What is there to look forward to?

[pooh4evr]

My DD had her Pre-K "graduation" yesterday during the school day in their classroom. The teacher made a few comments on how she enjoyed the year, the kids sang some songs then put on little caps and gowns and they got certificates. When they were called up the teacher asked them what they liked most about school and what they wanted to be when they grow up. It was very cute some of the other classes go to the multi purpose room march in to music and I guess it is more formal little too much maybe? But I can understand both sides - DD is very excited to be going to Kindergarten all day 5 days a week. buying her lunch and riding the school bus it will be a huge change for her- on the other hand I always liked the quote from the Incredibles-(I know I won't get it right) but it is something about how we just keep coming up with more ceremonies and awards to make everybody feel special for just doing what it expected of them- now if Dd could keep her room clean that would definately call for a celebration!

 

[Becky2005]

How exactly does a 2nd grader "date"? What is the behavior that these parents find "cute" that is to some people? I think I am confused.

It happens -- I believe it was 4th grade when DD came home and told me that her best friend had broken up with her boyfriend because "he was cheating on her" -- I did a double-take and went HUH? First off, I thought it was bizarre that it would even be considered dating but the parents encouraged it (invited the boy to the movies with their DD, invited him to family sports events, etc... and it was more on the lines of dating, not that these kids were good friends because the "cheating" ended up being the boy was talking to another girl!).

My DD still thinks boys have a bit of cooties.

 

[Feralpeg]

Okay, I knew mine would not be a popular opinion. Each to their own.

I was not referring to paper caps and gowns or things made in a classroom. I was referring to purchased caps and gowns that are basically the same thing my DD just wore at her high school graduation. IMHO that is going overboard. I'm sure it puts a burden on some parents who don't want their child left out, but really would rather not spend the money on something like this.

I am glad that you are proud of your children. I think little programs are fine. However, I think people try to make everything a big deal now days. I know people who purchased graduation gifts when their child graduated from kindergarten and middle school. Yes, it is an accomplishment of sorts, but isn't everything. And, feel free to flame away, it isn't really about the kids. Sure the kids have fun, but they wouldn't know or care one way or the other if the parents didn't make a big deal about it. It is for the parents. So, enjoy you moments with your kids. They grow up very fast.

As for dances, my DD wanted to dress formal for each dance. Okay. So prom came and I said something about it being special. To her it was just another dance. When I was in school prom was only for juniors and seniors. Now, freshman can attend prom as long as they have a date with an upper classman. It just isn't special any more.

It is my opinion and you can all have yours. I think kids grow up to fast and part of that is because things are pushed on them before it is necessary. Some things should be special and reserved for certain times of their lives.

That is my opinion.

 

[corie161]

How exactly does a 2nd grader "date"? What is the behavior that these parents find "cute" that is to some people? I think I am confused.

I don't really see them as "dating". When 2nd grader Susie comes home and says Johnny is Sara's boyfriend, I honestly don't think it means much. I'm not going to go irrate if my daughter came home from school and said she had a boyfriend at age 8. I trust my daughter enough to know that that doesn't mean she's off making out under the bleachers, at that age especially.

For the record, she has never come home and said she has a boyfriend, but has since Kindergarten came home and said that so is so is so in so's boyfriend.

In 2nd grade they still intermingle as friends at that age and a "name" doesn't make their behavior any different.

 

[jennyl772003]

OP, I agree with you with the big to-do's. My DS has graduated 3 times. Twice from EC and once from K. His graduations were the construction paper caps and paper gowns sort though. They graduated, had cake, and went home!

When I transferred to a new school in 7th grade, I was surprised on the big deal they made of 8th grade graduations. All the girls wore prom dresses and the boys wore jackets. I thought it was a little ridiculous. It was a bit of a different situation since this was a tiny school and my "graduating class" only had 16 students, and 12 of them had been together since K.

 

[CheshireVal]

I agree! It is a big woop when you are 5. I hope both ceremonies are wonderful .

It's only a big woop because the schools (and mommies and daddies) are making it into one by dressing them in miniature caps and gowns and handing out fake diplomas. Of course the kid is going to think it's a big deal, because that's what everyone is telling them it is!

