Why do HSs have Homecoming dances when nobody goes?

[Anonymous]

PP again, we're not in FCPS. Our demographics are like McLean/Langley.

[Anonymous]

It seems like the private schools don't have as much of an issue with this as the public schools do.

My Senior at a local private has gone to 2 homecomings. Freshman year she actually attended the dance; Senior year only gathered with friends and did not go to the dance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree - times have definitely changed.

Whether it's the not going at all, going with just a group of friends, no dinner, no date, etc etc. I think this generation has clearly shown that there's not a whole lot of interest in attending the actual event. Which is sad for all the people who put so much time and effort into it....

I guess it seems strange to all of us who were so invested in it, but I agree maybe some creative brainstorming and hearing what kids actually want might be a good idea.

From what I gather, getting good pics with your friends for the 'gram seems to be the biggest focus. Then what are they supposed to do? Go to the dance? Why would they do that.....

The 16-18 year olds have already figured it out without the moms stepping in to orchestrate things

They like the traditions they have established.

If the kids wanted to change things, they would have changed it on their own post covid.

[Anonymous]

Langley had over 1,000 kids show up to the Hoco dance. The dance is more like a club with a DJ set up under a huge tent outside. No slow dances, definitely not like the dances from when I was in high school. There was a huge line of kids waiting to get in before the doors opened. Attendance must be school dependent. Maybe some schools have more boring dances?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley had over 1,000 kids show up to the Hoco dance. The dance is more like a club with a DJ set up under a huge tent outside. No slow dances, definitely not like the dances from when I was in high school. There was a huge line of kids waiting to get in before the doors opened. Attendance must be school dependent. Maybe some schools have more boring dances?

Over 1000 sounds about right and the same as the other fcps high schools: most freshmen, a lot of sophomores, and a handful of juniors and seniors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again, we're not in FCPS. Our demographics are like McLean/Langley.

Why do you keep posting in the fcps forum?

There are a bunch of other school forums- go troll there instead

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP again, we're not in FCPS. Our demographics are like McLean/Langley.

Why do you keep posting in the fcps forum?

There are a bunch of other school forums- go troll there instead

+1
It's bizarre how private school parents and/or other public school district parents will post here to tell us how things are done at their schools. Who cares?

[Anonymous]

My 9th grader went to the dance and had a blast. Came home and was talking about it with older sibs (who are no longer in HS) and they were saying how much fun they also had at that same age going to HoCo dances.
I don't understand why would we get rid of this? The younger kids have a great time and it's not like it's some hugely expensive affair. It's in the school gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader went to the dance and had a blast. Came home and was talking about it with older sibs (who are no longer in HS) and they were saying how much fun they also had at that same age going to HoCo dances.
I don't understand why would we get rid of this? The younger kids have a great time and it's not like it's some hugely expensive affair. It's in the school gym.

I completely agree.

A big part of the experience is the 17 and 18 year olds rolling their eyes and saying they cannot imagine even setting a foot into the HoCo dance, even though they look back fondly on how much fun it was when they were freshmen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader went to the dance and had a blast. Came home and was talking about it with older sibs (who are no longer in HS) and they were saying how much fun they also had at that same age going to HoCo dances.
I don't understand why would we get rid of this? The younger kids have a great time and it's not like it's some hugely expensive affair. It's in the school gym.

I completely agree.

A big part of the experience is the 17 and 18 year olds rolling their eyes and saying they cannot imagine even setting a foot into the HoCo dance, even though they look back fondly on how much fun it was when they were freshmen.

Exactly this. My freshman and her friends even heard the rumor that the purpose of it was to welcome freshman to the school. Her senior brother, who didn’t go, laughed at them but it was cute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader went to the dance and had a blast. Came home and was talking about it with older sibs (who are no longer in HS) and they were saying how much fun they also had at that same age going to HoCo dances.
I don't understand why would we get rid of this? The younger kids have a great time and it's not like it's some hugely expensive affair. It's in the school gym.

I completely agree.

A big part of the experience is the 17 and 18 year olds rolling their eyes and saying they cannot imagine even setting a foot into the HoCo dance, even though they look back fondly on how much fun it was when they were freshmen.

It's only fun if youre a freshmen or sophomore.

It's like a kiddie coaster at Kings Diminion. It's fun when youre 5 yr old, but lame when youre older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader went to the dance and had a blast. Came home and was talking about it with older sibs (who are no longer in HS) and they were saying how much fun they also had at that same age going to HoCo dances.
I don't understand why would we get rid of this? The younger kids have a great time and it's not like it's some hugely expensive affair. It's in the school gym.

I completely agree.

A big part of the experience is the 17 and 18 year olds rolling their eyes and saying they cannot imagine even setting a foot into the HoCo dance, even though they look back fondly on how much fun it was when they were freshmen.

I agree as well. My kids enjoyed it very much their Freshmen year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if they could do a different event?

That’s what I’m suggesting. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if they could do a different event?

That’s what I’m suggesting. -OP

Or maybe stop trying to micromanage everyone and just MYOB. Some kids clearly like these dances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When they returned from covid, our FCPS high school administration organized a homecoming dance outside in the parking lot under the stars. They had several tents, food, photo booths and selfie stations, and more.

There was a staffed perimeter around the parking lot to prevent kids from sneaking in and out.

The dance was packed. Lots of upperclassmen attended. Everyone stayed until the end or for a large amount of time, instead of just making an appearance or skipping entirely.

I don't know how much exrra work it was, but shaking things up with something like moving it outside might be fun for the kids.


That being said, over the course of the 10+ years I have had high school kids, other than the outdoor post covid dance, the HoCo dance seems to go like this:

9th grade: "It was so much fun! Everyone was there. (The kids generally stay until the end)

10th grade: "It was ok. It didn't seem as crowded as last year." (Kids arrive a little late after dinner and pictures, then leave early to go to someone's house.)

11th grade: "We dropped in for around 15 minutes. It was soooo boring*." (Kids showed up around halfway through the dance, do a walk through, see no one but freshmen there, and leave for someone's house.)

* Note, the freshman sibling in attendance stayed for the entire dance and came home from the exact same dance saying the dance was packed, everyone was there, and it was so much fun.

12th grade: "We drove by after dinner but the parking lot was empty so we just went to the party."

The homecoming dances are mostly for freshmen and sophomores now.

My observation of my kids and friends’ kids since freshman year has been a day to dress up, go out to eat, then hang out with friends. They aren’t coming home … though a handful may go to the football game. Usually those are the kids whose parents are alums. There isn’t much coming together for anything among the students.

Truly, this event needs to be rethought.

-OP