Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 07:38     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:IMO cords are dumb. I went to MIT and it didn't allow anything. In a crazy rat race we don't need even more mini races that don't matter.


+1

It used to be that we made a very big deal out of post-graduate degrees, a big deal out of college graduation, and a minor deal out of high school graduation.

Now, we make a huge deal out of high school graduation (even throwing parties that cost $10K or more), and we expect promotion ceremonies and major school awards at the end of preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and eighth grade.

It has gotten way out of hand.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 07:32     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:IMO cords are dumb. I went to MIT and it didn't allow anything. In a crazy rat race we don't need even more mini races that don't matter.


+1

Unnecessary cash grab.


They aren’t very expensive at all and if the kids want them to show off their achievements, let them.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 07:04     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:IMO cords are dumb. I went to MIT and it didn't allow anything. In a crazy rat race we don't need even more mini races that don't matter.


+1

Unnecessary cash grab.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 06:59     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, could you please articulate why this is important to you/your kid?

(To be clear, I ask this question as the parent of kids who do very well academically, and their graduation accessories are not something that matters to me, so I'm trying to understand where you're coming from.)


The reasoning the kids were given is to protect the feelings of those who don't have honor cords -- who (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) decided not to join the honor societies or organizations that the honor cords denote. So, some kids are not being allowed to celebrate their hard won success to protect the fragility of others.

This is the same thing as the "participation trophy" in kindergarten soccer - -except now we are talking about adults about to enter the real world.



Troll


Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 06:55     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Why is there a Girl Scout/Boy Scout cord but no cords for sports?
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 23:43     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The cords and stoles are completely out of control. It is ridiculous.


+1

One of my friends posted her DD's grad photo and she had TEN cords. It was ridiculous.


I would like to send her our introductory package of the car magnets/stickers, inspirational frames, and very noticeable yard signs to put a name of your future college on it. We use reflecting paint for our yard signs, so that even in the dark every car passing by your house can see it clearly. Selling out fast!


What a petty poster
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 23:42     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The cords and stoles are completely out of control. It is ridiculous.


+1

One of my friends posted her DD's grad photo and she had TEN cords. It was ridiculous.


I would like to send her our introductory package of the car magnets/stickers, inspirational frames, and very noticeable yard signs to put a name of your future college on it. We use reflecting paint for our yard signs, so that even in the dark every car passing by your house can see it clearly. Selling out fast!
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 23:33     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Troll.


I assure you I'm not. I have a rising HS Senior who came home last week and told me this news. I'm trying to corroborate this information here before I send my feedback directly to Michelle Reid!


Don't worry, OP. There are many other ways to brag about your child's and family superiority in the Fairfax school system suburbia. Can I sell you some yard signs and car magnets, stickers, and vanity plates? How about some frames for the HS transcripts?
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 22:15     Subject: Re:No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So will FCPS employee also then not wear their stoles for masters or phd? Just writing that makes this is all just silly now- the ceremony is for the pomp and circumstance so if not doing that, just email the diplomas in a .pdf file. If took vote, many would likely vote for that.


Are you for real? You think HS honor cords and an entire post-graduate degree are equivalent and therefore belong in the same category of restriction? Do you know how ignorant you sound when you write things like that?


Someone hit a nerve with you! JFC. Dial it down a notch.


If cords motivates a kid to stay in school and graduate, let them have cords. Who cares!
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 22:02     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
IMO cords are dumb. I went to MIT and it didn't allow anything. In a crazy rat race we don't need even more mini races that don't matter.
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 21:59     Subject: Re:No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Off topic. Is there an easy way to recycle or reuse the gown?
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 21:58     Subject: Re:No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
I’m not sure cords matter to every high-achieving student. They know what they’ve accomplished. They aren’t all looking for external validation.
My DC who graduated today could not remember what each cord they had was for. Some of the more meaningful regalia today were athletic stoles, e.g. crew team, as many of the teams provided community for these students. Congratulations to all, class of 2026!
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 21:44     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid is years from this but at this point…does it really matter? The service academy kids are going to the service academies, the Eagle Scouts put it on their college applications, the honor society kids got good grades and in theory into good colleges…isn’t graduation a day late and a dollar short to recognize these things?


Yes.

It matters to the students.


+1
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 21:40     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The cords and stoles are completely out of control. It is ridiculous.


FCPS has a very short list of cords and tassels.

Honor grad stole
National Honor Society cape
AP Scholar national medal
Department award medal

State level recognition medals for things like All Virginia choir or 1st place state champions in a sport, National History Day, etc

Academic national honor societies cords (math, german, music, theater, history, etc)

Eagle Scout/Girl Scout Gold Award cord

Military Service cord (enlistment, ROTC scholarship, Service Academy appointment)

Purple cord for military dependents

Service cord (for volunteer service diploma)

National EMT cord given to students who professionally certify as EMTs with the county

There might be one or two others.

There are enough that every kid who works hard can earn something. For example, every srident in FCPS can earn the service cord, regardless of grades, if they just put in a little bit of work to earn one.

It is absurd that fcps would get rid of the cords over parent complaints and equity, although it would not surprise me.


Has there been anything published that says FCPS is getting rid of these for equity purposes?

To me, the multiple cords actually takes away from achievement because, well, EVERYBODY has some sort of cord or another. I wouldn't be surprised if FCPS simply limits the cords to academics.


What a douchey comment. You want your kid’s achievements celebrated but are worried that they won’t stand out as much if another kid’s different accomplishments are highlighted.



Did I say my child was being honored? No. My college senior did not have thousands of cords and stoles because his college only recognized stoles for graduate students and collars for honors students (my child was neither of those). He had a basic black cap and gown because he was neither a grad student nor a honors student. While some students purchased non-college sponsored stoles, the majority did not and it was actually cool to instantly recognize who were the graduate students (and honors students).
Anonymous
Post 06/08/2026 21:36     Subject: No more Honor Cords, Stoles etc at future FCPS Graduations?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is years from this but at this point…does it really matter? The service academy kids are going to the service academies, the Eagle Scouts put it on their college applications, the honor society kids got good grades and in theory into good colleges…isn’t graduation a day late and a dollar short to recognize these things?


Yes.

It matters to the students.