MY opinion is that it's not a big deal and shouldn't be treated as such. It's kindergarten!

If my (future) kids end up at a school that does this kind of idiotic ceremony, of course I'll let them participate and I'll be sitting in the front row with a big goofy grin and a video camera. But it's still a silly idea, and I don't think it's really necessary in any way. And I hope that any children of mine won't end up at a school like that because I'd really rather not hassle with it.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I agree that kindergarten graduations may be a little over the top. We had a ceremony but it was the same ceremony that the preschool and nursery school kids participated in. Actually my "kindgergarten graduation" was a circus put on by us the students. At the end all the students got certificates saying they had completed kindergarted, preschool or nursery school, and the kindergarteners also got books that we had filled through our three years at the school, showing how we had grown. I accepted my certificate and book in a clown costume. Nothing graduation type about that

Middle school I feel a little differently about. I feel that maybe caps and gowns are a bit over the top, but there's nothing wrong with a middle school graduation. But then again, when I graduated 8th grade, I'd been in the same school with the same people since 1st grade. We were all going to different schools, and most of us had known each other since preschool. 8th grade graduation was the last time I saw several of the kids I'd grown up with, despite living in the same small town. Girls wore summery dresses, and boys wore dress shirts, dress pants and ties. We walked in to pomp and circumstance (ok that was a bit over the top), and received diplomas (yeah in those leather booklet things). They played our class slideshow, which was a movie of pictures of us since birth. The week before middle school graduation we had an "8th grade celebration", a semi formal dinner dance, at a hotel/conference center about half an hour from our school. The parents did all the decorating for it. We were banned from having dates, but obviously several people did. Some of the girls blew it out of proportion, by getting their hair and nails done, but at that time, the majority of us still looked like innocent 13 year olds, slightly uncomfortable in our dresses and brand new heels. Totally different story now. Same situation, but virtually all girls get their hair and nails done. Have no idea what changed, but it has a bit. But still, the "8th grade celebration" is just that. It's a night to celebrate all the time we spent together, all we accomplished, and what was ahead of us. I wore the same dress for that as I did for graduation

I did have a graduation party after 8th grade grad, as did my sister, and I expect my stepsis will too. Mine was actually the same as high school. I had family, and my friends for a bbq and pool party. Lots of music, laughs, and fun, in my backyard. Nothing catered. Nothing insane. But great memories.

Even after having an 8th grade graduation, my high school graduation meant so much to me. Yes, I'd been honored at the 8th grade award night for my accomplishments there, but there is nothing like wearing honors cords and a cap and gown to really acknowledge what I had accomplished. My high school graduation, class day, scholarship night, awards day, etc all meant the world to me, as I'm sure college graduation will too. Maybe I'm different from most, but I'm able to see each at a different level. Each graduation is a milestone and an accomplishment, but each one is bigger and more important than the last

 

[taylor1293]

I personally didn’t make it a big deal and neither did my girls schools. Yet they both thought it was great?!?! I honestly don't care whether a school has a graduation or not in any grade. Nor do I think it is necessary. I just think it's odd that people are so touchy about it.

If someone doesn't like celebrating their children (which is all that a pre-K/K grad is…a celebration), then I suggest they don't send their children to a school that offers celebrations. What is the purpose of criticizing those that do?

Just curious, what did you find about the pre-K (or K?) ceremony you attended to be so idiotic or such a hassle? Because I didn't feel that way at all, nor did any other parents I spoke to.

It's only a big woop because the schools (and mommies and daddies) are making it into one by dressing them in miniature caps and gowns and handing out fake diplomas. Of course the kid is going to think it's a big deal, because that's what everyone is telling them it is!

MY opinion is that it's not a big deal and shouldn't be treated as such. It's kindergarten!

If my (future) kids end up at a school that does this kind of idiotic ceremony, of course I'll let them participate and I'll be sitting in the front row with a big goofy grin and a video camera. But it's still a silly idea, and I don't think it's really necessary in any way. And I hope that any children of mine won't end up at a school like that because I'd really rather not hassle with it.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh man, mu hubby and I were talking about this the other day. Our "favorite" was 8th grade graduation. As another poster said, "Hello?! Isn't that what your supposed to be doing?" What's so special about that?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Oh man, mu hubby and I were talking about this the other day. Our "favorite" was 8th grade graduation. As another poster said, "Hello?! Isn't that what your supposed to be doing?" What's so special about that?

