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

[Anonymous]

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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.

And a tiny handful of parents, at that. What you see on DCUM is not at all representative of how most parents feel. DAR is an incredible venue for graduations.

Is it incredible, but it’s also very inconvenient. Last year, I spent the whole time worrying about where to park and how to get my parents to the ceremony because they are unable to stand in line for a long time, and they are frail. While they had special seating for my parents, we were not allowed to sit with them and it really upset my parents that we were separated. After the ceremony, it was a madhouse and I was so worried about my parents getting knocked over and breaking a hip. I asked them not to come this year.

People keep talking about the parking - why aren't you taking an Uber? It costs about the same as paying for parking. We were zipped there and back, door-to-door. We just parked at the high school. I can't imagine why you'd make things so difficult by driving and trying to park somewhere.

Because sometimes people go to dinner after the ceremony. Because sometimes elderly grandparents can’t easily get into and out of certain cars. Because sonetimes Ubers don’t show up. There are a million reasons why what worked for you might not work for sone people.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Not the PP to whom you're responding and not an LHS parent but...This post is boneheaded and privileged at the same time. "One LHS taxpayer alone could easily cover the cost" to somehow "cover the bleachers" with, what, an awning? You know this would need to be competitively contracted, it's not as cheap as you imagine it is (even for that super rich "one LHS taxpayer" donor you imagine) and the one day the awning gets stuck open would be graduation day...I get it, you hate DAR. So join with other parents to lobby to use GMU, instead of waiting for one sugar daddy donor to make your magical day happen the way you picture it.

And no "cover" for outdoor bleachers makes much difference when the temperature and humidity are high. Sure, you can block some sun. But in 90-plus heat with this area's intense humidity, or during a thunderstorm, it won't help. Storms will still force everyone indoors due to lightning risk; lightning doesn't care about your "cover" unless it's an actual roof. Do you even really live in this area, that you don't know all this already?

Other schools graduate in their own stadiums. Annandale, Fairfax, probably others. It would be easy enough to schedule them in the morning for when heat and humidity and thunderstorms aren’t an issue if everyone did their own. Worst case it moves inside and everyone could still have multiple guests. Our gym holds the entire school, the graduating class would be on the floor, so at least 4 guests per student.

Not sure why the policy isn’t the same for everyone.

Bonus: it would save money.

+1

This.

How much is it to use DAR?

I'm the PP who said there's no room at GMU and parents my kid's year asked all the questions. It's not cheaper to hold the graduation on the school field because they have to rent a lot of equipment to do so. It's cheaper to go in with three other schools and have the graduation at DAR.

It costs over 20k for a 3 hour reservation at GMU. What could they possibly have to rent that would cost $20k+? They already have a sound system from football games and pep rallies, a school full of chairs for students, bleachers for families. Maybe a stage? Surely that is less than $20,000.

Do you honestly think they'd have the speakers talk from the booth lol? They can't use that sound system for a graduation.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:McLean parent here and I wish graduation would be at EagleBank too! Or at least offer shuttles like Marshall.

Marshall's shuttles to DAR (at least as of a few years ago, dont know about the past couple of years) were first come, first served and basically very limited space. But I'm not knocking that -- I thought it was good that the school did provide some limited transportation for those who weren't the grads themselves. But shuttles aren't a solution for most attending. Side note: We found the DAR graduation pretty easy but we did not have any elderly or disabled relatives attending and the timing (I think it was 11 a.m.) was good for getting in and out of the city that day. Tip for those who want to drive and not Uber: Use Spot Hero or similar websites/apps but do it well in advance of graduation day.

Spot Hero took our reservation money but had given away the spots and would not let us enter. The attendant just said "We are full" and walked away. We had to rush to find alternative spots, literally ran back down the street and to DAR locked the doors. We had to wait until after the procession. When we contacted Spot Hero, they basically said "it happens."

For next year's parents: Budget AT LEAST two hours of driving/parking/logistics time.

Why on earth would you drive and not take an Uber?

We have a family member who uses a wheelchair. Getting an accessibke uber is very difficult.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Not the PP to whom you're responding and not an LHS parent but...This post is boneheaded and privileged at the same time. "One LHS taxpayer alone could easily cover the cost" to somehow "cover the bleachers" with, what, an awning? You know this would need to be competitively contracted, it's not as cheap as you imagine it is (even for that super rich "one LHS taxpayer" donor you imagine) and the one day the awning gets stuck open would be graduation day...I get it, you hate DAR. So join with other parents to lobby to use GMU, instead of waiting for one sugar daddy donor to make your magical day happen the way you picture it.

And no "cover" for outdoor bleachers makes much difference when the temperature and humidity are high. Sure, you can block some sun. But in 90-plus heat with this area's intense humidity, or during a thunderstorm, it won't help. Storms will still force everyone indoors due to lightning risk; lightning doesn't care about your "cover" unless it's an actual roof. Do you even really live in this area, that you don't know all this already?

