No.

There was a grade wide pool party for both my kids, but all the girls went to one pool and the boys the other.

Anonymous wrote:No.

Your kid is not graduating. They’re moving on to 6th grade.

All these “graduations” are ridiculous.

To be fair, I remember feeling like my 5th grade graduation was quite a milestone, that this was the turning point between childhood and adulthood. I remember my school's 5th grade graduation party -- in the cafeteria with a disco ball and stars hung from the ceiling. They played Whitney Houston -- I Wanna Dance with Somebody. I have very strong memories of this. I remember feeling very sad and excited at the same time, like this was a momentous event.

And it was. Middle school was very different. It really was the end of childhood. I didn't have these strong feelings again until college graduation -- not 8th grade "graduation", not HS graduation.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they're a thing in our neck of the woods but it is important to invite the graduating class (either your kids individual class or the whole grade). This is not negotiable as feelings will get hurt.

I want to clarify my post. These were not parties where the host received gifts. They were celebrations for a class or a grade. I had one and so did both of my DC.

Some people host end-of-the-school-year parties, but not "graduation" parties for one specific kid. Having a "graduation" party for an ES or MS kid seems like overkill and might come across like a gift grab. If you want to just have a "Yay! Summer's here!" get-together, go ahead. Or have a belated birthday party.

When I finished elementary school (6th grade, in those days), my parents let me have a graduation pool party. I invited everyone in my homeroom class and some friends from other classes. Thirty years later, I remember how much fun it was. We had a cookout, had a soccer game going, fun in the pool, and just lots of outside activities. It was like a celebration for everybody--no presents or anything.

I wouldn't do a graduation party "for" DS, especially if his friends, who are also finishing ES will be there. Maybe a small party (without gifts) or outing for him and some friends to commemorate the occasion sounds like a fun way to celebrate. Or a larger party, but with his entire class. Or just have a late birthday party for him, if that's what he's missing.

Absolutely not.

No.

Your kid is not graduating. They’re moving on to 6th grade.

All these “graduations” are ridiculous.

Just have a get together, bbq, party, but don’t call it a 5th grade grad party. People will think they need to bring “graduation” gifts.

Why not just have a belated birthday party (of half birthday party), or just a fun summer get-together for friends? It's not conventional to invite adults to celebrate the promotion from one grade to another, or moving from one school to another.

Maybe this is a new thing? My kids are older teens and not only did we not do this, but I also have never even heard of it.

Yes, they're a thing in our neck of the woods but it is important to invite the graduating class (either your kids individual class or the whole grade). This is not negotiable as feelings will get hurt.

Pre-covid, some families got together and had a small lunch or party since the graduations were in the morning.

No. I’ve never heard of this. Maybe a special meal with parents, but don't involve others.

DS didn’t have a birthday party. Was considering having a small graduation party for him. He is our oldest and we have never been invited to an elementary graduation party. We have been invited to high school graduation parties.