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

[Anonymous]

I believe the three main Arlington high schools are all graduating at DAR later this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of public school seniors can hold both views at the same time:

1. DAR is a well-maintained, aesthetically-pleasing venue.

AND

2. Ease of access, free and plentiful parking, and plenty of space are more important considerations for choosing a site for public school graduations.


DAR does give a more "chic-chic" feel -- more like a private school setting. I think that really speaks to some parents more than others who are fine with the "generic big box store" feel of GMU. That's really what it boils down to. And it's not surprising which schools have historically chosen the "chic-chic" feel ... they are the schools that are considered more high-end SES (less so in regards to Marshall... but the other three needed a fourth to fill out the reservation).

I don't need the private-school-like venue to make my kids' graduations a special event. But, I can see how some would very much value the upscale setting. That said, I think it's the job of the district or principals to consider what works well for everyone since this is PUBLIC school. I repeat: no one should have to pay for parking to see their kid graduate HS... even if they can afford it. It's like attaching an extra fee to see your kid graduate. That's not "public school" in my book.

Parents have to pay to watch their kids’ athletic events. Kids have to pay for senior pictures and prom. You can pay for parking at a DAR graduation or take an Uber or bus if you’re unwilling to do so.

DAR has worked just fine for years. It’s a beautiful, historic location. Absent a more compelling reason than you’ve provided, let the schools that graduate there continue to do so.

Nah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DAR seats only about 3200, so families are limited in whom they can bring. Eagle bank seats 10000, so more families can come. Only 25 schools can graduate at Eagle Bank, so the others have to look elsewhere. Outdoor graduations are always risky due to weather.

\

This is the most reasonable post so far. Thank you for the information. Wondering why other PP's have such a hard time providing useful information instead of emotional steadfastness? It is fine to want your graduation where you want it, it is not fine to make proclamations about how is will never change, and that everyone else feels the same way - when clearly that is not true.

No one said everybody feels the same way. But clearly, because the graduations have been held at DAR for decades, far more people are in favor than not. Otherwise, it would have been changed long ago. Most people appreciate the venue. Go ahead and start a movement to change it. No one is standing in your way. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only the top high schools get DAR as their graduation venue. McLean, Langley, Madison, Marshall.

Eagle Bank is for the riffraff.

It’s because of proximity. Those four FCPS schools happen to be closest to DAR. Arlington also does DAR.

FCCPS was also at DAR until Covid. Now it's on the football field - a HUGE improvement! DAR was a pain in the ass in every way.

I can’t see how it’s an improvement to graduate on a football field next to a busy road and a Metro station, but you do you.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only the top high schools get DAR as their graduation venue. McLean, Langley, Madison, Marshall.

Eagle Bank is for the riffraff.

It’s because of proximity. Those four FCPS schools happen to be closest to DAR. Arlington also does DAR.

FCCPS was also at DAR until Covid. Now it's on the football field - a HUGE improvement! DAR was a pain in the ass in every way.

I can’t see how it’s an improvement to graduate on a football field next to a busy road and a Metro station, but you do you.

DP here - graduating on the premises of the school one attended is the epitome of tradition. Tradition belongs to the graduate, not anyone else. It's not all about you.

Just because one is easily impressed by the inconveniences of DC, and all that comes with such a venue, along with having emphatic opposition to change, does not mean that is the majority's sentiment. One saying change will not happen does not make it so. I do know several people who graduated at DAR (30 years ago) who are very much in favor of change from DAR to another venue - the same people who do not try to label DAR "tradition" - because it is not.

Graduating from DAR is also a tradition at a number of schools, and a cherished one at that. You clearly are taken with your own rhetoric, but it doesn’t change the fact that many - if given a chance, since people like you clearly would like to take it away - think DAR is a spectacular venue for a local graduation.

+ a million
My parents couldn't believe how lucky we were. They were thrilled with the whole day and still talk about it. Meanwhile, their friends have had to suffer through sweltering graduations on football fields. There's no comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, be grateful. It took many parents two hours to get in, get parking, and get into the building - these are people who live 20 minutes away.

There is mad construction at every turn, and one important fact to note: DAR Constitution Hall does NOT admit you if you are late! You have to wait until well after Pomp and Circumstance (you will miss your graduate/s entering the venue), and after the Pledge of Allegiance, etc. If you are late.