Other schools graduate in their own stadiums. Annandale, Fairfax, probably others. It would be easy enough to schedule them in the morning for when heat and humidity and thunderstorms aren’t an issue if everyone did their own. Worst case it moves inside and everyone could still have multiple guests. Our gym holds the entire school, the graduating class would be on the floor, so at least 4 guests per student.

Not sure why the policy isn’t the same for everyone.

Bonus: it would save money.

+1

This.

How much is it to use DAR?

I'm the PP who said there's no room at GMU and parents my kid's year asked all the questions. It's not cheaper to hold the graduation on the school field because they have to rent a lot of equipment to do so. It's cheaper to go in with three other schools and have the graduation at DAR.

It costs over 20k for a 3 hour reservation at GMU. What could they possibly have to rent that would cost $20k+? They already have a sound system from football games and pep rallies, a school full of chairs for students, bleachers for families. Maybe a stage? Surely that is less than $20,000.

Do you honestly think they'd have the speakers talk from the booth lol? They can't use that sound system for a graduation.

Our pep rallies have microphones on speakers in the middle of the field, music played from the box.

I think for $20,000 we can get creative. That’s a boatload of money for a 3 hour rental.

And again, how do Annandale and Fairfax manage it from their fields? It clearly can be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PP to whom you're responding and not an LHS parent but...This post is boneheaded and privileged at the same time. "One LHS taxpayer alone could easily cover the cost" to somehow "cover the bleachers" with, what, an awning? You know this would need to be competitively contracted, it's not as cheap as you imagine it is (even for that super rich "one LHS taxpayer" donor you imagine) and the one day the awning gets stuck open would be graduation day...I get it, you hate DAR. So join with other parents to lobby to use GMU, instead of waiting for one sugar daddy donor to make your magical day happen the way you picture it.

And no "cover" for outdoor bleachers makes much difference when the temperature and humidity are high. Sure, you can block some sun. But in 90-plus heat with this area's intense humidity, or during a thunderstorm, it won't help. Storms will still force everyone indoors due to lightning risk; lightning doesn't care about your "cover" unless it's an actual roof. Do you even really live in this area, that you don't know all this already?

Other schools graduate in their own stadiums. Annandale, Fairfax, probably others. It would be easy enough to schedule them in the morning for when heat and humidity and thunderstorms aren’t an issue if everyone did their own. Worst case it moves inside and everyone could still have multiple guests. Our gym holds the entire school, the graduating class would be on the floor, so at least 4 guests per student.

Not sure why the policy isn’t the same for everyone.

Bonus: it would save money.

+1

This.

How much is it to use DAR?

I'm the PP who said there's no room at GMU and parents my kid's year asked all the questions. It's not cheaper to hold the graduation on the school field because they have to rent a lot of equipment to do so. It's cheaper to go in with three other schools and have the graduation at DAR.

It costs over 20k for a 3 hour reservation at GMU. What could they possibly have to rent that would cost $20k+? They already have a sound system from football games and pep rallies, a school full of chairs for students, bleachers for families. Maybe a stage? Surely that is less than $20,000.

Do you honestly think they'd have the speakers talk from the booth lol? They can't use that sound system for a graduation.

Our pep rallies have microphones on speakers in the middle of the field, music played from the box.

I think for $20,000 we can get creative. That’s a boatload of money for a 3 hour rental.

And again, how do Annandale and Fairfax manage it from their fields? It clearly can be done.

Not saying it can't be done; just saying it's not cheaper than renting a space.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Reid has said she doesn’t like the outdoor graduations so they are ending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent here and I wish graduation would be at EagleBank too! Or at least offer shuttles like Marshall.

Marshall's shuttles to DAR (at least as of a few years ago, dont know about the past couple of years) were first come, first served and basically very limited space. But I'm not knocking that -- I thought it was good that the school did provide some limited transportation for those who weren't the grads themselves. But shuttles aren't a solution for most attending. Side note: We found the DAR graduation pretty easy but we did not have any elderly or disabled relatives attending and the timing (I think it was 11 a.m.) was good for getting in and out of the city that day. Tip for those who want to drive and not Uber: Use Spot Hero or similar websites/apps but do it well in advance of graduation day.

Spot Hero took our reservation money but had given away the spots and would not let us enter. The attendant just said "We are full" and walked away. We had to rush to find alternative spots, literally ran back down the street and to DAR locked the doors. We had to wait until after the procession. When we contacted Spot Hero, they basically said "it happens."

For next year's parents: Budget AT LEAST two hours of driving/parking/logistics time.

Why on earth would you drive and not take an Uber?

We have a family member who uses a wheelchair. Getting an accessibke uber is very difficult.

+1

Not to mention, Uber runs into the same exact traffic that any other vehicle does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Reid has said she doesn’t like the outdoor graduations so they are ending.

