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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've still got two years to worry about it, but this thread has me considering getting a hotel room in DC for the night before graduation, especially if we have the early time slot.

We had the early slot yesterday at left our house at 8:00 am. We were in our seats by 9:20. You don’t need to arrive the night before lol.

How did you know to leave two hours ahead?

And from where??

Not the PP, but they tell you that for a 10:00 ceremony, the doors open at 9:00, and seating is first-come, first-served, so mot people aim to arrive by 9:00.

Did all of your guests live under the same roof? Because sometimes it is difficult to logistically herd one's guests, even if your number is limited to the six allotted tickets. It was difficult enough for one car to find parking - never mind several. If you have limited family, then the DAR idea sounds great on paper.

Also wondering how people acquired the reserved box seats in DAR? Weren't all of them reserved?

The respondents in favor of DAR seem to have a system that works, from experience - and if they shared it, it might make more sense to those with logistical challenges. It does not seem they are much amenable to sharing, except to respond "take an Uber".

Maybe that makes them feel good? Uber is not the only answer, because the Ubers were stuck in traffic, too. Not to mention, a Presidential motorcade detour, rush hour work traffic, and multiple (endless) construction delays. It just seems DAR is a less preferred and somewhat ridiculous option. Maybe if one does not leave the DC area, DAR is more significant or "tradition", but that is becoming less common, as people have more options.

It was especially delightful to be locked out of the DAR ceremony, missing the first part entirely, after a challenging morning. At least with other venues, one knows what to expect - and they do not lock you out. But no matter how many people were asked suggestions, most only replied "Uber" (see above why that is not the only resolution). Obviously, graduation is not something one partakes in every day, and DAR seems to make the experience as painful as possible, to those of us who have not been in DC since well....the Revolution. Some of you could be more helpful, if you wanted to be.

Wow. Are you still going through your laundry list of complaints? People have given their suggestions, you would rather just ignore them and continue talking about how incredibly “hard” that day was for you. Meanwhile, everyone else seems able to make it work. Are logistics generally this challenging for you?

I think other posters have mentioned that they have big families, coming from different households, and exigent circumstances, including elders or infirm attending. You don't have to be nasty. Is not being nasty generally this challenging for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

What on earth are you talking about? Now you’re claiming those who like and appreciate DAR haven’t lived anywhere else, or are somehow “manipulating the system”? So bizarre. On the contrary, many families who move here from elsewhere are the biggest fans of DAR because they recognize how special it is that their kids can graduate in an historic building in our nation’s capital. Sorry you don’t see the significance but again, sounds like a you problem.

Wow. As much as you would like it to be one person who dislikes DAR as a choice of venue, you can stop overreacting now. Sorry Nebraska wasn't all that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

I haven't posted often on this thread, because we navigated DAR without a hitch and enjoyed the setting, although neither we nor our kids would have had any objection if the graduations had been held somewhere else.

Having said this, the lack of logic in your post is mind-blowing. Do you really have to go that far down into the gutter to express your preference that a ceremony be held somewhere else? Just say you'd personally prefer that kids graduate in Virginia somewhere with more seating and cheaper parking, and be done with it. It's not some giant Rorschach test like you're making it out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

I haven't posted often on this thread, because we navigated DAR without a hitch and enjoyed the setting, although neither we nor our kids would have had any objection if the graduations had been held somewhere else.

Having said this, the lack of logic in your post is mind-blowing. Do you really have to go that far down into the gutter to express your preference that a ceremony be held somewhere else? Just say you'd personally prefer that kids graduate in Virginia somewhere with more seating and cheaper parking, and be done with it. It's not some giant Rorschach test like you're making it out to be.

It really doesn't matter the reason to those who fear change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

What on earth are you talking about? Now you’re claiming those who like and appreciate DAR haven’t lived anywhere else, or are somehow “manipulating the system”? So bizarre. On the contrary, many families who move here from elsewhere are the biggest fans of DAR because they recognize how special it is that their kids can graduate in an historic building in our nation’s capital. Sorry you don’t see the significance but again, sounds like a you problem.

