Anonymous wrote:I partially agree with OP. My 8th grader didn’t have a graduation ceremony but he did have a night party at school. The cafeteria was over capacity that night thanks (sarcastically) to the organizers following FCPS strict rules.
8th graders need a graduation ceremony (I don’t think they need caps and gowns), NOT an overcrowded night party.
I disagree about the ceremony. Kids don't care about sitting for a long period of time, listening to speeches, then walking on stage, shaking hands, to receive a piece of paper. No 8th grader wants a graduation ceremony. The 12th grade one is incredibly boring, we attended last year for my oldest. You want as few graduation ceremonies as humanly possible, people!
But I agree about the evening party. My oldest's middle school had an evening party that was pretty awkward. A lot of girls came looking like adults, in very low cut and very short skin tight dresses, sky high heels. The boys came in casual clothes and looked like the boys they were. It underlined the extreme developmental range that exists at this age.
My second's 8th grade event, in a different MCPS school, will be at a party/gaming place during the day. Much better: the kids are allowed to be kids, don't need to dress up, there is no pressure to look or behave a certain way.