You're supposed to graduate high school too, yet nobody complains that there's a graduation ceremony for that.

All the ceremonies may have different meanings to different people. I suspect that in the case of my son's pre-K "graduation" (graduation in quotes because there's no caps and gowns, no diplomas, etc.), it's almost more for the teachers of the preschool than for the kids themselves. In the case of many of the kids, my son included, they've been there for 3 or 4 years, so it's a nice moment for his various teachers to celebrate with him one last time before he goes off to his next school.

I agree it's silly, but there's nothing wrong with a little silliness in life.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I agree with the OP - kindergarten graduations with caps and gowns are silly and just a show for the parents. I think caps and gowns are a formal thing that should be reserved for high school/college graduations only. Where's the honor in a cap and gown if kids in preschool to middle school are wearing them for doing what they are supposed to be doing - moving up the ladder to the big, formal graduation day? Sure you're supposed to graduate high school, but the cap/gown/diploma is the major award for making it through each step (grade) you had to pass to get there.

 

[Bob Slydell]

So am I the only one getting their child a Kindergarden class ring?

http://www.oakhalli.com/kindergradrings.asp























































I'm kidding!!

 

[diznygirl]

Okay then, all those in favor of the "silliness" of making a big deal out of nothing:

--take pics of your kids out of your siggies

--don't start anymore threads telling us about what he/she did lately

--take your countdown for your next whatever out of your siggie


OR -

just let it go and let us who want to have a little fun and enjoy a little bit of life. Life is too short to get our panties in a bunch over something so insignificant as a kindergarten graduation ceremony.

 

[MosMom]

At least in preschool they will enjoy it and love you when it happens. By the time they are in high school, they will think the gown is lame and give you bunny ears in grad pictures.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

You're supposed to graduate high school too, yet nobody complains that there's a graduation ceremony for that.

True, but from 8th-9th grade is really just a promotion from one grade to another. When you graduate from high school, well you get the idea.

But, JMO.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I don't think it's a new thing, I had graduation ceremonies for-

Kindergarten- Don't remember if we did cap/gown.

8th grade- I went to a private school where I was with the same class(about 20 kids) for 1st-8th grade. When we graduated, we all went in different directions for high school, so it was a really big deal for us.

Unfortunetly for me, these were both many years ago.

 

[Bob Slydell]

True, but from 8th-9th grade is really just a promotion from one grade to another. When you graduate from high school, well you get the idea.

That's true, but I guess in my experience, it was a little different since for us, it was leaving one school and then everyone going to different other schools (a la HS Graduation). I went to Catholic grade school, it went up to 8th grade, so from there, we didn't all go to the next grade together, we went to any number of different high schools.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

At least in preschool they will enjoy it and love you when it happens. By the time they are in high school, they will think the gown is lame and give you bunny ears in grad pictures.

Wait until college, then it hours-long ceremony and kids design things on the top of their cap. Some are just messages, some are the school mascot, others are structures (darn architects).

 

[stm61]

our district held an 8th gr graduation because the town schools only went to 8th gr. After that we went to a regional hs, so it for leaving the local school district. They still don't have kindergarten graduation. The district my kids are in doesn't graduate until hs, the schools go thru 12th gr.
Last spring the priest asked for all the graduates to come forward and be recognized, meaning the hs kids. He got overrun by 30 preschoolers and kindergartner's! After that he made sure to specify hs graduates at the later masses.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

5th graders ya! Just stupid idea to get them thinking in the way of gaining interest in dating so young. Hey do as you will, but I want my kids to be a lil older before they are introduced to that thank you. JMHO

My community center has dances for kids younger than that (I think it goes up to 6th grade). The horror of it all!

(No I won't be sending my kids--not b/c I don't want them dancing, but not comfortable at this time leaving them alone at a dance. But then again, they are too young right now anyway. My tune "may" change later).