geordiegirl2

We've just come back from our 5th graders graduation ceremony OMG :scared: my uni graduation wasn't as big, can't imagine what it will be like when the graduate from college.
There was a formal ceremony, giving out certificates, refreshments, speeches and parents everywhere hugging and congratulating children.
There were gifts being given out all over, balloons, flowers etc, I bought a card just because i thought i should and my hubby grumbled we're becoming too american I can't believe it does it just get bigger as they go through school?

Celsius

Your post makes me think why can't the kids enjoy being kids instead of being treated like miniature adults?

TouristTrap

Are you kidding??? Of COURSE it does!! Wait until their highschool prom!!

geordiegirl2

Yes I knew the answer, can't wait for high school

ladyofthelake

My daughter had her 5th graduation last week. I couldn't believe it either. All the kids got a certificate, but when I looked at my daughter's, all it said was she had completed 5th grade. Big whoop. I can't see the point of a big 'do' to celebrate them completing something we all expect them to do anyway.
I'm especially narked as her end of year report showed that she only got 55% for her end of year Math test. When I asked her for an explanation, she said it was actually a good score, as the teacher had only covered 50% of the Math curriculum for the year! WTF!! So the certificate wasn't even factually correct.

I seriously don't know what to do about schooling these days as it's so shit. My daughters FCAT score (the state standadised test) was at level 4 (above average) out of 5, for reading when she started at this school in 3rd grade. Last year her score went down and she was level 3 (average), now this year her score is even lower and at level 2 (below average)
So for all the nice clean looking rooms and environment at this 'A' grade school, the overall education here stinks. Sorry, rant over.

dunroving

When I lived in the Bahamas, they even had graduation from kindergarten. Ridiculous. I mean, you can't exactly fail kindergarten, can you?

I think all of this BS is part of the stupid idea in the US that everyone has to succeed at everything and if you pursue your dream, anything is possible. I mean, I must have called Pam Anderson a million times and even camped on her front lawn for a month, and she still hasn't proposed to me!

At my university, we allow students to "walk" before they have actually graduated (i.e., before they have completed all of their classes). It's not unusual for someone to subsequently fail their final intrenship or fail their final semester of classes (they do get tougher, after all) and never complete their degree - but they have a picture of them receiving their "diploma". Utter nonsense.

User Name

It's plain nuts, totally overblown ...

Ozzidoc

Is there the equivalent of a school governor? Or the school head? Complain, complain, complain!!!!!

geordiegirl2

I know exactly what you mean, my son got a certificate and they'd put his name as Samuel, he's Sam, was registered Sam and Christened when I asked they said they assumed being 'British' it was shortened from the more formal name
As for the education I too am in a quandry, my 7th about to be 8th grader is not acheiving anywhere near what he can and no one gives a toss, because he's a straight 'A' student, he's putting in no effort at all, and another thing, not that i think it will effect his grade, they kept the final math and english tests until this week, they finish school today, what child especially teenagers are focused at this time of year ( rant over )

I find the principal all mouth really, they have a school counciller whose less than useless whenever i talk to her she pulls up his record and says his grades are great, his behaviour fine, and the board of govenors i have no idea about, i'll look into that. thanks.

Ben

Thank goodness we live in a school district that isn't like that. My daughter is moving from middle school to high school this year and we received a note home from the Principal of the Middle School stating NO LIMOUSINES under any circumstances - they will be turned away! No Ball gowns, expensive dresses or tuxedos! They do have 'moving up' ceremonies but I like the idea of them. They give out certificates for great improvements, perfect attendance records for their time in Middle school, and for those students who have been on honor roll for the whole time in middle school etc. They did the same for the year they move from elementary to middle school.

Dunroving, I always thought that was stupid the way that graduation happens before all grades are in and before some have finished taking all their classes to graduate. You are given either a letter telling you that as long as all requirements are in you have graduated, or a blank piece of paper rolled up and tied with a ribbon!

mozoo

My daughter's last day at school is 31 May. Her actual graduation ceremony is 7 June - that will be the day she wears her cap and gown and receives her high school diploma.

Her prom was last Saturday - she refused to wear the "generic" type of dress that the majority of American girls gravitate towards and opted to do something completely different. Her frock was Oriental inspired, she looked stunning, and was completely comfortable for the entire night. And she is refusing to have any kind of graduation party/celebration, preferring to celebrate her 18th birthday back in England in July with family and friends.

I am counting my blessings!

peacelover

It is OTT but the one thing all the graduation/celebration builds is confidence.

dunroving

I don't think the average American needs any extra help in that department.

Jerseygirl

That's an understatement.

geordiegirl2

I think this is where it comes from though, all through school their told their the best, come from the land of the free, greatest place on earth.
After we had been here about a year our youngest came home saying he'd been learning about the constitution and how he had the right to bear arms :scared: ( over my dead body i replied) and the right to frredom of speech(you've always had that I replied it didn't start when you got here)
I think people really believe they are the only country that has that