Tell me what to expect at FCPS high school graduation

[Anonymous]

DC is graduating and all I know is the when and where. The time slot is two hours. What is going to fill up two hours? I mean, they walk across the stage and get the diploma and I imagine there is a speech by someone. What else have you found?

[Anonymous]

They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

+1, and at times it is so painfully boring…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

You said what I did minus the valedictorian language because you used student speaker. Otherwise we said the same thing about the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

+1, and at times it is so painfully boring…

This. They really need to cut down on the speakers. Some are painful to listen to and go on forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels


just hope they talk on how couldn't attend school freshman year, and when they back sophomore year they had to weak mask. not till Junior year things got ack to normal. so pretty much just 2 years of normal high school.

Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

+1, and at times it is so painfully boring…

This. They really need to cut down on the speakers. Some are painful to listen to and go on forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

+1, and at times it is so painfully boring…

This. They really need to cut down on the speakers. Some are painful to listen to and go on forever.

Basically every single graduation is like this. Long, boring, and totally unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

I would go if the person graduating is my child. Other than that, no. Do not make anyone else you love endure this. Invite them to dinner with you after (or to the party at your house).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They process in and sit down and then there’s a graduation speaker, a valedictorian speech, a class president speech. Usually the principal says something. They call the names of all the kids, they turn the tassels. They recess. It’s about 2 hours total.

This is not true. There are no valedictorians, most schools don't have class presidents. At the high school where I teach, this is the agenda:

Process inward
Pledge of allegiance/color guard processional
Welcoming remarks from principal, introduction of all the "distinguished guests" on the stage (school board members, politicians)
Band or chorus performs a song
Student speaker
Faculty speaker
Faculty award to outstanding senior
Read all 500+ names
Turn tassels
Recessional

It takes every minute of the two hours.

+1, and at times it is so painfully boring…

This. They really need to cut down on the speakers. Some are painful to listen to and go on forever.

Basically every single graduation is like this. Long, boring, and totally unnecessary.

You need to create a bingo card to make it fun. For example 1) School board member yucks it up while graduate are entering instead of showing respect. 2) Reader mispronounces student name 2 times, 3) School board member falls asleep 4) Asleep school board member gets on the jumbotron, 5) student trips walking across stage. 6) Student speaker is better than faculty speaker, you get the idea...all the above happened except #2 at DS graduation. Be creative!!

[Anonymous]

The worst was at one of my kid’s schools where the freaking IB coordinator spoke longer than anyone else, including the invited speaker, and blathered on and on about how her IB program turned kids into “global citizens” and “life-long learners,” among other platitudes. I thought she’d never shut up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would go if the person graduating is my child. Other than that, no. Do not make anyone else you love endure this. Invite them to dinner with you after (or to the party at your house).

My parents (DC’s grandparents) live for this kind of stuff. Boring parts and all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The worst was at one of my kid’s schools where the freaking IB coordinator spoke longer than anyone else, including the invited speaker, and blathered on and on about how her IB program turned kids into “global citizens” and “life-long learners,” among other platitudes. I thought she’d never shut up.

Sounds awesome for the kids not in IB