Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

You must be at a wealthy school. My spouse is a contractor. Paid by the hour, no leave.

My goodness! If you cannot take a day off for your kid graduation, you have bigger problems.
DP

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

You must be at a wealthy school. My spouse is a contractor. Paid by the hour, no leave.

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

Anonymous wrote:Free ample parking is enough to have my support. DAR was inconvenient.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

Not everyone drives, not everyone can afford to take off work, and people have other commitments like younger kids, the elderly, health issues, etc. Driving 1-1.5 hours is a big hardship for us, and it means if I'm not having a good day, I will miss it and cannot drive that far alone so it's not like I can just show up late. So, the best I will get is a video of my kids.

The dates are already announced. Hopefully, this will give you enough time to plan a way to get there or arrange to go with someone from your kid's HS. Also, please talk with your grade level admistrator at the HS. They should be able to assist you as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

And for the “not” most people?

How were those same people going to get to UMD during the work day?

Some people will have a conflict no matter where or when a ceremony is held. MCPS can’t cater to every individual family. The best they can do is to make the ceremonies accessible to the greatest number of families possible.

We are Montgomery county and it should be held in our county. This is not accessible

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

Not everyone drives, not everyone can afford to take off work, and people have other commitments like younger kids, the elderly, health issues, etc. Driving 1-1.5 hours is a big hardship for us, and it means if I'm not having a good day, I will miss it and cannot drive that far alone so it's not like I can just show up late. So, the best I will get is a video of my kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

And for the “not” most people?

How were those same people going to get to UMD during the work day?

Some people will have a conflict no matter where or when a ceremony is held. MCPS can’t cater to every individual family. The best they can do is to make the ceremonies accessible to the greatest number of families possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

And for the “not” most people?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

Not everyone drives, not everyone can afford to take off work, and people have other commitments like younger kids, the elderly, health issues, etc. Driving 1-1.5 hours is a big hardship for us, and it means if I'm not having a good day, I will miss it and cannot drive that far alone so it's not like I can just show up late. So, the best I will get is a video of my kids.

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Do you know of a comparable venue in MoCo that has the same or better availability, accessibility and affordability? Please share that information with Central Office.

If only the Central Office had a staff person PAID to look for convenient options in Montgomery County, rather than expecting us to crowdsource the jobs they're paid to do on DCUM.

There are no convenient options in Montgomery County. Which is why for many years MCPS has held most graduation ceremonies outside the county at DAR, UMD, UMBC, Mount St. Mary's, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no solution that will make everyone happy, but most parents don’t have tons of children and can afford to take a half day or even a full day off work for this one-time special milestone event in each of their children’s lives. People were already driving a half hour from their house to graduation ceremony venues before; you’ll survive driving an extra 45 minutes. There will be traffic, but there was traffic to contend with when people drove to the previous venues as well. This is not the hardship you’re making it out to be.

And for the “not” most people?