Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 14:22     Subject: Re:Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
Anonymous wrote:I think "my son loves pageantry" is one of the best DCUM lines of 2025.

Hopefully graduation will come quickly so he has time to audition for Trump's birthday parade.


To hell with Dump. I hope to see OP's son at Buttigieg's future functions. They will be fabulous.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 13:22     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
For Eagle bank Arena and DAR to accommodate all of the graduations, there needs to be flexibility on day and time. IME our HS takes turns every year with earlier and later dates and times. This is your year for later. The school has no say, central office works the graduation schedules. As to special events in sure your school has senior breakfast, college sports signing day, commitment day, awards ceremony, prom, senior sunrise or sunset…. I feel like you’re unhappy about the time, and it may not be ideal, but it is what it is. Next year your school will get an early time. It’s how rotation works.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 12:40     Subject: Re:Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I think "my son loves pageantry" is one of the best DCUM lines of 2025.

Hopefully graduation will come quickly so he has time to audition for Trump's birthday parade.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 12:36     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I had a 2020 graduate.

This seems like a frivolous complaint.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:28     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
You think the better high schools should get...different time slots?
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:27     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
Who cares. High performing kids are expected to graduate HS. It’s not some huge achievement.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:27     Subject: Re:Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I mean if this isn't First World Problems, I'm not sure what is.

Honestly, OP. Get a grip.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:19     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I was in the very last class to graduate from my (high performing) FCPS HS in 1989.

Our graduation was outside, in the football stadium. Guests sat in the stands and watched all 650 of us process to our metal folding chairs placed on the grass field. No valedictorians because AP-weighted classes resulted in legions of students with over 4.0.



Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:11     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
Anonymous wrote:My son is graduating a an allegedly high preforming feps hs, yet their graduation is on June 10th at 7? unbelievably late. Additionally no parent input or feedback was sought when planning this event, like guest speakers or emails for tickets or etc. Just utter incompetence at every level. My daughter graduated from the same school in 2019. Event was much better planned with stronger communication and parent input, and there was way more fanfare. This year - nothing just dead silence. Feels like fcps has changed. Just adding on to the gloomy vibes. Nobody is making a big deal out of it it feels like. My son loves pageantry and is very disappointed. brabrand needs to come back. How do I change this for my rising junior?


Has someone told your son that they are not going to march and do all the pageantry type things? I am sure the band will play, the kids will march, people will make boring speeches, the kids will get their diplomas, and hats will be thrown.

Have your party earlier in the day. You can invite family over for an early dinner and cake. Then leave for the ceremony together at 6 or whatever time the kid needs to leave to get to the location. Or attend the ceremony and have the party on the weekend.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 10:51     Subject: Re:Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I've never expected that parents would have input into the graduation time. I've always been relieved that it's been at GMU instead of downtown, which would be very burdensome in my opinion. But to set your expectations, the kids are usually poorly behaved, the ceremony seems interminable, and you are lucky if you can even make out your DC in the crowd. It's hard to grandparents or older relatives to attend because you sit in the bleachers. So...plan your own graduation festivities, at a time and place of your choosing.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 09:36     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
Anonymous wrote:FCPS needs Dr. Brabrand back.


Amazing that we are pining for him. Can't we shoot higher, like maybe Dan Domenech? He's still alive after all.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 08:39     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
Oh so "better" schools should get better graduation dates and times?

Have you been involved with the PTA or committee planning this event? gonna assume not....
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 06:29     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I’ve been a teacher for 25 years in VA and gone to 25 of these. I assure you, this isn’t any different. Many are at 7. Some are at 2. They move them along because of schedules. Make a big deal for your own kid. They’ve basically looked the same to me all of these years I’ve had to work them. No one notices any one else and is looking at the time to leave.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 06:11     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
7 pm is the best time slot, imo. But this whole thread is hilarious. Why is HS graduation a big deal for you, OP? Did you think your kid wouldn’t graduate and this is really some huge accomplishment? Why the need for a big celebration?
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 05:57     Subject: Disappointed with Son's graduation circumstances
I can’t imagine what kind of parent input would be necessary for graduation. It’s graduation.