Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances

Anonymous
My son is graduating a an allegedly high preforming feps hs, yet their graduation is on June 10th at 7? unbelievably late. Additionally no parent input or feedback was sought when planning this event, like guest speakers or emails for tickets or etc. Just utter incompetence at every level. My daughter graduated from the same school in 2019. Event was much better planned with stronger communication and parent input, and there was way more fanfare. This year - nothing just dead silence. Feels like fcps has changed. Just adding on to the gloomy vibes. Nobody is making a big deal out of it it feels like. My son loves pageantry and is very disappointed. brabrand needs to come back. How do I change this for my rising junior?
Anonymous
What makes you think the actual ceremony for Chantilly will be any different than in years past? Are you just disappointed that it's not earlier in June or earlier in the day? There are other ceremonies scheduled at Eagle Bank Arena so maybe Chantilly just got a later draw this year.
Anonymous
We are at WSHS and graduating our 3rd. I feel like they move it along and it’s gotta be a simple affair to finish in under 2 hours and be ready for the next one. We’ve never had parent input on any of this.

we also have 7pm which is annoying but we all take turns and have to get the various times and dates.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My son is graduating a an allegedly high preforming feps hs, yet their graduation is on June 10th at 7? unbelievably late. Additionally no parent input or feedback was sought when planning this event, like guest speakers or emails for tickets or etc. Just utter incompetence at every level. My daughter graduated from the same school in 2019. Event was much better planned with stronger communication and parent input, and there was way more fanfare. This year - nothing just dead silence. Feels like fcps has changed. Just adding on to the gloomy vibes. Nobody is making a big deal out of it it feels like. My son loves pageantry and is very disappointed. brabrand needs to come back. How do I change this for my rising junior?


Only you, I guess.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What makes you think the actual ceremony for Chantilly will be any different than in years past? Are you just disappointed that it's not earlier in June or earlier in the day? There are other ceremonies scheduled at Eagle Bank Arena so maybe Chantilly just got a later draw this year.


Exactly, this post seems extremely silly and frivolous.
Anonymous
What is the connection between being high performing and the graduation date?
Anonymous
It’s high school graduation. Very nice but it’s not going to change their lives. You can make a big deal about it and have a party etc. The school doesn’t need to do that for you.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My son is graduating a an allegedly high preforming feps hs, yet their graduation is on June 10th at 7? unbelievably late. Additionally no parent input or feedback was sought when planning this event, like guest speakers or emails for tickets or etc. Just utter incompetence at every level. My daughter graduated from the same school in 2019. Event was much better planned with stronger communication and parent input, and there was way more fanfare. This year - nothing just dead silence. Feels like fcps has changed. Just adding on to the gloomy vibes. Nobody is making a big deal out of it it feels like. My son loves pageantry and is very disappointed. brabrand needs to come back. How do I change this for my rising junior?


I don’t remember parent input for either of my older children’s graduations pre Covid. They get 2hours at the site and each hs takes turns for their start time. You can only do so much in 2 hours.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What is the connection between being high performing and the graduation date?


Entitlement. Simply put.

OP, there is nothing stopping you from putting on the "fanfare" for your child if it's really that important to you and him. While he can't wear 200 cords or medals into the ceremony itself, you can order them and have a professional photoshoot done with your kid wearing all his flair, surrounded by thousand balloons and cheering squad. Just know he can't wear all that stuff into the ceremony.
Anonymous
It is still several weeks out.

Not sure what fanfare should be going on right now. Still have finals, etc.
When my DD graduated there were lots of ceremonies for the particularly high achievers. Most of those were at the school in the preceding weeks. DS did not have the same experience, but he was not the same student.

As for the time, my understanding is that the schools have no choice. DD's was early in the a.m. That was not fun getting there during rush hour. DS, as I recall was in the afternoon. That was a better time.
DD had one of the last slots for the date, as well.

But, I don't remember much fanfare other than the awards ceremonies. (AP Scholar, type thing. Also, awards from departments, etc.) And, those were later than this.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is the connection between being high performing and the graduation date?


Entitlement. Simply put.

OP, there is nothing stopping you from putting on the "fanfare" for your child if it's really that important to you and him. While he can't wear 200 cords or medals into the ceremony itself, you can order them and have a professional photoshoot done with your kid wearing all his flair, surrounded by thousand balloons and cheering squad. Just know he can't wear all that stuff into the ceremony.


Who says they can't wear their cords and medals??
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:All due to equity. Can’t make a big deal about GPA difference of that any HS is better than any other HS in FCPS. Want change stop voting for the ifiots on the school board.


Well FCPS is FCPS across the board let's stop pretending it isn't-GPA's are different but the schools are pretty much the same. With that being said I am not impressed with FCPS overall these days.
Anonymous
If you notice any difference from previous graduations, OP, it's probably due the different team responsible for communication about graduation events. There must be a different set of counselors assigned to that role. Some are more chatty than others.

Schools don't have much choice in date or time. Right now AP exams are still going on until May 15th, so don't expect much until then. Not sure why you're so disappointed. You seem like a glass half-empty sort of person.

If you want to change something, maybe get on the PTA and see if you can't volunteer to assist the graduation team. This is how it works. People who want change badly enough implement it themselves. Otherwise you look like such a loser whining about something without putting in some effort.



Anonymous
He's going to get into polyester robes with tassels and other paraphernalia, and is going to walk across the stage to much pomp and circumstance in a mind-numbingly boring ceremony with endless speeches while you sit on hard seats and wish you were elsewhere. What more do you want? Did he go to prom? Is he having a graduation party or attending parties? Beach week?

I mean come on. So many opportunities to celebrate. Stop whining.
Anonymous
Bring back graduation at Jiffylube live! We’ve graduated four from FCPS schools and this location and ceremony was by far our favorite
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