Plus, there have been 2 graduation shootings this week.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PP to whom you're responding and not an LHS parent but...This post is boneheaded and privileged at the same time. "One LHS taxpayer alone could easily cover the cost" to somehow "cover the bleachers" with, what, an awning? You know this would need to be competitively contracted, it's not as cheap as you imagine it is (even for that super rich "one LHS taxpayer" donor you imagine) and the one day the awning gets stuck open would be graduation day...I get it, you hate DAR. So join with other parents to lobby to use GMU, instead of waiting for one sugar daddy donor to make your magical day happen the way you picture it.

And no "cover" for outdoor bleachers makes much difference when the temperature and humidity are high. Sure, you can block some sun. But in 90-plus heat with this area's intense humidity, or during a thunderstorm, it won't help. Storms will still force everyone indoors due to lightning risk; lightning doesn't care about your "cover" unless it's an actual roof. Do you even really live in this area, that you don't know all this already?

Other schools graduate in their own stadiums. Annandale, Fairfax, probably others. It would be easy enough to schedule them in the morning for when heat and humidity and thunderstorms aren’t an issue if everyone did their own. Worst case it moves inside and everyone could still have multiple guests. Our gym holds the entire school, the graduating class would be on the floor, so at least 4 guests per student.

Not sure why the policy isn’t the same for everyone.

Bonus: it would save money.

+1

This.

How much is it to use DAR?

I'm the PP who said there's no room at GMU and parents my kid's year asked all the questions. It's not cheaper to hold the graduation on the school field because they have to rent a lot of equipment to do so. It's cheaper to go in with three other schools and have the graduation at DAR.

It costs over 20k for a 3 hour reservation at GMU. What could they possibly have to rent that would cost $20k+? They already have a sound system from football games and pep rallies, a school full of chairs for students, bleachers for families. Maybe a stage? Surely that is less than $20,000.

Do you honestly think they'd have the speakers talk from the booth lol? They can't use that sound system for a graduation.

Our pep rallies have microphones on speakers in the middle of the field, music played from the box.

I think for $20,000 we can get creative. That’s a boatload of money for a 3 hour rental.

And again, how do Annandale and Fairfax manage it from their fields? It clearly can be done.

If FCPS wanted to buy tents for cheaper than renting, surely they could and would. But obviously they do not want to do that.

[Anonymous]

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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.

And a tiny handful of parents, at that. What you see on DCUM is not at all representative of how most parents feel. DAR is an incredible venue for graduations.

You might be the vocal minority, that does not make DAR what most people would prefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Because it's usually hot as hell that time of year and many elderly grandparents aren't able to sit outside in the heat. And no one else wants to, either. And if it rains, then what?

Old people are always cold. It's the few petulant, menopausal moms that hate change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, that's definitely what we're seeing on this thread. Actually, every year there is a new group of whiners who think if they complain loudly enough, all the other parents will follow their lead. What they (you) seem to be missing is just how many parents actually LIKE going to DAR for graduation. You may not think it's special and memorable, but tons of others do and in fact, look forward to the day their kids graduate there. Also, leave the "LHS taxpayer" out of this. We're all public school parents and we don't ask certain people to pay more.

That tax part touched a nerve huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Ugh. I would want either DAR or Eagle Bank. Definitely not Jiffy Lube Live.

Seems like a no brained to poll the parents.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Could you possibly be describing the anti-DAR faction? Sure sounds like it.

No. The "anti-DAR faction" hasn't been able to convince the admin to their way of thinking in the past.

In 2022, the admin DID have a plan to use the stadium and had arranged places for additional parking nearby (the change from DAR was b/c the admin thought that DAR would require proof of covid vax, so the admin on their own decided to look for alternate locations). But, when the traditional moms got wind of that ---- NO WAY was a non-DAR graduation going to be allowed! They got the admin to change the plans just a couple months out. The people with connections used them. However, the new principal may feel differently. Or she may not want to rock the boat.

What the PP who wants to spearhead a change should do is first find out if there are any alternative spots at GMU or elsewhere. If there aren't any openings, then s/he needs to come up with some alternatives that the administration could feasibly consider b/c naturally, they are going to say "no" unless there is a good option.

The past principal said the only reason for not doing GMU historically is that they didn't feel they were treated well there. Apparently they did try GMU at least once or twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, that's definitely what we're seeing on this thread. Actually, every year there is a new group of whiners who think if they complain loudly enough, all the other parents will follow their lead. What they (you) seem to be missing is just how many parents actually LIKE going to DAR for graduation. You may not think it's special and memorable, but tons of others do and in fact, look forward to the day their kids graduate there. Also, leave the "LHS taxpayer" out of this. We're all public school parents and we don't ask certain people to pay more.

Take a survey to prove it if you think people really truly prefer to drive into DC during rush hour traffic, and pay to park in a very crowded garage just to see their kid graduate in the lovely setting of DAR.