Why is our graduation at Eagle Bank???!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, almost no FCPS schools graduate at DAR - only four. The majority graduate at Eagle Bank.

Given the stories I've heard about traffic, timing, accessibility, etc. I'd actually prefer my kid wasn't going to be graduating at DAR (my older one graduated at Jiffy Lube Live due to COVID and, name aside, I thought it was a great choice). The grass is always greener, I suppose.

+1

Jiffy Lube was the only good idea FCPS has ever (EVER) had.

Except for "Jiffy Lube Live" on the graduation programs. Shudder.

My kid graduated two years ago at Jiffy Lube Live and I can promise you that I haven’t looked at the program since. I barely looked at it that day other than brief glances to see where we were in the schedule; I had better things to think about. It’s not like it says Jiffy Lube Live on DCs diploma, which is the paper that matters.

But still.

JLL was ten times better than DAR Constitution Hall, for the record. Not one person in my party was impressed by having the ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall - yet, people STILL talk about how EASY JLL was - to get in and out, to get seats, how great it was to be in a big, wide open venue. JLL is just a better idea, all around.

Yeah us Region 3 folks REALLY love the idea of driving an hour to another county for graduation.

I guess I forgot that western Fairfax is all that matters.

To be fair, these are the parents of kids that graduate at DAR (so Marshall, Madison, McLean and Langley) that is saying JLL is better, not all FCPS parents.

I am (was) a Marshall parent and would have loved JLL as a venue. Graduation days were incredibly stressful because of DAR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that Madison’s (and Marshall, Langley and McLean) graduation will be at DAR next year.

I suspect someone is getting a kickback or at least wined and dined to ensure this happens.

I am certain, but why? No one freaking cares about DAR. It causes unnecessary pains for people to schlep into DC during rush hour. Only to get literally locked out, because traffic made a 20 minute (for which 1.5 hours was allowed) drive literally two hours. Not to mention parking and other logistical factors. There is no reason for DAR to be the "preferred" venue - in fact, it is not "preferred", at all. Who are these people that think graduates need to be at DAR?? Are the people who decide 110 years old and afraid of change?? The change would be most welcome.

This is akin to attending a home team championship parade, only to see more "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" (often with six of their favorite grandchildren) nobodies in the parade vehicles than actual players. The DC venue dilutes major events, instead of enhancing the experience, it seems.

JLL was a far better experience, hands down. Ask anyone who has had both graduation experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, almost no FCPS schools graduate at DAR - only four. The majority graduate at Eagle Bank.

Given the stories I've heard about traffic, timing, accessibility, etc. I'd actually prefer my kid wasn't going to be graduating at DAR (my older one graduated at Jiffy Lube Live due to COVID and, name aside, I thought it was a great choice). The grass is always greener, I suppose.

+1

Jiffy Lube was the only good idea FCPS has ever (EVER) had.

Except for "Jiffy Lube Live" on the graduation programs. Shudder.

My kid graduated two years ago at Jiffy Lube Live and I can promise you that I haven’t looked at the program since. I barely looked at it that day other than brief glances to see where we were in the schedule; I had better things to think about. It’s not like it says Jiffy Lube Live on DCs diploma, which is the paper that matters.

But still.

JLL was ten times better than DAR Constitution Hall, for the record. Not one person in my party was impressed by having the ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall - yet, people STILL talk about how EASY JLL was - to get in and out, to get seats, how great it was to be in a big, wide open venue. JLL is just a better idea, all around.

Yeah us Region 3 folks REALLY love the idea of driving an hour to another county for graduation.

I guess I forgot that western Fairfax is all that matters.

To be fair, these are the parents of kids that graduate at DAR (so Marshall, Madison, McLean and Langley) that is saying JLL is better, not all FCPS parents.

I am (was) a Marshall parent and would have loved JLL as a venue. Graduation days were incredibly stressful because of DAR.

+1

Freaking nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, almost no FCPS schools graduate at DAR - only four. The majority graduate at Eagle Bank.

Given the stories I've heard about traffic, timing, accessibility, etc. I'd actually prefer my kid wasn't going to be graduating at DAR (my older one graduated at Jiffy Lube Live due to COVID and, name aside, I thought it was a great choice). The grass is always greener, I suppose.

+1

Jiffy Lube was the only good idea FCPS has ever (EVER) had.

Except for "Jiffy Lube Live" on the graduation programs. Shudder.

My kid graduated two years ago at Jiffy Lube Live and I can promise you that I haven’t looked at the program since. I barely looked at it that day other than brief glances to see where we were in the schedule; I had better things to think about. It’s not like it says Jiffy Lube Live on DCs diploma, which is the paper that matters.

But still.

JLL was ten times better than DAR Constitution Hall, for the record. Not one person in my party was impressed by having the ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall - yet, people STILL talk about how EASY JLL was - to get in and out, to get seats, how great it was to be in a big, wide open venue. JLL is just a better idea, all around.

To add, the video screens are enormous and crisp and clear, the technology is top notch (for the performers in regular attendance) so that was a nice bonus (at JLL).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just in - unsure if this means JMHS will still have graduation at DAR next year

The Fairfax County School Board on May 11 unanimously approved a $500,000-per-year, sole-source contract with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to rent EagleBank Arena at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus for graduation ceremonies. The contract will run for five years and have a total value of $2.5 million

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 My kid will graduate from JMHS next year and I’m praying for GMU! So much more convenient for my whole family!

x1000000

DAR Constitution hall is a nightmare, and no one cares where the venue is, unless it is made easy for the families - that is what people remember. DAR Constitution Hall is not that, and whose hairbrained idea was that, anyway.

