An Open Letter to America: Graduation

Dear America,

What the heck? I just came from the eighth grade awards ceremony, and when my Spanish teacher came up to present an award, she was crying because she just came from her daughter's fifth grade graduation. Seriously? I don't know about you guys, but in my school district, the middle school is JUST ACROSS THE PARKING LOT from the elementary school, and yet fifth grade graduation is such a big, hug-your-teachers-that-you'll-probably-see-next-year-anyways deal. And that's not even the worst part. Yesterday, one of my Mom's piano student's mother called, saying they couldn't come to their recital because they were too busy preparing for their other child's kindergarten graduation. KINDERGARTEN!? REALLY!? Back on my last day of Kindergarten, they just tell us we'll be going to a different room next year! But no! The next generation of kindergarten students WEAR GOWNS, HATS, AND MAKE FREAKIN' SPEECHES ABOUT THEIR TIME IN THE SCHOOL! I think Americans (Sadly, I am American) are starting to overreact about school. IT'S KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION FOR GOD'S SAKE!

*deep breathing*

That is all.

I never had a 'kindergarten' graduation ceremony. We had a semi-formal ceremony leaving 5th grade (since after that, we had to move to a different school completely)

I don't even remember my ceremony for moving out of middle school. We might not have had one.

But I totally agree. Have a small family celebration if anything, but no need for cap and gowns unless you're graduating high school or getting a degree in college x_x;;;;

Yeah....but I think some of the points you bring up actually support not making a huge deal out of a graduation.

I mean, a parent should be proud their kid made it through the year and didn't get held back...but I still don't know if a college graduation type ceremony is necessary. It just reminds me of the part in the 'incredibles' movie when the dad was talking about how the school systems celebrate mediocrity...

Like how you say most 5th graders kind of act like middle schoolers. It's just an example to show not much is changing necessarily.

It might depend on the time period as well. Nowadays, its the norm to at least complete high school. But not so long ago, stopping around middle school or elementary school then getting a job was more normal.

They make huge deals out of something so small

Thank god for English schools XD.
I had one celibration in Year 6 because I was leaving England and comin' to Ascenion but other than that nothin'.

:O i didnt say goodbye to any of my teachers! T^T i feel bad now... but the HS is right across the street so...