It's definitely a her problem. What a lunatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

What on earth are you talking about? Now you’re claiming those who like and appreciate DAR haven’t lived anywhere else, or are somehow “manipulating the system”? So bizarre. On the contrary, many families who move here from elsewhere are the biggest fans of DAR because they recognize how special it is that their kids can graduate in an historic building in our nation’s capital. Sorry you don’t see the significance but again, sounds like a you problem.

It's definitely a her problem. What a lunatic.

Why is someone voicing their opinion a lunatic? You think people not from the area would care where a graduation is held?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

What on earth are you talking about? Now you’re claiming those who like and appreciate DAR haven’t lived anywhere else, or are somehow “manipulating the system”? So bizarre. On the contrary, many families who move here from elsewhere are the biggest fans of DAR because they recognize how special it is that their kids can graduate in an historic building in our nation’s capital. Sorry you don’t see the significance but again, sounds like a you problem.

It's definitely a her problem. What a lunatic.

Why is someone voicing their opinion a lunatic? You think people not from the area would care where a graduation is held?

Plus, some PPs keep citing "tradition" - what else would it mean?

[Anonymous]

Who says PP is not a dude?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not what happened. They changed the 2022 grad to DAR when DC lifted the requirement that everyone attending events in theaters had to be vaccinated. The change had nothing to do with “traditional moms.”

All four schools already had plans to do something different -- something that had already been publicized. So, yes, the DAR supporters did get their way in changing it back to DAR.

[Anonymous]

Marshall graduation at DAR Constitution Hall:

[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.

We reserved our Ubers in advance - large SUVs with A/C, very comfortable and roomy and great for the grandparents. We also went to dinner after the ceremony. It was easy and pretty much carefree because we didn’t bother dealing with driving and parking. Most people do the same. What else shall we (you) complain about?
DP

You seem to think there is one vote of dissent, and there are several. You also do not seem very reasonable.

Pot meet kettle…

You could try a different approach other than "I know you are but what am I" perhaps.

DP. You could try this approach: "I had a bad experience at DAR because I didn't plan better. I hope some of you learn from my mistake(s)!"

[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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

I haven't posted often on this thread, because we navigated DAR without a hitch and enjoyed the setting, although neither we nor our kids would have had any objection if the graduations had been held somewhere else.

Having said this, the lack of logic in your post is mind-blowing. Do you really have to go that far down into the gutter to express your preference that a ceremony be held somewhere else? Just say you'd personally prefer that kids graduate in Virginia somewhere with more seating and cheaper parking, and be done with it. It's not some giant Rorschach test like you're making it out to be.

+ a million
Someone is quite the conspiracy theorist!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Same could be said of DAR.

Agree that a new venue is needed, and agree that whomever wants it needs to find it and perform due diligence. It would obviously need to be a family with more than one child - who happened to have already experienced the cluster that is DAR.

The people who have an advantage are those who never left the area, for better or worse, because they are aware of the system, and can manipulate it accordingly. The families who tend to branch out and expand their horizons more tend to be punished, in this regard - since they have no interest in "tradition" - or whatever the locals are calling it, in order to prevent change. And so it goes....

What on earth are you talking about? Now you’re claiming those who like and appreciate DAR haven’t lived anywhere else, or are somehow “manipulating the system”? So bizarre. On the contrary, many families who move here from elsewhere are the biggest fans of DAR because they recognize how special it is that their kids can graduate in an historic building in our nation’s capital. Sorry you don’t see the significance but again, sounds like a you problem.

Wow. As much as you would like it to be one person who dislikes DAR as a choice of venue, you can stop overreacting now. Sorry Nebraska wasn't all that.

Wut?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not what happened. They changed the 2022 grad to DAR when DC lifted the requirement that everyone attending events in theaters had to be vaccinated. The change had nothing to do with “traditional moms.”

All four schools already had plans to do something different -- something that had already been publicized. So, yes, the DAR supporters did get their way in changing it back to DAR.

DP. This is absolutely not true and you know it. Why are you lying? DAR was the planned venue in 2022, except for DC's Covid restrictions which forced those schools to have to cancel. But then DC lifted those restrictions and we were once again able to graduate there, as previously planned. You seem in need of therapy over your complete overreaction to this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Marshall graduation at DAR Constitution Hall:

Beautiful. Funny, this picture makes it look smaller than it is. It's actually very spacious.