UMBC for graduation?????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fine with it being at UMBC, but this is super disappointing for families at Damascus.

Why would MCPS force this? Just another example of how MCPS doesn’t care about what families want.

This is pretty bad for Poolesville parents too, they are much further away from UMBC and I wouldn't imagine the dreading amount of time it would take for parents and students to drive all the way to campus.

While UMBC is less convenient for the residents of Poolesville, most Poolesville HS students don’t live in Poolesville. I’m a Poolesville HS parent and UMBC is only 9 minutes further drive than Mount St Mary’s, so no big deal. Besides, most Poolesville HS families are used to having a commute to get to the school. Also, this year’s graduation ceremony is at 1:30 in the afternoon, so no one even has to get up early for it.

And has been noted in this thread it takes into account the desire for families to have more tickets, provides for it being indoors so no heat/rain/locust issues, is cheaper for schools and likely the district now that all schools are there(so fiscal responsibility), and makes them all equal so no one can complain they got a better graduation. Overall from a district perspective having it at UMBC accounts for what most families want.

Cost of transporting students, staff, families without cars, and administrators to UMBC = ???

As the BOE voted in secret, no one actually knows what “most” families want.

Well then they also can’t be accused of not caring what most families want. It’s all assumption. But at least we know this option resolves real issues that have been complained about previously.

[Anonymous]

It’s okay. This kind of decision based on uniformity and efficiency is what we should be expecting from our new MBA superintendent.

[Anonymous]

Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

[Anonymous]

Are the given times when the doors open or when the ceremony starts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

3 graduations a day on some days. The ones last year at UMBC were 9 am amd 2 pm, but are now 9 am, 1:30 pm and 6 pm.

We already have staff say they're not going to able to go because our graduation is at 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

And at 9am! It's silly to mandate this for everyone, when there are better solutions for some high schools.

Just another example of why MCPS is just TOO LARGE of a school system. What works best for families in Silver Spring might not be what works best for families in Damascus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

And at 9am! It's silly to mandate this for everyone, when there are better solutions for some high schools.

Just another example of why MCPS is just TOO LARGE of a school system. What works best for families in Silver Spring might not be what works best for families in Damascus.

This has nothing to do with it.

[Anonymous]

I disagree. It's incredibly inconvenient if you live right over the DC border in Bethesda. It's not even in the county! A serious burden on some families and staff because of the time and distance

[Anonymous]

Follow the money… this is corruption… pretty obvious.

[Anonymous]

What's with the 6pm?? That seems awful for so many reasons....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s okay. This kind of decision based on uniformity and efficiency is what we should be expecting from our new MBA superintendent.

Uniformity, efficiency and financial savings is good but the location is a problem for many for a variety of reasons. Why not do it at MC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s okay. This kind of decision based on uniformity and efficiency is what we should be expecting from our new MBA superintendent.

Uniformity, efficiency and financial savings is good but the location is a problem for many for a variety of reasons. Why not do it at MC?

Mc has a graduation and rents a tent structure. MCPS can share the cost and hold graduations there. Much cheaper and closer. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=co2udY8kMiM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

And at 9am! It's silly to mandate this for everyone, when there are better solutions for some high schools.

Just another example of why MCPS is just TOO LARGE of a school system. What works best for families in Silver Spring might not be what works best for families in Damascus.

The State of MD mandates that school systems are by county. MCPS’s job is to do what is best for the school system as a whole. Booking all graduation ceremonies at one location probably helps them lock in better rates for the venue rental. It gives them some leverage with the venue because of the amount of business they’re providing. It ensures that there’s no overlap in ceremonies, so no one has to miss one ceremony to attend another (MCPS teachers and principals have children of their own who are graduating). UMBC, as a venue, ensures that families get more tickets to the ceremonies and have access to adequate parking. MCPS is providing transportation to those for whom it would be a hardship. UMBC is not everyone’s first choice, but there is no venue that would have everyone cheering. MCPS has tried to address the most common complaints that they’ve received about graduation ceremonies.

There’s so much that MCPS is getting wrong these days. There’s a lot to complain about. This is the least controversial change they’re making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s okay. This kind of decision based on uniformity and efficiency is what we should be expecting from our new MBA superintendent.

Uniformity, efficiency and financial savings is good but the location is a problem for many for a variety of reasons. Why not do it at MC?

Mc has a graduation and rents a tent structure. MCPS can share the cost and hold graduations there. Much cheaper and closer. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=co2udY8kMiM

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the graduation schedule.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/

Traffic will be a nightmare for 6 pm ceremonies.

And at 9am! It's silly to mandate this for everyone, when there are better solutions for some high schools.

Just another example of why MCPS is just TOO LARGE of a school system. What works best for families in Silver Spring might not be what works best for families in Damascus.

The State of MD mandates that school systems are by county. MCPS’s job is to do what is best for the school system as a whole. Booking all graduation ceremonies at one location probably helps them lock in better rates for the venue rental. It gives them some leverage with the venue because of the amount of business they’re providing. It ensures that there’s no overlap in ceremonies, so no one has to miss one ceremony to attend another (MCPS teachers and principals have children of their own who are graduating). UMBC, as a venue, ensures that families get more tickets to the ceremonies and have access to adequate parking. MCPS is providing transportation to those for whom it would be a hardship. UMBC is not everyone’s first choice, but there is no venue that would have everyone cheering. MCPS has tried to address the most common complaints that they’ve received about graduation ceremonies.

There’s so much that MCPS is getting wrong these days. There’s a lot to complain about. This is the least controversial change they’re making.

One venue and same for all makes sense. Forcing families and staff to go to Baltimore county does not. You forget some people have health issues that make travel difficult or other responsibilities that may impact travel. We are not local to that venue.