Graduation Season

One of my two jobs is in a restaurant and the other is in a school. So I am well aware that June is graduation season. It actually starts in mid may when most of the colleges have their graduations. It continues right through June as the High Schools get into the mix as well. These are occassions to celebrate, and we often get partys in the restaurant of people celebrating a friend or family member's graduation. However, there are also graduation partys being held for kids coming out of middle school, elementary school, and even preschool.
There might have been something done when I moved on from preschool, but I know there was not a graduation ceremony when I went from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Why? Its because those aren't really graduations. Its more about outgrowing the school you were in and heading to another one the next year. There are no diplomas. It does not help you to put the elementary school you graduated from on your resume.

A "graduation" ceremony was held at the elementary school I work at. It isn't a traditional school in that it serves children with emotional disturbances, and is mostly low income. I'm happy for the kids to be moving on, and its great that their families will actually come up to the school and watch them "graduate." However, it is completely silly at the same time. There was a full auditorium of families yesterday for the "graduation." Not just mothers, fathers, and siblings, but grandparents aunts, uncles, cousins, and probably some other relatives of some sort. Many of these families made a huge deal of this. While it is called a graduation, its not based on any achievements from these kids. The only reason they are "graduating" is because they won't be allowed in elementary school when they turn 13. Many of these so called "graduates" from this elementary school can't even read on a 2nd grade level. Yet their families come out dressed like a wedding is taking place. It gives the kids a false sense of accomplishment. However, its the way it is. I realize that many of the parents that came to this "graduation" likely won't ever see their child graduate from high school. This might be the highlight of their academic life. Its sad but its true. A 12 year old kid who can't read doesn't want to come to school. As much as you try to help them learn, they have pride by that age. They are not willing to admit they can't read, spell, or divide. When these kids get to a higher level and are no longer coddled, school will become hell for them. They won't want to come to a place that makes them feel stupid...even if that institution is making an honest effort to teach them, thats what those kids will feel. So while I was watching these parents at their children's elementary school graduation...I understood why they were celebrating so much. Perhaps they never made it to their own high school graduation...and perhaps they don't know if there child will make it that far.