The doors are literally locked and staff will not let you in until well into the ceremony. Plan accordingly!

Seems like a no-brainer to just take an Uber.

I wasn’t aware that they had Jetsons car Ubers that fly over traffic jams. Weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents of public school seniors can hold both views at the same time:

1. DAR is a well-maintained, aesthetically-pleasing venue.

AND

2. Ease of access, free and plentiful parking, and plenty of space are more important considerations for choosing a site for public school graduations.


DAR does give a more "chic-chic" feel -- more like a private school setting. I think that really speaks to some parents more than others who are fine with the "generic big box store" feel of GMU. That's really what it boils down to. And it's not surprising which schools have historically chosen the "chic-chic" feel ... they are the schools that are considered more high-end SES (less so in regards to Marshall... but the other three needed a fourth to fill out the reservation).

I don't need the private-school-like venue to make my kids' graduations a special event. But, I can see how some would very much value the upscale setting. That said, I think it's the job of the district or principals to consider what works well for everyone since this is PUBLIC school. I repeat: no one should have to pay for parking to see their kid graduate HS... even if they can afford it. It's like attaching an extra fee to see your kid graduate. That's not "public school" in my book.

Um... not sure if you're aware, but most of the schools that graduate at DAR are public - from DCPS, MCPS, ACPS, and FCPS. Not sure where you're getting this "chic chic" nonsense. Are historical buildings generally "chic chic" to you?

[Anonymous]

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.

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.

No one needs to “take a survey.” Graduations are at DAR and will continue to be so.

[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.

You can “dissent” all you like. Just understand that you aren’t getting your way.

[Anonymous]

Many schools are having their grad ceremony at GMU

Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 2:30pmEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
Osbourn Park High School Graduation

Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 7pmEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
Gar-Field High School Graduation

Monday, June 12, 2023 | 9:30amEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
Mount Vernon High School Graduation

Monday, June 12, 2023 | 2pmEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
John R. Lewis High School Graduation

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | 2:30pmEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
Freedom High School (PW) Graduation

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | 7pmEagleBank Arena (Patriot Center)
Gainesville High School Graduation

http://today.gmu.edu

Two events per day.... Jam packed arena... ... is good Bu$ine$$ for GMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marshall graduation at DAR Constitution Hall:

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

Why is it "beautiful"? Because the lights are on? It looks jam packed, and not very comfortable. Never mind having to leave one's house at 7 AM to stand any chance in line. Yikes.

You sound like a petulant teenager. Keep crying. It’s giving so many people a good laugh. “Yikes,” indeed.

[Anonymous]

Are These Open To the Public?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marshall graduation at DAR Constitution Hall:

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

Why is it "beautiful"? Because the lights are on? It looks jam packed, and not very comfortable. Never mind having to leave one's house at 7 AM to stand any chance in line. Yikes.

Look, you're entitled to your opinion, as am I. I think DAR is beautiful and I'm happy to have my kids graduate there. You are very unhappy - so go do something about it.

Why are you pretending to know anything about a poster? Are you told to sit in the kitchen barefoot and shut up - therefor, no dissent is tolerated? Absurd.

WTAF did I just read? You have some major anger issues that clearly go well beyond graduation venues.

You are inaccurate and also projecting.

Says the poster who actually said, "Are you told to sit in the kitchen barefoot and shut up - therefor, no dissent is tolerated?" No projection there, none at all!

Actually, I'm the breadwinner in the family, so wrong again. Your narratives are quite a bit off.

And yet you’re the one who started in with the false (and bizarre) narratives in the first place. All because you’re throwing a tantrum. Very odd.

You are the one throwing a tantrum, my dear.

No, sweetie, she isn’t.

[Anonymous]

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.

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.

No one needs to “take a survey.” Graduations are at DAR and will continue to be so.

+1
Though I almost wish this loud minority *would* put out a survey so they could see the results for themselves, instead of insisting everyone is a malcontent like them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marshall graduation at DAR Constitution Hall:

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

Why is it "beautiful"? Because the lights are on? It looks jam packed, and not very comfortable. Never mind having to leave one's house at 7 AM to stand any chance in line. Yikes.

You sound like a petulant teenager. Keep crying. It’s giving so many people a good laugh. “Yikes,” indeed.

Agreed. Very, very strange (and bratty) PP.