which is going to be a blast!). We've thought about getting her unlimited texting for her cell.. just not sure yet!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Well, for the past few years I told her she'd get a cell phone for 5th grade graduation, but we caved and she got it for her 11th birthday, so I'm at a loss. We'll probably just go out to lunch.

 

[daisyduck123]

We took her out to dinner. That's about it.

 

[debster812]

My 5th grader (this year) has been AT the Middle School since 4th grade, so no big hoopla, as it's really a non-event here in our little town.

 

[Cool-Beans]

This isn't celebrated around here. We did nothing. It was like every other year.

Even after 8th grade we pretty much just say, "Grammar school is behind you. Next year HIGH SCHOOL! Woo-Hoo!" My last one is finishing 8th grade this year.

We do celebrate high school graduation and will celebrate college...for all them, God willing.

 

[MAKmom]

The 5th grade class has a send off at a swim club this year. It is just a big party. DD said this is the first year the boys & girls will swim at the same time, she rather not have the boys see her in a swimsuit. It used to be at the school pool.

 

[SydneyBristow]

Nothing

 

[aprilgail2]

Apparently it's a big deal around here. I'm on the committee that's planning the whole gig at school.. they get a 'promotion' ceremony, as well as an end of school party (which is going to be a blast!). We've thought about getting her unlimited texting for her cell.. just not sure yet!

Its big in the school here but most people don't have parties after it. In school they have the 5th grade trip (I think its the city this year for lunch and a play) they have the party which has a DJ and boulder creek comes and bbq's for the kids. Then they have the celebration where they have their graduation with caps and gowns and then applebees comes and feeds the whole 5th grade class. They also get big goodie bags filled with free kids meals from places, free bowling coupons, other free activities coupons, and a bunch of other freebies plus things like a beach towel, t shirt etc. They get free yearbooks and free 5th grade tshirts with all their signatures on it.

 

[HollyJoy]

Wow! Our 5th graders have to pay for yearbooks, but they do get free Tshirts and a free panoramic pic of the entire 5th grade (they're taking that today!)

 

[MushyMushy]

I hugged her. It never occurred to me to do any more than that.

 

[Kimberle]

4th gr will be the end of ES for my dd. They do have a promotion ceremony and class party/trip. Nobody has "parties", that's saved for HS grad. No gifts. Maybe we'll go out for lunch or dinner.

HS is the milestone, not ES or MS.

 

[Cindy B]

We really didn't do anything for my son. We offered, and he didn't want to.

However, my daughter has friends that will be going to different middle school. Our district has 3 middle schools and kids from her elem. will be going to two of them. About 25% of the class is going to "her" middle school and the rest are going to the local school.

We've kicked around the idea of having some kids over that won't be going to her middle school over. Our kids don't get out untl the very last week of June so we still have two months of school.

 

[aprilgail2]

Wow! Our 5th graders have to pay for yearbooks, but they do get free Tshirts and a free panoramic pic of the entire 5th grade (they're taking that today!)

OH! I forgot that one- they do get the panoramic picture too! They take the picture with all the kids in their 5th grade tshirts! Its really cute, its done on the playground with some hanging from the monkey bars, some on top of the slide etc..

 

[disneygals]

I got my kids something small...the first 2 beanie baby graduation owls and the third some other graduation stuffed animal.

It is a semi big deal here, but since I have 3 girls 2 years apart I always approach these situations with hmmm whatever I do for the first, I have to match with the next two.

 

[agentpleakley]

i'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think this stuff is getting ridiculous. I totally agree with my mother -having all these celebrations diminishes the impact of high school graduation.

I have one in kindergarten and one in 6th grade. Both at the same school. Our school goes pre-K through 8th. Both of my kids have big elaborate graduations this year. DD in kindergarten has a huge ceremony at a church. (Even though this is a public charter school ). Her graduation -- robes, fees, etc - so far has cost me $65.

DS going into 7th grade and not leaving the school has a bigger shin dig. The 6th grade classses get a banquet room at a local hotel, dancing, dinner, ceremony. So far, his graduation has cost me $135.

This is all fine and well, I guess, I can afford these fees...but for crying out loud this is a public school - I'm sure alot of kids' parents can't afford this.

Hmm. I never had a kindergarten graduation, a 5th grade graduation, or a 9th grade graduation -- I survived. Sorry to be the party pooper - but this is just ridiculous, IMHO.

Rant over- flame suit on.

 

[sharlon]

Add me to the "graduations for other grades are ridiculous" group. When my eldest DD left preschool/day care, they had a ceremony with caps and gowns. She was 5. Absolutely nuts. This year she will be leaving 5th and the elementary school to go to middle school. There will be a ceremony/awards event followed by a reception. What's wrong with having one graduation, from high school, when a child has completed all years?