8th Grade "Promotions"

[researching]

I was just wondering what some fellow posters with 8th grade "?graduates?" thought of the promotion ceremony. I just returned from Scullen's and was not impressed. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed overall by the lack of attention the students received for their accomplishments thus far.

[doctorwho]

Jun 4, 2008 14:26:30 GMT -6 researching said:

I was just wondering what some fellow posters with 8th grade "?graduates?" thought of the promotion ceremony. I just returned from Scullen's and was not impressed. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed overall by the lack of attention the students received for their accomplishments thus far.

Downplayed a lot from 10 years ago ( My kids are 10 years apart) - it is sort of disappointing - but I will give the principal - Alan Davenport - from Hill credit - he gave a very good speech to the kids .....

also they split the 8th grade class in half- so if your friends were not in your team- you got zero picture opportunity with them - that's what my daughter complained about the most. Many of her closest friends were in the afternoon teams ....

but it is what it is -- for her a very tough day as this is the last time she will see most of her Hill class....

[Arch]

My daughter just wanted a couple of pics w/ friends and then couldn't wait to bolt. We were in the first session at Hill this morning.

I have to concur w/ the Doc though, Mr. Davenport relayed the College Softball sportsmanship story and said the details about what happened here won't be what carries forward... people will remember how you treated each other. (paraphrased)

The story he referenced: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJuFIdK15cI

[concerned2]

Jun 4, 2008 14:26:30 GMT -6 researching said:

I was just wondering what some fellow posters with 8th grade "?graduates?" thought of the promotion ceremony. I just returned from Scullen's and was not impressed. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed overall by the lack of attention the students received for their accomplishments thus far.

Same experience. I thought it was a bummer and a real let down for the kids. Their certificates were a joke and my child couldn't get out of there fast enough. Very sad.

[cb]

I thought the ceremony at Hill was very nice. It was just the right length and Mr. Davenport gave an inspirational speech. IMO this is a vast improvement over the large 8th grade graduation ceremonies for the district that were held at Calvary Church. Those were worthless with people screaming and clapping when names were read. This is one decision the district got right when they axed the mega ceremony and replaced with smaller ones at the middle school.

[researching]

Jun 4, 2008 15:11:48 GMT -6 cb said:

I thought the ceremony at Hill was very nice. It was just the right length and Mr. Davenport gave an inspirational speech. IMO this is a vast improvement over the large 8th grade graduation ceremonies for the district that were held at Calvary Church. Those were worthless with people screaming and clapping when names were read. This is one decision the district got right when they axed the mega ceremony and replaced with smaller ones at the middle school.

I totally agree about the length of the ceremony as well as not having a mega ceremony. I like that. Unfortunately it just felt like a typical day, nothing special. I was hoping for a little more excitement. Also, the 8th grade carnival was rained out without a backup plan. The kids just sat around.

It just seems like we Scullen families are in a bad cycle right now.

[slp]

My nephew graduated today from Gregory. I'll talk to my sister-in-law and report back!

[sashimi]

"It just seems like we Scullen families are in a bad cycle right now."

Perhaps to get even worse (in regards to distance) . If you look at the numbers and logical next steps, it would not be suprising if in the not so distant future, TG got pulled from Scullen and was sent to the new MS at WVHS (this may actually need to be done to avoid even more splitting of MS's)!

[specailneedsmom]

My daughter graduated Scullen when they did the graduation at Calvary. I thought it was way over the top. People showing up with stretch limos -- for 8th grade graduation. When my son graduated last year from Scullen they did it in the gym which was fine with me. I thought it was well done and in comparing the two felt that the gym was just fine. Sorry you had a bad experience.

[specailneedsmom]

I think the reasoning was that it was a way to cut expenses and that graduating from 8th grade in this day and age is no big deal, especially since most of our kids will go to college. I agree with the district on this one.

[overtaxed]

Jun 4, 2008 16:13:47 GMT -6 @specailneedsmom said:

My daughter graduated Scullen when they did the graduation at Calvary. I thought it was way over the top. People showing up with stretch limos -- for 8th grade graduation. When my son graduated last year from Scullen they did it in the gym which was fine with me. I thought it was well done and in comparing the two felt that the gym was just fine. Sorry you had a bad experience.

Well I can top that, we moved during the school year. My one daughter was an 8th grader at Scullen. We NEVER got any info from the school the whole year some how we were overlooked
( I have may stories on that, maybe for another day; tried to get info, didn't know anyone yet at the school, parents, etc to get any, it was odd). I didn't know until reading this post that Scullen even had a graduation! My child had to of known but hated the school. She was there 2 years ago. Needless to say our whole experience at Scullen was not good. But much better at NV-very good.

[specailneedsmom]

Middle school is a tough time for a lot of kids. When my daughter was there it wasn't as crowded as it is now. When my son left last year it had changed alot, but he was on a supported ed. team so he was shielded from alot of the craziness. I think Scullen is just too big now. Of all the middle schools in the south end of the district I like Gregory the best. Great kids, great teachers, nice size.

[slp]

Jun 4, 2008 16:03:02 GMT -6 sashimi said:

"It just seems like we Scullen families are in a bad cycle right now."

Perhaps to get even worse (in regards to distance) . If you look at the numbers and logical next steps, it would not be suprising if in the not so distant future, TG got pulled from Scullen and was sent to the new MS at WVHS (this may actually need to be done to avoid even more splitting of MS's)!

WHAT! Where did you hear this?

[slp]

FWIW,

I have nothing but praise for Scullen; love the teachers that I have had contact with over the past two years. Haven't had to deal with admin. much (good thing since no dicipline issues I suppose!)

My kids have had a great experience despite the crowding; its all they know. We have been fortunate that both of my kids were placed on the smaller team in 6th grade. (6-3). I think that helps with the transition from 5th grade and also , IMO, is a more nuturing environment due to its smaller size. (This team is roughly 60 kids with two core teachers as opposed to 100 plus kids).

I am sad that White Eagle has been pulled from Scullen. If there was only ONE thing I could change from our current situation, it would be to keep White Eagle with TG at Scullen.

[doctorwho]

Jun 4, 2008 16:15:59 GMT -6 @specailneedsmom said:

I think the reasoning was that it was a way to cut expenses and that graduating from 8th grade in this day and age is no big deal, especially since most of our kids will go to college. I agree with the district on this one.

As I said before, the only thing I had issue with was to split the ceremonies( and photo ops) in half- so a lot of kids didn't get to take grad day pics with a lot of their closest friends. For us it was more important because these are friends mostly headed to other schools.

I would agree- the limo thing etc. - please, it's 8th grade.