PP and same w/ jmhs grad next year. Ugh. Is there a way we could lobby for GMU?

you all can try, but be forewarned -- there is a loud, intense group of moms at JMHS that will insist on going to DAR, and in the past they have pushed the administration to their way of thinking. Of course, there is a new principal now, so maybe she will respond differently. But, do not under-estimate the pressure that a small group of parents has applied in the past for the sake of "tradition" at DAR. In 2022, the plan was set to not do DAR, but then the pro-DAR group lobbied the principal, and the alternative plan was scrapped... and we all went back to DAR. In 2022, we didn't have a problem with traffic, but I did worry about that. I'm all for whatever has abundant free parking, and is close to where most people live. The focus should be on the graduating, not making it difficult for several thousand people.

You will need to start immediately to lobby for something else -- and who knows if GMU would even have room for another graduation to be added to their schedule. Summer is when these plans are set (usually -- although not in 2022). The administration has to select the date and will notify everyone by mid to late Aug. So, JMHS would need to get on the GMU schedule in the next two months in order for their to be a change. Be aware that there is another issue that may hold some weight for staying at DAR: There are four schools that share the cost for using DAR. If one opts out and tries to go to GMU, the costs may be increased for the three remaining HSs. There could be pressure from the other three schools (Langley, McLean and Marshall) or implied pressure to maintain good relationships, to stay with DAR. But, strike now or expect that it is DAR again next year.

[Anonymous]

Why aren’t graduation at the schools football stadiums? That’s how most of us do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t graduation at the schools football stadiums? That’s how most of us do it.

x10000

Now THAT is actual tradition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just in - unsure if this means JMHS will still have graduation at DAR next year

The Fairfax County School Board on May 11 unanimously approved a $500,000-per-year, sole-source contract with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to rent EagleBank Arena at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus for graduation ceremonies. The contract will run for five years and have a total value of $2.5 million

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 My kid will graduate from JMHS next year and I’m praying for GMU! So much more convenient for my whole family!

Don't count on it.

I totally agree that GMU is more convenient and makes more sense. But, you should accept that it will likely be at DAR... and it's not as hard to get there as I expected. It was a lovely venue for the ceremony. It was frustrating and difficult getting out of the garage. But, really, going to DAR (as out of the way as it is), worked out. Don't make it more dramatic than it has to be. This whole thread is silly. For those going to GMU -- yay!-- enjoy. For those going to DAR --- yay! --- enjoy.

Either option will work out.

+1
And the easiest option for DAR is simply parking at your school or at Tysons and taking an Uber there and back. This really is a stupid thread.

Is your Uber a helicopter that flies over the traffic?

[Anonymous]

If you just can't find joy in your child's happy moments, you are beyond hope. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t graduation at the schools football stadiums? That’s how most of us do it.

Weather

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I graduated there 25 years ago. LOL

Same. How is this news?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t graduation at the schools football stadiums? That’s how most of us do it.

x10000

Now THAT is actual tradition.

Not here where you get afternoon/evening thunderstorms, heat warnings or, like today, air quality issues. Then the back up is the school gym with maybe 1 spectator per student, the rest in classrooms watching on CCTV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley is a small school.

+1

Graduation at the DAR is a madhouse and not as special as you think — Langley and the other schools are there likely because of the size of their senior classes. You have to wait outside until however many minutes before the ceremony, then it’s a mad rush to find seats together. While they will let the elderly and people with disabilities go in through a side door for special seating, other family members cannot sit with them (it’s reserved ONLY for those who need the seats) — we had to sit separately from my parents and it upset them because they cannot hear very well and would have preferred to have us with them to tell them when our so was walking. You cannot linger when the ceremony is over, and you cannot park close. They don’t tell you where the students will exit, so it’s insanity trying to find your students outside — all while trying to get your frail parents out, too.

I think the solution here is to bring less people to graduation. My grandparents didn't come to my HS graduation, and it was ok. Have them go to dinner the next night and have your grad wear their cap and gown again for photos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley is a small school.

+1

Graduation at the DAR is a madhouse and not as special as you think — Langley and the other schools are there likely because of the size of their senior classes. You have to wait outside until however many minutes before the ceremony, then it’s a mad rush to find seats together. While they will let the elderly and people with disabilities go in through a side door for special seating, other family members cannot sit with them (it’s reserved ONLY for those who need the seats) — we had to sit separately from my parents and it upset them because they cannot hear very well and would have preferred to have us with them to tell them when our so was walking. You cannot linger when the ceremony is over, and you cannot park close. They don’t tell you where the students will exit, so it’s insanity trying to find your students outside — all while trying to get your frail parents out, too.

I think the solution here is to bring less people to graduation. My grandparents didn't come to my HS graduation, and it was ok. Have them go to dinner the next night and have your grad wear their cap and gown again for photos.

DP here. Not gonna happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t graduation at the schools football stadiums? That’s how most of us do it.

x10000

Now THAT is actual tradition.

Not here where you get afternoon/evening thunderstorms, heat warnings or, like today, air quality issues. Then the back up is the school gym with maybe 1 spectator per student, the rest in classrooms watching on CCTV.

One LHS taxpayer alone could easily cover the cost of suitable covering of the bleachers. Fairfax county is run poorly because it is simply too big to be efficient. Plus, the whiny few dictate the setting and precedent, not the needs of the many. Also, sheer lack of common sense is prevelant. So, DAR it is.